Desolate

The Mirror

Jamie gained control of the situation as she picked Tracy up from the ground. Tracy was scared as Jamie touched her arm; she pulled away. We will be fine, Jamie assured her. We need to report this, said Tracy. I do not mind reporting this, but everyone at our school will look at us in disgust and judge us. You're right. We will tell the police, and nothing will happen to them, and they can easily deny this. This is not just allegations, The evidence is on our bodies, and they were wearing protection. Jamie felt rage inside of her. But she remained calm for the sake of Tracy. 

I hate them, " said Tracy as she covered her arms tightly over her chest " It will be ok, we have each other; men are disgusting, " she said in an angry tone of voice. Jamie and Tracy headed back to their place, and luckily, no one was home. They quickly cleaned up. Do you think we are doing the right thing said, Tracy? I am not sure, but there won't come any justice out of what just happened. Tracy and Jamie headed upstairs. Tracy went to sleep while Jamie laid awake, restless. Tracy was making sounds in her sleep as Jamie stood up by her and woke her up. Hey Tracy, you are dreaming wakeup up, Tracy screamed as she woke up sweating; her Mom and Dad came running to the room. What is wrong, honey.

She just had a dream, honey you frightened us, as her mother approached her, you are coming down with fever honey look how you are sweating as her mother put the back of her hand against Tracy,s forward she ran to the bathroom throwing up. She came back to the room, and her mother called the doctor over to the house. She has mild flu; if she drinks these pills, she will recover in no time. Jamie was at first worried the doctor would do a complete examination on her, which he did not. He just did the basics, took her temperature, asked her to open her mouth, and placed the stethoscope on her chest.

Tracy was making sounds; Jamie barely had any sleep; before she knew it, It was sunrise. When she woke up, Tracy was tight asleep in the morning, and her mother came into the room to take her temperature. She is still not well. And it is Sunday morning. Christopher came to the room. Mom, what is wrong with Tracy? Honey, she is not feeling well; why don't you and Jamie go downstairs and fix you some breakfast. Christopher ran downstairs as Jamie followed him.

He touched her hand as she pulled her hand away, remembering what just happened the previous day. Did I do something? No, she said, I am just tired, ok do you want to hang out? No, I want to get home and get some sleep. Are you sure you are ok because this is not like you? Yes, Christopher, As I said, I am just feeling tired. Ok, he said as he made them sandwiches. After breakfast, Jamie got dressed and headed home. On the way, she passed the empty house. She then stepped back and went into the house. Something about the house was different. She walked up the crackling staircase as she then removed the white sheet covering the mirror. The mirror was very dusty.

Jamie then wiped the mirror off with the white sheet as she stared at herself in the mirror. For the first time in her life, at the age of fifteen, she felt broken. She felt her own body did not belong to her, and even though she showed she felt dirty and grossed out at what happened, her insides were hurting as she looked at herself in the mirror, she fell to her knees in tears.

Why did this happen to us???? she said to herself as she looked up, she saw a shadow behind her. It reflected herself also wearing the same clothes as she did, just this girl's eyes were black. Who are you???? she said, freaked out,  am you???? the voice answered. Jamie looked behind her and never saw anything. You are scary, and please go away. She looked back into the mirror. The same girl was standing behind her. What is your name? Lilah, the voice answered, why are you here? I stay here, Jamie.

I am so sorry I never knew anyone stayed here, she said, feeling slightly more at ease; it is ok. Lilah,s eyes were glossy and dark. Where are your parents, she questioned? They were murdered said, Lilah. Jamie was staring into the mirror while talking to Lilah; I am sorry to hear that said. Jamie was looking in the mirror. It is Ok told Lilah, how was your parent's murder asked Jamie, Liliahs eyes now darken as her skin becomes pale, she does not answer Jamie, Jamie,s tears starts to run down her cheek, I do not know what to do, is it because of what happened yesterday? Yes, Jamie looked up to the mirror. How do you know, I feel the pain you go through, I am you, I do not understand you mean you were there when we were attacked, I am your shadow, I am in you, Jamie. We should kill them; how are we going to kill them? I am only fifteen. Leave that to me says Lilah as her eyes darken. All I need you to do is bring them till here. 

