I stand in front of the mirror and see a stranger’s face looking back at me. One, two, three faces and the number keeps climbing. We all stand together, friends and enemies alike. Walls of mirrors divide us, creating barriers cold as ice. Some of the ice is melting, creating a slight breeze of fresh air, opening communication. Some of the ice remains frozen like steel, cold and unfeeling, a silence that pierces the soul. 

I get lost in the maze of mirrors, forgetting who I am. Every face is familiar yet a stranger all the same. The scent of lavender brings me back to the present, grounding me in the moment, but a sudden voice, changing weather, a song, and I suddenly find myself in another place, another time. 

My emotions swirl like a tornado and I get trapped in the eye of the storm. I fear for my sanity, losing its grip thread by thread. She looks at me from the mirror and smiles softly. I keep my eyes on that face while the other faces create chaos. Some crying, some screaming, some cowering in the corner. 

I cover my ears and focus on her glow of compassion. She keeps me steady. My breath slows with a sigh of relief. The chaos fades into the air, invisible like wind. Just for this moment, this second, however brief, I am at peace.