Chapter 6: Reflection
Leticia flinched, choking on the soup.
In the mirror—where her own reflection should have been—stood Aya.
A violent cough wracked her body, the hot liquid burning her throat. Her mother immediately rushed to her, gripping her shoulders with concern.
— "Leticia! Are you alright? Did you choke?" — her voice was full of worry.
Leticia struggled to calm herself, gasping for air. She could only nod, still unable to speak.
— "You need to lie down, my dear. You're still weak," — her mother said gently but firmly, helping her settle back into bed. — "I'll bring you some warm tea. Just rest, alright?"
Leticia wanted to protest, but she knew it was pointless. She allowed her mother to tuck her in and watched as she left the room, closing the door behind her.
The moment her mother's footsteps faded, Leticia threw back the covers and bolted to the mirror.
Her heart pounded violently.
She expected to see her own face, but instead—
Aya stared back at her.
Her golden hair cascaded softly over her shoulders, her blue eyes wide with the same astonishment. Leticia leaned closer, studying the reflection, searching for any kind of logic behind this.
The reflection mimicked her every move.
She raised her hand—Aya did the same.
She tilted her head—the reflection followed.
— "What the hell…?" — Leticia whispered.
"This is so strange," — a timid voice echoed faintly in her mind.
— "No kidding. It feels like I'm… seeing you." — Leticia's voice trailed off.
"You can see this too?" — Aya's voice became clearer, more distinct.
Leticia frowned.
— "Who's there?" — she asked sharply, instinctively scanning the room.
There was no one.
Her gaze snapped back to the mirror. Aya was still there. Leticia clenched her fists.
— "Is this a joke?" — she muttered, trying to suppress her unease. — "I really must be losing my mind."
"No, you're not crazy," — the voice sounded again, more real this time. — "Though I'll admit, it sure looks that way."
Leticia sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes widening.
— "You… you're alive? How is this possible?"
Aya blinked, her lips curving into a small, nervous smile, but her gaze held deep confusion.
"I don't know… I… I shouldn't be here, but I am. Do you… feel it too?"
— "Feel what?"
"You and I… we're both here. In the same body? Or…?" Aya's voice hesitated, as if she was afraid to finish the thought.
Then suddenly, her expression changed. Fear overtook her features, her hands began to tremble.
"Leticia…" — her voice wavered. — "What if… I'm not supposed to exist? What if I was never meant to be here?"
A cold sensation crawled down Leticia's spine.
She could see it—Aya's pale complexion, the way terror filled her eyes, spreading like an ink stain.
— "Don't say that," — Leticia said firmly.
"But how?" — Aya's voice cracked, almost a sob. — "I died… I should have disappeared…"
— "But you didn't!" — Leticia snapped, raising her voice. — "I can see you. I can hear you. Isn't that proof enough?"
Aya bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She turned away, as if trying to escape Leticia's gaze.
"I… I don't know."
Leticia inhaled deeply, steadying the tremor in her chest.
— "Alright then… we'll find the answer. Together."
Aya slowly nodded, but the fear in her eyes remained.
"Together…" — the word echoed softly in Leticia's mind.
Leticia reached toward the mirror. Aya did the same.
Their fingers nearly touched the glass—
But at the last second, Leticia yanked her hand back, her heart hammering violently.
— "Tomorrow," — she whispered, stepping away from the mirror. — "We'll figure this out tomorrow."
Then—
A chilling sensation crept up her spine.
Someone was watching her.
She turned toward the mirror—
And froze in horror.
Beyond the door, a faint silhouette loomed, barely visible—
But it was there.
Watching.