How will I do that? They are at the same place every day when they see you. They are going to want to make sure they shut you up for good. Because you can get them locked up, especially after, Lilah pauses as the mist comes from her mouth; she now floats up in the air as she runs her cold index finger behind Jamie's ear, Jamie feels a sense of comfort and protection, and you are not alone a whisper comes from behind her ear.

Suddenly Jamie feels relaxed in control. Suddenly Jamie sees shadows out of the corner of her eyes, and the shadows disappear as she looks towards them or moves out of focus, backing into a wall dissolving away. She feels a strong entity in the house, the temperature changes, cold breezes as if someone has just walked past her, who else is here she asked in a calm voice, trying not to be frightened, that is my brother Jamie can feel a dark, depressing emotion, particularly when in one area of the house, why does it suddenly feel so cold.

Raphael says he will protect you; who is Raphael? He is my brother, But I cannot see him. He is on your right side. Jamie looks to the right and sees nothing. Jamie, you need to look hard and deep within you says, Lilah. Jamie now looks over to the right in the other Mirror. Which is close to the corner of the room, she sees a boy who is about her age he has pitch black hair covering his eyes and pale, standing in the dark corner of the room, as she looks at him she feels a cold breeze as she folds her arms as a whisper comes from the corner of the room. You are not alone. Hearing those words made Jamie feel more at comfort. Did you tell Raphael as Jamie looks up in the mirror in front of her, tell me what? Your friend is not going to make it. The guy who r***d her c****m was a used c****m and caused an infection on her inside. No, it cannot be Jamie starts crying. You are not, really. Why should I believe you? Because I am you say, Lilah, I am your shadow I am within you.

I am responsible for her because I told her not to go to the hospital; it is too late, Jamie you are to be blamed. Your friend will die because you chose to protect those guys. I was not protecting them, Jamie screams as the room's lights suddenly start to flicker. You protected them, says Lilah in a deep voice. Proof it by bringing them here. Jamie now stands up and runs out of the house as she is about to turn to her house, she looks back and thinks of Tracy those cowards deserve what is coming to them as she turns around and runs to the same spot she was at yesterday, and looks around but see no one in sight, as she turns around there is Nick, hey Jamie, hey Nick she says, are we still on for later today, I mean,t to call you it turns out Scott planned a family gets together, Scott? I mean my stepdad, Ok says Nick, maybe next time them if you available? Sure says Jamie, see you around? Yes, see you around, Nick. Nick now heads of as Jamie gives up waiting and walks back from the park; while crossing the street, she notices the car on the corner of the road. She quickly looks away, thinking of what happened, and she is now scared they might see her. While walking away, she realizes she has the same dress on like yesterday. She is in danger if they look in her direction. As she turns around, looking back, the four guys climb out of the car and point in her direction; her heart starts racing as she starts to run; the four guys now jump into the car. Jamie starts screaming for help, realizing that she made a mistake by coming back here.

She now runs between buildings screaming for help; as the car approaches, and she runs into the back to her place. Still, it is too far. They will catch her before she gets there. She can't risk her family's life as she hears Lilah's voice, and Raphael's voice leads them to this house. You will be out of danger. Jamie now runs into the house as the four guys jump out of the car. Jamie now runs up the stairs to the room where Lilah and Raphael are. Where are you? she says, we are here says the guys from downstairs walking up the stairs; you are trapped where is your pretty little friend.

Jamie now fears for her life as she hides behind the mirror. Where are you??? she whispers; there is still no response; I am so stupid to be trusting you. She says I knew it was all in my head. There you are, your pretty little thing, says the guy as he flicks his knife; where is your friend? Her heart is racing they spotted her. What does she do? They will kill her, maybe even bury her here in the house, the lights start flickering, and the air is suddenly ice cold, as the doors start banging continuously open and close, this house has electricity, the one jokes we should move in here.

Jamie feels a cold hand over her shoulder as she gets a fright and looks up, seeing no one in sight. She feels her body warms up. She feels safe and protected, and she then whispers thank you for coming. The guy s now sees black eyes, suddenly watching them from the dark, drawing close with every breath and making them doubt their sanity? The four guys now the fear paralyzed them as they saw  Lilah's eyes

 terror mounted with every step

They fought a rising panic

Fear tormented them

Their heart was uneasy as their heart leaped into their throat as their heart hammered in his chest

his heart pounded

terror stabbed his heart

their hearts jumped as their hearts lurched 

a fear that almost unmanned them as their body shook with fear, they trembled inside

It suppressed a shiver

panic surged through them

there fear spiked

they were in a complete state of panic

they could feel nothing but blind terror

their legs were wobbly with fear

as they sweated with fear

their hands were cold and clammy

they were weighed down by dread

dread twisted in their gut

his stomach clenched

fear fluttered in their stomach

They felt like they might throw up

they were sick with fear.

