The mirror

Prologue: The Elite Divide
The shimmering colonies of Mars were a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. Towers of glass and steel pierced the ruddy Martian sky, their tops reaching for the thin atmosphere, while sprawling domes housed gardens and marketplaces. The planet had become a new Eden—if one could afford it. For beneath its veneer of perfection lay an unbridgeable chasm between the elite and the common folk.

The "Mars Needs You" bill had been the cornerstone of Senator Richard Mars' legacy. It promised a brighter future for humanity, but it also reinforced the rigid hierarchy that governed Martian society. Only a select few non-elites were allowed to migrate, their work visas granting temporary reprieve from Earth’s decaying ecosystems. They were workers, not equals—servants to the powerful.

Among the elites was Victoria Mars, the Senator’s only daughter. Born into wealth, she was a symbol of Martian aristocracy: beautiful, charming, and utterly ruthless.

Chapter 1: The Accusation
Victoria was only twelve when she destroyed Maria Gonzales' life. Maria, a non-elite hired to care for Victoria, had been more of a parent than her own mother and father. Yet, when boredom struck, Victoria saw an opportunity for amusement.

"She stole my locket," Victoria declared, holding the delicate diamond heart pendant up for all to see, a cruel smile playing on her lips.

Maria’s protests fell on deaf ears. The accusation was all it took. Guards escorted Maria off the property, her tears staining the hem of her uniform. Within days, she was deported back to Earth, leaving her young son, Julian, stranded on Mars.

Victoria felt no remorse. If anything, she reveled in her power.

Chapter 2: The Gift
Years later, at 21, Victoria had blossomed into a true elite. Her beauty was legendary, her charm irresistible, and her cruelty sharper than ever. She ruled her social circle with an iron will, hiding her malice behind a dazzling smile.

One evening, Victoria returned to her apartment after a gala, her heels clicking against the polished floor. A large box sat outside her door, adorned with a crimson envelope.

"Another admirer," she muttered, rolling her eyes as she carried it inside.

The letter inside bore an elegant script:

"My Dearest Victoria,
Though the years have passed, I have never forgotten you. I wanted you to have this—a reflection of the beauty I once saw in you. May your inner beauty outshine your outer.
Yours always,
Maria Gonzales."

Victoria’s laugh echoed through the apartment. “How pathetic,” she sneered. Yet, curiosity compelled her to open the box. Inside was an ornate mirror, its frame etched with strange symbols that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.

Chapter 3: The First Glimpse
The mirror was captivating, its surface unnaturally clear. Victoria placed it in her living room, admiring how it caught the light. But as the hours passed, she noticed something unsettling.

Her reflection seemed... off. Her cheeks appeared slightly hollow, her hair less lustrous. Dismissing it as exhaustion, she went to bed.

By morning, her reflection had worsened. Dark circles ringed her eyes, her skin was blotchy, and her teeth had a yellowish tint. Panic set in. She smashed the mirror, shattering it into countless shards.

Relief washed over her as she inspected herself in another mirror. Her beauty was intact. Whatever curse had befallen her was gone—or so she thought.

Chapter 4: The Haunting
Victoria awoke in the middle of the night, a strange compulsion pulling her toward the bathroom. When she flicked on the light, she froze. The mirror above the sink revealed a haggard, decrepit version of herself. Her reflection stared back with hollow eyes, its gray skin sagging over brittle bones.

“No!” she screamed, clawing at her face. Her hands felt the truth of what she saw.

Fleeing the bathroom, she stumbled into the living room—and there it was. The shattered mirror stood whole, as if it had never been broken.

Chapter 5: The Revelation
Maria’s face appeared in the mirror, serene yet resolute.

“Do you see now, Victoria?” Maria’s voice echoed, soft but firm. “The mirror reflects your soul. This is who you truly are.”

“You cursed me!” Victoria screamed. “Why?”

“I did nothing but show the truth. You have lived a life of cruelty, and now the weight of your actions is laid bare. But there is a way to undo it.”

“What do I have to do?”

“Redemption is earned, not given. You must help those you have wronged, one by one. Only then will your true beauty return.”

Chapter 6: Confronting the Past
Victoria’s journey began with Julian, Maria’s son. She found him in the slums of Mars, a man hardened by years of struggle.

“You ruined my life,” Julian spat, his anger palpable. “You think an apology will fix this?”

But Victoria persisted. She used her resources to help Julian secure a home, a job, and the education he had been denied. Slowly, she saw changes in her reflection. Her hair regained its shine, her skin smoothed, and her eyes lost their hollow look.

Chapter 7: The Temptation
As Victoria continued her journey, the mirror presented her with choices. Each act of redemption came with a test: would she continue helping others or use her restored beauty to reclaim her elite status?

The temptation was overwhelming. At times, she faltered, succumbing to old habits. Each misstep brought back the decay, a stark reminder of her inner darkness.

Chapter 8: The Final Test
Months later, Victoria had nearly completed her journey. Her beauty was almost fully restored, and she felt a glimmer of hope. But the mirror demanded one final act of redemption—one that would cost her everything.

Maria’s voice echoed from the glass. “You must give up your elite status. Live as the people you scorned.”

Victoria hesitated. Could she truly abandon the life she had always known? The power, the privilege?

Epilogue: Reflection Eternal
Victoria stood before the mirror, her decision made. She lifted it carefully and carried it to the slums, leaving it outside a community center.

As she walked away, her reflection shimmered in the glass, no longer twisted or grotesque. For the first time, the woman staring back was truly beautiful.

The mirror remained, waiting for its next victim—a reminder that true beauty comes from within, and justice is never far behind.