April 17, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story of something/someone dark-eyed. What could be a dark-eyed situation? Or is it a dark-eyed beauty? A dark-eyed junco? Maybe it’s a futuristic piece of technology. Go where the prompt leads! Check April 17: Story Challenge in 99-words for more details.
Mirror, Mirror – by Hugh W. Roberts
As a child, I was always captivated by the abandoned house on the hill.
Driven by curiosity, I entered and found a room with a cracked mirror. It caught my reflection, but my eyes were pitch black, devoid of colour.
My heart pounded as I stumbled back and left.
Since then, I’ve been different. My mind has taken on dark themes, and nightmares plague me.
Desperate to find my old self, I returned to the house. When I looked at my reflection in the mirror, I saw my old self screaming to get out.
I’d never left that house.
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Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘Glimpses.’
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Glimpses
28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.
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Hugh's Views & News 
Ooooh! Captured in a mirror. That’s both scary and spooky – very you, Hugh.
Thanks, Norah.
Hmm… an curious reflection of the self. Or maybe that’s just me 😉
I always love it when readers make up their own minds about what’s happening in these pieces of flash I publish.
Scary!
Old houses can be creepy. If only the walls could talk or maybe we don’t want to hear them. Good one, Hugh.
Many of us would not want to hear those stories, Eugi. But it’s a lovely thought of what stories old houses could tell.
You’re on good form, Mr Roberts. It’s a wonder your characters don’t live outdoors. Houses cause so much grief!
Especially empty ones that have been vacant for many years, Geoff. I don’t think even the sun gets through the windows.
Swansea must be terrifying…
Not on days like today, but mid-winter – yes.
Ooh! How chilling
What a horrifying revelation!
Nice unnerving one Hugh. It had the feel of The Haunting of Hill House, one of the first series I saw on Netflix.
Was that also a movie, Paul? Or am I thinking of the movie ‘The House On Haunted Hill?’
Nevertheless, I’ll check out ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ on Netflix when I next find myself looking for a series to watch.
It’s well scary….
Sounds right up my street, Paul.
Nicely done, Hugh, great Twilight Zone-esque creepiness! Funny how the dark-eyed junco image inspired all this darkness. Such a cute little bird, I wonder what it sees when it looks in the mirror?
Thanks, Terri. I concentrate more on Charli’s word prompt than the image she displays on these challenges. The image has more to do with her post and connects to the word prompt. So it was the words (rather than the image) that got this piece of flash out of me.
Very sinister, Hugh 😱
Glad you thought so, Cathy.
This one gave me real goosebumps!
I hope you don’t mind me saying, ‘I’m glad.’
NO problem!
It took his/her soul! Lately, I saw the movie “Mirrors” with Kiefer Sutherland, everyone who died in that specific building was caught in a mirrored world.
Not a movie I know, Erika, but what a frightening prospect of being trapped in a mirrored world.
It is! You could only see the handprints in mirrors or windows.
Goodness. With all the handprints my great-niece leaves on my windows when she visits, that will now make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Oh, yes, you definitely look at this from another perspective from now on😱
Curiosity kills the cat. Or, in this case, traps it in return for black eyes. Scary stuff, Hugh!
Glad you got the scare out of this one, Liesbet. Mirrors can tell so many stories.
Same as Willow, gave me goosebumps/shivers
Good to hear, Brenda. When my words produce actions like that, I’m happy.
It’s the empty black eyed !
Chills down the spine Hugh 💜
Good to hear, Willow.