ka'

n reflection in the antique mirror. The golden frame looked too

g about toda

was tired or pale, but because my eyes-

lin

lection

uld've sworn that my reflection smiled-a twi

ion. You're imagining things," I whispered, tryin

en this way, and I was just now starting to see it. The air felt heavier. The s

by the door like he sometimes did, smil

th each passing day. He barely spoke. He barely slept

. it's not suppo

but they didn't focus on me-almost

d mug of coffee and a note on the counter

ld I no

s colder today, the clouds outside drooping low like the sk

st hallway, someth

ys been shut before.

ver bothered exploring. But now, it

he door op

a small window. The only thing inside was an old, full-length mirror w

ard it before my

rime, its surface still reflected clearly. I st

asn'

ded by wilted flowers and melting candles. Her eyes were vacant. Blood tr

ace eerily similar to Ethan's, b

ard, breath caug

again, the mir

e, wide-eyed fa

oing c

ling. Yo

ce made

oorway, wrapped in her usual

on?" I asked

ixed on the mirror. "I warned

n it-it was a

show herself to you,"

e..

imply. "The first b

ou mean... some

ended in blood. And now..." She glanced at the mirror. "Now she lingers.

my knee

as mur

ed most. On the very night

kled. "And E

She only needs a brid

"You think I'

"Love won't save you. In this house, love is the

art p

I do?" I

ht. Keep the lights on. And if sh

slipped out of the room, leaving me

uld find. I even hung a towel over th

han still wasn't home. His pho

n the room turned on. The s

37

rd a

the

va

whippe

or was u

r-but now, it was bare. And in it, I saw som

e

no

identical, but her smile was cruel, her eyes black and e

er to her lips and

wly, trembl

tion chuck

but I couldn't

I felt h

e is runn

d and fell against

once... twice... then

swallowed

the nightstand. My fingers fum

on its own. A dim, unnatural

w a wedding. No

filled with dying roses. And Ethan-kneeling, his ey

e

"No, no, no-th

ned them, the

lection wa

dripped fr

heard som

kn

soft k

t on t

side th