Sam stares at her reflection, her breath fogging the mirror in front of her. It isn't just her reflection—it's darker, more twisted. Her mirrored self leans forward, stepping out of sync with her movements. Behind the figure, a dozen shadowy children materialize, their faces obscured but their cries unmistakable.

The sound gnaws at her, an eerie chorus of abandonment, of loneliness. "You left us," one whispers, the voice sharp and accusatory. Sam stumbles back, pressing herself against the mirrored walls behind her. The children's cries intensify, their hands reaching out, clawing at the glass, desperate for her attention.

"You abandoned all of us." Her reflection accuses, its voice a low growl. "Just like you always do."

"No..." Sam whispers, shaking her head violently. "That's not true. I didn't—"

"You did. And you'll do it again."

The words hit her like a physical blow. Her chest tightens, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She wants to look away, but the mirror holds her captive, forcing her to confront the truth—or the lie—it reflects.

Across the maze, Maddie clutches her bandaged arm, her pulse hammering in her ears. Her reflection stands opposite her, holding a bloodied knife. The twisted version of her face is streaked with tears, but its expression is one of cold resolve.

"Look what you did." It hisses, lifting the knife. The blade catches the light, glinting ominously.

Maddie shakes her head, backing away. "I didn't—I didn't hurt anyone."

"Didn't you?" The reflection taunts. It steps closer, the bloody knife still dripping. "You hurt Neil. You hurt yourself. And Keith..."

Maddie freezes, the breath stolen from her lungs.

"You killed him!" The reflection accuses, the words slicing through her like the blade in its hand. "It's your fault he's dead."

"No!" Maddie screams, tears streaming down her face. She pounds her fists against the mirror, the glass cool and unyielding beneath her touch. "I didn't—I wouldn't—"

But her reflection doesn't falter. It only grins, triumphant in her denial.

Lynne stares at the mirror, her parents and her childhood friend reflected in its surface. They stand behind her, their faces twisted into cruel sneers. Her father shakes his head, his expression one of profound disappointment.

"You were never good enough." He says, his voice laced with disdain.

"You'll never make it." Her mother adds, her tone cutting.

"You're a failure." Her friend, Mara, chimes in, her voice almost gleeful.

Lynne's knees buckle, and she sinks to the floor, clutching her head in her hands. Their words swirl around her, a cacophony of judgment and rejection.

"I'm not a failure." She whispers, her voice trembling.

"Prove it!" Her father says, stepping closer. The reflection looms over her, larger than life, its shadow engulfing her.

Austin stands alone in his mirrored chamber, the void stretching endlessly around him. His reflection is barely visible, shrouded in darkness. Slowly, it steps forward, its features becoming clearer with each step.

"You're nothing!" It says, its voice low and venomous.

"No!" Austin mutters, clenching his fists.

"Your mother died because of you. Your father doesn't care. Serena couldn't stand you."

"Shut up!" Austin growls, his voice rising.

"You'll always be alone." The reflection sneers. It gestures to the void around them. "This is your future. No one will ever love you."

Austin's chest heaves with labored breaths, his vision blurring with unshed tears. He pounds his fists against the mirror, desperate to silence the voice.

Henry stares at his reflection, his fingers trembling at his sides. His mirrored self sits at a laptop, the screen's glow illuminating the ghosts that surround him. They're faint but unmistakable—figures from his past, faces of people he never truly connected with.

"You're invisible." The reflection says, its voice echoing hauntingly.

"I'm not!" Henry whispers, his voice shaky.

"You hide behind your screen, pretending to be someone you're not. You think Elijah is your friend?"

Henry shakes his head, taking a step back.

"He's just like everyone else. He doesn't care. No one does. You'll die alone, just like you've lived."

The words cut deep, and Henry feels the sting of tears. He presses his hands to his ears, trying to block out the voice, but it's futile. The reflection only grows louder.

Mother's voice fills the maze, her tone dripping with mockery. "Do you see now, my dear children? Do you see who you really are? What you've always been?"

