I know I left the window closed,
but the curtains were slightly parted,
almost imperceptibly,
upon my return.
I stepped in a little closer
wondering if some hidden draft
had quietly passed through,
stirring them in secret.
But the wind was almost too still—
as if it held its breath,
waiting for something dreadful,
just as I had been.
The sunset drenched the world outside
in molten gold and scarlet wisps,
and yet, as I gazed upon
that soft and peaceful fire,
the hairs along my neck
rose even higher.
I stood there longer than I meant,
watching nothing move,
hearing nothing speak,
but straining at the silence
that pressed against my ears.
As I reached to draw the curtain closed,
I waited just a moment
while the darkness grew beyond
this slowly fogging glass.
I waited even longer,
until my face appeared,
like a ghostly mist,
looking back at me.
In the fraying threads of daylight,
I noticed something strange—
like a shadow that didn’t belong.
Although it wore my face
my reflection—
wasn’t quite the same.
I blinked—
but it remained,
just long enough
to smile—
and watch me smile back.
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