Glitch in the Reflection

Family Hikes

The door to Jermey’s room slammed opened, causing him to jerk awake from the sudden noise. “Wha-”

“Get up.” Elena told him, standing in the middle of the doorway dressed in hiking gear.

“Elena?” He was trying to blink out the light from his fan that his sister ‘graciously’ turned on. Checking the time, he let out a groan. “It’s not even six. What do you want?”

She just threw a pair of shorts at his face. “Get up and find out.” As she was leaving, she shouted over her shoulder. “And dress for hiking! Jenna and I are already ready!”

All he could do was stare at the door.

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Jenna, Jermey, Elena, and Dasher were trekking through the forest together. Passing trees and rocks, until Elena stopped them in front of a lake. “Okay, this is it.”

“Wow.” Jenna mumbled. “How did you find this?”

The teenager shrugged. “I stumbled upon it not two long ago and I just fell in love with it.”

“Can we go back now?” The other teenager whined. “I have things to do.”

“What, like Vickie?” Elena turned her head towards him. “Dude, you can do so much better.”

“Vickie? Vickie Donovan? When did that happen?” Jenna asked her nephew.

Said nephew just shrugged his shoulders, not really wanting to discuss how that came to be. However, Elena wasn’t gonna let him get by it. She wanted him off drugs, for good. (Even if she really wasn’t Elena) “He started doing drugs, got the druggys attention.”

“Elena! What the hell?” 

Jenna quickly back tracked. “Drugs Jermey? When did you start?”

“It’s none of your concern, Aunt Jenna.” He told her, while glaring at his older sister.

Jenna scoffed. “None of my concern? I’m your guardian, Jermey. I’m gonna be concerned.”

The doppelganger already knew where this conversation was headed, and usually she would let this continue. But, she needed to tell them her biggest secret. Well, her second biggest secret. Well, part of it at least. Elena turned to Dasher, before glancing at the arguing family members. Silently asking him to break it up.

Dasher understanding what his Mama wanted, let out a loud bark. Causing the two humans to turn towards the dog. Knowing he doesn’t bark often. Elena smiled down at her fur baby. “Thanks, bud.”

“Welcome, Mama.”

“Look, as much as I really want you to talk about Jer’s drug problem. I didn’t bring you guys for that.” Elena told the duo.

Said duo glanced at each other, both just as confused as the other. “What is it Elena.”

Elena sighed, setting her camelback on the dirt, before pulling out two ankle bracelets. “These ankle bracelets are filled and soaked with a herb called vervain. It’s what's growing in my window seal. It helps prevent vampires controlling your mind, also known as compulsion”

“Vampires?” They both muttered. Not believing a word Elena had said.

“They’re real.” She tried convincing them. “Same with witches, werewolves, doppelgangers, sirens, and basically any other supernatural creature. Where there’s a myth, there is probably a fact. Humans are not on top of the food chain, been like that for a thousand years.”

“Elena, you can’t expect us to believe that.” Jenna tried to sound comforting. “Maybe you should see someone, get you some help.”

“I’m not crazy.” Elena scoffed. “I’m the doppelganger witch, guys. Everything I said is true. I can prove it.”

“Oh, yeah.” Jermey gave her crooked smile. Somehow finding enjoyment from this. “Go ahead, prove your crazy.”

She just nodded, before turning around to face the lake. She knew what she was going to do would take an awful amount of energy out of her, probably taking almost the whole day to recharge. Elena blew out a breath, rubbing Dasher’s head before holding her arms out to her side. Closing her eyes, picturing the lake completely frozen. “Glace, solidatur. Glace, solidatur. Glace, solidatur. Glace, solidatur.”

“Holy shit!” 

She didn’t know which of the two family members said it, she was too busy focusing on the lake. But, when she opened her eyes, she could see the entire lake was frozen solid. A wide smile formed on her face, before getting light headed. “Whoa.” She would have fallen over if Jermey didn’t catch her in time.

Jermey slowly sat her on the ground. Letting her grasp her bearing before continuing to speak. “When I woke up in the hospital, I was gifted with this magic, and visions of the future.” It wasn’t the entire truth, but it was close enough. “In a week's time, vampires will come into our town because of who I am, or who I resemble. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you both sooner.”

“It’s fine Elena.” Jenna told her niece, before her face paled from a sudden realzingtion. “Wait. So you're saying, all the stories my sister told me about the supernatural growing up, are real?"

Elena’s shoulder shook from hidden laughter. “Come on.” She slowly sat up. “Let's go home. I’ll answer more questions on the way.”