The Ghost in the Mirror by Ayse Hafiza

Author:Ayse Hafiza [Hafiza, Ayse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-11T22:00:00+00:00

12

The Gift

The snows began to melt, and small green stems of snowdrops pushed through the perfect white. Patches of green rebelled against the weather as the Isle of Eigg began to thaw. Frank was in a routine, he made himself breakfast and tea and then left the kitchen to head to his bedroom where he stayed, studied and practiced potions and magic all day. He came out only when he felt hungry.

Nevaeh had regressed to how she had lived in the commune, never speaking, never being heard, whereas Sophie and Roger were independently moving around. Sometimes Frank would hear a door open or a cough on the landing outside his room, but generally he heard nothing. Until there were three short, sharp raps to the door causing it to gently vibrate in its frame. Frank really couldn’t face seeing anyone. He was tired, the dark rings that rimmed his eyes were a testament to that and his bones were stiff from sitting in the same position on the soft bed for so long.

Again, came the three knocks, but this time they were followed by a hushed male voice, “Frank? You in there?”

Everyone knew he was in his room, it was the only place he had been for months. It was Roger. With a soft sigh and a quiet huff, Frank closed his book and covered it with his sheets. He pushed himself off the bed and shuffled to the door, his tired and stiff muscles aching with each step. Pulling the door open slowly, giving just an inch or two of a gap he caught sight of the other man.

“What’s up?”

“I need to talk to you for a minute,” said Roger.

Frank opened his door fully, the irritation on his face evident.

Once inside the room Roger looked around it, his eyes lingered on the mirror that sat on the wall. Frank’s eyes narrowed wondering if maybe Roger knew something. He took his hat off, and held the brim between his fingers, and hung his head. Frank knew from his body language this would not be a quick conversation.

“When was the last time you saw Sophie?” asked Roger.

“I don’t know. When I’m in the kitchen she isn’t,” said Frank not really sure whether he cared anymore.

“That’s what I thought,” he let out a deep sigh and moved further into the room. “You’d better take a seat.”

Panic flashed through his mind and at that moment Frank realized that he did care what happened to Sophie, he didn’t want her to be ill or withdrawn. He sat on the edge of his bed. He was beginning to get frustrated with Roger, he wanted him to hurry up and spit out all he had to say.

“So, I was in the kitchen and you know, her jumper snagged against one of the cupboard doors and I noticed that she had put on a lot of weight.”

Frank nodded, he wasn’t worried if she was enjoying being able to eat, for years in the commune they never had a decent or hot meal.

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