A reflection Clear and True by Mikaela Miyamoto

Mikaela is writing a bunch of short stories for 13 Days 13 Shorts this year! To check out more stuff from Mikaela, visit www.mikaelamiyamoto.com

A reflection Clear and True

Walking through my grandmother’s garden is like stepping into another world. The vibrant colors, the sweet scent of oranges, even the wind just whistling through the trees. In the middle of her magical garden is a stone structure. Cold and gray and static. It would look out of place if not for the vines that have entwined themselves into the cracks and along its edges. And in the center of that is a small bird bath. We were all warned never to go near it. Never told why, so we decided on our own. The story goes that there’s a creature in the bird bath. A tiny, beautiful creature with webbing between its fingers and iridescent scales. With two pairs of big dark eyes and inky hair to match. You’ll only ever hear it whisper. And if you hear it you must leave. I’m not fully sure where the story originated from, just that it’s been passed down through our family for years. It’s even a Special Event card in our board game. I remember once I tried to test the tale. I quietly tiptoed up to the bird bath, stepping over vines and avoiding any crunchy leaves. I had gotten within a few feet when I heard it. A quiet humming sound. I took a few steps closer when I heard a whisper. So quiet and small I couldn’t make out the words but I swore I could hear her. I just wanted to hear what she had to say. So I got closer and closer until I heard it. “Please, come closer. I have something to share with you.” Frightened but captivated my feet began to move me closer and closer until I was right above the bird bath looking down into my own reflection. The water was completely still. Like looking into a mirror. Until my mouth began moving on its own. “It’s nice to see you,” she said. In a melody that wasn’t my own. “They call me Kiyoshi.” I merely nodded, afraid to disturb the image. My reflection studied me carefully. Analyzing, searching, for something. She frowned then stated, “You’re not supposed to be here.” “I know,” I whispered, “I’m sorry.” “No,” she replied, shaking her head. “I mean you shouldn’t be here.” A panic took over her, her lips quivering and voice shaking, “You need to leave. Soon. Or you’ll be trapped!” The face began to change. Another pair of eyes forming and the mouth splitting open as it began to shriek, an ear piercing sound like a siren or an alarm. Covering my ears I quickly ran away towards my grandmother’s house. I bolted through the back door and found her sitting calmly on the couch reading a book. With shaky breath I asked her if she’d heard the sound. She lowered her glasses and took a moment to scrutinize me before shaking her head no. “It’s just some silly story. It was very hot today. I told you not to go outside. You probably suffered some heat stroke or something.” She waved me off and went back to her book. She’s right. It’s just a story we were told as kids. And I’ve been near the bird bath and haven’t heard anything around there. But sometimes when I’m alone in the garden soaking in the sun and picking fruits and flowers, I swear I can hear that horrible shriek.