Canto VII: Crossroads Of all the paths I dreamt of taking Of all the worlds I hoped to find I never imagined she’d find the same one   A celery-scrawny frame hair like unraveling yarn Dressed in jeans, hiking boots and a three-buttoned corduroy jacket Her pale blue eyes pear through concave glasses “You?’   “Don’t stand there gawking Keturah, shut the door”   Keturah? But this looks like my friend Bailey Unless some phantom stole her shape…   The girl tries to wink settles for a hard blink   “Keturah, you’ll have to share the room. This is Shyllen,” She turned to me “Wash up and help with the table, please”   ‘Keturah’ gestures to an iron pump “It takes some elbow grease”   I walk up “But—it’s you! You’re—“   “Shh!” She giggles. “I haven’t told her where I’m from or why I’m giggling Explanations later.”   The meal is simple, but filling bread-bowls of stew and fresh water   Afterwards, the woman says “Can you clean up? I have things to do.”   As her footsteps recede, the other girl whispers “Laura?”   “Bailey?”   “Yes!” She springs up and squeezes me to her heart “I never thought— I imagined adventures— but with you!”   “Can’t… breathe…” I gasp   She releases her grip a little “How did you get here?”   “Just opened a door."
“I've seen  a new world. like nothing before just step through the door” she sings   “Why the fake name?” I ask   “Why yours?” She grins “Genre savvy Good blesses anonymously Evil curses specifically”   “You don’t trust her”   “I read George MacDonald Those shadows may hide beauty or monsters” Bailey shrugs “Let’s do the dishes She probably won’t be back soon but might as well”   I pick up a mug “You don’t seem surprised to be here”   “I’ve had adventures before let me tell you…”