The man in the mirror behind the wall

Edward screams. Not because the man in the mirror has him by his arm, but because he wasn’t expecting it. It was a shock when Bethany and Lisa screamed. However, it happened so fast, he didn’t understand what they were upset about. Now, he is being pulled into the mirror. He kicks his feet outward, and pulls back with all his might. The face in the mirror seems to sneer at him. And the pull on his arm intensifies. So Edward screams again. ***

One Hour Ago: They are gathered in Edwards room. For the moment they are all quiet. The seastar creature is slowly, almost lazily, exploring the small glass aquarium. Edward, Lisa and Bethany watch it intently. In fact, no one even dares breathe. The thing is so bizarre it defies explanation. Furthermore, it has forked tongues. At least that is what Edward thinks they are. There’s one for each appendage. And the eyes.. They can’t see them at the moment, but Edward knows they are there.

“It’s the grossest thing I’ve ever seen. Why would you catch something like this Edward?” Bethany is looking at Edward like he has a screw loose. And Edward feels like the question is absurd.

“You know I didn’t bring this thing back on purpose Beth!” He tries to keep his voice calm. After all, Lisa knew nothing about the mirror. Or what was on the other side. Although, Edward has a sinking feeling that is going to have to change. “You saw where I was…you even saved me, remember?”

The Man In the Mirror

“Both of you sound like lunatics.” Lisa’s voice cuts through the tension and the two younger siblings instinctively tune in. “Where did this thing come from Edward? Furthermore, you owe me. Big time. You know the kind of trouble you would be in if Mom and Dad caught you with this…this..thing.” Lisa wrinkles her nose on the last word. She is still gazing intently at the creature in the aquarium.

Now Edward knows the truth must come out. Besides, Bethany would eventually rat him out anyway. Therefore, he tells Lisa everything that happened inside the mirror. He watches his older sister’s face as he recounts the adventure in that strange world. Not only does he see disbelief, but also the beginnings of exasperation. Therefore he looks to Bethany for a little back up.

“It’s true Lisa.” Bethany’s eyes are wide, and deeply solemn. However, she nods and looks at Lisa unwaveringly as she speaks,. “I saw him in there. He was trying to get back, so I grabbed his hand and pulled him back.” Her voice trails off. Now they are all looking at the mirror leaned against the back wall of Eric’s room. Edward can see that Lisa isn’t buying any of this. So he looks at Bethany. For a moment they share an unspoken connection. Then Edward gets up and goes to the mirror.

Behind the Wall

Lisa watches her younger brother get up and walk to the mirror at the back of his room. Then Bethany gets up and follows him. Lisa can’t help but roll her eyes. Her siblings are exasperating at times. Furthermore, when they are set on getting their way, they will work together, like they are now. She can’t fathom what bizarre tale they are about to create, so she decides to amuse them.

She looks at the creature inside the aquarium again. It is slowly exploring its glass cage. And definitely unlike anything she has ever seen. She looks back at her siblings and sees the man in the mirror. Now she screams. Her reaction is so startling that Bethany screams. Startled, Edward looks back at them. And that is when a hand comes from inside the mirror, and latches on to Edward’s wrist.

Edward is yanked hard. He falls to the floor and scrambles as he is pulled backward. Toward the mirror. Furthermore, Lisa watches in horror, as Edward is being pulled into the mirror. She screams again, and this time Edward screams too. Lisa moves quickly, and grabs one of Edward’s feet. Bethany has the other one, and now it’s a tug of war. And Edward is the prize.

Previous Chapters:

One: The World Lost Behind the Mirror
Two: An Old Mirror and the Secrets It Keeps
Three: The Beautiful Plan In the Mirror
Four: New Allies and the Sea Star Surprise

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