Cold-Blooded

Demon in the Mirror

My mother had somehow inherited an eerie old house in the middle of a ghost town, and of course she asked me to check it out for her. I had made sure to get there well before dark, but a storm had moved in making the whole place feel like a clichéd black and white horror film. Great. I bet that this day could not get any worse. It just so happened that if there are gods, they decided in that moment to screw me over with a downpour of rain. Dark and stormy night it is then. Bring it. I squared my shoulders and headed inside. I would not let some dumb house get the best of me.

The house was in decent shape, most of the electrical wires still worked even. There were a couple leaks I unfortunately came across, but other than that I was just about ready to give the house a clean bill of health so to speak. The last place I needed to check was the attic. I toyed with the idea of just leaving, as that was always the best way to avoid the gory end of most thrillers. No one ever listened to common sense in those things. Maybe I should, mother would never know. If she did though she would be fuming... Off to the attic I go then.

"If I get murdered I am blaming you." I directed my words at my nonpresent mother, but it was almost as if the house sighed in response. It hadn't been too bad before, yet now I was getting a sinister feeling from the place. I wanted out of this house as soon as possible. I headed up the stairs and noticed that it was getting much darker. I pulled out my cellphone to use as a flashlight, cursing myself for not thinking to bring an actual flashlight. Just a quick peek. Then I am out of here. Each minute seemed to last an eternity every moment I stayed inside. The rain outside has got to be better at this point.

Once I made it to the attic, I slowly made my way around, having difficulty as it was seriously clouded with dust. I froze with fear however when I heard a horrifying crack underfoot. Looking down as I lifted my shoe, I had the sudden realization that I had just stepped on an arm. I stumbled backwards moving as far away as I could manage from the now apparent skeleton. I leaned against the wall breathing heavily trying to figure out what to do. I had known the house was old, but I looked at the phone in my hand and immediately began dialing 911 with trembling fingers. Within moments I heard a voice on the other end.

"911 what is your emergency?"

"Uh, I uh, found a body. Actually no, I uh, found a skeleton. A human skeleton."

"Where are you Ma'am?" I began to ransack my brain.

"I am on the outskirts of Emberville..." What was the address? "Uh... 1124 N... Eastwood Drive!" Yes! That was it!

"I am dispatching officers to your location now." I could feel some of the tension on my shoulders relax, as I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Thank you." I thought I had heard more instructions, but was already instinctively hanging up the phone. Dang it! Glancing at the skeleton once again I could see that the body was facing the full length mirror standing in the middle of the room. The most bizarre part was that there was a revolver in its left hand, and a fairly large hole in its head. Who ever this was, watched them self commit suicide? If it even was suicide. As I glanced into the mirror, my makeshift flashlight beam lit up a paper laying on the desk back in the corner just past the body. Unable to curb my curiosity I gingerly stepped over the body and began to read:

          "I am writing this note to whoever has the misfortune of coming across it. I know many will not believe this tale, but it is a true one. It is all appallingly true.

          My reflection is mine no longer. It has morphed into some hideous creature that is not me, it can't be a reflection of me. If that is not bad enough, it also has a lust for blood.

          Its' reign of terror has made me the last soul alive in this house; the last in my family; the last in this town even. There is nowhere left to turn.

          It has bloody hands even now. It gets more powerful the longer it is attached to me. It cannot die for in some sick fashion it is still mine.

          I know but one thing. This has to end."

I felt a shiver run down my spine and looked up after hearing car doors slamming outside. Thank goodness the cops are here. I am so done with this place. I made my way carefully to the exit of the attic and turned back just once to see my reflection in the mirror. Except that version of myself had blood dripping out of the corner of my mouth. I stood paralyzed in terror as it licked its lips and grinned showing a full set of razor sharp teeth. It smirked and slowly mouthed three sickening words. "I am free."

Did you see the end coming? Have any good feedback? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!