The book for all ( short story)

Maxine's Reflection

"Maxine's Reflection"

Maxine had this fierce stance about herself. Her sharp jawline alone spoke volumes of dominance. 

An aura that warned people to stay in their lane. No one crossed her; no one dared to get too close. She sat at her desk, posture straight, finishing up her final project for her college psychology course. The room was dim except for the glow of her laptop screen.

Her mother peeked in, already dressed in a flowing navy-blue gown. "Your father and I are heading out for our anniversary dinner. There's food in the fridge, and don't forget to lock the doors."

Maxine didn't turn around. "Got it. Have fun."

The door clicked shut, and she was alone.

She worked for another hour, the clock's rhythmic ticking barely noticeable.

until it stopped.

She glanced up. The clock hands were frozen at 8:44 PM.

With a sigh, she pushed her chair back to check the batteries. On the way, she caught her reflection in the tall mirror across the room.

But it didn't move with her.

Maxine froze. Her reflection still sat at the desk, fingers typing, eyes locked on the screen.

"What the hell..." she whispered, her chest tightening.

She took a hesitant step forward. The reflection stopped typing and slowly looked up.

Maxine took a step back.

So did the figure, back into a seated position, mimicking what Maxine had done moments before.

She inched closer to the mirror, heart pounding now. This time, the reflection stood up. But it didn't mirror her. It stood confidently, chin high, that same dominating energy Maxine was known for, but amplified. Darker.

"Who are you?" Maxine whispered.

The reflection smiled.

"I'm who you pretend to be," it said, though its lips never moved. The voice echoed inside Maxine's skull.

Maxine stumbled back, knocking over her chair. She blinked.

The mirror was empty.

Then 

tap. tap. tap.

Fingernails dragged along the glass from the inside.

Maxine turned to run, but all the lights shut off at once.

Her laptop screen flickered on.

The project she'd been working on was gone, replaced with a message typed slowly in real time:

"You're not in control anymore."

Behind her, the mirror cracked.

Maxine's eyes shifted back, the panic in them nearly sucking her soul out. She staggered, breath hitching, but it was too late.

The mirror trembled violently, a thunderous crack echoing through the room like a scream from another dimension.

Out leapt the reflection, the other her.

It moved with terrifying grace, grabbing Maxine by the throat and yanking her forward. She didn't even have time to scream before she was pulled in, her body dissolving into shimmering glass as if she were being swallowed by liquid mercury.