The Woman in the Tower

They reached a tower just before dawn.
Or what passed for dawn in that strange underground world.
At the top stood a woman in a long silver dress.
Mira knew her immediately.
Not because she remembered her face.
Because she remembered her hands.
Those were the hands that had braided her hair.
Those were the hands that had held hers when she was afraid of thunderstorms.
Those were the hands that had tucked blankets around her at night.
"Mom?"
The woman turned.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then she smiled.
"Mira."
Mira ran to her.
But just before she reached her, Elias shouted,
"Don't!"
Mira stopped.
Her mother looked at Elias.
"Still suspicious, I see."
"What did you do to her?" Elias asked.
Her mother sighed.
"Nothing."
Then she looked at Mira.
"I didn't die, sweetheart."
"You did."
"I know."
"You were buried."
"I know."
"Then how are you here?"
Her mother looked toward the enormous clock.
She explained that years ago, the two worlds had begun to collapse into one another.
Someone had to guard the door between them.
She had chosen to stay.
But the door was failing.
And now it needed someone else.
Mira understood immediately.
"No."
Her mother touched her cheek.
"I knew you'd say that."
"I'm not staying here."
"You don't have to."
Mira stared at her.
"Then what do I have to do?"
Her mother smiled sadly.
"Break the clock."