Shonda Abacrombe entered the darkening attic. Several pieces of furniture filled the room. Shonda couldn’t tell what kind of furniture since it was covered with several sheets. The attic made her sad since it reminded her of the depressing time she had with her husband.

How dare that bastard take her child, he wants sole custody. All for a single transgression?

Shonda dropped the box of her husband’s stuff at the base of a large, flat surface. The box caught on the cloth. A dark reflection of the box appeared. Shonda straightened the cloth covering the shiny, reflective surface. It fell.

A large mirror about the height of a door loomed in front of her. She saw her reflection; she looked…sad. Shonda felt sorry for the misshapen figure in front of her. She looked small, insignificant in a much larger and cruel world.

“Shonda, are you coming?” a man’s voice said.

“Yes, I will be right there.”

She didn’t see it at first, but when Shonda looked in the mirror a second time, the glass rippled as if made out of water.

“What the?” Shonda said.

The mirror shimmered. She reached out and touched the glass. It felt like any mirror she had come into contact with. She didn’t notice it right away, but she thought she could feel the room darkening. A strange feeling overcame her.

Am I being watched?

She turned to leave the attic. She was tired, and the day had been long. Time to say goodbye to my baby girl, not forever, but for a short while. She heard a splashing sound this time. It was coming from the mirror. She looked then froze—a tall, skinny, and pale bald man stood just in front of the mirror. He was staring directly at Shonda.

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“I desire a fresh beating heart. Are you able to provide that for me?” the man said.

“What? Who are you?” Shonda said, confused.

The man smiled. He had pointed teeth that reminded Shonda of small daggers. His smile chilled her blood.

“I see that you are considering my offer. Good.”

“What offer? You’ve said nothing about an offer.”

“I can make sure that you keep your little girl forever.”

“How the hell can you do that?” Shonda said.

“Bring me the man behind that voice and I can make that happen.”

Shonda considered for a moment.

“What are you going to do if I bring him here?”

The man looked into her eyes. She thought she saw a faint glow of red.

“Ouch, Chuck, I cut myself. You can come up here, please.”

“Dammit, Shon, I’m going to be late. Maria is waiting.”

“Chuck, please it hurts,” Shonda said.

She could hear him ascend the stairs. The tall man rubbed his hands together greedily. His tongue flapped out. It was forked, like a snake.

“You don’t look hurt…you always do this! You are selfish,” Chuck said.

“I’m working two jobs, trying to make ends meet. You look like you’re doing well. You have Maria. I have nothing, not even my baby girl.”

“Don’t be like this!”

“Have him come closer,” the bald man said in a voice that only she could hear.

Chuck stuck his nose inches from hers, jabbed a finger between her breasts.

She pushed him. He stumbled and fell just out of reach of the mirror. Shonda noticed a look of anguish on the bald man’s face as he tried to reach out into nothingness.

“You crazy bitch, I will see to it that Maria and me take full custody of Tess. You will no longer be a part of her life,” Chuck said.

Shonda felt a rush of blood enter her head. She felt lightheaded and carefree at the same time. It was refreshing. Chuck was almost fully erect when she pushed him toward the mirror with all of her strength. Chuck hit the mirror. She heard a cracking sound.

Did I break the mirror?

Chuck snarled. He raised his hands. They found purchase on Shonda’s neck. Her vision darkened. She heard screams. She looked up. The pale bald man was biting Chuck, and blood oozed from an open wound. She heard a scream. Shonda looked. Tess, her daughter, was staring as her father’s life force was being drained.

What have I done?