The Mirrors reflection

A World Apart

The morning arrived slowly, seeping into Elowyn's room through the cracks in the curtains. The overcast sky outside mirrored the heaviness she felt pressing down on her chest. She lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, replaying the strange dream from the night before. The voice—smooth and haunting—had stayed with her, echoing in her mind: "You must confront what you fear most."

The figure, cloaked in shadows, had been so vivid. She could almost feel his presence even now, his words like a whisper on the back of her neck. Her heartbeat quickened as she recalled his gleaming eyes and the eerie allure in his voice. The dream felt more real than anything she had experienced in a long time, yet she had no idea what it meant or why it was bothering her so much.

With a sigh, she threw off the covers and sat up. The room was cold, and the silence pressed in on her. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the lingering unease, but the tightness in her chest remained. As she stood and moved toward her easel, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror on the wall—pale, dark circles under her eyes, her hair a tangled mess. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her.

The half-finished painting on the easel sat in the same state it had been the night before. The swirling storm clouds and jagged landscapes, so reminiscent of the chaos inside her, felt wrong now. Her hand hovered over the canvas as she tried to grasp the vision she'd had when she started it, but the inspiration seemed to have slipped through her fingers.

She put the brush down, frustrated.

Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. Elowyn walked over to the cluttered desk and picked it up. A message from Felix.

Felix: Morning, stranger. How are you feeling today?

She hesitated before responding. Felix had been her rock, especially in recent months when the weight of everything—her grandmother's death, her isolation, the anxiety—had become too much to bear. He always knew when to check in, his timing impeccable, as though he could sense when the darkness was closing in.

Elowyn: Hey. Didn't sleep well, but I'm okay. Thanks for checking in.

She set the phone down and went to the small kitchen to make coffee, hoping the routine would shake the fog from her mind. As she waited for the coffee to brew, she stared out the window at the city below. The streets bustled with life, people going about their day as if nothing was wrong, as if the world wasn't falling apart for some of them. For her.

Her thoughts drifted back to the dream—the figure's voice, the strange pull she had felt toward him. It wasn't just fear she'd felt. There was something else, something darker, something that intrigued her. She shook her head, trying to banish the thought. It was just a dream. Nothing more.

Her phone buzzed again.

Felix: So... I know you're probably not in the mood, but there's this art exhibit tonight. Thought it might be a nice distraction. Want to check it out? We can grab dinner after.

Elowyn smiled despite herself. Felix had a way of knowing exactly what she needed, even when she didn't. She hesitated, unsure if she had the energy to face the outside world tonight. But then again, the thought of staying in her apartment, alone with her thoughts, didn't seem any more appealing.

Elowyn: Yeah, okay. I could use a change of scenery.

Her phone pinged almost immediately.

Felix: Great! I'll pick you up around six?

Elowyn shook her head with a soft laugh. Felix was always so eager, his enthusiasm infectious. She couldn't help but feel a little lighter knowing she'd be seeing him tonight. As she sipped her coffee, she let herself relax into the idea of the exhibit, of spending time with Felix. Maybe it would help clear her mind.