Mirrors (Dystopian Short Story)

The Company

The outside air smells like dried apples and, as my eyes adjust, I see that Lenore has led me out to a patio lined with trees. But instead of normal trees with bark, fruit, and leaves (I've never been much for gardening but I assume most trees have these things) they are flat. Each tree seems to be held up by a flat board stuck into the ground. All the leaves look like the cardboard air fresheners I would hang from my rearview window back wherever I was. Each flat leaf has words written on them. We pass one that says "scratch and sniff" and I reach out to grab it. Before I can, Lenore slaps it out of my hand and scowls at me like I'm a child.

"Don't touch that," she says. "It doesn't even smell like real apples."

"The air back home smelled like this sometimes!" I call out to her back. Lenore turns and raises an eyebrow.

"Exactly. It's fake."

When Lenore's back is turned again, I grab one of the air fresheners. It seems completely ordinary except that it came from a tree instead of a store. I bring it up to my nose and sniff. Apples. I scratch the stiff cardboard once more and the cardboard cuts my finger. It stings the way only papercuts can. I swear under my breath so Lenore won't hear and put my finger in my mouth to stop the minimal bleeding. Lenore calls for me to hurry up, so I stuff the cardboard air freshener into my pocket next to the photo of Heidi and run after my new companion.

We reach another door. This one is a dark gray metal that reminds me of the file cabinets at my old employer for some reason. Lenore uses her lighted hand to open it but grabs me by the shoulders before we enter. "This place is weird, Allan."

"You mean weirder than scratch and sniff apple trees? Or the people continually trying to kill me?"

She glares at me before continuing, "This place is not what it seems. Do not give in. We have a long way to go before we're safe so stay near me."

I nod, taking a deep breath before following her through the dark entrance.

It's pitch black. So dark, I don't even know where Lenore is until I run straight into her.

"Sorry," I say. "It's a bit dark." I laugh awkwardly.

Lenore doesn't answer, but slowly a light grows from where I tripped. It isn't Lenore. A white glow-in-the-dark creature with a smile gently grasps my hand. It's soft and resembles a blob of bread dough.

"It's ok, Allan. I don't mind. I am so happy you're here." The being is joined by another who latches onto my right leg. They are actually kind of cute.

"Yay! Allan is here. Everyone, Allan is finally here!" another thing shouts.

More and more white blobs with smiling faces hold me and tell me how much they like me. Lenore was right, this place is weird. But I will admit it's nice to be told that I'm welcome. I feel a smile grow on my own face that probably hasn't been present for months. My skin begins to tingle where the blobs have latched on. It feels nice, like a warm, buzzing massage.

Lenore suddenly rushes into view, punting one white thing four feet into the air. It squeals sadly.

"Hey! He didn't do anything to you. Besides, they like me." I laugh as a slightly cat shaped blob tickles my ribs.

"Of course they like you," she says, rolling her eyes. "Those things are called the Nameless Few. They latch onto anyone with insecurities and won't let go..." she trails off as she walked away from me. "Until they steal your soul."

She smiles evilly as I push the creatures away from me. The pleasant buzzing becomes painful and I feel bile climb up my throat. Now that I know what they are, the faces of the ones complimenting me begin to melt like wax. I watch in horror as their smiles puddle on the floor.