Invisible 》l.p.

3

"Rose, dad, time for dinner!" Mom calls from the kitchen, the smell of pizza wafting through the air. We both perk up and head to the kitchen, taking a seat at the rickety old table that the previous owners left here. I hurry and finish my dinner so I can get the remainder of my important stuff un-boxed.

Putting my plate in the trash, I head upstairs, trailing my fingers absentmindedly along the banister. I dump the box with all my makeup out in front of my closet mirror doors, sitting on the floor to sort through it. I start to arrange everything neatly when I notice something- or someone rather- out of my peripheral vision standing at the foot of my bed. I jump and look into the mirror only to see an empty room. I brush it off as exhaustion and go back to my task.

Rose?

I hear someone whisper my name and a shiver runs down my spine. I suddenly feel cold, and turn to grab my blanket when I hear it again.

Rose...

I sit motionless, my eyes darting around my room, looking for the source of the noise. "Dad?... Mom?..." I mumble, hoping one of them will answer.

Mirror

I feel my body tense up as I stare at the empty room, not wanting to turn around to face the mirror I'm sitting in front of. My breathing gets ragged and I start shaking, my heart pounding in my ears. I turn slowly, my eyes meeting those of another person. I can feel the color drain from my face. I try to muster a scream but it comes out in a squeaky whisper. I start trembling, my breathing stops, and I can do nothing but stare at the man in front of me.

Rose

I scream and struggle to get out of my room, tripping over the makeup I have strewn around me. I gain my bearings and run for the door only for it to slam shut in my face. I pound on it, screaming for mom and dad, tears streaming down my face. I'm so cold. I hear yelling for me and footsteps running up the stairs. I try to open the door but the handle burns my skin, causing me to yelp and grip my hand. Dad runs up to the door, screaming for me, and opens it with ease.

He looks at me and says something but I can't understand him. It sounds like he's talking to me through water. It's slurred and unintelligible but I can hear him talk. He puts his hands on my shoulders, mom brushing the hair from my face, and says something else that I can't understand. He gives me a light shake but I just stare blankly at him, unable to move or respond.

My vision starts getting really fuzzy, the pain in my hand severe and burning like I'm holding it just over a fire. The corners start to grow black and they're still talking, but I don't know what they're saying. I can't focus.

"I need to sit down" I mumble, before I feel myself falling onto the floor, hands holding onto me.