Jacob peeked his eyes open, 11:11 pm. He had been trying to get to sleep for over an hour now but it illuded him. He had been up since 5:00 am so he was physically tired, but mentally he just couldn’t shut it down. Not a problem he faced very often, but this time he just couldn''t stop thinking about Katie and everything Shayla and Mattie had disclosed to them that day. It was information overload.


    The house was eerily quiet. Jacob had taken to leaving the office door cracked open for Mister, who had take to sleeping on the arm of the couch above his head, so he could hear everything. He could hear the quiet soothing hum of the AC keeping the house at a steady comfortable temperature of 76 degrees. He could hear the freezer when it dumps another tray of ice in the bin. He could even hear Mattie talking to Katie in her room. He couldn’t make out what was being sad, but the murmur of the conversation was oddly comforting.


    Jacob knew that Cheri was fast asleep. She had taken a shower and gone to bed by 9:00 pm. She was always exhausted after work. Even then she always took the time to see Katie. Everyone knew it was important to keep trying to make a connection with her, no one needed to say it. It just was.


    Jasmine and Tracy were probably sleeping as well, with the TV on some station that consistently played soft jazz. Jacob didn’t know what the appeal of the music was, but it seemed to soothe Tracy’s rattled nerves and Jasmine could tell you everything about whatever piece was playing. She knew the instruments, the artists, and all the details of each.


    The last time Jacob looked at the clock on his cluttered desk it read 12:32am. It’s officially tomorrow, was his last thought as he finally drifted into a dreamless slumber.


    “Hey Katie,” Mattie addressed the beautifully groomed lady in the bed. “I can tell by your heart rate on the monitor that you’re awake. You don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to, but it would sure be nice to hear your voice. Anyways I’ve just been sitting here reading for class tomorrow. When you’re a nurse there is always more education. I think I told you last time that I was taking a year off nursing school. Well, that’s true but I decided to enroll for come classes at the community college. I’d like to try something new, just haven’t figured out what. So, this semester I’m just taking some core classes. I’m taking Algebra 101, English 101, and History 100, my favorite. History 100 is The History of Western Civilization to Middle Ages. I know fun stuff! Well since you’re awake how about I give you a clean brief? Can’t have you laying in dirtiness.”


    Mattie gathered all her supplies and turned on the small bedside lamp.


    “Alrighty, as always I’ll try and be as quick and thorough as possible. Let me know if you’re uncomfortable.”


    Mattie went about getting Katie cleaned up without talking. When she was finished she took a clean cloth and wiped Katies face.


    “You’re going to make a beautiful bride. Jacob was telling about his idea to have the wedding at Well’s Peak and the reception at the cottage below.” Mattie sighed softly to herself, thinking about her own childhood memories at that beach. “I don’t remember the cottage before the rebuild. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t even born yet. But I have been inside and it’s so elegant. The whole thing is decorated in soft warm beiges and dark midnight blue highlights. It feels so warm and safe.” She remembered what Jacob had said about talking to her, and Blackwell being able hear when he wants to, so she was careful. “A few years back I met the new owner, well not really new she’s owned it for 30 years now, Abbey Stanton. She’s a lovely woman and she does rent the place but only in the summer. She doesn’t want the liability of renting it out during bad weather. I know you’re in there and awake so my final words for now is I hope you remember how much Jacob loves you and just wants you to be safe.”


    Suddenly a loud thunderous filled the room and deep baritone voice came crashing in, “NOOOO!”


    Mattie screamed and fell backwards, knocking the bedside lamp off its table and scattered the contents of Matties earlier work on the floor. In the mirror Alexander Black well appeared. His face taking up the full frame with fire red eyes and smoke filling the background. It was a site meant to incite fear.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Within seconds the entire house had filed into the room worried something had happened to Katie or Mattie. Cheri was the first in the room and immediately went to help Mattie up off the floor. Jasmine and Tracy entered right after her and were dotting over Katie to ensure she wasn’t harmed. Jacob, already suspecting Blackwell’s involvement, took the time to accidentally, on purpose, knock the mirror over and kick it under the bed as he was trying to get to Katie.


    “Mattie what happened? Are you ok?” Is Katie ok?” Jacob scrambled for answers.


    “It’s ok,” Cheri soothed Mattie as she helped her up to her feet.


