Chapter 7:22 Petrol Tears

"This is the second time you've failed me." the Queen says.

High above the forest and the swamp— above the clouds where it's still light— the Queen stands over the reflecting pool. She has long, silver hair and a crown of blue Kixi flowers.

She's speaking to Kane, however she never turns to address him. Speaking to him as if he's not even there.

"I don't know what the problem is," Kane says. "They're— different."

A teenager, only slightly older than Theo, Kane stands behind her looking exhausted. Every time he projects his shadow it takes a little bit more out of him. He's angry with himself. He was determined to capture them this time.

"Look down here." the Queen commands, pointing to the reflecting pool.

"Please don't make me." Kane pleads. If he looks into his own reflection he'll be trapped inside forever. Only his shadow can enter.

"So you do know the repercussions of failure. Think you have nothing left to lose? I'll teach you about loss, child. Remember half of you still belongs to me."

The Queen laughs and the sound makes him cringe.

All he wants is to be with his girlfriend Gwendolyn. The love of his life, she's an amazing violinist. She had a special day planned for Kane's birthday when the Typho came for her. She had balloons— the Typho popped one with his sharp fingernails. He asked her if he could tell her a secret. Then the balloons floated away and she was gone.

Kane tried to rescue her from the castle. When he was captured, the Queen had him cursed with the Bang Utot. At first he refused to take orders from her but the Queen told him that if anything happened to her, they would be in danger too. All he had to do was help her with a few small things and she would let them both go. However, every time he asked how much more, she always seemed to have one last task for him to do.

"You can go back to your little room now." the Queen says and two winged lions come to escort him away.

"Why is this happening to me?" he wonders as he's led away. "Is life always like this?" The thought aches within him. It's been so long since he's looked into a mirror he wonders if his reflection will still be there.

All he has to do is stop those children and Gwendolyn will be ok. He'll capture them, he decides. He has to.