Reflections

The Subway - Chapter 2

"Sweetie? Are you doing alright up there?" Nathan heard his wife calling. He did not answer though, he was trying to get a grasp on the situation. That couldn't be real, that cannot have happened, there is no way that happened!  He kept repeating to himself. I must still be dreaming right? How could any of  this be real?  His mumbling and rushing thoughts were interrupted though by a touch on his shoulder. He felt his body jump, and he fell back. He looked up to see his wife, a worrying look spread across her face.

"Nathan, are you OK? You look really pale, and your lying on the bathroom floor for crying out loud!" She looked scared even. Nathan took a second to take a breath, and then finally answered.

"I.. I'm sorry, I guess I'm still shaken from that dream. I feel exhausted."

"You look a lot worse than just shaken, you look like you have seen a ghost!" 

"I'm fine alright? I just... slipped is all." Nathan had no intention of telling his wife about what had just happened, why would she believe him? If this isn't a dream, then it was just a figment of my imagination right? Yeah that must be it. I'm just hallucinating is all. He finally shook out of his paranoia, and felt sane again. "What, what time is it? I need to get to work soon."

"No you don't. Not like this. You need to rest, please." His wife asked, a begging tone in her voice. But Nathan wasn't willing to stay here, not with that thing possibly coming back from the mirror.

"I'll come back if I start feeling paranoid or something OK? But I still have a lot of work, and I can't afford missing a day." His wife sighed.

"I won't be able to change your opinion on this will I?" Nathan looked up at her apologetically. "Alright, well then get dressed. You have breakfast made downstairs." She turned around, but paused for a second. She looked over her shoulder, and proceeded to whip around and kick him playfully. "And stop sitting on the floor already. You look like a baby."

Nathan chuckled at that. He lifted his hands up towards her like a child and said in a high-pitched voice "Upsies! Upsies!" She laughed and hit his hands away. It always made him happy to see her laugh. To be honest it made him happy to see her do anything. Feeling better, he got up, got dressed, and followed her downstairs. Before he had even made it to the foot of the stairs, he already knew what his wife had made. the smell of the eggs and the sound of grease sizzling on the stove from the bacon. It was a simple breakfast, and Nathan liked it that way. Besides, it was the only thing his wife actually could make without setting the house on fire. His wife was cleaning up the counter from all the leftover egg shells and milk. 

"It's all ready for you, now eat before it gets cold." She said over her shoulder. Nathan sat down at their small dining table, and looked at the food set before him. He remembered how often she would tease him for having such a simple and stereotypical breakfast. But Nathan couldn't help it, a breakfast like this fit his daily schedule perfectly. He picked up his silverware, gave thanks, and dug in.

                                                            *                       *                        *                        *

Nathan had to start jogging in order to actually make it to the subway in time, which was fairly difficult in a suit holding a briefcase. But he had no other choice. He had already left the apartment building, and he knew he would be late if he took his bicycle to work. He also felt sweaty at work whenever he did it, despite the chilly weather. 

As he ran, he did his best also to take in the scenery around him. Icicles hung from lampposts, a light fog rested in the air, and a thin layer of snow covered most of the ground. He continued to take the view in, but snapped back into focus after he accidentally ran into somebody. He apologized and continued his jog to the subway. That's what I get  for sleeping in, can't even think straight now. He smacked himself upside the head, and picked up the pace. Making it to the subway he slowed down, and carefully walked down the steps to avoid slipping on the ice.

Sure enough, the subway train was already there, and was just about to leave when Nathan made it. He had to grab a pole to help him slow down from the sprint. He took a second to catch his breath, then looked for a seat. He made it to the back, and took the wide seat to himself. 

there were only a few people in the subway car with him, just a bit under a dozen. There were a few young kids, probably students heading to school, talking and giggling in the furthest corner. Another middle-aged man was sitting and reading a newspaper. There also was an old woman sitting on her own, who turned to Nathan and gave a warm smile. Nathan returned the gesture with a not, and took a deep inhale. Okay, finally made it, and right on time. Sure enough, the doors closed to the car, and the subway began to start moving. Nathan looked at his watch, and saw that the trip would take multiple stops. I got time, maybe I should try to nap while I'm here. His body groaned in agreement. He felt so tired. So.... Tired..... And with that Nathan closed his eyes.

. . . 

"Darling. Darling? It's time to wake up now Darling!" As soon as Nathan heard the voice, he shot back awake. 

"Wha-? Who said that!" 

"Oh come on! We already introduced ourselves!" Nathan saw it now, it was in the reflections of the windows. It was standing in the middle of subway car, one arm on it's hip, and the other holding on to one of the poles. It was his reflection again.

"No, No! You aren't real! You can't be!" Nathan started screaming. He had forgotten about that thing, he had tried to forget it. But there it was again, same satanic smile spread right across its face as before. Why has nobody noticed this thing? Why is nobody saying anything?

"Oh your as funny as ever Nathan. Nobody else is here!"

"What?" 

And Nathan saw it. The blood. The puddles of blood underneath all of the people in the car. They all were sitting in their seats still, but they were pale. Where their hearts would be there were thick red splotches of blood. It was as if their hearts were ripped out, and the rest of of their bodies were left in peace. Nathan simply stood in shock. It looked at him expectantly . A horrifying look of joy on it.

"Surprise!"