The Voice Behind the Mirror

"We hit something. I think we hit a deer."

"That wasn't a deer. That sound was too solid. Like a stone wall."

"The engine is dead. Try starting it again."

"I can’t. The key won't turn. It’s completely dead. The battery is gone, too."

"It’s pitch black in here. Did snow cover the windshield?"

"Looks like it. We’re buried. The drift must be massive."

"Everyone stay calm. Don't panic. Our oxygen is limited. If we all start screaming, we’ll suffocate before we can dig out."

"It’s hot. Why is it suddenly hot? It was freezing a second ago."

"That’s not heat. That’s adrenaline. Greg, you’re by the back door. Can you push it open?"

"It’s jammed. The snow outside has turned to ice. I can’t budge it an inch."

" The window? Can we break the window?"

"Don't! If you break the glass, the snow will pour in and we’ll freeze to death. We have to wait for help."

"Who is coming in a storm like this? We are on an old logging road. No one uses this route."

"Shh... quiet for a second. Do you hear that?"

"Hear what? The wind?"

"Not the wind. The sound of... claws. There is something scratching the roof of the car."

"Maybe it’s a tree branch?"

"Tree branches don't breathe. Listen closely. There is a heavy wheezing sound right above my head."

"It’s walking on the roof. The metal is buckling. Whatever it is, it’s heavy."

"Is it a bear?"

"I don't know. But it’s looking for a way in."

"It climbed down to the hood. Look, the snow on the windshield is sliding off. Something is wiping it away."

"Oh God... its eyes. They’re glowing red."

"That’s a wolf. It’s absolutely massive."

"Why is it staring at us like that? It doesn't look afraid at all."

"It’s not staring. It’s counting us."

"Look, it’s running back into the woods."

"It left?"

"No. It went to get friends. Did you hear that howl? It was way too close."

"We have to get out of here. If we stay here, we are just canned food waiting to be opened."

"How do we get out? The doors are stuck!"

"The trunk. Greg, you’re skinny. Climb over the back seat and try to pop the trunk from the inside. Maybe the snow isn't as deep back there."

"Okay, I’ll try. Hold this flashlight."

"Hurry up, Greg. I hear footsteps again. A lot of them this time. They’re back."

"It’s open! The trunk lid popped! The snow is loose here."

"Greg, you go out first. Check the situation. If it’s safe, we follow."

"Okay. I’m going out. It is freezing out here. The fog is thick."

"Do you see anything?"

"I can't see... wait. There’s a light. It looks like another car’s headlights down the road."

"Seriously? Go flag them down!"

"I’m going. Wait in the car. Lock the doors."

"Be careful, Greg!"

...

"It’s been ten minutes. Where is Greg? I don't see that light anymore."

"Maybe he reached the other car."

"Or maybe that light wasn't a car."

"What do you mean?"

"Anglerfish in the deep sea... they use lights to lure prey, don't they?"

"Stop it. This is a forest, not the ocean."

"Listen! That’s Greg’s voice!"

"Greg? Is that you?"

"Open the door. Cold."

"Greg! Thank God you’re safe. What happened? Did you find help?"

"Open the door. Cold."

"Wait, why does your voice sound so flat?"

"Cold. Open the door. Cold. Open the door."

"Why is he repeating the same phrase? Greg, are you okay?"

"Look in the rearview mirror. That’s Greg standing right there."

"It’s dark. Shine the light on his face."

"Oh God! His arm... where is his left arm? Blood... there is blood spurting from his shoulder!"

"Does he not feel it? Greg! Your arm is gone!"

"Open the door. Cold. Open the door. Cold."

"Don't open it! That isn't Greg!"

"What are you talking about? That is our friend! He is hurt!"

"Look at his mouth. His lips aren't moving when he speaks! That voice... that voice is coming from behind him!"

"Behind him?"

"There is something standing in his shadow. That thing is speaking using Greg’s voice!"

