I lay in bed, my heart pounding, drenched in sweat. Another night, another tormenting nightmare. They had become a relentless presence, invading my sleep and plaguing my waking hours. Mirrors, those innocent-looking objects, had become my greatest fear. Each reflection held the potential to unleash a wave of terror that threatened to consume me.

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. I forced myself to rise, determined to shake off the remnants of the restless night. With trembling hands, I splashed water on my face, averting my gaze from the mirror above the sink. I couldn't bear to look at myself anymore. The fear that lurked within those mirrored surfaces was suffocating.

My phone buzzed on the bathroom counter, shattering the silence. It was Ayumi, my best friend. Her messages were always a welcome distraction from my own inner torment. "Hey, Yuki! Haven't heard from you in a while. Let's meet up later today. I have something important to tell you. See you at our favorite café."

Ayumi's message sparked a mixture of anticipation and doubt within me. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but the legends of mirror demons she had been researching felt like a leap into the realm of the supernatural. I couldn't help but question whether there was any truth to them.

I carefully chose my attire for my meeting with Ayumi, wanting to strike the right balance between comfort and a touch of elegance. I settled on a beautiful, knee-length dress in a deep shade of indigo, adorned with delicate silver trimmings. The fabric flowed gently around me, giving me a sense of freedom and grace as I walked.

To complement the dress, I wore a pair of dainty silver earrings that glimmered in the sunlight. They were a special gift from Ayumi, a reminder of our deep friendship and shared experiences. As I fastened the delicate jewelry, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, filling my heart with a mix of anticipation and bittersweet memories. The times before the accident and the misfortune that follows.

I shook my head violently. The past stays in the past, I told myself, lamenting over the old days would change anything. I quickly tied my hair into a ponytail before I picked a pair of ankle boots that struck the perfect balance between practicality and style. The deep brown color added a subtle touch of sophistication to my ensemble, enhancing my confidence as I prepared to face whatever awaited me in Ayumi's presence. This meeting with Ayumi held the promise of unraveling the mysteries that had plagued my dreams and consumed my thoughts. I hoped our encounter would bring us closer to the truth and shed light on the nightmares that had haunted me for far too long.

As I finished on putting on lipstick, I couldn’t help but submit to the desire to examine myself in the mirror despite my fear. I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. However, all was meaningless with seeing my own reflection. My stomach contorted, and I felt my face turn white.

A shiver ran down my spine, and an inexplicable sense of unease washed over me. It felt as if the mirror held a sinister secret, a gateway to a realm of darkness that I dared not venture into.

The image that stared back at me was familiar, yet distorted as if mocking the very essence of who I was. The way the light played upon the glass seemed to cast ominous shadows upon my features, accentuating every imperfection and flaw. I couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity as if the mirror had a way of amplifying my self-doubt.

My own eyes, usually filled with warmth and curiosity, now appeared haunted and fearful. They held a reflection of the nightmares that plagued my sleep, a reminder of the twisted visions that awaited me whenever I closed my eyes. It was as if the mirror held a portal to those dark realms, ready to draw me in with its deceptive allure.

A lump formed in my throat as I forced myself to meet my gaze. I could feel the weight of the mirror's presence, the way it seemed to mock my vulnerability and feed on my deepest fears. The thought of what lurked beyond the surface, hidden within the reflective depths, sent a shudder through my entire being.

At that moment, I couldn't help but question my sanity. Was it all in my mind, a figment of my imagination? Or was there truly something malevolent lurking within the mirrors, waiting to seize its opportunity and plunge me into a world of terror? The line between reality and nightmare blurred, leaving me teetering on the edge of rationality.

With a trembling hand, I reached out and touched the cold surface of the mirror. It sent a jolt of apprehension through me as if the contact itself awakened a dormant force. I quickly withdrew, my heart pounding in my chest, desperately yearning for escape from the suffocating grip of my fear.

As I turned away, a lingering unease remained, a constant reminder of the terrors that haunted me. The fear of mirrors had become a part of my existence, an ever-present shadow that cast doubt and uncertainty over my perception of reality. Each encounter with my reflection served as a chilling reminder that the boundary between the tangible and the supernatural was thinner than I could have ever imagined.

I quickly left my room and stared at the ceiling, taking deep breaths to calm myself down before I was ready to confront the unknown and delve into the secrets that awaited me in Ayumi's company. The attire I had chosen reflected my inner strength and resilience, serving as a reminder that I was prepared to face the challenges ahead with unwavering determination.

Leaving my cozy home of mine, I began the walk to the bustling cafe where Ayumi and I had planned to meet. As I walked through the city streets, my eyes instinctively avoided the reflections that lined the storefronts and windows. I couldn't shake the feeling that each mirror held a malevolent gaze, ready to ensnare me in its clutches.

The passing crowds seemed oblivious to the unease that gnawed at my core. I tried to push aside my fear, to convince myself that it was all in my head, but the weight of each passing reflective surface only intensified my trepidation.

