"Holy Neptune!". I panicked at the abnormal sighting before me. Reflections don't talk, do they? No they don't! Only in horror movies. Moaning in pain, I forced myself to lean over the silvery sink--with my other hand on the side of my sore chest. I stared into my reflection's daring eyes---trying to examine the translucent figure that was glitching continuously. What is now before me no longer looks like a normal shadowy reflection---but that of a glitching computer hologram or program that was trapped in a mirror. I asked out of curiosity, "W-what are you exactly?".

Slowly, parts of her body---or should I say my reflection---began to adjust and become focalized. She began, "I'm you...you guys call it the 'conscience' but I'm a part of you...your inner self". She raised an eyebrow and folded her arms with a lower. "The one you still don't want to explore?".

There was now an awkward silence.

The translucent clone placed her palms against the surface of the mirror from the inside---trying to reach out to me even though she knew it wasn't possible. I watched silently as the clone undulated as she moved from the mirror to the windows, then walls, then the light bulbs---basically anything that could show off one's reflections.

The clone continued the movements, glitching each time she tried circling me. "Why trying to run away from destiny? Run away from yourself? Well guess what...you can't hide from us---and you do know that...".

Tears filled my eyes, making me look to the side. If my nerdiness doesn't kill me someday, it'd be this madness that eventually will.

Now, I'm talking to my own reflection.

Is this even real?

"I'm trying to run away from this because....these negative forces would only consume my thoughts and emotions. I can hurt someone someday if I'm not careful---I know what I'm capable of doing when I lose control of myself". My hands trembled as I spoke and my chest only ached more---but it was the truth. I can't handle black or white magic when I can barely stand a fly in my direction---I'm very short-tempered and impatient, that'd be very dangerous if the dark spirits happen to get hold of my negative auras. With a shaking sigh, I managed to turn myself to the listening girl. "Is there a way to get rid of these before it's too late?". I asked in a pleading tone, hoping for a positive answer---hoping that she might have a way out, but I got none.

She sighed loudly and for some reason, kept looking behind me. I spun around when she folded her arms behind her back and turned into a blue light---floating towards each end of the walls before finally stopping in the tiled wall behind me. She then assumed my shape again. "I can't do that...it's our fate to wait for our savior to come to us---to come awaken the gift inside of us".

Saviour?

Awaken the gift inside of me?

I looked down at my trembling feet, pondering over the statement she just said. What gift is she talking about? I don't remember having any skill or gift---apart from painting and photography. If there's anything I should even have---it's the curse of loneliness and nerdiness. As far as I could tell, nothing mattered to me much in my life ever since things changed from childhood. The silence that came between our frozen figures after was getting unbearable but I still broke it anyways. "What do you mean...saviour?".

She started, "Look...".

I elevated my eyes to the glistening mirror---watching as she fluttered her eyelashes sadly. It was then I realized that her eyes were just a little turquoise as mine---the only difference between us was that of her golden hair. She really looked like my twin---if I was to have any that is.

"If you don't believe in you---I believe in you and if you want all these to end soon-". She said in a small soft voice---a voice similar to mine. It's just that hers was filled with authority and certainty--- unlike mine. "-you've to be the player, and not the game Isabelle...". Her eyebrows furrowed in seriousness.

"Why now?". I lashed out in anger and pain. Dealing with magic while I'm pressurized from all corners of my life was something stressful. How can I even get to cast spells or call on the spirits when my 'sweet and trustworthy' parents are everywhere. "First it was Grandma---she came and... and now...this?". I groaned, running my fingers through my messy hair." You guys are like...EVERYWHERE!".

The aura of tension in the rest room brought about the disturbing silence once more. The calm silence from her sure enough drove me crazy---but just when I was about to open my mouth to say something---I closed it immediately. I caught a glimpse of what looks like her, squirming and wincing like she was in some sort of pain--- she was looking like she was fading in a blinking action---appearing and reappearing non-stop.

"What...what's happening to you? You feel that black hole too?". I held my head, leaning against the wall for support as the feeling of something clawing out my intestines and heart continued again. It was very horrifying and painful.

I thought I was the only one feeling that too.

