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Arthur ran to his bedroom and plopped himself into the chair facing his dresser mirror, like he did every day after school.
He stared at his reflection impatiently until it faded into a familiar blue-eyed face.
“So? How was school?” Eames asked.
Arthur launched into a recap of his day, Eames laughing and groaning at the right parts. Later, they’d play right up until Arthur’s mom called him for dinner.
Arthur's mom said Eames was imaginary, but he was the truest friend Arthur had.
“And big bloody letters said, ‘HUMANS CAN LICK TOO’!”
Some people shrieked, but Arthur just scowled. He was in his friend’s dark basement, and everyone was taking turns telling spooky stories.
“My turn!” Mal grabbed the flashlight and held it under her chin.
“My papa told me this, so it’s definitely true. There once was this boy from a little English town. He had beautiful blue eyes and spent all day looking at himself in the mirror. One day, he got too close and fell in!”
Someone snickered. Mal shot them a glare.
“They say he’s still inside, trying to lure other children into the mirror. He’ll pretend to be your friend, then BAM! He'll grab you and drag you in and you're trapped forever.”
A chill ran down Arthur's spine. It couldn’t be.
Dom piped up, “Couldn’t you just break the mirror?”
“And risk seven years of bad luck? Non. The only way to kill this demon is to say his full name three times. Charlie Eames. Charlie Eames. Charlie Eames.”
Everyone repeated after Mal. Arthur whispered along, palms sweating.
This time, Arthur stood further from his dresser, pointing an umbrella at the mirror.
Eames–Charlie–appeared, smile fading when he saw Arthur.
“What’s this? A new game?”
“No. No more games, Charlie.”
Charlie paled. “Arthur, how–”
“I know what you’re doing! You want to trap me in there with you!”
“No, you’re all wrong, I wouldn’t–”
“But it won’t work this time, Charlie Eames.”
Charlie grimaced with pain. “Arthur, I’m not the one who–”
“Charlie Eames.”
“Arthur, be careful!” Charlie gasped.
“Charlie Eames.”
Arthur heard a scream and saw his own reflection return. He dropped the umbrella and shut his eyes, sighing in relief.
“Thanks for getting rid of him, Arthur. Now no one can stop us from playing together forever.”
Arthur’s eyes snapped open to see a jagged smile on his reflection.
His reflection lunged.