    “Katie looks peacefully sleeping,” Tracy chimed in as she gathered up all the fallen debris.


    “Jacob, why don’t you take Mattie out to the kitchen and get her something to drink.” Jasmine suggested as she brushed the hair from Katie’s eyes.


    “I’m fine, I think I just caught the reflection of something from outside in the mirror. It was just bright red and smokey. Probably brake lights from a passing car or something.”


    “You’re probably right, nighttime lights can be tricky. Especially when you’ve been reading middle age history. That shit is terrifying!” Mattie nervously laughed at herself. “But I could use a cup of hot tea to calm my nerves.”


    “Well then, it’s settled,” Jacob took Matties hand and led her out of the room while the others stayed with Katie.


    “What really happened,” He asked as soon as the door was shut.


    “Well,” Mattie let out a heavy sigh. “It was Blackwell. I was talking to Katie about the wedding and the cottage on the beach for the reception. The new owner is Abby Staton. I was telling her about Abbey Staton and how she remodeled the new cottage in warm beiges and dark midnight blue accents. It has a warm safe and comforting feeling. That’s when it felt like thunder hit the room and he appeared in the mirror. His eyes were red with fire and the room smelled like smoke. He screamed at me.”


    “You know he can’t physically touch you, right?”


    “I do know that. It was just startling. I knew the lore and I knew what was happening to be true. But coming face to face with him was different.”


    “I do understand, it’s what I felt when I saw what Tracy was fixed on in the mirror. And that was before I knew what was happening.”


    Mattie was quiet, she took a sip of her tea and sighed softly.


    “I made sure the mirror got knocked under the bed when I came in, but do you need to go home and take the rest of the night off?”


    “No, I’ll be fine. Why did you decide to leave that mirror in the room anyways?”


    “We didn’t want to tip off Blackwell and we didn’t know if it would have any negative effects on Katie if we removed it.”


    “Makes sense.”


    They were sitting quietly at the table, each deep in their own thoughts, when the others joined them.


    “Well, how we are doing?” Cheri broke the silence.


    “We’re ok. She saw him.”


    “I figured something like that happened,” Cheri confirmed, and the others nodded. “Are you ok to finish the night. If you’re not I can spend the night with her.”


    “I’m fine. I knew he was there. I just got startled.”


    “Alright then, I’m heading to get some sleep.” Cheri smiled softly, understanding the traumatizing effect that Blackwell can have on a person’s psyche, then headed to her room.


    After that Mattie stood up and headed back to Katie’s room. The others quickly followed suit and went back to trying to sleep.


    Thunder cracked outside the bedroom window and woke Katie up from a deep sleep. She had been dreaming of a wedding on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It was a beautiful night with a bright full mood. She was looking up at the sultry summer skies filled with hundreds of glimmering stars. The sky was vast and wonderous with too many brilliant lights to count.


    The crack of the thunder caused her to jump out of her warm bed and stare out the window. The rain was light, and the night sky was clear. There was no sign of a thunderstorm or even a glint of lightning in the skies around the island.


    “NOOOOOO!” she heard Alexander scream into his room.


    With quickness Katie threw on her robe and raced down the hall to Alexander. Her fear alleviated when she hurled open the bedroom door only to see Alexander sitting at his desk peering into a mirror. Red hot anger evident in his piercing blue eyes. His fists clenched still pressing hard down on the fine oak desk.


    “Alexander, are you ok?” Katies voice was soft and full of love and concern.


    “Go back to your room!” Alexander barked, sounding harsher than he meant to be.


    Katie jumped back she had not been ready for the fear she felt, fear emanating from the man she loved. For the second time since she moved into their house she wondered if she had reached the correct choice. He was so handsome, and usually so doting on her and their unborn child. He was so loving and spoiled her terribly.


    “I’m sorry. I just have a headache and need the room quiet. This storm has interrupted that quiet.”


    “OK,” Katie signed, visibly relaxing. “I’ll see you in the morning.”


    Katie went back to her room but instead of going back to bed she pulled up her blanket and snuggled into the soft overstuffed chaise lounger which overlooked the beach down below. A soft yellow light glimmered in the distance. When lightning lit up the night sky, she could see the small homey cottage located just yards away from the water. It did look cozy and safe. For the first time since moving in with Alexander Katie wondered what would have happened if she had stayed with Jacob.