Never Ending Tales

Reflection

Elodie studied her reflection. Why is it so different? She wondered. Her hands smoothed over her long, pin straight dark hair; it shined under the bright fluorescent light. Her eyes stared at the mirror, confusion clouded her. Matted frizzy hair topped the reflection she saw in her full length mirror, dull and lifeless with no bounce or shine. Elodie’s milky skin had a red tinge around her almond eyes, the skin was angry and irritated

Darkness clouded her bright hazel eyes, it resembled watered down coffee more than her usual toffee hue. She felt her heart spoil under the gaze of the reflection. She shifted her eyes away, oily skin was her new object of wonder. Elodie rubbed her soft cheek; no oils lingered around.

Elodie's beauty was her pride and she knew she did not look like that. She powdered her skin and mixed it well, and even washed it twice before that. She washed her hair with care and caution using a new color booster shampoo; it provided both shine and bounce. As for her reddened eyes, Elodie never cried. She cared too much for her precious skin than allowing emotions to spill.

A few more moments of staring into the foreign eyes of her reflection passed by, each second Elodie began to feel drawn to the mirror. Her small, chubby hand extended towards the gleaming silvery surface and she flattened her palm against the icy glass. Her reflection looked sad; depressing watery eyes and skin of death. Her reflection was skin and bones, quite the opposite of the baby fat Elodie never lost as she grew. She poked the extra flab on her near flat stomach, it never bothered her until now.

The reflection dropped to the ground causing Elodie to stumble back; she gasped in terror. Her hand reached out to touch the mirror, her hand never touched the glass. A vigorous force tore Elodie through the thought to be solid surface. Her throat ached to scream but no sound left her moist lips as they pressed together in fear. Glass shattered in the background; a door - her door - opened. That was the last sound she heard before her head swirled as her body plummeted down a large opaque abyss. Panic surged through Elodie as everything went black

***

In an instant she was awake, her eyes flew open and she screamed as the reflection leaned over her. Panic filled the reflection’s face and a bony hand slapped over Elodie’s mouth; the creature hissed.

“Don't. Scream." Her voice was deadly; cracked and broken. The reflection resembled a walking skeleton. Elodie noticed her with more clarity; bruises scattered around her gangly limbs, and she wore a morbid expression. With caution Elodie removed the clammy palm from her mouth and took a deep breath. Even the air she breathed was thick and muggy; it was polluted with smoke and depression.   

"U-uh," she stuttered as words left her lips. Elodie knew not what to say nor did she plan on speaking until stuttered slurs verbalized. Questions buzzed around her mind, but none spoke. She sat at a loss for words until the reflection spoke again:

"You. Need. To. Help. Me." Her words sounded pained, she was breathing heavy between each word and looked indubitably exhausted. Elodie's heart pounded.

"How?" Her voice came out small and weak. The reflection sighed then winced in distress.

"You are currently in a parallel universe in an opposite world. Everything in your life has changed, all good is bad and all bad is even worse. You're in your own personal Hell, and I'm your reflection." She stopped and took a long, ragged breath.