Story 1

Preston Dennett

Preston Dennett has worked at various jobs, including fast-food worker, bookkeeper, singer, actor, radio host, teacher, UFO researcher, ghost hunter and more, but his favorite job is writing speculative fiction stories and books about UFOs and the paranormal. He has sold dozens of stories to various venues including Andromeda Spaceways, The Future Embodied Anthology, Perihelion, Stupefying Stories, Aurora Wolf and many others. He has earned eleven honorable mentions in the Writers of the Future Contest and has written 18 non-fiction books and more than 100 articles. He currently resides in a crowded suburb outside of Los Angeles, CA.

When is a swank dinner party more than a dinner party? When the guest of honor is a noted mentalist, and the head maid is more than she appears to be. Add a large picture mirror, and you have Reflection.

Reflection

by Preston Dennett

Where was Sue? The sitting room was positively frigid. The anteroom rug still needed to be beaten. The tables were utterly bare of tablecloths and dishes. And the flowers hadn’t even been cut for the centerpiece. Adelaide felt panic overcoming her. Nothing was ready and their guests would arrive in mere hours.

“Oh, do relax, Addie,” Charles intoned. He sat lazily in his overstuffed, red leather chair. “Why must you carry on so? You needn’t worry. Your party will be a thunderous success. They always are.” He spared only a brief moment to glance at her before returning to his newspaper.

“Yes, they are,” said Adelaide, “but only because I worry so. Would you please, at least, light the hearth in the sitting room? It’s freezing.”

Charles sighed and set down his newspaper. “Very well. I don’t suppose you’ll let me alone until I do.”

“You know me too well,” she told him.

“Well enough, I suppose,” he said, and ambled to the sitting room.

Adelaide finally found Sue returning with the freshly cleaned pillow-covers. Sue gave a small curtsey and smiled. “I’m almost finished here, ma’am. I’ll be getting the flowers next. Then I shall polish the silver and set the tables.”

“Thank you, Sue,” Adelaide said. “You are a godsend.”

Adelaide went into the kitchen to check on the menu. The cooks worked furiously, and it was clear that her presence hampered their progress. Mack saw her, lowered his eyebrows and pointed to the door. “Out,” he ordered impertinently. Adelaide thought of protesting that this was her house and her kitchen and she could stay if she liked, but seeing Mack’s expression, she thought wiser and returned to the family room to help Sue. Charles would protest. He disapproved of Sue and especially disliked the fact that Adelaide was so taken with their new servant.

Sue had shown up unannounced and had quite literally charmed her way into Adelaide’s heart. Charles did not want to hire her, but Adelaide insisted. From the instant she laid eyes upon her, Adelaide found her utterly delightful. She was so unlike the other dull servants Charles had hired. Sue was smart, witty, and unafraid to speak her mind.

But how could Charles understand? thought Adelaide. He had no idea how amazing Sue was. He hadn’t spoken more than ten words to her. Of course, Adelaide told him nothing of the engrossing conversations she and Sue had shared. Charles would undoubtedly be horrified. Adelaide didn’t care. She loved Sue. They could talk about anything… even the supernatural, something which had always fascinated Adelaide. She was enthused to discover that Sue shared the same interest. Sue had recommended tonight’s mystery guest, yet another secret Adelaide kept from her husband. No, Charles did not approve of Sue, and now he thought Adelaide was being difficult.

Adelaide didn’t disagree; she was being difficult, but she had their reputation to uphold. Her parties were the best around; everyone told her so. It would not do to disappoint them now. Tonight’s party, she hoped, would be the finest ever. She had invited a very special guest: Doctor Harry Rook, the noted mentalist. Adelaide could hardly wait to see Ruth’s face when she saw Rook, and Doris, she knew, would surely swoon. Yes, her friends would be impressed. But still, everything must be perfect.

Charles returned from lighting the fire and promptly plopped himself back into his favorite chair. Now his pants were filthy from lighting the fire.
“Oh, Charles,” Adelaide said. “You do plan on changing, don’t you? Remember who’s coming this evening. We must look our very best.”

Charles sighed patiently. “Of course, dear. In a moment.”

Adelaide frowned. Why was Charles dawdling? And where on God’s green earth was Sue now?

“Oh, tell us!” said Mary, as she sipped daintily from her glass. “You are so mysterious, Addie. You simply must tell us, who is our guest?”

“Not saying,” said Adelaide, smiling mischievously. Let them wonder. It will increase their astonishment when he finally does appear. And also protect her if he doesn’t, she thought, glancing at the majestic grandfather clock. “But I can assure you all, tonight will be most memorable.”

Her friends cooed and clucked with joy. They complimented each other on how beautifully they were dressed and whispered about who the guest might be. Adelaide felt her confidence grow. The party was going well so far. The normally dreary rooms were lit with candles and merrily festooned. The exotic list of courses would surely excite and delight the guests. Everyone who had received one of her coveted invitations was there. Sixteen guests, seventeen if only Dr. Rook would arrive.

As if on cue, Rook appeared, led by Sue.

