Seeing Double

For weeks on end I had to deal with Damen's constant supervision and nagging. Every time I would make the motion, he'd quickly remind me to avoid looking over my left shoulder no matter what. Pissed and annoyed as I was, I did find it strange that nothing else had occurred since that day at the restaurant. Yes, I was still skeptical. And my disbelief cost me much more than I bargained for.

My next "transgression" was at a local festival held annually at this time of year across the street from my house. June sort of retracted into her shell; she was in complete denial. Strange, and yet she is the one who is extremely superstitious. Damen also noticed the sudden change in her demeanor. Still, he allowed me to go with June when she offered to have me go to the festival. She was a little disheartened when I asked to invite Damen, but finally conceded after much persuasion. Does she think ignoring his existence will make him go away? I don't even know what goes on through June's mind these days. Interestingly, Damen also seemed quite grim to accompany us considering he watches my every move like a starving hawk. What the hell was with everyone?

Well, I attempted to liven up the group and have as much fun despite the depressing atmosphere they were engulfing themselves in. June completely ignored Damen, an action that was mutually returned. Which put all of June's attention on me, preventing me from interacting with him. I had tried to get to know Damen better and why he was here, but all my efforts failed as June interrupted any contact I might have with him. She was still at it hardcore during this festival and I hardly even got to have a word in with Damen. He finally piped up when June suggested we travel through the House of Mirrors. I turned to him and smiled.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to not break any mirrors," I mocked and proceeded into the maze without allowing him a word in. June had already gotten a head start, unaware that I had stopped to address Damen about the mirrors. I also had to keep in mind to not glance over my left shoulder at any cost, lest the bad luck incurred upon by the saltshaker kick into effect. This pissed me off to no end; it still does. When will this particular bad luck run out?

Honestly, it was a fucking nightmare. Everywhere I turned I could see thousands of reflections of June and slowly as I progressed into the House of Mirrors the images began to distort. June's image began to grow fatter, mine grew taller; you know, those kinds of mirrors. And then I reached what I assumed was the center because the mirrored walls caved into a circle surrounding this lonely pedestal that held a traditional candle in a cup handle. Then, as if sensing my presence within the room, the lights abruptly extinguished leaving the candle the only thing lit. Weird, but I went along with it. It had been ages since I had been in a House of Mirrors, though now it seemed they were attempted to convert it into a House of Horrors. Which was progressively becoming true as I had to slowly maneuver myself around the corridors of mirrors. Seeing everything by candlelight in the dark, the mirrors gave the impression I was being stalked by numerous people. It didn't help that June had a candle, either. A flicker of light would occasionally fly across the many reflections of my own candlelight, which of course would scare the shit out of me. Madness was starting to take over; it just felt like I was going around in circles at this point. Then, the strange flicker came more frequently and my panic level was boosted to maximum.

"JUNE!!!"

"E?"

June's face finally appeared by her candle, right at the moment I called for her. Of course, she came up right behind me and the mirror distortions didn't help. So, naturally, I screamed and dropped my candle which conveniently caught fire on my pant leg. June set her's down a good ways away before patting out the fire. Everything else after that is fragmented. I know we had to be escorted out of the House of Mirrors and that I was in tears rambling nonsense. Once Damen heard what happened, shit hit the fan. He explained to me how horrible it was, but at the moment it didn't matter. I just continued my ramblings, the same few words over and over again. Though I do not remember what it was I was saying, June confirmed the words to me later on:

"Please don't let the precious die."


"It is unlucky to see your face in a mirror by candlelight."