Read Through the Mirror and Into Snow for Free Online Page B

morning.”
    Val and Sam chose beds beside Snow. Despite the excitement the day brought, they managed to fall asleep almost immediately after a quick, “Goodnight.” Otter curled up in the doorway to the bedroom as if she was on guard duty. She was asleep in seconds as well, dreaming as she always did; with a low whimper and her legs slightly kicking. No doubt her dreams were of chasing rabbits, squirrels, barn cats, and perhaps an occasional possum.

    The storm stopped but the rain continued to fall throughout the night. The girls slept well, considering their current circumstances. Even though the house was a mess, the roof didn’t leak and kept them snug and dry. Samantha was usually the early riser, and was the first to awaken to the bright morning sun shining in the tiny room.
    “Yuck, this place is even dirtier in the daylight.”
    Valerie and Snow woke up at Samantha’s protests. Valerie took a few blinks as if she was trying to figure out where she was. She glanced over at Samantha and Snolindria and took a big stretch.
    “Excuse me.” Her morning stretch, more often than not, was followed with a slight musical from her behind. By ‘slight musical,’ I mean she puts my cousin Jonnie to shame. The other two laughed.
    “That’s nothing,” said Samantha. “You should hear her burp! If there were windows, she would make them rattle.”
    Valerie’s eyes got big. She looked at Samantha and blurted out, “Safety!”
    Just as Val began to shout, Samantha cried out, “Doorknob!” Valerie got her reply out first. She was the victor this time. They laughed instead of beginning a chase.
    “What was that about?” asked Snow.
    “It’s just a game we play,” explained Samantha. “If I say ‘doorknob’ before Valerie says ‘safety’ after she farts, she has to run to the closest doorknob and touch it for a safe base otherwise I get to punch her as hard as I can.”
    “You two are sure weird.” Snow was grateful to have the silly antics of Sam and Larrie to keep her company during this trying time. “Let’s take a look around the house. Maybe there’s something to eat.” She stood up and stretched. No music accompanied it…thank godmother for small favors.
    There were dishes in the sink and on most of the countertops. Valerie and Samantha noticed the sink was more of a washbasin made of wood and the faucet was more like a small well. There was no sign of a refrigerator. There were no lights either, but instead tiny lamps that needed to be lit with a match.
    “That’s explains why I couldn’t find a light switch last night,” Valerie whispered to Samantha. “We must be in another time.”
    They found some fruit that had been preserved in jars in the cabinet and found some clean forks, so they sat down to eat breakfast. They decided to clean up a bit when they were done. None of them was sure what their next move was going to be, but cleaning kept their idle hands busy for the time being. Valerie worked on the dishes that were in the sink as the other girls brought dirty ones off the counters over to her. With Val on dish detail, Samantha took the task of shaking off the bedding while Snow dusted.
    When Samantha came back in with slightly less dusty comforters, she told the other two about a creek she saw out back. They decided to go out and relax by it, soak their tired feet, and let some sunshine sink in while they discussed what they should do next.

Chapter 8
    “W ELL , A T L EAST I T HINK we’ve earned our keep for staying the night and eating some of their food,” Snow said, once they were settled at the creek. “If there are owners, I don’t think they’ll mind so much now.”
    The girls smiled and nodded, agreeing with her. They were pretty sure who the owners were, but were hesitant to share any information or their thoughts about it.
    “Snow, why were you out in the forest by yourself?” Samantha asked. “If you don’t mind talking about it, that is.”
    “That’s okay. I have