Echoes

As Philip pulled in the heavy-looking object Sarah let out a big sigh.

“What have you got this time? Every time you come back from the auctions you bring back some expensive tatt that clutters up the house.”

“What do you mean expensive tatt I only buy the highest quality goods.”

He winked at her but pretended to be insulted.

“You say that every time. What about that statue you said was one of a kind and was a  one-of-a-kind investment piece”

“That was a rare mistake and anyway it looks good on the bathroom windowsill.”

“oh and what about that clock which fell apart once you cleaned it up.”

“Never mind that, this is different, help me move it and when I show it to you you’ll change your mind.”

She reluctantly got up to help him carry it in.

“It’s very heavy, what is it ?”

“Let’s put it against the wall for now and then I will unveil it.”

“Ok but it better be worth it.”

They lifted it up and put it against the back wall and then Sarah sat down as Philip made a big show of it like it was the unveiling of a priceless work of art. He pulled off the sheet.

“Ta da, what do you think ?”

As the sheet hit the floor Sarah was ready to laugh at whatever was revealed but she was lost for words when the golden framed mirror.She walked towards it like a force was pulling her forward., touching it it felt like it vibrated. Two angels sat on top of either side looking towards each other. The one on the left seemed to smile while the one on the right seemed more like it smirked. The middle was one large eye. She touched it and froze. A voice in her head said ‘echoes of you’. Transfixed, her hand traced the edge of the mirror and its golden feathers, until she touched the matching eye at the bottom. She then moved her hand back up and stood back as she stared at her reflection. She was staring at herself as if in a trance and couldn’t hear Philip calling out her name. Her reflection staring back at her she felt herself being drawn in and her eyes turned red then she suddenly snapped out of it as she felt an arm on her shoulder.

“Sarah…are you ok you seemed to zone out there for a minute ?”

“Yes…it’s just that you were right it’s beautiful.”

“See I knew you’d like it when I saw it. I just felt drawn to it.”

                                       Two weeks later

Sarah was polishing the frame around the mirror. She’d convinced Philip to keep it at least for now and also to put it into her study. It had a hold over her. As she polished the frame she noticed an inscription around the edge very finely etched into the framework. She couldn't quite make it out. It was so finely written so she tried to get closer but still no luck. She then remembered that there was a magnifying glass in her drawer.

                                      Mirror to mirror

Face to face

Echoes of you as

you trade place

The inscription playing over and over in her head She was staring at her reflection transfixed. She felt a hand on her shoulder, she dropped the magnifying glass in shock and shook herself out of the trance she was in.

“Are you ok Sarah ?”

“Yes, Philip. I’m fine, why ?”

“It was like you were somewhere else. I couldn’t get through to you and I thought I heard you talking to someone before I came in but you were just staring at the mirror.”

“Sorry, I was just lost in thought. I guess I zoned out. Anyway, what did you want me for ?”

“We’re going out for that meal I promised for our anniversary, you left enough hints I thought you would have been pushing me to hurry up you always say I’m on the last minute.”

“Oh yes of course I just need to get changed. I was going to try my dress on and see how I looked in the mirror but I noticed it needed polishing and I guess I just got so into it I lost track of time.”

She kissed him on the cheek and walked out leaving him standing there in stunned silence. She waited until he left her study before she entered and looked in the mirror.

*******************************************************************************************************

Philip was snoring next to her in bed and no matter how much she tried she couldn’t bring on sleep. The tiredness began to come when she heard a voice calling out.

“Sarah…the time has come, your place is with us join…join…”

She jumped up trying not to disturb Alan who was still snoring his head off. The voice led her to her study. She walked and found herself looking at her reflection. Her mirror image staring at her then the eyes lit up red and her reflection spoke.

“Now is the time. Look into my eyes and repeat after me the incantation to set us free.”

Rooted into place staring into her reflection's eyes she recited the incantation back to herself.

 'Mirror to mirror

Face to face

Echoes of you as

you trade place’

A sensation of being pulled forward came over her and she felt herself being pulled in.

*********************************************************************************************************

After waking up to an empty bed Philip got up. He shouted out for Sarah but no response came. He walked along the landing. He heard her talking in her study. He stopped outside as he felt himself suddenly shudder as if a cold breeze washed over him. He waited for a second. It sounded as if there was an echo in the room like you were inside a cave shouting out hearing your voice coming back at you. It also sounded like she was reading out a poem. He put his hand on the doorknob, turned it and walked in.

“Sarah, are you ok, I thought you were talking to someone ?”