Lilah then appeared out of the dark corner as her eyes were black her, her skin was pale as they saw her nails is long and sharp Raphael now came from the other corner as they stood in the middle, there were whispers all around them Lilah opened her Mouth white as their heart raced, their body felt weak and paralyzed, the coldness flowing through there body as if they were being thrown into icy water n***d. The words could not come out of their mouth. It is as if their voices were gone. There was a sudden scream as a sharp pain went through their head, their ears started to bleed. Jamie then stood up as she walked over to them as if she was possessed. She picked up a scissor and continuously stabbed them as they fell to the ground, there were now voices, and whispers all around her, saying, kill them, kill them, kill them. Jamie turned to the mirror, and she saw Lilah. She carried no emotion in her eyes. The scissor was full of blood. Her dress was full of blood as she suddenly looked down and saw the blood all over the floor, she dropped the scissors what did you do? She said we did what you had to do. Jamie now turned and looked down and saw the blood, you made a big mess here, and the blood is on my clothes, we will have to dispose of the bodies if you an help me and Raphael drag these bodies to the basement there is a door that lifts we could stash the body in there. 

They now dragged the body down to the, three hours later. Jamie was exhausted as she laid down on the floor beside Raphael and Lilah. It has been a long day. Yes, says Lilah; now those guys would not be able to hurt anyone else. Jamie smiled, feeling at ease hearing those words. I must head home said Jamie but I can't go in this dress, Lilah then told her about the clothes in the closet. Jamie went to the closet and opened it. She found the most beautiful dresses there. Tell your brother to close his eyes, she said, and even though it accumulated a lot of dust, Jamie dusted off the dress and changed it. While pulling up the dress, she noticed the blood between her nails. Why is there blood between my nails? She said; there was no answer. She went to the outside tap and rinsed off her hands. How do I look said Jamie with her arms open do you like it??? she said Lilah, and Raphael nodded, so I am heading off home. Oh yes, before I forget, I need to rinse this dress and knife. She then cleaned the stained blood off the dress and knife and put it by the bodies; now that it is taken care of, I guess we have nothing to worry about; Jamie now headed home where she found Scott and her Mom by the dining table, honey where do you come from I was over at Tracy, no you were not do not lie where were you over at Tracy is sick. You left there almost four hours ago. Mom, do you have to be such a detective about everything?

Jamie, do not talk to your mother like that young lady tells Scott; at this point, Jamie has so much to say, but instead, she looks at him. Scott notices something different about Jamie; her skin is pale, and her hair looks messy. Jamie, so where were you today says Scott, Jamie looks at him and walks up the stairs. She hats Scott. He likes to be in control of everything. She just turned her back on me, honey; she has her dad's ways, I bet, but I will not tolerate this in my household, says Scott as he stands up from the chair and walks to the kitchen. Jamie hears her mother talking softly to Scott, trying to pacify him. Diah was a woman who was open-minded and tried to pacify situations, but they only had so much money due to the circumstance and knowing. Jame was old enough to realize sooner or later her mother would choose Scott over her. Jamie had a small room with a single bed and a cupboard and a mirror as she laid down on the bed and looked up at the roof, wondering how Tracy; she is sure Tracy will be happy to hear those guys are taken care of and they won't be bothering them again is. Jamie now remembers what Lilah had said about Tracy dying as she stood up from the bed and picked up the phone calling Christopher. Hey, how is Tracy, she said? She looks better. She should be find said the doctor, but they still can't figure out what happened to her because, in all the years, Tracy never screamed the ways she did in her sleep; this is the first time. 

My Mom and Dad asked if we went anywhere... I said no except for you and Tracy going to the park. Ok, says Jamie. Please let me know when Tracy wakes up, and sure I will do that. I am glad you called. Jamie knows he is about to ask her something to do with their relationship. I got to go... I can,t talk right now, Jamie? Says Christopher, are you purposely ignoring me? No, why would you think that? Does it just feel like you have been avoiding me lately? Sorry I have been swamped, Ok catch up later sometime? Sure, catch up later, Christopher.

