Jennifer stood unable to move until the glassy whispers had faded. Even then, her legs felt weighted down and she was afraid to try walking.
"Alexander," she said softly, reaching out to him.
He remained sprawled motionless on the floor, his eyes closed.
"Is he dead?" Jennifer wondered out loud.
"So it seems," came a steady voice at her side, "but so it is not."
Jennifer spun around to face the mirror, ready to accuse, eager to demand explanations. The mirror was whole again. No smashed center, no jagged cracks--the mirror twinkled and shone in amusement.
"He's not dead?" Jennifer asked suspiciously.
"Asleep."
"How can I wake him?"
"A kiss usually works."
Jennifer was surprised to find that she could walk after all. She knelt beside Alexander and softly kissed his cold lips.
Nothing happened.
"A kiss usually works," the mirror said, "but not always."