Upon reaching the cafe, Le Papillon Bleu, The Blue Butterfly, I sighed in relief. Its large spruce doors loomed before me. The doors give a welcoming feeling of home and comfort. As I pushed open the large double doors, a spacious interior awaited me.

Inside, the cafe was filled with warmth and the gentle hum of conversation. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, momentarily easing my apprehension. Yet, as I glanced at the array of mirrors adorning the walls, the fear within me disappeared, like a tsunami calming down into a flowing river.

With each glance I stole at my reflection, I couldn't help but question if I really got over my fear of mirrors or if was it an illusion caused by the comforting smell of coffee and pastries and the serene music.

A staff who recognized me as a regular greeted me before Ayumi’s waving hand caught my eye. She was already waiting for me with an Americano and a bagel. In front of the chair opposite her was an iced macchiato and a ham panini. I smacked my lips mentally, imagining the rich, cool, bittersweet coffee paired with the hot sandwich, oozing golden cheddar down the side.

“Well, I suppose long time, no see?” I gave her a small smile, sitting down and giving her a nod of thanks for the food before I dove into the coffee. It had a lush caramel flavor that paired well with the intense coffee beans, creating a rich, bittersweet harmony in my mouth. I gave a delighted hum before taking a bite out of the sandwich of heaven, which seemed to just combine perfectly with the lightly salted ham, and the fresh cheddar sandwich combined with the sharp flavors of the mustard mayo ignited fireworks within my taste palate.

Out of the corners of my eyes, Ayumi watched me with an amused look. That look always seemed to annoy me for whatever reason. I stopped and swallowed before regaining composure. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

Ayumi gave a small laugh. “Ah, you’ll never change. You always loved food so much that I’ll even bet that you would choose food over me.”

“I bet the same could be said for you,” I retorted, pointing at her Americano. “It’s already empty.”

She gives me a small grin before changing the subject. “I called you over to talk about your nightmares.”

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I froze on the spot, the macchiato still in my hands. My nightmares had always been a traumatizing daily event for me. Occurring every single night without fail, each time different and potentially worse than the previous. It has taken a huge mental toll on me. It was also the reason Ayumi is very dear to me, as she is one of the few that understood my condition.

I swallowed unconsciously, my voice wavering, trying to not show false hope. “And...?”

“Well, it was around a week, maybe two.” Ayumi started combing her hair with her hands before taking a deep sip of her coffee. “I was looking up mythology and history for fun and then the thought of you and mirrors popped into my head, so I searched up mirror myths. There was a legend about mirrors and their representation of demons!”

“Ayumi,” I called out, looking down at the table, my hands tightly clutching together, the minuscule spark of hope shattered. “Don’t you know legends are never true?”

Ayumi's eyes gleamed with excitement as she leaned closer, her voice filled with conviction. "Yuki, I know it doesn’t sound believable, but trust me! I've been digging deeper into the legends of mirror demons. It's fascinating! They're ancient entities, trapped within mirrors, feeding on fear. But we can fight back, confront our fears, and protect both worlds. Besides, it sounds too much like the nightmares you have, you know, with all the rune-looking language and... here, I’ll show you!"

She pulled out her phone and showed me a picture. It was an old painting with signs of aging and burn marks, but it depicts something similar to my nightmares. Demons with sharp contorted bodies and pillars lined with a language that looks something like a cross between English, Chinese, and Arabic.

“I couldn’t find any more pictures, but I have a feeling about this!” Ayumi continued, “The more I dug deeper, the more believable this sounds, but think about it. Why do your described nightmares sound eerily similar to this painting?”

I listened, a knot of uncertainty forming in the pit of my stomach. The logical part of me wanted to dismiss these tales as nothing more than folklore, but I couldn't deny the relentless nightmares that had plagued me for so long. Maybe there was more to them than mere figments of my imagination.

"What if these legends are really just myths, Ayumi?" I asked, my voice tinged with skepticism. "I mean, can we really trust that they cause my nightmares?"

Ayumi's expression softened; her eyes filled with empathy. "I understand your doubts, Yuki. It's a lot to take in, and I questioned it too at first. But the more I researched, the more I found compelling evidence and stories from people who have experienced similar nightmares. Maybe there's a connection we're yet to discover."

Her words gave me a sliver of hope, but I couldn't help but wonder if it was all a wild goose chase. Nonetheless, I took a deep breath, pushing my doubts aside. "Okay, Ayumi. I trust you, and I'm willing to explore this further. Let's find out the truth behind these nightmares."

“Yeah, let’s do this!” she cheered before her expression suddenly turned to horror. She let out a small yelp before looking at me and telling me in a quiet, high-pitched voice. “It’s Friday... we still have classes.”

My mind drew a blank before the fire alarm rang in my head. With no words spoken, we knew we were going to be in trouble. Classes in college were strict, but it was also near midterms right now.

“Uh, uh, uh,” I went on, trying to organize things within my head frantically, “Let’s talk about this after more research next week!”

