bookwyrm_123 For November short story contest

Rhea is a normal girl like you and me. She has brown hair, blue eyes, and pale-as-snow skin. She could be your nextdoor neighbor, your best friend, or even your annoying sister. Only one thing sets her apart from others.

She can only see herself. Literally.

Her world is a mix of jumbled shapes. If she's lucky, she can see outlines, even color. But the strange thing? She can see absolutely clearly when she looks in a mirror or a photograph of herself.

It started one morning, when she woke up and her condition had fallen upon her. But the real story, some say, started the night before. A full moon shone above as she walked down the sidewalks, glowing softly from the light of the rustic streetlamps, hand-in-hand with her boyfriend, Mark. He turned into a werewolf and killed her. The end.

No, not really. Perhaps it would've been simpler that way, really. Instead, he walked her home. When the couple got to her house all brown brick, blue shutters, and black shingles, one of the nicest houses on the block, he squeezed her hand.

"I'm sorry. I'm going away for a little while."

"But why?" she asked. "Don't leave me!"

"My grandfather is sick. I'm going with my father for a month."

"And your mother?" Her tone turned sharp. "Don't leave me," she repeated, this time an order.

"She... is not coming. Surely you can understand, Rhea, my love. My grandfather is the dearest person in my life!"

"And I?" she said coldly. "Am I not the light of your life? Did you yourself not say that?"

"Rhea, it's not forever. I promise I'll come back."

She yanked her hand away from his. "How can you promise? Once you decided that you're happier at you grandfather's with some... some dirty country girl... then can you promise?"

"Rhea, he's dying. I must say my last goodbyes."

"Fine," she snapped. "But when you return, don't come to me."

"Rhea- surely you can't be this self-centered!" Mark cried. "Listen to me- it's not forever."

"I don't care."

"Well, I hope your lack of empathy blinds you forever!"

What happened next was unclear to authorities. There was a brief- very brief, it must be noted, as no further evidence could be found- investigation as to whether Mark blinded her. The only thing that is certain is she described 'a searing fire in my eyes, it was all white light, and when I opened them again, I could only make the faintest of faint shapes.'

Compulsively, she screamed, and they came running. Rhea's mother, who had always been the kindest soul to Mark, yelled at him to get away from her daughter and never come back, while her polite father starred daggers at him and bombarded him with questions. The police were called and quickly arrived on scene like vultures to a carcass. But honestly? Dead meat would've been cleaner than this. Mark was questioned, his parents called, but results were inconclusive. 

Rhea's mother took her inside and laid her down. She shut her eyes, wondering if she'd ever see again. In the next morning, well... her wishes almost came true. At least it wasn't nothing.

Now, I am a paranormal investigator, and after scrounging out the information I have reported thus far, I was able to secure a private meeting with the victim. I came to her room and sat down with her.

"Can you see anything clearly at all?" I asked.

"Well..." She fidgeted nervously. "Myself. In mirrors and photographs. I think I'm going crazy."

"No, you're not," I told her. "Remind me the last thing Mark said to you?"

"It was... it was 'I hope your lack of empathy blinds you forever!' And then, I had this intense pain in my eyes, like burning."

"Good. Anything else you can see clearly?"

"No. Just me. Please don't tell my parents!" She shot up. "They'll think I'm crazy and take me to a mental hospital!"

"Don't worry, dear, this is just between you and me. Now, please sit. Is there anything else you want to tell me? Remember, I deal with the paranormal. I will not dismiss you as crazy."

"I think..." she whispered, "I think I might be cursed."

"I see," I said, closing my notebook. "Thank you for your time."

It is forever my belief, though I have never shared it with anyone, not even my closest family and dearest friends before now,  that she was blinded because of her lack of empathy. Take this as a warning; empathy is crucial to resolving differences.