Mirror Mirror on the Wall…

They told me. I cannot say they did not tell me. But did I listen? No. Substances are not the only form of addiction. And addicted people never listen, why should I have?

The daylight had slowly started to fade as the sun tucked in the horizon, hopping away in fear of the dark night that had just started to spread its veil across the sky. Contrary to most of the people I know, I have always had a special place for the night in my mind. Stillness and quiet give the perfect opportunity for reflection and thought, it is the only time when you can sit and appreciate the beauty of the human mind. Or curse it, it really depends on the angle you’re looking at it. And even if you aren’t looking to think, just by taking a peak from between your window stories you can see a completely different world. The same, but different, if you know what I mean; the soft air whooshing through the streets and the alleys, nature’s lullaby; the night sky, never really pitch black, a dark coat hanging above the ground, nature’s blinds; and a non-stop glowing sphere hidden somewhere in the sky, mostly visible if you are one to observe, watching over all sleeping life, nature’s nightlight. Nothing can hide in the night. 

As I play this sentence back in my head, only now I realize how insanely stupid this sounds.

Friday, 15 July, 2023, trying to squeeze myself among a crowd of people suffocatingly packed up in a single line, you’d think they were fighting for their lives. Me, I was fighting to keep my drink from spilling on my shirt and my food from falling on the ground before I could get even a single bite, I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Lizzy and Jack had already sat down and were waiting for me. When I finally managed to push over the last couple of ridiculously jacked teenagers, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I rushed to the table and sat next to Lizzy. Everywhere you looked you saw groups of teenagers you wish you wouldn’t have to stumble upon, trying to sneak up a drink behind their parents backs and ending up so plowed they were incapable of even calling a cab, and little sprouts here and there, some holding their parents hand but most running off with the parents chasing after them. The place reeked of popcorn and cotton candy, and every sentence drowned in the endless series of screams and cries of the people who chose a ride that would probably lead to their death, divorce, or both. 

Munching away my food that I awaited for so long, my eyes locked at a sign across from me. My pupils dilated and I stopped chewing, frozen on the spot with my soda can in hand, and apparently a smirk that Jack pointed out a couple seconds later. Nearly chocking on my food, I nudge Lizzy with my shoulder and point her to the neon sign. Jacked turned also, and their reaction was no different from mine. 

‘HOUSE OF MIRRORS’

A big, red, neon sign, with one ‘R’ reversed, that you could see from miles away. I don’t know how they got this shade of red in neon, but it’s sure luring.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go! I’ve heard a lot about this ride, I was looking all over for it!”, Lizzy cried pulling my sleeve. As I was ready to spit out ‘yes’, something inside me hesitated. We have heard a lot of nice things about this ride indeed, that’s one of the reasons we wanted to try it. The place was all over the news for being the most innovative ride in an amusement park so far, but that was like a couple months ago. Plus, it looks kind of deserted. No line, not even people passing outside. And those who did, didn’t even turn to look.

“Come on, Kay, what are you thinking about? We’ve been planning this for ages.”

Being a horror fan is really a double-edge sword. You know that even though curiosity lies within you naturally you shouldn’t do anything because there is the real chance of getting in trouble. But there is also a chance that nine times out of ten you’ll succumb to your impulses and do something stupid, because you think you’re in your league.

You couldn’t be more wrong.

As we stood before the sign and the big, wooden door that separated us from the house, a numbing sense of dread took over my entire body, pinning my feet onto the ground. My heart was thumping so loud I could hear it louder than the noise around me and I felt a bit light-headed. ‘Enter at your own risk...’, read a sign at the door, just like every other horror attraction. 

“As soon as you enter the house, you will be separated. Each one of you will be put in a different room, and you will have to find your way to the others. To collect clues that will lead you out, there will be one mirror and one item of great significance in the room. If you play your cards right, you manage to escape safely. If not... May God be with you.”

The padlock clicked with the twist of a latchkey and the conductor pushed open the heavy doors as he continued: “At all times, be on guard. The dark is a treacherous place, you don’t know what nests in the corners of your safe place. Fear is your ally, suspicion can only be a tool. Trust no one. And, at all times, be careful of who’s watching you.”

To be honest, I have never heard better advice in my life.

As we took our first step into the house, I, with a trembling heart and noodly legs and my friends with ever so new for them courage, darkness came to meet us and welcome us in. So much so that we couldn’t even make out what lay beyond the entrance. It’s true what they say, a good host always comes to welcome visitors. 

