March 20th, 2025
Miler's Academy buzzed with activity. The prestigious all-boys high school was known for catering to students from relatively affluent families.
The first class had just ended, so the students were free to enjoy their break.
Inside one of the first-year classes, a lanky teen with tousled brown hair let out a boisterous exclamation, his voice cutting through the air and capturing the attention of his classmates.
"Hey, Michael, want to check out the cafeteria? They're serving pizza today!"
The excitement in his voice resonated throughout the room, prompting heads to turn in his direction. Amidst the studious atmosphere, the tall and muscular figure of Michael rose from his seat, his interest piqued.
"Well, even if it's pizza, I can't help but worry about how they'll manage to ruin it."
Michael grumbled under his breath, his anticipation mingling with a hint of skepticism. He couldn't bear the thought of disappointing taste buds and a lackluster dining experience.
Side by side, the two friends embarked on their journey towards the cafeteria. As they left the classroom, the once animated space returned to its previous state of quietude, with the remaining students either engaged in hushed conversations or diligently focusing on their studies.
Navigating the corridors, the duo's attention was suddenly captured by the presence of an enigmatic figure. A fellow student, completely shrouded in mysterious black attire from head to toe, caught their eye. The unknown student's face was concealed behind what appeared to be a unique pair of glasses, rendering his eyes invisible to the outside world.
Intrigued by the peculiar sight, the lanky teen and Michael exchanged curious glances. The air seemed to carry an aura of mystery, prompting questions to swirl in their minds. Who was this enigmatic figure, and what could be the purpose behind their unconventional choice of attire? The passing encounter left an indelible mark, tinged with a mix of curiosity and intrigue.
With their focus now redirected, the pair continued their journey towards the cafeteria, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors. The bustling atmosphere of Miler's Academy hummed around them, blending a sense of academic pursuit with youthful energy.
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The student covered in black attire casually walked through the school corridors and made his way to the headmaster’s office, knocking on the door with a steady pace.
"Come in."
The headmaster’s stern voice was heard, prompting the student to open the door and enter the room. As the student entered, his head didn’t turn in the slightest, as his gaze was solely focused on the headmaster.
The headmaster raised an eyebrow at his unique appearance and laughed heartily soon after.
"Well, when I heard that a genius would be joining our humble academy, I didn’t expect him to be in such weird attire, though your parents did warn me."
His voice wasn’t loud, and he was clearly not taking the matter seriously. Although the school did have its own dress code, the student in front of him was an exception.
The student removed the hood covering his head and the weird-looking glasses from his face, revealing his appearance.
It was the appearance of an adolescent boy, one who had just turned fourteen years old. He had messy dark brown hair, along with a smooth and symmetrical face. However, if one had to pick his most distinct feature, it would be his black, deadpan eyes, extenuated by the small yet permanent line of black circles beneath them.
Looking at his appearance, the headmaster nodded, a wide grin appearing on his face.
"You look exactly like the picture... I must say, all you geniuses have extremely distinct appearances... I remember the ten-year-old college graduate I saw last time. I’m telling you, that was no child, but an adult inside the body of a kid."
The boy’s brow twitched slightly at his words, but he still remained expressionless.
"Anyway, I guess I should welcome you into our academy, student Silas Hayes... I hope you bring us great honor, just like your parents did. I will have a teacher show you to your class. Although you’ve joined a bit late, I know fully well that you are already far ahead of others your age, so I’m not worried about your academics. Just make sure not to miss too many classes."
Silas nodded and put on his glasses and hood, exiting the room in a hurry.
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As the school bell rang, the students returned to their classes, but in one of the classes, a new student would be joining today.
Silas entered the classroom, greeted by the weird gazes of his classmates.
The teacher, who had also entered with him, introduced him to the whole class.
"This is Silas Hayes, and he will be joining you from today onward. Silas has a condition that doesn’t bode well with light and reflective surfaces, so he was given freedom in what he could wear. As for those who don’t agree with the arrangement, as long as you provide a legitimate reason, either prescribed by a doctor or a therapist, you are not allowed to wear anything. Anyway, Silas, why don’t you say a few things about yourself?"
Silas stood at the front of the classroom, his dark eyes scanning the curious faces of his classmates. He took a deep breath, his voice calm and measured.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Silas Hayes, and I'm honored to be joining Miler's Academy. As the teacher mentioned, I have a condition that makes me sensitive to light and reflective surfaces, which is why I dress the way I do. It's not a choice I made lightly, but it's necessary for my well-being."
Some of the students nodded, seemingly understanding, while others whispered among themselves. Silas ignored the whispers and continued.
"I come from a family of doctors, and my parents have accomplished great things. I hope to follow in their footsteps and make my own mark in the world. I have a passion for mathematics and physics, and I'm eager to learn and explore new ideas."
