SOMETHING'S MISSING

I'm awakened in the middle of the night startled by a strange dream - or was it a noise? Feeling restless and panicked I'm too on edge to recall, but I still feel an overwhelming sense of urgency. I'm sure it was just a dream, but not wanting to think about it I figure splashing some water on my face might help calm me down.

I get out of bed and begin to walk down the dark hallway. I try to focus on anything other than the sense of dread in my chest. The soft carpet feeling on the bottom of my feet is a slight comfort, but it's not much of a distraction. Sensing my way in the night toward the bathroom I rub the sleep from my eyes. My heart is still pounding.

In complete darkness I instinctively stop at the bathroom door, reach for the nob and turn it. I've performed these same actions many times before on many dark nights. Why do I feel as if something is out of place right now? Not wanting to dwell on this unnatural thought I open the door and reach toward the light switch.

With a sharp click and a faint buzz the light casts the bathroom in a dim yellow tint. I take a step forward but as my peripheral vision catches sight of the mirror I freeze. Something is missing. I turn my full attention toward the bathroom mirror and my mind struggles with the impossible sight. My heart beats faster, adrenaline pumping in my veins. At this point I pray this is all still a dream.

With the dim light buzzing and beginning to flicker I stare into the mirror, my body frozen in panic. In the mirror everything is as it should be, except... my reflection... is missing.

As I struggle to determine whether or not this is real, there is a slight voice that whispers in my ear...

“Behind you.”

That's the last thing I hear... before 'it' turns off the light.