Unseen Powers

Special Beginnings

I walk into the room with my gaze pointed towards the floor. There is a mirror blocking my path. I look into the mirror, but it is not my reflection looking back at me. The image is impossibly skinny and pale, as if made of pure energy. They glow dark purple with black eyes matching their indistinguishable outfit and hair. They are the perfect personification of every nightmare.

I feel terror causing my heart to start beating faster. I am afraid that it will launch itself, ripping out of my chest.

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I wake up with a start. I am safe in my own bed. I put my hand to my heart as an attempt to calm myself but it just makes me remember the feeling of that dream. I hug my legs and force myself to take deep breaths.

I hear footsteps and a gentle knock on my door.

"Are you okay?" I hear Will whisper from the other side. "Another nightmare?"

Their voice intrudes into my thoughts. It is not truly a nightmare if it continues once you are awake. The words echo in my head, haunting me.

"You can come in," I reply, avoiding his question.

He opens the door a crack and sits on the edge of the bed, facing me. "Are you okay?" he repeats as he clicks on the lamp on the nightstand beside my bed. His face illuminates, and I can see his messy red hair and bright blue eyes clearly.

"I'm okay," I reply. "It was just a nightmare, nothing more."

"Well, when you say it like that, I totally believe you. I'll just leave and let you get back to sleep because you don't seem traumatized at all."

I hit him with my pillow. "Ooooookaaaaaaaay, maybe it was more than just a nightmare."

He leans onto his elbows, looking at me sideways. "Mhmm, want to elaborate?"

I hug my pillow to my chest. "Not really..."

"I am not going to make you talk about it, but we both know that if you don't talk it through then you're going to just stay up all night to avoid the chance of it reoccurring and then you'll be useless tomorrow."

"Are you implying that I am useful?" I tease.

"Do I look like Charlie?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "I'm the other twin, the one who thinks you're more than just a victim."

"Being a friend doesn't necessarily mean that I am useful," I say, looking down then blowing at the hair that has slid into my face.

He takes that hair and tucks it behind my ear. "I think that it does."

I look deep into his eyes, "It was another nightmare about... about turning into that scary purple... thing."

"I'm sorry, I know that that scares you. Were there any new clues?"

"Nope, I still don't know what it is... the same thing as always. I see it in the mirror and I freak the heck out."

His eyes widen a bit and I realize, what I think that he is realizing as well, that he still has his hand cupping my cheek. He jumps a bit and holds his hand like he's been burned.

"Sorry!" he says awkwardly, combing his hand through his hair. "I did not realize I... I'm, uh, just, um... tired."

"It's okay, it's not a big deal." I insist, giggling as he blushes, "I'm tired too."

"Then maybe you both should get back to bed."

Both of our heads turn sharply towards the doorway as our attention falls on Charlie, looking, and acting, like a disappointed parent.