The teens scream in protest, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of fear and defiance.

"The only way out is through." Mother coos. "Break the mirror, and you may just escape yourselves."

Sam hesitates, her hands trembling as she reaches for the mirror. The shadowy children press against the glass, their cries growing louder. Maddie clenches her fists, her eyes darting between her reflection and the knife in its hand.

One by one, the teens lift their hands, their resolve hardening. The sound of shattering glass echoes through the maze as they strike their mirrors, their fears fracturing with each impact.

When the last mirror breaks, the maze dissolves around them. The teens find themselves back in the Gathering Zone, the air heavy with tension. Their faces are pale, their eyes wide with lingering terror.

Mother's voice returns, a cruel laugh reverberating through the space. "Well done, my darlings. But tell me, how does it feel to face the truth?"

The teens say nothing, their silence speaking volumes.

***

Later that day, no one has tried to speak after what just transpired from the recent challenge. Back at the small desk, Henry sits alone by the laptop, desperate for that solace from Elijah. As he waits, his hands hesitating to touch the keys. The screen casts a pale glow in the dim room. He types furiously, his message to Elijah a desperate plea.

Subject: Need Something Positive

Hey Spock,

I know you wanted me to fight, to take control, but I don't know, bro. Something is wrong. The others and me aren't seeing eye to eye. If you saw that team challenge and then that horrible mirror challenge, then you'd understand. I don't know what to do. Most of them don't want to talk to me. Sam...Sam... I just need something. Anything from you—a story, a joke, a Star Trek reference. I can take whatever you give me.. My mind is going nuts.

– Data out

He sends the message and waits, his fingers drumming anxiously on the desk. Movement catches his eye, and he sees Lynne in the kitchen, rummaging through the sparse food supplies. He calls out to her, but she doesn't respond. The paranoia festers, a dark cloud hanging over him.

A chime signals a new email. Henry snaps back to the screen, showing a feeble smile, relief flooding him as he reads Elijah's response.

Subject: Got Something Good

Data,

I saw what mommie dearest did. Not right, man, not right. Listen, don't think you're a coward. You're not. The greatest strength from heroes is courage. My abuela always said, no matter how many times you fail, you get back up and find that courage. That's what I'm doing. Remember the blackout? We're making progress. V is helping me and McCoy with some new stuff. I can't share details yet, but I can tell you this: the house you're in holds the greatest power there is. Find it and take it back. Remember, Cree dentro de ti mismo ;).

– Spock out

"Power." Henry murmurs, staring at the screen. What could Elijah mean? His thoughts are interrupted when he sees Sam emerge from her room. She stride as purposefully toward the kitchen not wanting to talk, but halts when Henry calls her name.

"Sam," He says, his voice tentative. "Can we talk?"

She stops but doesn't turn around. "What do you want?"

"I'm sorry." He begins. "About yesterday. I shouldn't have taken that choice from you. I... I thought I was doing the right thing."

Sam finally turns to face him, her eyes cold. "You were right. You robbed me of that choice."

"Listen I know these past two challenges have sucked badly." Henry flinches but doesn't back down. "Let me make it up to you."

"You can't." She snaps. "You're a coward. Hiding behind your laptop, pretending to be a hero."

"I'm not pretending." Henry protests. "I'm trying to help us."

Sam shakes her head, as she glances at the laptop, assuming he's going to talk about his hacker friend. "You don't get it. Don't you think Elijah could be a cruel SEED trick which you surely took...hook, line, and sinker."

Henry stiffens, her words cutting deeper than he expected.

"Elijah is one of us." He says firmly, though doubt flickers in his eyes. Sam narrows her gaze at him, the tension between them can be cut with a knife. "He is my friend. You got to believe me, he's on our side."

"Wake up, Henry!" Sam double downs on her concerns over his so-called friend, "You're being catfished by the same creeps who put us here in this hell."

She sharpens the most daring charge. That Elijah is fake, and they're going to pay for it dearly.