=Start your story with someone buying a cursed — or perhaps blessed —mirror from an antiques store.=
Mary was a simple woman who lived on the outskirts of the city. She had a routine life, what worked well for her. During the week she was working at the local library, where she organised a weekly reading club for seniors. On the evenings she spent her free time reading books and sipping tea. When the spring came she loved tending her small garden at the back of her house. Her friends often teased her about her mundane existence, but Mary didn't mind. She enjoyed the simplicity and peace her life offered.
One sunny day just before the summer solstice, as Mary was walking back home from work, she noticed a sudden glint in the corner of her eye. At first she thought it's a reflection of the sun coming from a passing car but then she saw it again and it was coming from a place few blocks back down the street. Curiosity got the better of her and she made her way towards the building. As she got closer, she felt a strange pull in the pit of her stomach towards it.
'What is happening?' Mary thought to herself, her heart racing with confusion and fear. She didn't want to go with the sensation without thinking over first. She found a bench nearby and sat down, trying to calm herself and understand what exactly is she feeling. Few moments later her heartbeat calmed down and her mind was clear. The pull inside her became stronger though and she couldn't resist it any longer.
Mary stood up and started to follow the pull blindly. She didn't know where it was leading her, but she couldn't stop herself. After walking for some time without a thought in her head, relying purely on the pull, she came across an old antiques store that she passed by every day. She knew the display from the heart but something was different this time. There was an old mirror displayed in the corner of the window and she felt strongly drawn to it.
After some hesitation Mary went inside to investigate. Everything was a slight blur but the certain antique.
"I like the frame," Mary said, trying to sound casual, to the sales lady, nodding towards the mirror.
"It was made in the 18th century for the lover of the Grand Duke of Boomfield," the older woman replied with a soft smile. "They had a passionate affair which fed plenty of gossips at that time. The lady took this mirror everywhere she travelled. Some whispered it was cursed, while others believed it to be a source of blessings."
Mary was intrigued by the history of the mirror immediately and couldn't resist the allure. She decided to purchase it and take it home on the spot.
As she hung the mirror in her bedroom, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Who knows - maybe this seemingly ordinary mirror does held a mysterious secret. Mary read so many books about supernatural and paranormal occurrences that she easily believed there must be something about the mirror what started the rumours.
That night, as Mary lay in bed already half asleep, she heard a soft, whispering voice. She sat up, startled, and saw a figure emerging from the mirror. It was a woman, shrouded in a mist, looking ethereal and otherworldly.
"Who are you?" Mary asked, her voice trembling. She was freaking out a bit on the inside but tried to collect herself.
"I am lady Amara Sommers," the woman replied. "I have been trapped in this mirror for centuries, waiting for someone pure of heart to set me free. And you, Mary, are that person."
Mary couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had always been a firm believer in magic and the supernatural, but she never thought she would experience it herself.
Lady Amara explained to Mary that the mirror was a magical object, created by a powerful sorcerer to trap her soul as she was jealous of the all attention the lady was receiving from the Duke. The only way for her to break free was for someone to willingly take the mirror into their possession.
"As a token of my gratitude, I will grant you one wish with the help of this magical mirror," lady Amara said. "But be careful what you wish for, for magic always comes with a price."
Mary was speechless. Every word lady Amara said was etched in her mind and her emotions were in turmoil. She felt sorry for the lady and furious on her behalf. Hearing the offer, Mary was surprised as she didn't think she had done anything significant.
The silence befell in the room as Mary was deep in the thoughts. After long moment she finally decided to use her wish to travel to different places around the world. Maybe it was the time to change a bit her routine as her friends suggested to do from time to time.
And so, with a wave of lady Amara's hand, the mirror transformed into a magical portal, transporting Mary to different countries and continents when she made a wish to travel. She was able to witness the beauty of the world and experience different cultures, all thanks to the mysterious mirror.
But as lady Amara had warned, magic did come with a price. Mary soon realized that every time she made a wish, a piece of her soul was taken away. She began to feel empty and lost, no longer content with her ordinary life, didn't feel excitement about new experiences.
In the end, Mary could take no more and asked lady Amara to grant her another wish - to destroy the mirror. She didn't know if would be possible for her to do that but lady Amara said she was slowly absorbing magic from the mirror during her entrapment and she was glad to use this power to set them both free.
And after doing that they were - lady Amara's soul was free to go in the afterlife and Mary's soul was restored.