Page 74 of Mortala
"By all means.I'll see you in the kitchen when you're done."
Without wasting what precious time there is, I bolt up the stairs.Her room’s the last one on the right.Before that is the door to the shared bathroom connected to the guest suite.If my heart beats any faster, I’m going to peel out of here like my ass is on fire or I’m competing in a NASCAR race.I’ve come too far to give up now, but I’m terrified—what if it’s all been a lie and my heart broke for nothing?
I’m brave, though, I won’t let fear rule me.
Reaching the door, I ease inside.Everything’s exactly how I remember it, how we left it.A huge mirror, black marbly floors with silver specks, silver hardware, white walls, a large shower stuffed in the back, and twin doors connecting the two bedrooms.
Unlike the rest of the house, traces of Chelsea still exist here.Her sickly-sweet vanilla body spray, cherry shampoo bottles peeking out from behind an ugly Psycho Bunny curtain, even her toothbrush is still in the cup beside the sink.
Comfort accompanies the sorrow that invades me.In an unbearable world, this bathroom holds enough good memories to blind my grief.
Taking care of my business, I step before the sink to wash my hands as bruise-like shadows under my eyes taunt me.I look as if I belong in the same box as my friend.
Between you and I, I should be next to her.If there was a way to get her back, or trade places, I would do it without a second thought.I'm fucked up.Everything that could be wrong with me, is.Chelsea was one of the very few people who noticed how damaged I am, and still chose to be my friend.
When I was too deep in my head, hiding under hoodies two sizes too big and trauma, she saw me.Bitch made other people open their eyes and see the abandoned and afraid girl.How did I repay her for that?By letting her die alone.
Maybe if I stare long enough…
A few inches in front of me, something tiny and delicate breaks my concentration.The gaunt reflection I'm learning to hate blurs in my peripherals to focus on the distraction.It’s—it’s a spiderling.Fine legs wiggle as it lowers from the ceiling.Bit by bit, it descends until it hangs from the barely-there thread a few inches from my face.
We’re both insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but beautiful as we exist in this space tucked away from a world too distrusting for uncontrollable creatures.Unlike me, it knows no pain, no pressure, no hatred or loss of life—just a harmless baby.
With a gentleness I've not held for anything in life, my lips purse as I blow a soft stream of air in its direction then smile when it sways.Eight hair-thin legs wiggle and reach to the sky at the sudden sensation, wordless in how it protests.
When nature's pendulum begins to ease, I give it another blow.This time it swings further and further.Inching closer to my face where I can no longer track it with my eyes.I take a step back to give the little one a bit more space, not wanting it to hit me, then blow one more little puff of air.
My eyes cross when it approaches faster this time.Nearly reaching my forehead before it races back and smashes against the mirror.Jagged cracks race across the glass in an instant, shattering it into millions of small pieces.
Time slows to a crawl.Fine hairs on my arms rise to attention and flick with the loud snap of an analog clock hanging on the wall.Then, the glass bows and breaks.I try to catch masses of glass as it collapses.Small pieces cleave my arms and hands on their way down before a loud crash booms through the room.
Jumping back, my hands snap to cover my ears as I watch it all come down with violence.Fragments fling in a hundred directions and cover every surface before coming to a standstill while I remain frozen—my minced skin bleeding and smearing into my hair.
"Everything okay in there, Sadie?"A deep growl of a voice makes my nerves shake.
"I...uh, yeah.Everything's fine!"I reply, willing my heart to slow.
I…I can’t leave this mess here.What if they think I did it on purpose for not getting to come over sooner?What if they kick me out and disown me?What If I have to leave before I find something to cherish?
Shit.Okay.I can pick it up and put it back.
There’s a dustpan and handheld broom under the sink.I can get it and start with the major stuff.Tugging at the cabinet doors, they swing open to reveal nothing.It’s pristine inside and empty.
Weird, then what—
The doors close softly when I find the broom and pan that’s sitting on the countertop.I…I didn’t put it there and it wasn’t there when I came in.If it was, it’d be covered in glass too but it’s just…sitting there.
Wary, I pluck it from the glass and begin to sweep—avoiding the larger pieces that managed to survive the fall.
Swipe after swipe, glass is tossed into the trash before I start on the large chunks, carefully using a fingernail to pry up the ones lying perfectly flat on the floor and counter.I wonder if I could put them back together.I could come back tomorrow and spend more time with Mrs.Adams, use it as an excuse, then sneak up here to glue it into place.They might not fit together easily, but I'm determined.
Holding a large shard, I turn it from front to back, then face it toward me again and nearly drop it.A hideous face stares back at me with rotten teeth, mottled-grey skin, blackened eyes, and a snarl that makes my flesh crawl.
Instincts nearly throw the shard, anything to get the death glare away from me, though sharp heat creases the inside bends of my fingers instead.The monster stuck in the mirror reaches through and compresses my hand, shredding everything between the brutal edge and my joints.Pain and fire hold me hostage in spite of my attempt to shake free from its anger and my terror.
Trapped tears sting my eyes when shock prevents them from rolling over my bottom lashes and streaking down my face.Monsters aren’t real, they don’t look at you through mirrors turned windows, with cracked teeth to lacerate whatever they can reach.When the brute’s nose wrinkles and upper lip lifts, tremors vibrate up my arm.
Black goo seeps between jagged, gapped, and cracked teeth—foaming at the corners of its mouth.Try as I might, I can’t look away.
