She Who Haunts

.This piece was written for Twisted Tournament in 2024. The prompts were as follows:

Max 100 words

Object: A Mirror

Theme: Hope

Genre: Horror

She Who Haunts

              Escape has eluded me for decades. My hope renews as my salvation enters the room. He chokes on dusty air and recoils at spiderwebs.

              “Come.” I pray my voice travels through glass.

              His body jolts. His eyes find my face, peering past his own reflection to examine me. My beauty has decayed, but my power still lives.

              “Give me your hand.” My tone is ineffective.

He does not move. Instead, he backs away.

              I inject years of desperation into my voice, trying again.

              He reaches.

              I grasp.

              By his sacrifice, freedom awaits me.

              He is left. Imprisoned in solitude.