Ayumi nodded, “Sure,” before she bolted out of the café heading south towards the university hospital. I soon followed and left as well, in the opposite direction towards the economics department. It was sad to say I was tardy.

Over the next few days, we delved deeper into the research, seeking answers to the mysteries surrounding mirror demons. Her quest for knowledge consumed Ayumi, while I wavered between hope and skepticism. The nightmares persisted, growing more vivid and haunting, but I couldn't shake the lingering doubts.

One evening, as darkness draped the city, I found myself in front of my bedroom mirror. A mixture of curiosity and trepidation filled me as I stared at my reflection. What if Ayumi's theories were true? What if there was something malevolent lurking in the mirror world?

That night, as I drifted into sleep, the nightmare took hold once again. I found myself trapped in a distorted mirror realm, surrounded by shadows that danced and twisted in the reflection. Each seemed to stare at me with their dark, misty, blank faces. Fear gripped me, squeezing my heart in its icy grasp as I heard their voices. Voices that were inaudible to me. I woke up in a cold sweat, gasping for air, questioning whether this quest for answers was worth the torment.

The following day, unease gnawed at me as I made my way to school. Ayumi was nowhere to be found. Doubt crept back into my mind, accompanied by worry. I couldn't help but wonder if she had become too entangled in her research, losing herself to pursuing these legends.

Later that day, unable to shake off my concerns, I paid a visit to Ayumi's house. The front door creaked open as if welcoming me into an eerie stillness. The unlocked front door wasn’t unusual for Ayumi. However, there seemed to be a desolate silence around the neighborhood.

“Ayumi? Are you home?” I called out her name, but there was no response. A sense of foreboding washed over me as I ascended the stairs, looking around with caution. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The lights were still on, and I noticed Ayumi’s shoes.

I sighed with a breath of relief. She’s home, most likely engrossed in the research, that she lost track of time. I walked towards her room where it was locked, and I noticed the lights were dark in the room.

I sighed and pounded on the door. “Ayumi, seriously, stop doing this! Every time you don’t answer my phone calls like you normally do, I get worried! Now let me in.”

Silence responded along with the sound of the wind that I assumed was the window. I now sigh in annoyance. Ayumi loves music when she’s doing stuff, so she must have put on headphones at an almost ear-deafening volume. I pounded loudly once more before I remembered she gave me a set of her keys in case she wasn’t home before I came over.

“I swear, you have some issues as I do...” I muttered loudly as the door unlocked. All of a sudden, I hear a drop... no, drops, like a faucet leak and a disgusting smell. “Ayumi...?

My heart pounded in my chest as I slowly pushed open the door. And there, in the dark room lit only but the sunset, a scene of horror awaited me. Ayumi's room was in disarray, blood stains marred the floor, and an overwhelming sense of dread hung in the air. I stumbled backward, smashing into the wall, a scream lodged in my throat, as my eyes landed on the full-body mirror Ayumi had treasured.

The mirror didn’t have a reflection. Nor did it have a single drop of blood on it as the rest of the room was. It was empty and seemed hollow, just like my soul right now. Time seemed to freeze as I stood there, confronted with the grim reality before me. Ayumi, my dear friend, lay motionless, her body torn and mutilated. Her body was half gone, her organs splattered across the room, and her lifeless cloudy eyes seemed to make eye contact with me.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the monstrous truth—something unspeakable had happened, and it was connected to the legends Ayumi had unearthed. Maybe there were demons. Maybe mirrors eat people. Or maybe I’m going insane. But for better or worse, I wasn’t hallucinating. This is all real.

As I slowly got back to my feet trembling at the horror, I couldn’t hold in a let loose an agonizing howl of suffering that seemed to last forever. After what seemed like an eternity. I slowly regained my composure and prayed for Ayumi. I’m sorry Ayumi, I’m so sorry! I swear to avenge you! But how?

I glanced around the bloody room and saw that all her electronics were gone like it was to get rid of the evidence. I was too late.

Fear, grief, and a burning desire for answers surged through me. I need to avenge Ayumi, but I have nowhere to start my lead! Ayumi did most of the important research and now it’s all gone.

“Dammit,” I swore, slamming my tiny fists on Ayumi’s blood-soaked bed. What was to be a soft bouncy feeling was, instead, wet, warm, and crumbly. Wait crumbly?

I perked my head up and felt it again. It was a sticky note. I quickly attempted to wipe it as clean as possible from the blood, but it only worsened the stain. The only things readable were: “Rook Watson, 2475 SE Clearway Ave.... real...seven.... demons....”

I clutched the sticky note tightly, trying not to spill tears again. I’m coming back for you Ayumi. Let me trace the clues you left me. I swear!

But before I got up, I felt drops on my back. It felt warm and wet... like the feeling of Ayumi’s blood—I quickly realized and whipped my head around and to my utmost horror, was a sharp glass-looking monster, jaw dripping with blood, hovering over my head, ready to eat me.

The only thing I had in my mind was “Oh, fucking hell.” before the thing lunged at me with a bloodcurdling scream.