Chapter 50 - The Other EthanThe first sign appeared in the palace mirrors.
Servants reported seeing unfamiliar faces behind their reflections.
One guard claimed his reflection smiled while he remained perfectly still.
Another saw himself wearing armor he had never owned.
By midnight, every mirror in Asterwyn had been covered.
But in Ethan's chamber, the glass above the washbasin remained uncovered.
He approached it cautiously.
His reflection stared back.
Gray hoodie.
Brown hair.
Blue eyes.
For a moment, everything seemed normal.
Then the reflection blinked.
Ethan had not blinked.
He stepped backward.
The reflection stayed where it was.
"Hello," the boy inside the mirror said.
Ethan froze.
"Who are you?"
The reflection smiled.
"You know who I am."
"The replacement."
"That's what they call me."
His voice was identical to Ethan's.
"What's your real name?"
"Ethan Cole."
"No."
The reflection tilted its head.
"Ask Mom."
Ethan felt a surge of anger.
"Stay away from my mother."
The other boy's smile faded.
"She's my mother too."
"You're not real."
The reflection looked hurt.
"I've lived seven years in your house. I've gone to school, made friends, celebrated birthdays, and helped Mom when she cried."
Ethan said nothing.
"I remember everything you remember," the other boy continued. "Except I remember what happened after you disappeared."
Ethan approached the mirror.
"What happened?"
"She searched for you for two years. Then one morning, I woke up in your bed."
The reflection lowered its eyes.
"She thought you'd come back."
Ethan felt a painful emptiness in his chest.
The other Ethan looked up.
"But now you're trying to take my life away."
"I just want to go home."
"So do I."
A crack appeared across the mirror.
The other boy's expression changed.
Fear replaced anger.
"Listen carefully. Malachar told you I'm your enemy."
Ethan nodded.
"He lied."
"About what?"
The reflection looked over its shoulder.
Something moved behind him.
A tall shape.
A man in a black coat.
"He isn't trying to return you home," the other Ethan whispered.
"What is he trying to do?"
"He's trying to open the world between worlds."
The mirror began shaking.
The other boy pressed his palm against the glass.
"Ethan, our father is still alive."
Ethan stumbled forward.
"Where?"
The boy's face twisted in terror.
"Behind me."
May you like
The black figure reached toward him.
The mirror shattered.
Related Stories
