“I always felt sorry for humans, spending so much time in front of the mirror. Fixing their hair, makeup, and clothes, mostly to impress others. Did they really see themselves in the mirror? Was it what they wanted to see? Did it make them feel good or bad? And mostly I wondered if they based their self-image on their reflected one.”

“Your right. We do spend a lot of time worrying about our looks, instead of focusing on what's inside. - RavenThe artist has the power to capture that. To express what he thinks about the subject. I thought that was much more romantic then seeing myself in a cold, stark glass reflection. - Alexander”

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” His stunning green eyes bore through me. “A corpseconvention?” Even sweaty, Trevor was gorgeous.“What are you running away from?” I retorted. “Your mirror?”

“Did I hear it's going to be someone's birthday?" a familiar male's voice said from behind me.I didnt even bother turning around and continued walking, but that didn't stop my nemesis from disturbing me. He jumped in front of me, blocking my way."It's been a whole year, has it?" he asked in a syrupy tone. "Maybe this birthday I'll finally give you what you've always wanted.”

“If you really want me to be safe, maybe it's time.""I'd just feel safer if you'd start sleeping in a coffin."Just then my door creaked open.Billy's expression turned to surprise."Get out!" I said, hopping off the bed. "Uh...we are making up lyrics to a song." But that didn't keep Billy out. Instead he was totally interested."You're writing a song? That's so cool. I want to hear it.""It goes, 'Safer in a coffin, and if your brother doesn't leave, he'll be in one too.”

“It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. How the artist captured the light, the details of my mother's dimples, the joy in my father's eyes, all through gentle strokes from his palette. The artist made me look alive when I felt lonely and grim inside. That's the way this man saw me. I decided then that that's what I wanted to do”

“So what about that key?" I asked."I knew you'd be asking me about it sooner or later." He pulled the cord out from underneath his shirt and dangled the key in front of me."What do you want for it?" I sneered. "Five dollars?""I don't want money," he said with a wicked grin."What does it go to?""A kiss will unlock more than this key will," he whispered in my ear.”