Obscura Fabula (Dark Shorts)

Midnight Mirrors

Midnight Mirrors

Midnight guard cores were the worst. There was something in the latrines by night that gave me goosebumps. The common bathroom felt cold and freaking scary late night. Maybe it was the illusion that produced the huge white empty space... Silent.

However I hated that guard shift. It meant that I had to mop the latrines at 12:00 am. It scared me the hell out. The sensation of being observed inside that space increased every time I had to go to the restrooms late night. Literally I used to fly in and out without even blinking.

Well, the night came and I had to do that guard duty by midnight! I walked across the dim hall pushing the mopping cart, the mop and the detergents. The flickering dim lights on the walls gave the place a nightmarish ambience... Like if I needed more effects to think the place was spooky.

I entered the restrooms without looking around the place. My eyes fixated in the quick movement of the mop on the floor. I did it the more rapid I could. That heavy feeling on my neck made me stiffen. I felt someone was there with me. Trying to avoid the feeling I did my cores the best and quickly I could. Goosebumps rose all over my skin. A cold blow in my stomach hit me... I was sure I wasn't alone... But there was nobody there. I knew.

I put back the mop in the cart. I ran to the wash-basins to wash my hands and face. When I looked up to the mirror she was there. Pale, dark empty eyes staring at me through the reflection. She was dressed in a white robe... Her hair was black like the night, wet and loose almost covering her ghastly face.

My heart dropped. I stopped breathing for a second. I wished I could blink but I didn't. I kept staring at her. She remained motionless. I managed to move. My body felt heavy but I walked to my left.

"I'm leaving. I'm sorry I have disturbed you. Stay there, I'll go." I told her in a whisper without looking back. And I left the latrines, leaving her behind.

It was the last time I saw her... Thank God.

*** This is the last of the three stories that narrate my encounters with SHE while I was in the BT. I later found out that I haven't been the only one to see her. SHE has a sad story. SHE fell in love with a drill sergeant while she was in BT. The young private committed suicide hanging herself from the water pipes under the latrines in the basement. Or that was what I was told.