A Handprint in the Bathroom

The Handprint In The Bathroom

MAYA

I breathe a sigh of relief as the teacher finally lets me go to the bathroom, and I all but sprint down the hallway, into the girls bathroom. I roll my eyes at the petty graffiti all over to bathroom stall as I use the bathroom. Why are all the other people who use this bathroom so childish? As I step out of the stall and start washing my hands, I notice that on the wall there is a faint handprint. Hmph, probably just some other girls being stupid. I walk over to the wall and study the handprint, trying to ignore the feeling of unease that suddenly washes over me. Just ink or something...although it's the wrong color...My unease grows as I notice that the inky handprint is a dull reddish brown, not black or blue like most pen ink. Ugh, chill already. This isn't some horror story, a monster isn't gonna abduct me or something.

I roll my eyes and speak out loud to the wall. "Hmph, stupid wall, stupid handprint. You don't scare me, you little-" I pause as I hear a sound from behind me. I flush in embarrassment, realizing that someone probably just saw me talk to a wall, and I turn around-only to realize that no one's there. I frown. Maybe whoever it was left or went into a bathroom stall.
As I turn to leave the bathroom, I look into my reflection in the mirror, and can't help but notice a shadow behind me in the mirror that doesn't look like my own. I twist my head around to my shadow, but it's normal. I think I've been watching too many horror movies lately...I'm so jumpy. I turn back to my reflection slowly.

The distorted shadow seems...closer somehow. A sense of dread falls over my body, and I take a step back from the mirror. The shadow gets closer. I back up until I'm against the wall, and I no longer can see the shadow in the mirror. I must have been seeing things...it's normal again. Ugh, I need more sleep. As I take a step back towards the mirror, I look back at the wall, and my breath hitches in my throat. The shadow is on the wall, near the handprint. A deep, calming voice whispers in my ear. "Hello dear Maya..." My eyes widen. Who-What...is this? "W-Who are you? How do you know my name..?" The shadow seems to tilt its head. "My identity is not important...and I just happen to know your name." Its voice is oddly soothing to listen to. "W-What are you then?" The shadow shifts back to the mirror, looking like it is standing behind me now. "Don't worry about it."

"I couldn't help but notice that you were curious about the hand on the wall." I unconsciously step towards the wall now. "Y-Yes...it looks strange." The shadow moves back to the wall, and it seems to tilt its head again. "I know how it was made. I can show you if you want..." Its voice is so alluring, and I find myself taking another step towards the wall, towards the handprint. "Ok..." The shadow's calm voice suddenly gets more menacing. "Just stay still." I freeze up slightly. The shadow lunges at me, and all I can feel is sharp pain all over. My scream is unheard as my body starts to shudder in pain and panic. The shadow laughs at me, and I close my eyes, waiting for it to be over. Then...the pain fades. I slowly open my eyes, and find myself face to face with my reflection again.

The shadow is behind me still. I can see that my eyes are wide, and that my hand is covered in blood. My reflection lifts its hand and its gaze trails over its hand. Wait..I'm not moving my body! I try to look down at myself, and the shadow looks down at itself. Panic starts to rise up inside of me. Why is the shadow copying me?! My reflection looks at me, then silently points at the wall with its bloody hand.
I turn to the wall and my blood freezes over. The old handprint has been replaced by a new one, still dripping with dark red blood. I stare back at my reflection. "W-What?" My voice sounds distorted, not like mine anymore, and my reflection smirks at me. "Thank you for your help...you'll be a good replacement." My reflection turns and leaves the bathroom, and I reach towards it, only to crash into the mirror. No, no no no! I'm-I'm stuck in the mirror! I look at the outside of the mirror, and I finally realize what happened. "I'm the shadow now..."

-----Seven Years Later-----

A girl walks into the bathroom, I believe her name is Lily. She's come here before. I watch her quietly, shifting myself to look like her shadow. After she comes out of the stall, she washes her hands, and then her gaze drifts to the handprint, seven years old by now. Her eyes widen in curiosity, and she takes a step towards the wall. I slip into my mirror, preparing myself. She looks back towards her reflection, and she freezes, noticing the monstrous shadow behind her. "Why hello there dear Lily...I see you're curious about the handprint...why don't I show you how it came to be..?"