Silas's words hung in the air, and the classroom fell silent. The students seemed intrigued by this enigmatic newcomer, their initial curiosity gradually transforming into genuine interest. The teacher smiled and gestured for Silas to take a seat.
"Thank you, Silas, for sharing. We're glad to have you here. I'm sure you'll find Miler's Academy to be a place where your intellectual pursuits can thrive. Class, let's give Silas a warm welcome and make him feel at home."
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As the day progressed, Silas settled into his new environment. He didn’t interact much with his classmates, only responding to some of their questions in a reserved manner.
Silas proved to be an exceptional student in just a single day. His grasp of complex concepts surpassed that of his peers, and his dedication to learning was evident.
Outside of the classroom, Silas remained somewhat of an enigma. He rarely socialized during breaks or participated in extracurricular activities, preferring to spend his time in solitude, deep in thought. Some students found his solitary nature intriguing, while others found him displeasing to the eye.
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As the school bell rang once more, signifying the end of classes, Silas grabbed his backpack and swiftly exited the classroom.
His stride was long and rapid, quickly gaining distance so as not to have any of his classmates bother him.
Soon, he exited the main building and made his way towards the gate, where countless cars could be seen parked with either attendants or family members waiting for their children.
Silas didn’t bother glancing at the crowd, as he knew that there was no one there to pick him up.
He quickly made his way through the crowd, his glasses drifting slightly due to the contact he made with some of the people while passing through.
His dark eyes inspected their surroundings, the reflective surfaces of the cars showcasing things that no one else could see.
Silas grumbled to himself and put on the glasses properly, the reflective surfaces lessening significantly.
The glasses he was wearing were custom-made and essentially dulled the world from most light, making things far less reflective. But this didn’t mean that he couldn’t see reflections, even in this state.
Mirrors especially didn’t get affected as much by them, so he had to tread carefully.
Silas didn’t have a condition where light itself was the issue; rather, he had a problem with reflections in general. He was not afraid of the fact that the surface was reflective, but rather of what was displayed in those reflections.
As Silas walked through a giant glass window, he slightly lowered his glasses with caution, scanning the glass for any abnormalities.
Sure enough, as soon as he did so, he saw countless creatures staring directly at him.
Shuddering, Silas hurriedly adjusted his glasses again.
Sighing heavily, he remembered the first time his condition haunted his every waking moment. Unlike what one would expect, the first time he experienced these horrors was when he was just a month old, being shown his own reflection.
Ever since then, he has subconsciously avoided mirrors.
Out of all the horrid creatures he had seen so far in his life, his own reflection was the most horrifying to him. If he were to put its appearance into words, it would be a black mass with hundreds of thousands of eyes, one on top of another, in the shape of a human.
Although it didn’t sound as horrific as other descriptions of monsters he had seen, to Silas, his own reflection was the scariest.
In the beginning, Silas was able to tolerate only seeing his reflection, quickly getting used to it, but he soon noticed that the number of creatures slowly increased as he grew older.
Especially in the past few months.
In the reflections Silas saw of the world, things were totally different. Every human had something that looked like a collar around their neck, and dozens of blob-like creatures could be seen floating around on top of each crowd.
If things ended there, then Silas wouldn’t think too much of it, taking it only as a fact that his condition was deteriorating, but things got worse the past few weeks, with the blob-like aliens taking people in plain sight.
Silas investigated these missing people, confirming that they did in fact exist before but then suddenly disappeared. What was even weirder was the fact that no one searched for these people, and the police only noticed when Silas asked for their information.
As to how Silas was able to ask for information from them, it was all thanks to his family background.
His mother, Norma Hayes, is a pediatrician, while his father, John Hayes, is a surgeon, and they both have great connections with higher-ups in their city.
With this connection, Silas was able to ask for anything, as long as it didn’t cross a certain line.
Silas had always been curious by nature, and the dark undertones of his condition only fueled his determination to uncover the truth. He delved into the depths of the internet, researching ancient folklore, supernatural occurrences, and mysterious disappearances.
As he uncovered more information, a disturbing pattern emerged. The disappearances he observed were not limited to his city or even his country. Similar incidents were reported worldwide, but they remained largely unnoticed by the general population. Silas couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease and a responsibility to shed light on these dark events.
Night after night, Silas would stay up, connecting the dots and drawing connections between the creatures he saw in his reflections and the missing individuals.
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As the days passed, Silas noticed that things were getting far worse as the number of horrid creatures multiplied rapidly. Silas didn’t even go to school for over a week since he felt extremely uneasy.
He could constantly feel countless pairs of eyes staring at him, as if he were nothing more than a speck of dust to these things.
His room had long been isolated from the outside, not possessing even the slightest hint of reflection. Anything that was previously reflective, he had either sanded or painted a mat color.
