To guide you.
“That is a lie.”
I do not lie.
I shook my head, but my reflection remained still. Like Peter Pan’s shadow, it had a mind of its own.
“You need to leave me alone.”
I am afraid that is not possible.
“Why not?”
Because we need to survive this.
“Survive what?”
You are a monster. And that monster needs to be nurtured.
I staggered back, as though the Devil had dealt me a physical blow. “I am not a monster. You are.”
How quickly you forget that night on North Lane.
“I have not forgotten.”
You have not thanked me for what I did for you.
“You did nothing.”
You are a fool.
“Leave me alone.”
Don’t you want to protect Auden?
I froze at the sound of my brother’s name on his cold tongue. He knew my weakness—knew that I would do anything for my brother.
You need me.
“Need you?” I echoed, shaking my head. “You are the reason my mother abandoned me! The reason my father is dead!”
No.Youare the reason, little monster.
“Liar!”
Tendrils of smoke poured from the mirror and slithered over my shoulders, a black mist clouding my vision while the Devil’s voice circled me like a storm cloud awaiting a downpour.
You know it is true.
“Shut up!”
You know that Auden will meet the same tragic fate if you don’t–
“I said SHUT UP!”
Glass splintered around my fist, blood spattering over the jagged reflection peering back at me. The Devil had gone and there I stood in his place, eyes watery and lips grimaced in pain.
The lights slowly flickered on, the shattered bulb repaired as though it had never been broken.
