Today was a mistake.
The show was far more worse than she thought. She sighed. At least she and her friend had fun yelling at the TV. She was returning after lunch.
Kayra walked towards the nearest bus stop- at least she thought did. She recognized the area she was in, but she knew it was nowhere near the bus stop.
Did I pass it? Do I have to keep walking? Maybe I should call Anna and ask for directions... But that would be embarrassing since I've been here before...
She carefully took in the surroundings. Her eyes settled on a small shop. Something in the window caught her eye. She contemplated for a while.
A few minutes wouldn't make a difference would it?
She ended up giving in. She crossed the street to the shop.
It was an antique store; a number of small trinkets were displayed at the glass window. What had caught Kayra's attention was a jewelry box. It didn't look like it could hold much, but it still very pretty. She lifted her head to read the price on the paper pasted on the glass. The price was also very pretty.
I should have know antiques would be this pricey.
She read the name board; 'Sam's Antique Shop'. She stepped inside. She could still get directions from an employee.
The fitting antique doorbell rang. The place was packed to the brim with items. Wind chimes and authentic dreamcatchers hung from the ceiling. An array of things from old paintings to voodoo masks were on the wall. Smaller items made of china and porcelain stood on shelves. Cardboard boxes containing less fragile items were scattered across the floor. At first, the afternoon sun had seemed to create a surreal atmosphere in the shop. Like she had stepped into the setting of a book or movie. Soon it was too strong, almost dulling her senses like when she was compelled to take an afternoon nap. If she wasn't careful she might damage something.
Second thoughts made her put Anna on speed dial.
Probably due to all the products, the lighting abruptly switched- from the blinding afternoon sun being reflected off glass objects, to low visablility. It was dark enough for the only source of light to come from a small glass pane near the ceiling. Due to the lack of light, she was extra careful. Soon she was at the back of the shop. She eyed the wall. More items were on display, the most notable being a large wooden mirror.
Where are you, Sam?
It was dangerous to leave the shop unattended, especially an antique. It wasn't even locked up.
She turned to face the mirror, taking in it's details. It was large enough to cover two thirds of her body. The intricate designs were luxuriously elegant. But something about the mirror was unsettling.
It was then she noticed.
She couldn't see her reflection.
The glass part of the mirror was like an black hole, it didn't reflect what little illumination was present. She considered the possibility of the mirror somehow being broken. But would a broken item be put on display?
Suddenly green flames flared up within the mirror. Kayra abruptly backed up into the rack. She heard a voice;
Ah, my dear esteemed benefactor... My proud beautiful flower of evil.
Kayra's exact thoughts were: 'WHAT THE FUC-'
You are truly the fairest one of all.
Everything was bathed in the green glow of the flames.
Am I imagining all of this?! Is it actually happening?! Did I pass out in the middle of the shop, and the media I consumed are affecting my dreams?!
Scared, she called out, "Helloo~?!"
There was no reply- except the mirror.
O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat... Reveal unto me the visage I seek...
She could hear footsteps approaching. Startled, she looked around impatiently, but no one was there. The shop was just as empty as the streets. The silence was deafening.
Wait- magic mirror?!
You, whose image the dark mirror did beacon forth...
Me-?!
She turned to face the mirror.
If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.
The scene was unnerving. Gone were the green flames, instead there was a hand, probably male like the voice. There was such little light, that it almost looked like a claw.
Kayra didn't hesitate to call Anna- who wasn't picking up. She hurriedly navigated through the store, she didn't need to be here another second. She grabbed the handle of the front door, pushing and pulling frantically.
Somehow, it was now locked.
She turned around, scared that whoever locked the door was in the shop with her.
It must've been the guy whose voice I heard. Is he still in here?! He must be, I could hear footsteps. Maybe I can get out the back door...?
She tiptoed to the back, avoiding the 'magic' mirror. Senses heightened in order to pick up on anyone or anything else. Six calls were not enough for Anna to pick up. The back door was also locked. She leaned against the door, grip tight on her phone. Her throat was dry.
Why is this happening?
After a few moments, she calmed down. She turned to face the end of the hall, around the bend of which was the mirror. Tempted to get another peek, she slowly walked towards it.
Maybe I was imagining everything...?
It was as she left it; the reflectionless void and the eerie hand. Curiosity gradually replaced her fear. She wanted to know if there really was something on the other side of the mirror. Wary, she tried touching the 'glass' with her index and middle fingers. Her hand slipped right through it.
It felt like her hand was going through water, but it wasn't wet. She stopped, her hand hovering a centimeter or two above the stranger's own. The tips of the 'claws' grazing the inside if the glass. A thousand feelings and emotions raced through her.
I'm dreaming. I can't get hurt if I'm dreaming, right?!
She slowly lowered her middle finger to touch the foreign entity. Upon contact, he moved and Kayra froze. He took hold of her, there was no aggression, force or tight grips. But Kayra was still unmoving. Then, she was being pulled in with painstaking lack of speed.
"What the-?! WHAT IS THIS?!"
The mirror continued to pull her in. She put her hand against the wall and tried to push backwards.
"THIS ISN'T FUNNY!" she cried. The corners of her eyes wet with moisture. "Someo-
She was cut off by the ringtone of her phone. Anna was calling her back.
She picked up without hesitation. "ANNA HELP!"
"What happened?!" Anna was alarmed by Kayra's tone.
The pulling didn't stop till the tips of Kayra's boots touched the wall. Her arm was shoulder-deep in the mirror. Most of her limb was cloaked in darkness. She dropped her phone in an attempt to keep herself out of the mirror. A distance from what remained of her arm, red flames ignited within the mirror.
"KAYRA, TALK TO ME!"
But all she heard was Kayra's crying. The voice that followed was only audible to Kayra.
As flames reduce even the stars to ash.
Her first thought was of being a demonic sacrifice.
As ice seals away even time itself.
The image changed to a shard of ice. She continued to sob.
Is the mirror cursed?! Does it kill everyone who comes near it?! Naturally, she didn't want to die.
As great trees swallow even the sky.
The green colour returned, but it was brighter, swirling green magic.
Does that mean I'm going to hell?! I know I wasn't the best daughter or student, but that's too much!
Fear not the power of darkness.
AS IF! She thought.
Now- demonstrate your power.
This time, the mirror let out actual, proper white light. Blinding Kayra in the process. With far more force that wasn't there before, Kayra was pulled in.
She disappeared with a scream that terrified Anna.
• • •
To me. To them. To yourself. The hour grows long, and time is scarce.
Keep steady your grip, no matter what may come...
÷
BTW: Kayra's outfit isn't something I chose at random. Can you guess who she resembles?