As for his computer monitors, he utilized anti-glare monitors with added layers of film on top, making the surface almost matte when the monitor was off.
Silas found himself consumed by an insatiable curiosity, driven by an unyielding desire to uncover the truth behind the creatures he saw in his reflections. Late at night, he meticulously documented his findings, creating a detailed record of the disappearances and the eerie connections he discovered.
Despite his growing fear and apprehension, Silas couldn't resist the allure of unlocking the secrets concealed within the reflections.
One fateful night, as the moon shrouded the world in an eerie glow, Silas ventured into the heart of the city, drawn to a dilapidated building rumored to be a hotbed of supernatural activity. With a backpack filled with tools and protective charms, he cautiously explored the decaying structure, guided by the whispers of his intuition.
Inside, the air was heavy with a foreboding presence. The walls were adorned with shattered mirrors, their fragmented surfaces reflecting twisted images that sent shivers down Silas's spine. The sound of distant whispers echoed through the halls, as if beckoning him deeper into the darkness.
In the center of a dimly lit room, a colossal mirror stood, its surface pristine and untouched. Silas approached it cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. As he peered into the mirror, his reflection stared back at him with those same black, unfeeling eyes.
A momentary hesitation swept over Silas, but his relentless pursuit of knowledge propelled him forward. With trembling hands, he reached out and touched the mirror's smooth surface, his fingers tracing the edges.
At that moment, he heard a voice behind him.
Shocked, Silas turned his head and found the person to whom the voice belonged.
"Mom? What are you doing here?"
Asked Silas in confusion. For some reason, he was feeling very uneasy.
"Silas, my baby, what are you doing in a place like this? I just happened to pass by the street while returning home and saw you entering the building. Let's go home; this place is not safe! Just look at all the broken glass on the floor!"
Just like always, his mother began pestering him, going on and on about how he always got himself into such weird situations.
Silas relaxed slightly, removing his glasses in the process. To Silas, his mother always had the same reflection. Just like his own reflection portrayed a totally different thing, some of the humans he observed were also like this.
His mother resembled a butterfly in her reflection, which was probably one of the nicest things Silas could see in a reflection.
Knowing this, Silas glanced at one of the glass shards beneath him, wanting to confirm that things were alright.
But what he saw was neither his mother nor the butterfly.
Rather, it was one of the spherical-looking creatures. It looked like a pile of flesh was used to make it, with two giant bead-like eyes that resembled those of a fly.
Silas trembled, his arms shaking, realizing that he was being tricked.
Taking a few steps back, his "mother" noticed his abnormality and tilted her head in confusion.
"What’s wrong, Silas? Are the reflections affecting you again?"
Although her head tilt seemed slight, it was not something that his mother ever did. To him, it was like someone was using his mother’s outer appearance to trick him.
As Silas backed off, he touched the mirror.
Suddenly, his sight warped as he found himself staring at a totally different sight.
The building was the same, the room was the same, but there was one massive difference. His "mother" was now the creature.
Silas's heart raced as he witnessed the horrifying transformation of his mother into one of the monstrous creatures he had seen in his reflection. The once-familiar face distorted into a grotesque mass of flesh and bulging eyes, its insect-like features sending a wave of terror through Silas's entire being.
Frozen in fear, Silas struggled to comprehend the reality unfolding before him. His mother's voice now emanated from the creature, distorted and inhuman, as it spoke with an unsettling tone.
"Silas, my dear, you've always been so perceptive. Did your condition get worse? You don’t look so well."
Silas stumbled backward, his mind racing to process the implications of his discovery. The creatures he had seen in his reflections were not mere hallucinations or figments of his imagination. They were real, disguised among the unsuspecting populace.
"What are you? What do you want?"
Silas managed to stammer, his voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance.
The creature wearing his mother's appearance tilted its head, its gaze fixed on Silas with unnerving intensity.
"What do you mean, son? Wait- no! You’ve noticed?! How!"
Silas's mind raced, his instincts urging him to escape this nightmarish encounter. With a surge of adrenaline, he turned and dashed toward the exit, propelled by fear and a desperate need to survive.
As he reached the shattered entrance, he felt a powerful force pull him back. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the creature extending its twisted limbs towards him, its grotesque form elongating in a disturbing display of otherworldly flexibility.
Silas fought against the creature's grasp, desperately struggling to break free. His mind raced, searching for a solution amidst the chaos and terror. Then his eyes fell upon a nearby shard of broken mirror lying on the floor.
Not caring about the damage he would take from the shard, he grabbed it and plunged it into the creature's flesh.
The creature screamed in agony, but it didn’t let go of its clutch despite the pain.
At that moment, another creature appeared in Silas’s field of view, resembling a more refined version of the creature holding him down.
This new creature was using what looked like a miniature UFO to float without having any appendages.
Before Silas could even comprehend what was going on, he fainted from the force he was experiencing.