“Oh,” said Adelaide, rushing forward before her guests could see. “I was worried you had lost your way.”

Rook appeared even more grandiose than Adelaide had imagined. His slick, black hair, dark eyes and coal-black suit gave him a startling appearance. Sue had told her many details about Rook, and how her former employers had entertained him, and had been left astonished. “He’s magical, Addie,” Sue had declared. “He has unbelievable powers. You simply must meet him.” Adelaide fervently hoped Sue was correct about Rook. A great deal depended upon it.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” announced Adelaide with great flourish, “May I introduce to you, the world renowned mentalist, Doctor Harry Rook.”

Adelaide watched with delight as Ruth screamed loud enough to make Addie fear for her fine crystal, and Doris emitted a long, drawn-out moan and fainted dead away. The other guests roared with delight and clapped with approval. As Adelaide expected, they rushed forward to meet Rook and pester him with questions. But she was prepared. She grasped his elbow firmly, ushered him to the dining room and ordered everyone into their assigned seats.

“No questions until after dinner,” said Adelaide.

The arrival of the soup quieted the guests. Adelaide looked across the table and caught Charles’ gaze. He smiled and raised his glass. She knew exactly what he was thinking. She had done it again. Another successful party. She cast him a sneaky glance. Charles was a skeptic of Dr. Rook. She was both eager and fearful to see if Rook would sway her husband from his narrow view of the world.

Six courses later, including the imported cherries for dessert, the guests were ready to be entertained by Doctor Rook.

They retired to the sitting room, which was now, Adelaide noted with pride, warm and comfortable. Rook stood at one end of the room while the guests crowded around him, competing for the best positions. Charles sat at the far corner, looking on with a faint expression of disapproval. He clearly did not fancy Rook. Adelaide, however, found him entrancing. The way he stared at her: as if he could actually see into her mind.

“Ladies and Gentleman, I have not met any of you before tonight. Our gracious hosts have arranged this meeting so that I may show you the wonders of the unseen world, of things that normally remain hidden. I shall start with you, milady.” He stepped forward and pulled Ruth, shrieking with delight, from the divan.

“Have we met before this night?” Rook asked breathily.

Ruth tittered and shook her head.

“And yet, my dear lady, I can tell you with the utmost assurance that your favorite color is pink, am I correct?”

“Why yes,” said Ruth, looking around to see if the others were impressed.

“And you have a sister, do you not?” Rook continued.

“I do!” Ruth nodded excited.

“Let me see, Brenda? No, that’s not right. Belinda?”

Ruth squealed. “Yes, that’s her name exactly.”

“And am I mistaken to say that you -- I shall phrase this most politely -- that you and she do not get along.”

“Oh, I absolutely despise her. You are so right. Bravo!” She clapped her hands, and looked around with relief when the others joined her.

“You next, Adelaide,” he said, silkily. “Shall I tell you of your past or your future?”

Adelaide pursed her lips. “I should like to hear both,” she said bluntly and to the delight of her guests, who applauded the answer. “But let us start with the past.”

“Very well, the past.”

Rook became pensive. He stared at the ceiling and then looked back sharply at Adelaide. It seemed unnecessarily dramatic, thought Adelaide. Was this Rook a charlatan? Anybody could see from Ruth’s pink dress and ribbons what her favorite color was. And the name of her sister -- well, that could be investigated.

“You saw a ghost when you were a child, did you not?”

Adelaide gasped. She had seen a ghost. Rook could not know of that. She had told only those closest to her of this experience.

Seeing her reaction, Rook smiled and pressed forward. “I can see it clearly now, yes. He was a young boy. A sad, crying, little boy. He woke you up. You told your parents, but they didn’t believe you, did they?”

“Yes,” cried Adelaide. “It’s true. That’s exactly what happened.” Her face reddened as her eyes filled with tears.

“Well, I believe you,” said Rook, gently patting her hand.

All the guests applauded and smiled, nodding and whispering to each other how astonishing it was that Rook was so perceptive. Charles, Adelaide noticed, remained unconvinced. He watched the proceedings guardedly. Adelaide hoped that Rook would be wise enough not to try to convince Charles.

To Adelaide’s relief, Rook left her and politely went from guest to guest, revealing their hidden thoughts, their secret phobias, their likes and dislikes. She had to admit, he was impressive. She had felt an initial stirring of doubt. But as Rook continued to peer into her guests’ lives, her misgivings evaporated. There simply was no way a normal man could know the things Rook knew.

“Sue,” Rook announced suddenly. “Who is Sue? Is there a Susan here?”

Adelaide jumped up. “Why that’s our maidservant. Sue! Come here at once!”

Sue appeared. “Yes, ma’am?”

“This is Sue. Sue, this is Dr. Rook.”

Sue curtseyed politely, peered up at him, then looked shyly down at the floor.

“You have the gift, don’t you Sue?”

“Sir?” asked Sue.

“The gift of second sight, my dear.” He reached out and raised her chin, forcing her to stare into his eyes. “Oh, dear, the gift is strong with you. Indeed, I daresay you have a power greater than mine.”

