“Shhh! Before you answer, you must look into my mirror. Then I will explain your choice.”

Standing, she took his hand and led him across the room. On the far side was a golden door. Behind it, Justin could hear running water. When she opened the door, Justin saw not a room, but a cave. Four torches were set in its walls.

In the center of the cave was a pool. A small waterfall fed into it from the right. A stream flowed out to the left.

“Kneel,” said the old woman. “Look.”

Justin knelt, and peered into the water. He saw his own face, thin and worn, with large eyes where the fear was never far beneath the surface. From his shoulders sprouted wings, huge and beautiful.

The old woman dipped her finger in the water and stirred.

The image shifted. Now Justin saw not a boy, but a man. Yet it was clearly his face.

“The man you will become,” whispered the old woman.

Justin stared at the face. It was not handsome, as he had always hoped he would become. But it was a good face. The eyes were peaceful and calm. The beginning of a smile waited at the corners of the mouth. Laugh lines fanned out from the eyes. It was a strong face. A kind face.

Outside, far down the mountain, Justin could hear the laughter of the children.

The old woman stirred the water again. The man’s face disappeared. The water was still, showed no image at all.

“Come,” she said quietly.

Justin followed her back to the room.

“Now you must choose,” she said. “You can stay here. This place is safe and calm and no one will hurt you, ever again.”

Justin felt his heart lift.

“But . . . you will stay just as you are. Never change, never grow any older.” She sighed. “That’s the trade. There’s always a trade. It’s the best I can do, Justin.”

He looked at her, startled, then realized that given everything else that had gone on, the fact that she knew his name should be no surprise at all.

Justin went to the window. It looked out not onto forest or mountains, but clouds. He stood there a long time, looking, listening. Finally he turned to the old woman.

“Can I ask a question?”

“Certainly—though I can’t guarantee I will know the answer.”

He nodded. “I understand. Okay, here’s the question. The man I saw in the pool. Me. What does he do?”

The old woman smiled. “He works with children.”

Justin smiled, too. “And what about my uncle? Will things be better with him if I go back?”

The old woman shook her head sadly.

Justin blinked. “Then how is it possible I can turn out the way you showed me? How can that be me?”