Shadows in the Mirror: The Bloody Mary Ritual

The bathroom mirror felt too cliché, too much like the scary movies you weren't even supposed to be watching. But the dare from that girl at school, the one who spoke of Bloody Mary with a chilling mix of fear and excitement, had planted a seed of morbid curiosity you couldn't ignore.
So, in the safety of your own bedroom, bathed in the muted light of daytime, you gathered the few things you needed: a stolen lighter, a candle, and your vanity mirror. It felt silly, standing there, the air thick with anticipation. You lit the candle, its small flame flickering in the stillness.
Holding the candle steady, you faced your mirror, took a deep breath, and began to spin, chanting the name that now felt heavy on your tongue: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary."
Your eyes were squeezed shut, a childish attempt at self-preservation. When you finally stopped spinning and opened them, slowly, tentatively, your gaze met your reflection. For a split second, you saw only yourself, your room behind you, mundane and familiar. Then, your blood ran cold.