"Greg just collapsed! That thing... it just bit his neck! It’s dragging him under the car!"

"Close the trunk! Pull the handle, now!"

"I can't reach it! The thing's leg is inside! It’s covered in fur!"

"Kick it! Kick it in the face!"

"It’s hard! Its face feels like solid iron! It doesn't feel pain!"

"Grab the lighter! Burn its snout!"

"It’s screaming! Why does it sound like... why does it sound like a crying baby?"

"Slam the trunk now! Lock it!"

"Okay... okay... it’s locked. We’re safe."

"Safe? Greg is dead. That thing ate him right in front of us."

"And that thing... it can mimic voices. You heard it, right?"

"Shh. There’s a noise outside the side window. Next to me."

"Don't look."

"Someone is tapping on the glass. Very gently."

"Who is out there? We have weapons!"

"Mommy? Is Mommy inside?"

"What? That... that is my daughter’s voice. That’s Sarah."

"Sarah is at home, Linda. Sarah is not here."

"But that is her voice! Mommy, open the door. Sarah is cold. Sarah is scared."

"Linda, do not touch that door handle!"

"She’s crying... my baby is crying out there! Sarah! Mommy is coming!"

"That isn't Sarah! That is the wolf! It’s reading your mind, or it stole that voice from your memory!"

"How do you know? What if Sarah really snuck out and followed us?"

"Sarah is five years old, Linda! It is impossible for her to be in the middle of this forest!"

"Mommy... it hurts. Sarah’s leg hurts. The wolf bit me."

"Please! I have to save her!"

"Grab Linda’s hands! Don't let her open the door!"

"Let me go! That is my child!"

"Look at the window, Linda! Look at what is standing out there! That is not a little girl!"

"Its face... why does the wolf’s face look like Sarah? But the eyes... the eyes are empty."

"It’s playing with your emotions. It wants you to open the door yourself."

"Evil... you evil animal!"

"It’s licking the glass. It’s tasting our fear."

"The car is rocking. What are they doing?"

"There are more of them coming. They are digging the snow out from under the car."

"Why?"

"They want to flip us over. If the car flips, the windows will shatter."

"Grab the seatbelts! Hold on!"

"They are pushing together! One... two..."

"Arghhh! The car is tilting!"

"Brace yourselves! Don't let the glass break!"

"My side mirror just cracked! Its claw punched right through! It’s trying to reach the lock!"

"Break its fingers! Hit it with the flashlight!"

"Its fingers... its fingers look human! It’s wearing a ring! That is Greg’s wedding ring!"

"That beast is wearing Greg’s finger as a decoration? Sick! This is sick!"

"The car is going over! We’re rolling!"

"Ow... my head. Is everyone okay?"

"My leg is pinned between the seats. I can't move."

"The windshield is gone! There’s a massive hole!"

"They’re coming in! They’re entering through the front!"

"Find a weapon! Anything!"

"It’s dark! I can't see where they are!"

"Listen to that breathing. It’s inside the car with us."

"Don't move. Maybe it won't see us if we’re quiet."

"Hi..."

"It whispered... it whispered right in my ear."

"What does it want?"

"Does it hurt?"

"What?"

"Does it hurt... to be eaten?"

"Run! Go out the back window!"

"Help me! My leg is stuck!"

"I’m sorry... I have to run!"

"Don't leave me! It grabbed my ankle! It’s hot! Its hand is burning hot!"

"Arghhhh! Help! It’s tearing my skin!"

"I’m out! I have to run!"

"Where are you running to, honey?"

"That voice... that is my husband’s voice. But my husband died five years ago."

"Come here... give me a hug. I’m so hungry."

"No... that’s impossible..."

"Look in front of you. We are all here. Greg is here. Sarah is here. Your husband is here."

"You... you are all standing on two legs. But your bodies..."

"We are starving. Join us."

"Stay back! Stay back!"

"Delicious... your meat smells delicious..."

"NO!!!!"