The Reflection in the Mirror

Lena sat in bed and looked up at the shattered ceiling. The wooden floor was illuminated by the moonlight as it filtered through the curtains in pale, shifting patterns. Her ears strained against the silence.

It wasn’t normal, she thought. I didn’t imagine it.

She got out of bed and put the blanket down. The hallway was dark, lit only by the flickering glow of a nightlight plugged into the far wall. Every step she took on the old floor creaked beneath her feet.

The door to the bathroom was open. Lena’s pulse quickened as she approached. Her hand trembled as she pushed it open fully.

The light remained on. The mirror remained in place. She simply stood in the doorway and stared for a long time. Nothing moved.

Eyes fixed on the window, she entered. Her own reflection stared back—same tired eyes, same worried expression.

She touched the surface with her hand. Cold.

Then her reflection blinked. Once.

Lena hadn’t.

She let out a gasp and pulled her hand back. “Okay. What the hell is happening?”

The reflection’s mouth curled into a slow, creeping smile.

Lena backed away, heart hammering. “Stop it…”

It raised a hand and waved.

She didn’t.

Lena turned and bolted out of the room, nearly tripping on the hallway rug as she ran.

The Next Morning

At the breakfast table, her father said, "So, let me get this straight." “You think your reflection is… haunted?”

“I’m not crazy,” Lena snapped. It moved by itself. It waved at me.”

Her mom gave her a sympathetic smile. “Honey, you’ve had a lot of change lately. A big move, new surroundings. Stress can play tricks.”

"I don't feel stressed!" She said while removing her cereal bowl. “Why won’t you believe me?”

Her dad sighed. Lena, because mirrors don't wave. Look, the glass might be distorted or just—" “I know what I saw.”

They fell silent.

Her mom reached out and gently squeezed her hand. "Perhaps we should temporarily cover the mirror? just until you are more at ease. Lena hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Okay…”

But the unease never left.