The Reflection

6: Behind the Painting

( Back to Joslyn's POV)

Slamming the door, I angrily punch my stuffed animal Chestnut, silently screaming in rage.
AGHH. Oh sorry Chestnut. AGHHH!
I fall forward onto my pillow, slowly lifting my head towards the window.
Great. It's raining again.
I sigh, smushing my head between the pillows, probably smudging my makeup.

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" Screech!" I pull out my chair as I sit down, daring to make eye contact with anyone. Supper is awfully quiet. I chew on my potato as I peek around the room. Dad turns to me.
" What is on your mind Evelyn?" He asks.
I cringe at the sound of her name, blinking to stop the tears.
Don't cry Joslyn. Don't cry.
" Oh sorry! Uh Joslyn." He blurts.
There's an awkward silence.
" I think I've lost my appetite." I declare, rinsing my dish in the sink.

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I lay awake in bed, letting my thoughts wander.
Well that was awkward. He called me Evelyn. I wonder if he misses her. Mom surely doesn't. Her heart is cold. And she knows that. * whisper* Hello? Did I just hear something?
" Hello?" I cautiously call out into the dark.
What? *the book. I know where it is.* What??
I jolt up. There's a weird tingly feeling running down my back. Goosebumps start to form.
What does this mean? Who said this? The book? Wait. That book? Το βιβλίο υττοκόσμου!
( translation: The book of underworld) No way in living hell that book is still here. I thought dad banished it! That book is filled with bad things.
Next thing I know I'm standing right in front of dad's office.
" How did I get here?" I mumble, stumbling to find the door knob in pitch black.
" Creak.."
" Shhh!!" I shush as I slip into the thin doorway. I quietly close the door behind me, daring to make a single noise.
Why am I doing this? One single sound and it's over.
I stand still, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. My hand slips against a hard figure. I pick it up realizing it's a flashlight.
Wow. Whoever told me this really thought this through.
I click on the flashlight, it's light practically blinding me.
Great. Now I'm partially blind for this mission.
I glance at the clock.
Poop! I have to hurry. Dad usually checks around the house.
I search around the room, examining every little detail or things that looks dusty or book like. After minutes I find nothing.
Ugh! Where is it? Wait. Maybe it's in another room.
I give one final check before leaving the office.
I tiptoe over to the small bookshelf in the family room.
Nothing.
I plop down on the couch, about to give up my mission when I feel eyes burning at the left side of my head.
Why only the left side? It feels weird. I don't like the way this is going.
To my left is the painting. The one my mother painted when she was in college. Before her true love broke her heart. I walk to it, slightly brushing my hands across the surface. It's a girl holding up a book right up to her hazel eyes. Its breathtaking. I shine my light on it stopping abruptly to a small note lodged into the frame. It says: " reach inside the painting until you touch the wall."
Hmm. Doesn't that mean I have to break the painting?? I can't do that! It took mom 6 months to do this. But all the things she's done to me and Evelyn. She deserves to taste a little pain.
I cautiously reach inside, my hand slipping right through. I touch a wooden wall. I feel it open. Suddenly curled around my fingers is the book. Looking exactly the same as before.

Hope you guys enjoyed that chapter. The suspense is real. The struggle is real. Sorry it was short. I'm starting a new book a called " The truths and lies about the rainbow" don't worry I'll still be writing and updating the Reflection. Stay tuned for the next chapter!!