“What’s in the box?” Gretel asks as we head downstairs and then go down the final flight of stairs to the basement.

“You’ll see,” Jonah says. “Abby and I put together a big care package for you and Hansel.”

I packed cheese and crackers, fruit, two boxes of spaghetti, and two adorable reusable water bottles. Plus toys, books, pillows, and blankets. Also the rest of the chocolate-chip cookies. Jonah tried to sneak one when we were packing up the box, but I slapped his hand away. How many times does he want to throw up in one day?

“It’s thirty seconds to midnight,” I say. “Ready, you two?”

Ruff! Prince barks.

“Not you, Prince,” I say. “We’re not going. Just Hansel and Gretel.”

“We’ll miss you guys,” Gretel says. “Thanks for everything.”

The four of us stand in front of the mirror, looking at our four reflections. It’s amazing how identical we look. Who would ever have guessed that Jonah and I would find our look-alikes in fairy land?

Jonah knocks on the mirror. Then again. Then a third time.

The mirror starts to swirl. Jonah and Prince and I stand to the side so we don’t get sucked in.

“Bye!” Hansel and Gretel say as Gretel clutches the box tight against her chest.

“Bye!” Jonah and I say.

“One, two … three!” Gretel counts.

Then she and Hansel jump through the mirror.

When the mirror clears and we see our reflections again, I call out, “Maryrose? Are you there?”

The mirror ripples. I see the very faint image of a woman’s face in the glass. Her long hair flows down along the side of the mirror.

She’s there!

“Of course I’m here,” she says.

I have so many questions! “Hi! Don’t go! I have to ask you stuff!”

“Go ahead,” she says.

Okay! “Did you think Hansel and Gretel were us?” I ask. “Is that why you let them through the mirror into our basement?”

“Absolutely not,” Maryrose says with a laugh. “I knew what I was doing.”

“Why, then?” Jonah asks.

“Did you learn something by being in their world?” Maryrose asks.

“Yes,” I say.

“What?”

“That we were being spoiled brats,” Jonah says.

She laughs again. “Exactly.”

My cheeks heat up, but I keep going. “Did you know they looked just like us?”

Maryrose smiles. “Of course. That’s one of the reasons I chose you. You reminded me of them.”

“Huh?” I say. “Chose us? You chose us? But you couldn’t have! The mirror was here when we moved in! Didn’t we choose you?”

She laughs a third time. “No, little ones. I definitely chose you.”

My heart speeds up.

“But for what?” Jonah asks. “For the mission?”

“Yes,” she says. “Absolutely.”

“But what’s the mission?”

Instead of answering, Maryrose slowly fades away.

“Wait! Maryrose!” I say.

The mirror ripples until it’s smooth again.

“Aww,” Jonah and I both say.

I have so many more questions. Next time. I’ll have to ask her next time.

Jonah, Prince, and I climb back upstairs. I give them each a hug good night and then close my door.