The Silver Mirror

Yellow Eyes

Ellie woke the next morning in a sleepy daze...in her bed? What she could remember from last night was that she collapsed just getting out of her bed. But why? Ellie couldn't recall why she had to get out of bed. And so urgently. Did I have to pee and just lied back down? That sounds like something I'd do... Ellie just brushed it off and left the warmth of her bed. Cooper woke up and lumbered over. 

She walked to her closet and grabbed clothes for the day then promptly walked into the bathroom. Her short brown hair was nearly standing up, there was crust in the corners of her eyes, dried drool on her chin, and purple bags hanging low under her eyes. Oh god I'm a zombie.

Stripping off her pajamas and washing her face, she checked her phone to see if anything had happened while she was asleep. She likes to read the news before going to school in case something bad happened in her neighborhood so she doesn't have to go out for that day. Instead her phone had a blue light blinking at the top of her screen. She was confused because she doesn't remember giving her phone number out to anyone. 

She unlocked her phone and saw it was a message from an unknown sender. It read, "Hey! I think you left a pencil case at the arcade last night? It's Keith btw." 

Ellie saved the number and replied back, "Thank you but I didn't take out my pencil case last night." 

She put her phone down and started brushing her teeth. Ellie squeezed a little out, heard her phone vibrate, jumped, and ended up squeezing out too much toothpaste. It ended up on the counter and in the sink. Ellie swore and started washing it all down the drain. She washed the extra toothpaste off her hands and looked at her phone.

Keith: Are you sure? External Image.

Ellie opened the picture and saw her pencil case.

Me: That's weird. I thought I didn't take it out.

Keith: You want me to hold onto it until we get to school?

Me: Yes, please. Thank you!

Ellie put her phone down and continued getting ready. She wondered how Keith had her pencil case when she didn't even take it out. She just shrugged it off and looked in the long mirror at her body. There was something there that caught her eye. It looked like someone had carved a swirling pattern on her right hip and it was just starting to scar. When the fuck did that happen? Ellie was starting to panic. First the pencil case, now this? What's going on? 

The doorbell rang, slapping her out of her thoughts and making her throw on her clothes. Her mom and dad aren't home because this is the day they start work. Cooper met her right outside the bathroom door and ran behind her as she stumbled downstairs, pulling on her grey and black-starred jacket. 

When she got to the door, she opened it hesitantly. Right behind it was a waiting Tatiana. She wore a light brown shirt-dress with matching converse and her hair was in two braids again. Her glasses were slightly off and it bugged Ellie.

"Hi Ellie!" she waved and smiled at her. "You ready to go?"

Ellie looked down at herself then looked back up at Tatiana as if trying to say, "Does it look like I am?"

"Oh... right... I'm sorry. I'll just go to school then."

Ellie shook her head and gestured for Tatiana to come inside. She led her to the kitchen where she opened the fridge and gestured for Tatiana to take whatever she wanted. She then pointed to herself, then upstairs. She then pointed to Tati, then pointed at the kitchen table.

"It would have been a lot simpler if you spoke it instead of make gestures all the time," Tatiana said. Her eyes, suddenly, grew big and her mouth opened in a silent scream. Ellie turned around and saw Cooper timidly walking into the kitchen for food. She looked back at Tatiana, who seemed petrified where she stood. 

Ellie whistled and got Cooper's bowls. She filled one up with water and the other with food and turned to face Cooper. He was sitting down with his huge black head tilted to one side. You're so cute.

She looked at Cooper until he lied down and rolled over. She smiled and put the food on the floor where he promptly ate. Ellie pat his head and ran upstairs to finish getting ready, leaving the petrified Tatiana there.

Ellie went into the bathroom to brush her hair and put on the rest of her clothes, only realizing then that she went down in boxers that passed as short shorts. 

She put on her skinny jeans and turned her jacket the right way around after brushing her hair up into a small ponytail. There wasn't much to work with but today she felt like brushing it back. She tucked in some stray strands and headed back downstairs. 

When she finally made it down, Tatiana was throwing away an apple core and Cooper was lapping at his water bowl. 

Ellie waited for Tatiana to notice her before walking out of the door, not even waiting for her. Tatiana had to speed walk to catch up with Ellie.

Once they were outside, Ellie felt the cold, sharp wind pierce her clothes and knew winter was just around the corner. Tatiana must have felt it too because Ellie noticed goosebumps pop up on her arm. She hid a smirk by holding her hand by her mouth.

Ellie pointed at Tatiana's outfit and gave a small thumbs up.

"You like this dress?" she asked as Ellie nodded. "Aw, thank you."

Ellie offered a small smile as they turned left on main street. In the distance, they could see Trevor walking down the road. Tatiana and Ellie exchanged a glance and both took a deep inhale. Tatiana was about to scream when Ellie let out a loud whistle. It was so loud, she noticed Tatiana flinch a little bit.

Trevor turned to look just as all the dogs in the neighborhood started barking. He squinted his eyes before smiling like a goofball and waving frantically. He waited for Ellie and Tatiana to catch up to him before continuing on to school. 

"So how did you guys sleep?" he asked. 

"Pretty good actually considering homework," Tatiana said shrugging. 

Ellie nodded, wrinkling her nose, agreeing with Tatiana.

When they got to school, they saw the twins arguing about something. The three of them went up to the twins and kinda just stood there until they noticed. They pouted and moved on, but not before grabbing Ellie by the wrist and dragging her off. 

When they got out of earshot of Tatiana and Trevor, they turned to Ellie. 

Jae took Ellie by the shoulders and said, "We're arguing if last night was scary enough."

Ellie was confused until she looked at Jae in the eyes. Staring back at her... was two glowing yellow eyes.