Sue smiled. “I do have a trick,” she admitted. “But I couldn’t,” she said, looking fearfully at Charles, who was not happy.

“Oh, but you must!” insisted Adelaide. She looked sharply at Charles, daring him to protest. “Sue, you never told me. What is it you can do? You must show us.”

“If you insist, ma’am.”

Charles now looked positively furious. Adelaide expected him to speak out, but he remained silent. She felt unsure whether this was out of respect for her, or perhaps fear of her anger, but it mattered not, as long as Charles kept quiet.

“My magic involves mirrors,” Sue said softly. She pointed to the large picture-mirror covering much of the wall. “May I use that?”

“Certainly,” said Adelaide. She was thrilled to hear that Sue could perform magic. And yet she felt slightly offended. Why hadn’t Sue mentioned this before? Was she keeping anything else secret? Mostly, however, she was curious. What would Sue do?

“Mirror magic,” echoed Rook, clapping his hands. “Simply marvelous. I have practiced it myself. It appears in many cultures, you know. There is a tradition stretching back centuries. Mirrors can be used to divine the future, to contact the spirit world and more. Well, isn’t this exciting?”

“What are you going to do, Sue?” Adelaide asked.

Sue refused to meet her gaze. “It’s hard to explain, ma’am. The only way I can describe it is -- I can show people the mirror world.”

“The mirror world?” Adelaide asked. “What’s that?”

Sue shrugged. “I can’t explain it.”

“Oh,” said Rook, excitedly. “I know of these things. Mirrors were thought by some ancient cultures to be doorways to other places -- worlds like ours, but different. Alternate worlds where anything is possible.” He looked at the mirror and over to Sue, who was studying the reflection.

Adelaide frowned. Something just didn’t feel right. While she made no claim to be a mentalist, Adelaide had confidence in her own intuition. And somehow, she sensed danger. Suddenly she was unsure if she wanted to proceed. Perhaps Charles was right. Even after all these months, Adelaide knew little about Sue’s past. Adelaide was good at talking, and Sue was good at listening.

She felt a twinge. She had told Sue about her childhood ghost sighting. Could Sue have told Rook? And now that she thought of it, many of the things Rook had revealed were the same things she had told to Sue.

Perhaps she was just being paranoid. Why would Rook try to fool them? They were giving him only a nominal fee, a pittance Adelaide was sure, compared to what he would normally earn. And Sue, she would never do such a thing, Adelaide felt sure. If only she could rid herself of the lingering doubt.

But there was no time. Sue was beginning.

“Everyone, look in the mirror,” Sue said. “Look in the mirror, only at your own eyes. Do not look away. Do not blink. Look only into your eyes and do not look away.”

Adelaide felt slightly foolish as she and everyone in the room -- including Charles -- gazed into the mirror.

It was then that Sue began chanting. Or perhaps it was a song. In either case, her voice had an enchanting and hypnotic effect, and Adelaide felt a pleasant buzzing fill her head.

The chanting continued. Astonishing, thought Adelaide. She almost felt as if she couldn’t move, as if she was falling into the mirror.

And then she was falling into the mirror. She longed to scream for help, but was unable to utter a sound. The world felt as if it had turned sideways, and Adelaide wondered for a moment which side of the mirror she was on. What was happening? Why wasn’t anyone helping her? She felt suspended between two worlds, stuck in the mirror gazing outward, as if suddenly she was but a reflection -- and the real world was outside.

She heard somebody screaming and realized that it was her own voice. Darkness swam before her eyes and she fainted.

“Addie,” said Sue. “Are you all right?”

Only then did Adelaide realize that she was lying on the floor. The party guests crowded around her. Charles, strangely, stood to the side and did nothing but look angry. Why did she feel so strange?

The guests spoke in fearful whispers. They looked terrified. Had they felt it too? Sue thoughtfully pointed to the dining room and ordered everyone in there.

“Addie, are you quite sure you are all right?” Sue repeated.

“Yes, Sue, I’m fine.” Adelaide began to rise.

Charles gasped and looked at Sue with fury. “That,” he said, “is the final straw. I will not have you fraternizing with the servants. You see what happens? Now she calls you by your first name. In front of our guests! And creating such a spectacle! She has ruined your party and terrified our friends. I will not tolerate it. She must be terminated immediately.”

“No!” said Susan. “I won’t allow it. Addie is my best maidservant and I will not let her go. It was a simple mistake, wasn’t it Addie? It won’t happen again, will it?”

“No, ma’am,” said Addie.

“See?” said Susan.

Charles looked at his wife, then over at the mirror, and finally at Addie. He shook his head and seemed about to say something. He muttered something indiscernible, then turned around and returned to his favorite red, overstuffed chair.

Susan turned to Addie. “Please, do try to avoid Charles as you clean up. He is frightfully angry at you. Now, I must return to my guests.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Addie said. And as she began her chores, she became overwhelmed by an awful sinking feeling that she had forgotten something very important.

THE END

[Index] [About Us] [Stories] [Story 1] [Story 2] [Story 3] [Story 4] [Guest Art] [Editors Write] [Archives] [Contact Us] [Links]