Short Stories

Mirrors in the Dark (Part 3)

"Chase wake up! I know it's the weekend, but you need to get up and eat these pancakes!" Annie yelled from the kitchen.

I dragged myself out of the bed, I was so tired. Last night seemed so surreal, I had gotten back to my room at about 3 in the morning. It was now 7:15. I was going to be working on just over four hours of sleep.

"I'm coming!" I shouted as I lumbered into the kitchen.

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He had moved his pieces, right into the trap I had set. Chase....He is the direct descendant of my brother. He is the spitting image of him. I hate him. But I pity him. So sweet and innocent, so oblivious. I told him my story, and he listened. That's more than any other descendant has done. Poor Chase. What an unfortunate card fate has dealt you.

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"Hey Annie?" I asked after putting my dishes in the sink.

"Yes?" she replied with a drawl.

"Does Jason have any books that I can use for my project?" I said. I had thought about all of the mystery books I had read and shows I'd watched. And I thought, even ridiculous as it was, that I could guess where Maila's token was.

"Why would you need any more books Chase?" she asked, hinting suspicion. "You already have some don't you?"

"Well, I thought that he might have some different ones I could use in his study." I said, feigning innocence.

Annie nodded thoughtfully. "Well I don't see any harm in it. Just don't snoop around where you shouldn't." Shaking her finger in a way that probably should have been threatening but really wasn't.

"Thanks Annie." I walked out of the kitchen and went into Jason, or Mr. Miller's study.

There were several large shelves full of books that ranged in thickness and color. I looked for a certain one. If my theory was right, then maybe I would find this token hidden in a book.

Then I found it. A large, leather-bound book, stained red. It looked ancient and the spine was titled Witchcraft and the Forbidden Arts. It ran across my mind how strange it was that the Millers would have a book like that. I quickly pulled the book out and opened it. It wasn't a book at all. It was a leather bound box. And inside of it was a simple necklace, the brass locket shaped into a circle, the image of a moon and star hammered into the tarnished surface.

Gently, I picked up the locket, placing the "book", back onto the shelf. I slid the necklace into my pocket, grabbed a book on medical history from a different shelf and retreated to my room. Both of the Millers were at work now, so I had the house to myself. Tossing the medical book onto the shelf I sat on the edge of my bed.

I pulled the necklace out of my pocket. Carefully, I untangled the chain. The locket felt smooth, except for the slight tarnish and the hammered pattern. It was simple, yet elegant, the moon and stars engraved in the metal added a mysterious vibe to the brass locket. I found a crack in the side of the locket, opening the locket I inspected the two faded photographs inside. One was of a middle aged man, the other was of two children. The girl looked like a younger version of Maila. And the boy...

I dropped the locket as if it had suddenly scorched my hands. It made a hollow, metallic clunk as it hit the floor. The picture of the boy staring directly at me.

That boy....He...Was me....

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The hollow sound of metal hitting wood echoed down into my room. I traced patterns on the obsidian surface of the mirror. I looked at the door. So he had found the pictures in my Mother's locket. My strategy was working perfectly, all of his pawns had been captured, and I was only a few turns away from taking his King. All that could stop me is his Queen, but she didn't seem to be interested in playing just yet.