Follow the cat

Leanne was intrigued by the strange behaviour of the cat. Despite the trouble she almost got it she decided to follow it. The cat was watching her closely before continuing down the hallway. Checking over its shoulder every few steps on the progress of the girl behind. The dark furred pet was soundless as it stepped along the corridor. Its paws padding silently on the grimy carpet.

The cat continued around the next corner, eventually stopping at a door and scratching at the surface. "You want to go in there?" asked Leanne. The cat peered up at her and meowed in response. Taking this as confirmation she opened the door and watched the cat slink through the gap before following nervously. "Hello?"

There was no answer so Leanne stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her. The room was dark and gloomy with little natural light. Only the faint October afternoon sunlight from a small window aiding her to see. There was little furniture in the room. Only a bed, desk and chair with a few cupboards and drawers scattered around. There was no sign of life other than the black cat who was sat in the middle of the floor staring up at her.

She moved across to see what it wanted when something caught her eye. She turned fearfully and saw it was just a mirror. The frame was very ornate, with spectacularly strange creatures carved into the edges. Judging by the discolouration and fractures it must have been incredibly old. Leanne stared at the full length image of herself. However, there was something strange about her reflection and the longer she gazed the more distorted it became.

First her hair became darker, then her skin became paler. Next her clothes altered, until she was wearing a kind of long white gown. She peered down at her body but it was just as she remembered it. When she looked back at the antique mirror it was like staring at another person.

The head was down and the long dark haired covered her face. She was motionless despite Leanne's own movements. She wondered if it was just a picture and her initial thought had been affected by the dim light and her anxiousness. But then she realised that either side of the girl's image was the same room Leanne was standing in.

"What the hell is this?" she queried aloud.

Then the girl's form stepped forward. Moving through the mirrored glass and into the room. Leanne screamed but found the girl quickly appearing in front of her. A cold hand over Leanne's mouth and silencing her cries.

Leanne whimpered softly as she stared at the girl. Her eyes were wide with fear and she would have ran but for the icy hand muffling her sobs. Another hand gripped her wrist, but the girl's head was still staring down. She was shorter than Leanne and all the young woman could see was the top of her dark hair.

Suddenly the girl looked up. If Leanne could have screamed she would have released a cry so terrifying the windows would have shattered. The girl's face was shocking beyond belief. Her eyes dark and soulless and her skin a dead grey colour. There was a look of anger and yet sadness to her. Leanne felt as though her heart had stopped beating as she stared motionless into the eyes of the girl before her. Then images began to flood Leanne's mind. Horrible, brutal pictures featuring the girl standing before her. Leanne would have collapsed but for the cold harsh grip on her wrist.

Then there was a tugging and Leanne felt herself being dragged towards the antique mirror. The tried to resist but the girl was surprisingly strong. Slowly they moved nearer until the girl's back was pressed to the glass. But rather than stop, the girl stepped through it to the other side. Still dragging Leanne with her.

She had to think quickly. She had no idea what was on the other side of that ancient mirror but she didn't want to find out.