The Haunting Reflection

    By roman.angone

    The Haunting Reflection cover image

    20 Feb, 2024

    a young boy standing on a set of steps in front of a house with potted plants on the steps, american realism, poster art, Ada Gladys Killins, promotional image

    Matteo stood on the old porch, looking at his grandpa's house. It was old and looked sad. He unlocked the door and went inside, feeling like he was in a memory.

    a boy sitting on the floor in front of a bookcase full of books and stacks of money in a room with many framed photos, art photography, poster art, Brad Kunkle, promotional image

    His first few days were spent cleaning and sorting things. He felt like he was swimming in his grandpa's life, with each item telling a story. He felt both sad and comforted.

    a boy looking out of a window at a full moon in the sky with a creepy look on his face, gothic art, a character portrait, Aaron Jasinski, highly detailed digital painting

    One night, Matteo woke up because he heard his name. It sounded like his grandpa. He searched the house but found nobody. He thought maybe his mind was playing tricks on him.

    a young boy sitting at a table with a plate of food in front of him and a candle in the background, fantastic realism, a detailed matte painting, Diego Gisbert Llorens, promotional image

    But then one morning, he found breakfast on the table. It looked like his grandpa's cooking. He was alone in the house and felt a shiver down his spine.

    a young boy standing in a dark room with a creepy look on his face and a creepy man in the background, photorealism, a detailed matte painting, Alejandro Burdisio, ultra realistic digital art

    He started having dreams. Some were nice, others were scary. In the scary ones, his grandpa said someone had hurt him. But he didn't know who.

    a young boy is standing in a dark room with a light on the wall behind him and looking at the camera, hyperrealism, a character portrait, Diego Gisbert Llorens, promotional image

    As he entered the house, it was very quiet. Then he heard a whisper. He turned and saw his reflection in a mirror. The reflection said it was a part of him that wanted the house.

    a young boy with a sad look on his face sitting in a chair in a room with a wooden floor, antipodeans, a character portrait, Diego Gisbert Llorens, promotional image

    Matteo felt sick. He realized his friends were right about him being stressed. But it wasn't because he was sad about his grandpa. It was because he felt guilty. He was the one who hurt his grandpa.

    a young boy sitting on a bench in front of a mirror looking at himself in the mirror, with his hands folded, american barbizon school, a character portrait, Diego Gisbert Llorens, promotional image

    Matteo sat down, feeling the weight of his guilt. His reflection in the mirror stared back at him, silent now. The house seemed to hold its breath, waiting for what he would do next.

    The Haunting Reflection