In a world where your own reflection signifies death.

Who are we really?

Are our reflections really ourselves, because if not, then who are they?

…

Standing by the water was a young boy. He did not know what he looked like. He only knew that his hair was too long.

He had needed to cut it for a while, but he couldn't be bothered.

He didn't plan on living very much longer anyway.

August´s life had always been hard, but that was okay.

His mother was there for him.

She cared for him, and even though they lived in a small house, on the brink of falling apart, it was okay.

Because they were together.

They had each other, and they loved each other.

When they couldn't afford food, it was okay, because his mother's love could fill him. When the winter was so cold that they almost froze to death, it was okay, because his mother´s love made him warm. And when he was beaten by his employer, for not doing his job fast enough, it was okay.

Because of her.

But she was no longer.

She had left this world, and August was happy for her.

She didn't have to stay in this shit world. The world was so shit, that even just a glimpse of your own reflection, would most of the time kill you.

He was happy for her, but standing there, in the dark night, taking in the sight of an endless body of water, reflecting the light of the moon. He felt so fucking lonely.

From what August knew, his father had disappeared before he was born. Everyone had said he had died, but August´s mother didn't believe it. She would always tell August that, one day, his father would walk through that door.

He would bring with him wealth, as he had promised August´s mother before he left.

He never came.

Until the day his mother peacefully died in her sleep, he had never come.

August had always known, that the man called his father would never return. He had most likely died, without anyone around caring for who he was, or for the one who loved him.

But that was how this world was.

People died all the time. Especially poor people, and no one cared about poor people.

And today was his turn.

August thought to himself how people would react, but he quickly scoffed of the idea.

No one would care. He had no one left. The only one who would care would be his employer. Thinking about it August couldn't help but smile. I´m sure he´ll be pretty mad, I didn't even finish my contract.

Looking down on his hands, he could see his fair skin. His hands were full of scars, from when he first learned how to use a knife.

They were trembling a bit- Not a lot, but just enough for him to notice.

August was nervous, and he hated that he was. He had no more reason to live, but somehow, he was still afraid.

He wasn't afraid of dying- He was afraid of what he was going to see.

August had decided. He would die, while showing the world the finger. In this world where seeing your own reflection would kill you, it didn't just do that. When a person saw their reflection, they would turn into strange monsters. August didn't know why, the poor didn't have access to information like that. He had however heard rumors. People said that there were strange creatures, living in our reflection. August didn't really believe them, but he knew that your own reflection was dangerous.

But today- Today August was going to look at his reflection. He would be one of the few, to know how he had looked. That thought excited him.

Taking a step forward, August closed in on the large body of water.

Another step, then another, and one more.

August looked straight ahead of himself. Careful, so as not to look at his reflection.

He could feel his heart start beating a bit faster, signaling his nervousness. His mouth overflooded with saliva, as he struggled to swallow.

It´s just one look, damn it! August thought to himself.

He took a long deep breath, closed his eyes, and slowly looked down.

He was now facing the water. He only had to open his eyes, let his soul free and join his mother and father, in god´s kingdom.

August took another deep breath, and braced himself for what would happen.

He slowly opened his eyes.

What his eyes caught sight of was a young boy. He had long black hair, that looked like it hadn't been washed for a long time. His skin was fair, having the same color as the large moon. In the middle of his face was a fairly sized nose, with a pair of lips right under- His lips had none of the usual red or pink color one would usually see, instead they were almost blue, giving a sign of how cold it was outside. Above his lips and nose, slightly hid under his black hair that was wavering in the wind- Was a pair of bright blue eyes, looking like they didn't really belong to this frail looking young boy.

August felt that he actually looked quite good. If he compared himself with the other people, who lived where he did, he could even be called handsome.

August took his gaze away from his eyes, and moved down again- Trying to catch a glimpse of the rest of his body in the water.

As he looked down, he noticed something.

He was smiling!

August quickly took his hand up, to touch his mouth. The reflection followed his movements.

Touching his lips, August felt the soft plushiness of them against his fingertips. He was not smiling.