Chapter Text
The baseball soared toward me, and with a swift swing of the bat, I sent it flying into the outfield. I watched as it landed in the grass, while the other team scrambled to retrieve it. I dropped the bat and sprinted towards first base. My friends were shouting encouragement as I dodged attempts from the opposing team to get me out. When my foot finally hit home base, signaling the win, my teammates erupted in cheers.
As I paused to catch my breath, my friend John came up to me and patted my shoulder. "Dude, that was great.” I smiled as I signed sluggishly due to my exhaustion, “Thanks, but man, I’m tired and sweaty as hell since we’ve been playing in this hot ass sun all day,”.
I smirked a little as I signed, "You sure you ain’t gonna turn into a raisin if you stay outside in the sun too long?”
“Oh fuck off, you’re whiter than me”
“At least I’m not white,” I laughed as he shoved me a little.
As I pushed up my glasses that had slipped down my face from the sweat I tired to fan myself to cool off, complaining about how hot it was today, when my friend George, who was the opposite team, came up to us “of course it’s hot it’s technically still summer” “at least your not covered in sweat, asshole, and it’s only summer for two more days” I signed, envious he wasn’t covered in a disgusting layer of sweat.
I heard a couple of my friends groan at the reminder that school was starting soon.
“Man, don’t remind me, I’m not ready for school to start.” I looked over at Shu, who was currently drinking water. “I don’t even share any classes with my boyfriend; I hate high school already.”
“You’re just saying that because you can’t see your boyfriend and you basically hate everything that’s not your boyfriend,” the voice came from behind us, belonging to my friend Axel.
“I don’t hate everything, just most things.”
“It won’t be that bad since it’s only the first year of high school, so it shouldn’t be too hard,” George said, shrugging. “You don’t know that maybe it'll be super hard and we’ll all fail or something.” I signed at him, laughing a little.
“Honestly, I might fail if I don’t lock in this year,” we all laughed at John’s comment, and just talked for a bit, too tired to continue playing baseball. When I looked at the sky and noticed it was getting dark, I decided it was time to go home and said goodbye to my friends.
As I walked to the bus stop, I wiped away the lingering sweat from my forehead from the game.
“I'm gonna head home, will you be ok by yourself?” George asked who had decided to walk with me to the bus stop before walking home.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine, I’m taking the bus home.” I signed, touched by the fact that he was worried about me.
“Ok, if you say so, I’ll see you at school.”
I waved goodbye and watched him slowly walk away. When he disappeared from view, I grabbed my phone out of my purse and started texting my sister.
“I’ll be home soon. I’m about to get on the bus.”
“Ok, stay safe, I love you.” I smiled as I sent a “love you too” text back.
As I was focused on my phone, the sound of crows cawing pierced the night air. Glancing up, I noticed a cluster of about 20 pairs of eyes shimmering in the darkness. One crow's gaze stood out to me—its eyes glowed a striking golden hue and seemed fixated directly on me, sending a chill down my spine.
What the hell is that bird staring at me?
I narrowed my eyes, attempting to determine whether the crow was truly staring at me or if it was all in my head. I stepped into the street slightly for a clearer view when I suddenly heard the rhythmic pounding of hooves approaching rapidly. Turning to see where the sound was coming from, I was met with the sight of a dark ebony carriage, drawn by two ghostly horses, barreling straight towards me.
.
.
.
They were suddenly in a dark room, seemingly covered in thick ink, and in the center stood a single, ornate-looking mirror. As they stood there, a voice echoed throughout the room.
Ah, my dear esteemed benefactor... My proud, beautiful flower of evil.
You are truly the fairest one of all.
O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat... Reveal unto me the visage I seek..
You, whose image the Dark Mirror did beckon forth...
If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror.
As they slowly walked toward the mirror, as if something was compelling her forward. They took the hand reflected in the mirror, and the voice continued.
As flame reduces even the stars to ash
As ice seals away even time itself
As great trees swallow even the sky
Fear not the power of darkness. Now- demonstrate your power.
To me. To them. To yourself. The hour grows long, and time is scarce.
Keep steady your grip, no matter what may come...