She suddenly snapped, "I wasn't to show up---not like this and not at this moment. I sense danger lurking within this school Isabelle!". Her eyes having the intense shade of crimson colour---and her teeth now a little sharp---but not sharp enough to be actual fangs. "Stay away from people Isabelle, they're evil, mean and deceitful!".

"Stay away! Stay away! Stay away! They're here! They're here! They are after you! They're after you!". Her sullen voice continued, rising in a warning pitch---echoes bouncing against the walls in a nasty whisper. Her withering figure then turned at me briskly---and within the blink of an eye--- she wasn't there anymore.

Stay away?

From who exactly?

There are tons of students everywhere!

Why does evil always have to be here and there?

Ugh, this should be definitely Sandra's work-

I just know it!

This girl never lets me have some rest!

If she isn't there...

Ruby is...

Ugh!

Blinking my eyes twice---my pupils flickered back to the bright blue colour it ought to be. I felt relaxed and calm at the same time that happened--- almost like someone had calmed me down with a gentle touch on my shoulders.

Someone?!

I spun around but saw no one---only the still image of my 'real' reflection. But the way my heart was racing and pounding at a fast rate---and the familiar scent that now reached my nostrils---felt like someone else was with me earlier.

Wait, was that why my clone kept looking back?

Was someone else behind me?

My eyes instinctively averted to the corners of the restroom but again---there was nothing but absolute silence.

What should I do then?

Even my conscience or clone---whatever that is--- relies on me!

With a deep breath, I placed my hand on the door knob, twisting it slowly and opened the door slowly--- expecting the usual teachers' problems---but I only saw an empty class, no detention, no students, no prefects, no freshmen, nothing at all but just empty chairs.

FINALLY!

I let out a sigh of relief and hung my bag across my shoulders, walking to the main hallway. The last words freshly came to me again.

Stay away!

They're evil!

It wasn't easy staying away from the crowd--- I had to push my way through rather than pull my way out.

I was already half way to the classroom when Julius suddenly walked up to me with a frightened look on her face---like she had seen some ghost on her way here.

"I'm sorry Isabelle".

Sorry?

                                            ~******~

Xander's POV

"Guys, I've to get home now, I'm pretty much occupied with stuffs here and there. I don't want to get into anymore troubles". I grumbled as they kept following me around. It was really difficult doing anything non-human with them stalking me around like this---I was supposed to perform a cleansing ritual in the school but these folks ruined everything for me. I'd definitely remind myself to cast a spell on them--- the next time this happens.

"Why did you let her go?". They pressed on for an answer---an answer that I myself didn't know---an answer I don't want to listen to and dwell on.

"Because it's Sandra we should go after. Isabelle is someone we all know that doesn't do bullshits". I answered flatly, texting Foxy to send in the limousine at once. It's high time the hunters went into action---the new moon would soon be out in few weeks or months and that's the time the witches get more stronger and enhanced---especially the ones who practises the black art. "So, we meet latter in the day? I might not be there immediately but I can always try".

"Of course, we were booked to tutor few students and coordinate some aspects in the school's system". Josh groaned. "Just...why us?".

I wasn't listening to their conversation the entire time as my eyes was fixed on the weeping girl staggering out of the entrance of the other building. I would've shifted my eyes elsewhere but then two or more students showed up---sympathizing her and supporting her by the shoulders each time the girl slumped forward.

My heart ached when the person turned out to be the last person I'd ever want to see in tears.

"Xander... get in". A familiar feminine voice demanded--- and I had no other choice than to comply.

"Isabelle...". I muttered sadly under my breath before stepping into the open vehicle.

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A/N: Once again, all credits goes to the owners of the lovely songs, audios or videos displayed in each chapters of my story! Finally, Julius was able to talk to Isabelle, but what could make her do so in a frightened manner? At this point I can hear the drum roll in the background...*drumroll**dun dun dun*. Thanks for reading, I hope you'd bare with me the chapters I've well written and organised for ya guys. I know I'm not the best writer and visualizer but I could give it a shot for you guys 🌞. Until then...Buh-bye!

Your Writer,
TheMysticalQueen 👸.
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