The stairs creaked under my feet as I climbed them. My heart pounded in my chest because I had no idea what to expect as I got closer to the top of the stairs. But to my surprise the room was fully finished. There were no web covered beams anywhere. Well there was one spider web in the window and that would be dealt with soon.

The room was filled with a few boxes and some more sheet covered furniture. As I looked over the room, I saw it's potential as an art studio. I entered the room more and looked at some of the boxes. They were nothing special. Some held old family photos. Some held holiday decorations. The rest just had junk in them and I made a mental not to go through them and see if there was anything I would want to keep.

"Looks like I'm going to be having one hell of a yard sale later," I told myself as I straightened myself out.

I looked at the what furniture was covered by the dusty sheets and not any of it was impressive to me. My great aunt had a lot of stuff for living on her own. But the last thing I found under a sheet took my breath away. I pulled off the sheet completely and took in the sight. It was an old standing Victorian mirror and it was georgious.

It was dark oak with custom made carving surrounding it. My hands roamed over the supports of the mirror that had carved flames on it. The flames swirled around the poles and led to goblets of fire at the top. The frame of the mirror also had custom carvings. Those carvings were of different angels performing different sins. The top of the frame had three hooded figures at the top as if judging the angels for their sins.

The mirror looked so beautiful and it was a shame that it was hidden away in the attic. It should be showed case in one of the main rooms. Maybe it was a gift my great aunt got and she placed it here until she found a place for it. Then forgot about it.

Deciding that it shouldn't be forgotten, I began to pick up the mirror and move it slowly towards the stairs. The thing was heavier than it looked. I was probably going to need Kate's help with moving this but I didn't know when she planned on coming back. This whole mirror situation made me wish I discovered it sooner so she could have helped me. Or, at least stayed a little longer until I explored the house more.

After a few grunts and moving only three feet, I needed a break. Sweat was already covering my body and my lungs gasped for air. Exhaustion was filling up my body already, but I was determined to at least get this mirror onto the second floor.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

With determination, I continued to slowly move the mirror towards the stairs. It felt like I was only moving an inch every ten minutes. The process was slow but I was sure I could do it. But my body could only handle so much before my muscles decided that it couldn't' take anymore.

Needing another break, I sat on the floor in front of the mirror. My reflection looked a little distorted and I figured it was because it was so dirty. I quickly got up and ran to my room to grab the glass cleaner and some paper towels. When I got back, I tried to clean the mirror the best I could. But it was starting to look like a lost cause. the thing was just too old and it was neglected for too long.

With defeat, I placed my cleaning supplies on the floor and pouted at the mirror. "Why were you hidden all the way up here?" I asked it.

"Beware the mirror. Beware the trials."

It was as if someone had whispered in my ear and I looked around me to find no one around. I was still alone in this house but confusion filled my thoughts. Maybe I was just hearing things because I was in a new place. But then I heard the voice once again.

"Beware the mirror. Beware the trials."

Hearing the voice made me stare at the mirror. "Are you talking to me?" I asked it. Thankfully the mirror didn't respond. Making me think I was just imagining it due to the fact that I was exhausted. There was no such thing as talking mirrors. That only existed in fairytales.

I was ready to call it a night when something in the mirror caught my eye. I wasn't sure what it was so I leaned closer, but I couldn't really find what I noticed. Thinking it was just a trick of the light, I moved back. But then I saw something flash in the mirror again. Making me look around the room trying to find out what could be causing the flashing I was seeing.

Confused, I moved closer to the mirror. My hands roamed on it's surface trying to figure out if there was a crack I wasn't noticing. But I couldn't find anything. Instead I heard another voice ring out louder than the whisper.

"You have awoken us. Let the trials begin!"

At that moment a hand flew out of the mirror and grabbed onto my arm. I tried to pull away but it was too strong. My instincts told me to continue struggling but eventually I lost the fight, being pulled into the mirror.