Only minutes before, everything had been completely normal. He had sat eating breakfast at the kitchen table, as he did every day.
It was only when he glimpsed in the mirror that he realised something was very wrong. Trying to comprehend what was happening, panic quickly set in, and he felt sick to his stomach. With his is mouth dry and sweat beading on his forehead, he sprinted from room to room, checking all the mirrors in the house, trying in vain to find a reflection; his reflection!
How could this have happened? And of all days, why did it have to be today? This was the most important day of his life. He had to find help.
"Honey, you nearly ready?"
"Err. Yeah. Sure. Let me just grab my wallet."
Ryan had to think fast. He couldn't be seen like this! Make up! Cover up! That's it. Dress in long sleeves, stick a hat on and cover his skin in Michelle's foundation! Nobody would suspect a thing. Right?
Before he knew it, Michelle was staring at him with a look of puzzlement on her face. Surely he would have to come clean and explain the unexplainable.
"A little heavy on the fake tan", she joked, looking him up and down.
He laughed nervously, avoiding her gaze. "Ha. Yeah. Fake tan. It is. Yep. I've overdone it, I know. But today's big presentation's just got me all nervous. I need to make an impression on the boss."
"Oh, you'll do that alright", she chuckled. "They'll not forget you in a hurry."
"Anyway. Your wallet. Here. You left it on the dresser."
Ryan grabbed his briefcase and headed out with Michelle to the SUV. He hit the air con immediately, acutely aware that the burning sun would surely expose him, or rather erase him: Neither scenario he wanted to experience.
YOU ARE READING
The Ghost
Fiksi IlmiahA cure to save millions. Or a tool to create devastation. If only Junior Researcher Ryan Elliot could have known what dangers he would place all of those around him in upon revealing his big breakthrough, maybe he'd have thought twice about it. But...
