The Second Floor Mirror

Chapter Two

The clouds were gathering as rain poured in to the city. Salem and Oni jogged to their new house, a few days after buying it, and got inside. Salem swished her hair around, trying to get most of the water out of her hair. Oni shook his fur, Salem immediately scolded him, making Oni sit on the rug. "Stay boy, let me go get a towel to dry you off." She booped his nose with her finger and jogged upstairs.

Salem passed a section of sheets on a wall. She slowed down, staring at the sheet. She saw how dirty the once white sheet was. The woman slowly raised her hand out to push over a little bit of the sheet, when suddenly Oni barked as loud as he could. Salem jumped in surprise and hurried to the bathroom, grabbing the towel for the Husky Mix.

She trotted down the stairs and smiled at Oni, who sat patiently. "Sorry Oni , I don't know if this house has any electricity yet." She shrugged.

Salem kneeled down and scrubbed all over his body, making his fur ruffled and puffy. Salem shook the towel and tossed it onto the rug. Oni barked and shook his fur once more before trotting off towards the couch.

All the furniture was still there, how the last owner had left it. The couches and chairs matched as a light brown colour, a rug laid on the floor underneath a large wooden table. There was no television, and most of the lighting was coming off of the walls, where the lamps were installed. The floors where stained wood, and the steps had a glued on maroon rug.

Salem sprawled on the couch after shuffling over. Oni jumped up and curled himself in between her and the side of the love seat. Salem chuckled and scruffed him up a little. "Oh honey, you love being pet huh?" She asked, ruffing up his check and neck fur.

Suddenly, there was a large crash upstairs. Salem's smile dropped as she sat still. Oni looked up, growling within his throat. The girl eyed Oni before looking up. There was nothing on the ceiling. Salem sighed and sat up slowly, Oni trotting towards the stairs. "Something probably fell." She muttered to herself out loud.

Oni barked protectively, his tail raised. Salem booped his nose, causing him to stop. The woman slowly went up the stairs, Oni following. She stopped halfway, and signaled Oni to go first. The dog barked softly and scattered up the stairs. Salem waited a second before going to the top of the stairs.

The Husky Mix was growling at the draped mirror, his tail raised and fluffed. He had his teeth showing, growling as loud as he could. Salem's eyes widened a little as he showed much aggression over a mirror. The black haired girl edged Oni down the stairs. He would drag his feet, not breaking contact with the mirror. He barked a few times as Salem eventually had to pick him up. He kept barking and snarling at the still object. Salem was trying to shush him. "Oni! Oni! Shhh! It's okay. It's just a mirror. It's okay hun." She tried to calm him.

Oni barked again. Once Salem reached the bottom of the stairs, she slowly put him down. Oni snarled and jumped out of her arms, racing back up the stairs. Salem growled to herself, and reached for his leash. She chased him up the carpeted stairs and down the hall again. Oni barked and snarled at the covered mirror. Salem stared at her dog, confused but nervous. She slowly reached for the mirror, only to be stopped my Oni.

The dog snarled at her hand, whimpering, then barking again. Salem inhaled nervously and grabbed his leash, tugging him down the stairs again. "Oni, you gotta stay away from the mirror. I don't want it falling on you." she patted his head.

Oni cocked his head at Salem's words. Salem rolled her eyes and looked back over to the mirror. It was covered, and Oni continued to stare. Salem walked up the stairwell to the front of the hallway. She faced the covered mirror before slowly reaching her hand towards it. She suddenly stopped herself and then laughed. "I have nothing to worry about." She chuckled nervously to herself.

Suddenly, there was a knock. Not on the door, but from the mirror. Salem jumped and clutched her chest as she stared at the mirror. She couldn't believe what has just happened. No, that didn't just happen. It's all in my head. Salem told herself. There was another knock from the mirror. It sounded like it was coming from the other side.

Salem went to grab a hold of the cloth to bring if down, but Oni snatched her sleeve and growled deep within his throat. Salem knew Oni was frying to protect her from.... Whatever was behind the cloth. She bent down and petted his head as he calmed down. "Thank you Oni, you knew it was danger. Be sure to remind me to get you a treat." She smiled at him.

Oni barked and quickly ran down the stairs. Salem followed, but stopped half way. She turned around to face the mirror one last time. Should I take off the cloth? She thought to herself. Oni barked at her, waiting for her to come down stairs. No, I shouldn't. Salem continued her way downstairs to get her dog a treat.