Supernatural Tales

Tale 2

For centuries, it's been said that one can see, and even trap, souls within mirrors. Starting with the ancient forms, giving an eerie light to tricks used by the Egyptians. Time progressed, and technology advanced, leading to the process of photography. Because the image was like looking into a mirror from a specific time, tales were told that they sucked up a portion of your soul, and trapped it within that time forever; never to progress spiritually. Luckily, that's nothing but a superstition set branched off from the truth.

These days, mirrors are even advancing to the polished metals from the past. Even water holds the power within, to show your true self. The key isn't simply seeing the reflection, however. It's to gaze into those eyes, reaching past the barrier of the physical plane, and to a deeper truth of self.

The normal response to such a common form of what some may call soul divination, is for the viewer to feel like they're either viewing a stranger, or reject the sight given, and convince their conscious that what they see is nothing more than a mere reflection. Of which, is no surprise, as Humans don't like to feel at unease, accustomed to being in control and knowing most things. Especially about themselves, despite the endless labyrinth of mysteries.

In a small percentage, however, the sight which induces the instinct of self-convincing, isn't one's own soul. Instead, they look into a whole different view of what they see every day in their lives. Almost a parallel, or the world of what's held back in everyone.

A gaze too long has been known to trap the consciousness within that reflection. By the time the body reawakens, the person is no longer the same. Changed, with less inhibition of what they'd normally do. As if it was a doppleganger which had taken over ad replaced the original.

Another way to explain the phenomenon is that, as the mind and body develop, we essentially split ourselves into two entities of the psyche. What you think, and want, and desire, but lock away to never act upon, forms the second entity, locked within a dark space. It's that side which traps you, possesses the body, and releases it's will upon anything and everything possible. For example; A person you really like, but never even speak to, the other 'you' will go up, talk, and possibly enact sexual communications.

If the other entity seems to come across more success with it's actions, the original host could very well whither to a point that they're trapped within the dark space of the soul.

In this case, the victim's name has been replaced. Location is not disclosed, nor the time frame.

Marie was having fun with some friends, in an old fashioned sleepover, despite being considered adults. Stories considered to be scary touch upon the typical subjects. Bloody Mary, light as a feather stiff as a board, creatures in the attic, and haunted tales, before retiring to an old horror film. One of the stories, however, also came across ideas of dopplegangers taking over your lives, jealous of the life you live.

Weeks pass, and Marie starts to gaze longer in the mirror. Sometimes looking at simple physical features, though more often, she stares into her own eyes. Past the shine over the sclera, and with a 'what if' in mind, trying to see as deeply as possible into the pupil. What was meant to be a quick gaze turns into 5 minutes, and consequent collapse.

Three days pass, and with friends nearby, Marie wakes up. Even by the smile and tone of voice, they notice she seemed to have changed. Passing it off as if she had simply hit her head, Marie was released the next day.

Changes continue. What used to be the friendly, somewhat quiet, and easily embarrassed, woman, no longer seemed to be around. Clothes were more provocative than before. She called out the more popular guys around, who the friends knew Marie had a 'liking' for. More often than not, she blows them off for the shadier group, and returns to the apartment at 4 in the morning. Track marks begin to show, and Marie's grown more violent.

Eventually, desperate enough to take things into their own hands, Marie's friends had enough. If it was a blow to the head that caused this change, they'd arrange another. First, it came about with getting intoxicated; through alcohol mostly. Once in enough of a stupor, they take care to slam a frying pan upon Marie's head, without causing too much damage.

A week passes in the hospital, with a semi-coma state as the brain patterns show. Finally Marie awakens, with the most lost look in her eyes. Though seeming fine, her friends make sure she stays in for another couple of days. Convinced that their 'old' friend was back, finally they question about the passing time from the last time Marie was in the hospital. Her response left them confused, and a little wary of what could now be an unstable companion.

Marie doesn't remember much of the time, when the friends said she let her life go to shambles almost. Just the constant feeling of wading through a thick fog, seeing what was happening, but unable to take control. Despite the 'other' her having gotten some attention from those attractive men, she couldn't handle seeing everything fall apart. During the time she was asleep, in that week, it felt like a battle between her selves. Possibly even having come out of the fog through luck.

Since then, Marie refuses to take a long glimpse at herself. Perhaps at makeup, and physical features, but what was in her eyes she'd avoid. However, it took well over a year before reaching that point. It had taught Marie to try and step out of her comfort zone, as being a bit outgoing worked easier, but never lose control of who she was.