Right before the door closed behind us, the conductor slipped out of character for a moment and with a kind voice he said: “You know, you are really brave for coming here. This ride has scared a lot of people. I hope you have a good time.”, I really don’t know if I should be relieved by that. And like this, we turned our faces to the darkness and behind us closed the gates.

The gates of Hell.

The silence was deafening. None of us dared to make a move, we were just impatiently waiting in out places, always alert.

Take a step forward. A voice called ahead of me. I instinctively turned to Liz’s direction: “Did you hear that?”

She is not here. How can she not be? We all entered together. Take a step forward. I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but the voice sounded so luring. A sweet, calm voice, and so I followed, there wasn’t really an option anymore. Reach out your arm. I reached out my palm, slowly, steadily, trembling. I couldn’t bring myself to fully stretch it out. A little more. A little more. In just about an instant, I felt it. The cold, hard glass. My heart sank and I think tears formed in my eyes. In all the scary exhibits I had ever been, none ever made me feel that way. I was genuinely, purely, terrified. Not because of the how this could be possible, there are about a million different ways one can pull this off, but because of this nagging sense that something was horribly wrong. 

Suddenly, the darkness started to fade as the room was illuminated by a dim, yellow light. Never had I been so grateful in my life than that moment. I start to look around, to find the item I was supposed to use to get out of there. It wasn’t that hard, but as soon as I saw it, it made my blood freeze. Right beside me, at the corner of the room, on a rather dirty bed, an old rotary dial phone from my grandparents’ time sat faced towards me, as if it were expecting for me to come. While running my fingers through its dial holes and dusty handset, the distinctive ringing sound penetrated my ears. All sense said to not pick up, but I was more scared of what would happen if I didn’t.

“Hello?”, I somehow managed to utter this without a single stutter.

“Mirror mirror on the wall, say my name and I will call.”

Apparently the phone was my communication device with- well, something.

“What is your name?”

Parasitical sounds started to come out from the other end of the line. 

“Mirr-or, mir-ro-r on th-e w-all...”

A tapping sound on the left made me jump from my seat. Placing the handset aside, I stood up from the bed. Taking up all the courage I could gather, I rose my eyes and stood before the mirror. To my surprise, something was written on it, something that was not here before.

THERE IS NO KEY

So how am I supposed to get out?

“Play with me.”, the voice on the phone echoed loud and clear, a response to a question I hadn’t ordered in words. Anyone who has watched at least one horror movie knows that this cannot possibly be good.

“Don’t overthink this, Kay, I just want to show you something...”, that was the moment that every gut feeling I had for this was confirmed. Our names were never mentioned anywhere, not when we entered, not afterwards. My entire body numbed, and I froze there, unable to move or speak. Loving horror is a double – edged sword.

“Call 5-4-9”, and then silence, just the beeping sound of a closed line.

And so I did. With every fiber of my body shaking and drenched in cold sweat, I dialed: 5-4-9. No response. I don’t understand. I need explanations! Where the hell are you?

Say my name.

And so I did: “Mirror mirror on the wall-”

Ring!, always penetrating, always making me flinch.

“What does it spell?”

What?

“On the dial, the number you just called, what does it spell?”

Out of pure curiosity, I turned to the dial. My eyes watered, and I let them, I don’t know how much more I can take. My heart started to feel weak.

“L-I-Z”, spelled the dial. Each number had a series of three letters above it, but out of those letters, only one word made sense. “L-I-Z”.

“Call 5-2-2-5”

“I don’t want to...”, I muttered, tears now streaming down my eyes.

A loud thud shook the door of the room before I could even finish the sentence.

“Call the number.”, the voice was strict and somewhat heavier.

“I just want to show you something...”

And again, I did. No response. Just the same, haunting beep.

“Mirror mirror on the wall...”

“What does it spell, Kay?”

“J-A-C-K”, I cried. A wave of exhaustion pierced through me as I dropped the handset and surrendered to my breakdown of despair. A few minutes passed, and I heard neither the voice on the other end nor the ringing of the phone. Say my name...

“Mirror mirror on the wall...”

“Go to the mirror.”, without much hesitation this time, I headed to the mirror. That I was surprised with myself was the least I could say at this point. 

“What do you see?”

“Me.”, and everything clears. I drop the phone on the floor and stare at myself, speechless.

You are not afraid of not being alone in the dark.

You are afraid of being alone in the dark.