Jamie hangs up the phone and sits on the bed, thinking about what happened earlier in the house. That house made her feel special, and It made her feel like she belongs there. She cannot shake off the feeling of the closure she felt from Raphael and Lilah. They protected her, and she never felt safer. Jamie lays back on the bed; as she closes her eyes, whispers are all around her. As she looks around, she sees this narrow passage. It is dark, and there is a spotlight in the middle of the passage. As she is walking through the passage, she hears whispers all around her. As she looks around, she is frightened it is an unfamiliar voice, and there is no one around. Where is that voice coming from? She looks around and screams, but no words are coming out. As the footsteps approach, coming closer faster, she starts to run as she looks behind, she sees no one. She turns looking in front of her and finds herself in the house she was in earlier. Looking around she this bright kitchen and a perfectly normal family laughing, there is a little boy, and a girl who is in the kitchen as she walks closer she sees a blonde woman with blue eyes and she is wearing sunflower dress with an apron the two kids are running around the house laughing and shooting water g*n.

The guy is tall and looks in his mid-twenties; he is dressed casually. They look like a happy couple. Jamie now walks into the kitchen; where am I? No one is looking at her, and it is as if she is invisible. Lilah, honey, you and Raphael prepare the table. Lilah and Raphael? The same Lilah she knows, Jamie now walks to the Lounge suddenly Lilah and Raphael look thirteen years old, and they were sitting by the table saying, Grace, the house looks very livid, there are tons of portraits all over, and these people are so religious, and they look like a happy couple. But who are they Jamie questions, there is a knock at the door, I will get it says Raphael, as Jamie walks ahead, and looks through the window, and notice guys with ski mask with pump-action guns there is four of them Raphael is walking to the door, NO DO OPEN Jamie screams but no one can hear her Raphael she attempts to push him away from the door, but he continues through her, stop she screams, as Raphael pauses looking around, I am here do not open the door those guys are bad guys, you and the family need to hide, Raphael stands for twenty seconds looking around, who is it Honey Raphael now walks to the door STOP Jamie screams at the tops of her lungs,

Then he opens the door without looking through the window, as he opens the door the guy opens fire and shoots Raphael through the chest, No she screams as the lady comes running to the door and the second guy opens fire, the dad runs up to his wife and Raphael as the guy now uses the back of the g*n and hit him in the face Lilah runs and hides in the cupboard, the guy with the Ski mask now pulls the dad by the hair to the kitchen, Jamie is standing there hiding behind the cupboard, she is nervous she feels herself choking on her own breath, as her pulse beating in her ears, blocking out all other sound, terror washed over her, raising the fine hairs on the back of her neck as her heart pounding in her ears, she tried to scream, the sudden shock making her tense her muscles, a cold wave embalmed her as the hairs rose on the back of her neck and her mouth ran dry, she then gathered all the strength within her and stood up, walking to the kitchen as no one noticed her I am here take me instead she screamed but she was invisible. Lilah, the s dad, was pleading with them to let him go as they spoke in a Russian accent. Where is the merchandise? What merchandise did I not ever do business with you? And I am an accountant, that is good the guy said now you can start counting how many fingers we are cutting off, as they got a garden grass cutter and started cutting his fingers off one for one as he screamed in agony Jamie was on her knees crying witnessing something so horrifying. 

What merchandise Jamie screams as the Russian looks around and says nothing, Lilah,s dad has now passed out as the Russian stand up, pulls out a 9mm, and shoots him in the head his of o use to us, they now slowly pace through the house as they come to the lounge, there is one missing here the Russian says there are four plates, and we only killed three,  come out, wherever you are Jamie now comes to her senses and runs to the lounge trying to hit them to protect Lilah but there no reaction from there as they walk across the house with the guns, Jamie runs up to Lilah, she is scared to her wits she is pale and terrified holding her mouth with her two have tears is running down her face, Jamie tries to distract the Russians, but she is helpless. The fourth one has to be here somewhere as they start smashing things and throwing them off the cabinet and table; they now go up the staircase as they go to the room where Lilah is hiding in the light off, as they walk slowly towards the cupboard and the one Russian points down to the ground it is a blue lace hanging out of the cupboard from Lilah they now look at each other and open the cupboard, and spots Lilah as she screams they grab her and toss her across the room against the wall, where does your dad hide his stuff? Lilah is so scared she can barely get any words out of her mouth. Her head is bleeding after the hard bump against the wall as she cries.

