Spectrophobia

13: The Paranormal Investigator

The house was now quiet. Still and silent, waiting anxiously for Ray to proceed with his plan. He sat there, the paper open in one hand and his phone in the other. Thank fucking God he hadn't thrown the phone and destroyed it, otherwise he would've been screwed. He was nervous, and he had no clue why. This was the help he really needed.

He glanced over to his table.

The roses were wilting, their once beautiful dresses now creased and old. The box had lost its shine, slathered in dust. Both completely forgotten. So was the thought of seeing Jane at all. She was soon to return. What day was it today? Would she return tomorrow? He had lost all perception of time.

He really was fucked.

Ray looked at the number and began to insert the digits into his emergency call. Slowly letting his fingers trace over the last call of help for him.

He hesitated before pressing call.

Holding the phone over his ear, he let it ring. After a while of it ringing, Ray was about to give up and perhaps call again. Until someone finally picked up.

"Speak."

Spoke the voice on the other end. The anonymous voice sounded quite young. Young but exhausted. Like they hadn't slept properly in weeks. It held a distinguishable accent. Sounded, maybe, British.

"Um..."

Raymond hadn't really thought of what he was going to say. His pause must have irritated the person.

"Speak up or I'll hang up."

"Please don't. I need help, Kyle gave me your number."

That seemed to spark some sort of interest into the anonymous person.

"Okay. Explain your situation."

"Well. I have this mirror at home. And during the past couple of weeks, my reflection, sort of.. came to life. It talked and moved and now it's going to kill me, I need help!"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down Ray, take it easy, everything will be fine."

He immediately frowned.

"How do you know my name?"

"I know a lot of things. I know things you don't. Now tell me, is the mirror in your home and is the reflection there?"

His voice no longer sounded tired, but more alert and serious.

"Um, yes. Well I'm pretty sure."

Silence. It seemed the person on the other end was considering his options. 

"Alright. I'll be over."

He hung up.

Ray lazily slumped in his seat, removing the phone from his ear. He couldn't believe he was real. That he was finally gonna get help.

A sudden knock at the door.

Though he knew who it was, it didn't stop him from jolting. He stood up, stumbling over his own feet as he quickly opened the door. He was met with the most unlikely person he had ever seen.

The paranormal investigator was indeed very young. No more than eighteen or nineteen. He held short, straight brown hair, curled over his forehead. and glasses that hid his sharp eyes under its hazy layer. Sharp exhausted eyes. He carried a small brown briefcase in a small fist.

The investigator eyed sternly at Ray's face. His crazed bloodshot face.

"Can I come in now?"

He asked, his voice sounding much younger now than on call.