That morning, I heard odd sounds coming from the attic. I sat up from my bed, pulling the covers wearily off my body, and crawling from their warmth. Fresh fallen snow had blanketed the grounds and had left a chill in the house. I went to the stairs in my room that led to the attic and slowly began to climb them. Letting the cool steps wake me and sooth the anger that had been rushing through my weary veins.

As I reached the trap door to the attic, the odd yet familiar sounds became louder. I opened the door slowly and realized what those sounds were...

Laughter... She was laughing...

I peered from my hidden spot to see Nicole playing with the young fox pup that was pulling on her dress.

"Yuna! Stop that!' She laughed as the young fox growled playfully and began to lick Nicole's face, sending her into a fit of giggles.

It's been so long... Her laugh is just as beautiful as ever...

I opened the door fully now and rose from it only to be met by the young fox pup whom jumped from Nicole's bed and dashed towards me. It began to growl a bit in a playful manner as it recognized who I was; jumping about on the floor like a young kitten and then dashing back towards Nicole's Bed and jumping back into her lap.

"She likes you Mum." Laughed Nicole as she stroked the growling fox.

"She?" I asked as I walked over to Nicole's bed and sat on its edge.

"Yes. May Yuna stay with us?" Nicole said, her eyes filling with anxiety for fear of what I might say.

I sighed heavily and then remembered her laughter but a moment ago and then began to smile brightly as I said,

"Of course."

This sent her into a fit of giggles which made Yuna begin to jump around on the bed and fall off the side. Nicole died out laughing as she saw Yuna disappear off the edge and then begin to try and jump back up. Her little head could be seen as she desperately to climb back up.

"Yuna! Come one girl!! You can do it!" Nicole coaxed, making the young fox begin to run to the back of the room.

Oh no...

I sat and watched as the young fox then turned to face the bed as she reached the wall straight across from the bed, crouch down a bit and then dash at us as fast as her little legs could take it. When Yuna was a foot away from the bed, she leaped as high as possible, flying over us, only to be caught by Nicole's wounded arms... Nicole laughed as the startled fox realized that she was not going to crash on the other side of the bed and began to lick her face gratefully.

"Let's not try to be a bird shall we?" Nicole asked the fox affectionately as she held Yuna against her.

"Well, I must go begin breakfast. What would you two young ladies like?" I asked letting a smile crept over my tired expression.

"Something special... For Yuna?" Nicole inquired.

"How about pancakes?" I asked as Nicole followed behind me as I went down the stairs, her fateful little companion at her heels.

"That sounds lovely. Don't you agree Yuna?" Nicole chuckled as Yuna clumsily walked down the stairs, "Mother?"

"Yes?" I replied as I began to make the pancake batter.

"Why did Father Pritchard let those girls do those things to me?" she inquired as she sat at the kitchen table, Yuna lying in her lap.

I sighed heavily as I poured the batter on the hot pan, "I do not know."

"Well I shall ask him when he comes today." She replied as she stroked Yuna.

"Nicole... Father Pritchard... He will not be joining us anymore..." I said hesitantly

"What? WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!" she cried out, sending Yuna into a fit of growls as Nicole suddenly stood from her seat.

"He obviously doesn't care anything about what happens to you so I told him he need not come." I stated as a sudden, eerie feeling made my heart sink as I heard my daughter scream.

"WHY DOES EVERYONE CALL ME A MONSTER?! WHY DID HE DO THIS?! WHY DID THEY HURT ME?! WHY DOESN'T ANYONE LIKE ME?!?" she screamed, her voice suddenly softened and became barely audible as she said, "Why do they want me dead?"

I turned from the burning pancakes to see a tear streaming down my daughter's flushed cheeks, her fox hugged tightly in her thin, ghostly arms as she stood staring at me.

"Oh sweetheart!" I began but was silenced by what she said next.

"Is it because of that face? The one that is in the mirror? Can they see it too?" she inquired, her red eyes welling with tears.

"Nicole, I think it is time you learned something." I sighed as I gently grabbed her arm and led her to my bedroom.

"That face, the one in the mirror. It is who you think it is... Sweetheart... It is you." I said, my voice wavering as I held the mirror to her face.

She stood in shock; Yuna began to yowl as Nicole's face flooded with terror.

"No..." she breathed as she began to back away.

"I'm sorry, but..." I began, reaching out to touch her shoulder.

As I did, she flinched away. Her eyes began to fill with hatred and fury as I she dashed out the room.

"NICOLE?!" I cried as she ran up the stairs, Yuna right behind.

I heard her door slam and lock as I saw the young fox dash in after her. I sighed heavily and slowly went to throw the burnt pancakes in the trash. After I made sure the wood stove was off, I went and sat on the couch by the dim fire. A chill fluttered through the air as I stared into the mirror I held in my shaking hands.

"Having trouble?" a deep booming voice inquired.

My heart stopped for a brief second as the voice chilled my blood and sent my breath and time to a standstill.

That voice...