I do not know what you are talking about; she says they now walk up to her grabbing her by the neck as Jamie attempts to hit them. The one Russian phone now rings. They let go of Lilah as she drops down to the ground boss. There is nothing here. Yes, the boss, we are on our way says the Russian; he now drops the phone, takes the 9mm, he then shoots Lilah in the chest as she falls, Jamie is on the ground trying to pick Lilah up, and, suddenly Jamie wakeup screaming as she Mother and Scott comes rushing in, what is wrong Jamie says Scott she looks up and realizes it was all just a dream, sorry I had a dream, I am sorry for waking you up. It is ok, honey, as her mother sits by her beside her and Scott stands in the doorway wearing his pajamas and glasses; she is no more kid, honey, let us go to bed. Diah now stands up, looking at Jamie. You will be fine, honey. She smiles and kisses her forehead as Scott stands there waiting for Diah. She regrets leaving her place for this country because so much has gone wrong already. What more could go wrong? Jamie now looks at the clock, and it is 3h23am; she goes downstairs to get a glass of water; as she reaches the tap turning around, Scott is standing behind her, so you also get thirsty this time, he says. Jamie shakes her head, feeling uncomfortable around him as she turns around to go back upstairs. Scott now pulls her back by the top. You like playing hard to get, I see. He then touches his index finger over the top of her hand, making her feel disgusted. We could be nice to each other if you were nice to me, he says.

Jamie pulls away as he pulls her back, moving his lips to her ear soon. You will be on your way to a shelter, a little girl where no one would want you. If you do not let me go, I will scream. Is that how you want to play it? He says as he lets go of her. That is how we will play it, then he grins. Jamie is disgusted and feels dirty even being close to him. I wish he were dead; she thinks to herself as she runs up the staircase to her room, locking the room door. Jamie now sips on her water, looking in the mirror. Kill me already then to let me suffer, she whispers. Jamie now sits up.

I wonder if Lilah helps me take care of my stepdad by getting him out of our lives, I am here, a voice whispers. Jamie looks around, but there is no one around her. She whispers, I am you, and you are me the voice whispers in her head. I cannot see you, yes you can... I am you, and you are me. Jamie now looks in the mirror and sees no one, Lilah is that you? I had a dream, she whispers, honey; who are you talking to at this hour? Sorry, mom, I am just praying, Ok honey; get some rest it late. Yes, mom, how can her mother be so blind to see the guy she comes here for just focused on one thing? Jamie now lays on her bed facing the window; the curtain is open as she looks out onto the stars in the sky. I hope you will be ok whispers, Jamie to herself. Honey, rise, and shine, get ready. It is Monday. You will be late for your bus. Jamie feels a bit nauseous this morning as she runs to the bathroom and puke. Are you ok, Jamie?

Scott has left to work already his shift start at 5 am, Jamie now gets dressed as she picks up her phone and phones Tracy to hear if she is coming into school and how she is feeling, but there is no response. She then attempts to call Christopher, and his phone is off; that is odd; his phone is never off.

Jamie now heads downstairs to the kitchen, where she finds her mom preparing breakfast. How are you feeling today, honey? I am ok she says, Mom, there is something about Scott I need to tell you, hold on Honey, he is calling, yes honey, ok see you Jamie looks over at her mother and thinks to herself, her mom is finally happy it is best she keeps quiet, Honey you would not believe this, Scott was able to register my baking business and his helping me promoting it. Is this not a great opportunity for us all? Men like him are scarce, Honey you were about to tell me something about Scott; what it is? Jamie smiles nothing, Mom, and It was to do with what a great person. Suddenly Jamie feels a sharp pain shooting through her head, as she goes down holding her head, what is wrong Jamie, her mother now hands her glass of cold water look how you are shivering honey what is wrong, let me check your temperature, her mother now gets the thermometer, 36.8ºC that is average, do you want pain pills for your head? No, I want to get to school. Ok, Diah now packs her lunch as she takes off to school. Tracy is not around as she becomes concerned and waits anxiously for the day to finish to check up on Tracy. She never skips school.