As he walked through he noticed she was standing in front of the mirror. It looked like she was in a trance. She didn’t answer as he shouted out so he walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. Suddenly moving at his touch she grabbed his hand with immense strength almost crushing his hand. He pulled away in shock.

“OW, that hurt. Are you ok sweetheart? Were you sleepwalking or something? I was shouting out to you and it was like you couldn’t hear me.”

She turned around and stared into his eyes saying nothing. If he didn’t know any better he could have sworn her eyes lit up red and she seemed to be smirking at him. A few seconds later her face softened and her brown eyes glistened.

“Sorry sweetheart. I couldn’t sleep so I came in here to work.”

“It sounded like you were talking to someone.”

“Oh…that, it was a song I heard on the radio. I couldn't get the lyrics out of my head. Anyway, let's get  back to bed.”

Alan couldn’t shake the feeling something else was going on but he shook it off as Sarah grabbed his hand and they walked back to their room. He didn’t notice as she turned her head around with a large smirk on her face and winked at her reflection. As the door was closing a sound only she could hear came from inside the mirror. The banging of hands-on glass and a screaming, pleading voice.

“NO Alan. Don’t go with her, that's not me.”

**********************************************************************************

It had been a few days since Alan had found Sarah in her study late at night and she’d been acting strange ever since. It was a ioke she was an entirely different person. Ever Since he’d got that mirror it was like it had a hold over her she couldn’t stay away from it so he decided he was going to sell it. He’d waited until she's gone out so he could go up and take some pictures and put them online on a website for selling highend antiques. He got his camera out ready to take some pictures.

I know you’ve become fond of this mirror Sarah but I just get a weird vibe from it.

He pointed the camera at the mirror and pressed. The flash was on, and as he took a couple of pictures he thought he saw Sarah in the mirror's reflection. He stumbled back, looking around. He was on his own but he flicked through the pictures he’d taken just in case. There was nothing apart from the mirror on them.

Get a hold of yourself you're seeing things.

Deciding he had enough pictures he went to leave when he thought he heard a low banging sound and a voice.

“Alan…help me…I'm...here…..”

He dropped the camera and started looking around but he was alone. Taking a couple of minutes to compose he picked up the camera and made his way downstairs to upload the images. Less than thirty minutes later the offers there flood in getting higher and higher.

“Oh my god I can’t believe it. This mirror must be more special than I thought.”

He was still scrolling through and didn't hear Sarah come in until she was standing behind him.

What are you doing ?”

“I didn’t hear you come in honey. You’re never going to believe this. I put the mirror up for sale and the offers have been pouring in. We’re going to make a fortune, it must be rare.”

“You can’t sell it, take it down. NOW!”

Her voice rose so loud he almost fell off his chair.

“What's wrong with you Sarah? Ever since I got that mirror you’ve not been yourself. It needs to go especially since there's so much interest in it.”

“I SAID TAKE IT DOWN NOW.”

Her voice seemed to change; it sounded deep and almost demonic.

“You're scaring me now, what’s wrong with you? I’m going to accept an offer and get rid of it.”

He was about to click on the latest offer when he was lifted up in the air by Sarah. It was like she had superhuman strength. He looked into her eyes and they were blood red, she spoke in a guttural voice.

“You brought this on yourself. I guess it’s going to be the hard way.”

She then threw him against the wall and he hit his head blacking out.

*********************************************************************************************************

She watched as he slowly opened his eyes and smiled at him as he realised he was tied to a chair and couldn’t move.

“Finally you're back with us. I didn’t want to have to do it this way but I can’t have you getting rid of the mirror and spoiling the plan.

“What plan ?”

He was tied to a chair, he couldn’t move. He didn't realise at first that he was in the study facing the mirror.  She handed him a piece of paper and made him look in the mirror.

“I need you to say these words out loud.”

Philip just looked at her in shock. Maybe she was having a nervous breakdown or something.

“Please Sarah untie me. What’s going on ?”

“Just do as I say it will go a lot easier for you if you do.”

He could see he wasn't getting anywhere trying to reason with her so he decided to go along with it.

“Ok, I’ll do it.”

“Good. Now look straight into the mirror and read this out.”

He looked at the piece of paper in front of him and then at his reflection. Looking into his own eyes he became transfixed it looked as if his reflection was smirking at him and his eyes lit up red as he read out the incantation.

 ‘Mirror to mirror’

Face to face

Echoes of you as

you trade place’

He was then pulled forward.