Mirror image

With a jolt Keith sat up straight in his bed. Breathing heavily, he wiped his forehead. His eyes wandered to the alarm clock.

3.39

“Go back to sleep.”

Sarah’s voice was barely coherent. Her hand patted his lap weakly. Seconds later her deep breathing filled the otherwise silent room. Keith stared at the darkness. His shirt was clinging uncomfortably to his body. Carefully, he lifted the heavy duvet and slid out of the bed. On tiptoes he made it into the corridor and the bathroom. Despite his effort, he was still making more noise than he wanted. Over the last few months, he had bulked up so much that it was difficult for him to control the force with which he moved.

Switching on the light, he flinched when he made eye contact with the face in the mirror. The dark circles under his eyes were even more prominent than before. He grimaced and took off the sweaty shirt. Then he splashed water on his face. With water dripping off his face, the lurking feeling still clung to him like a dark shadow.

Now fully awake, Keith stared again at the man in the mirror. He touched his cheek, where a lush beard covered his chin. The man in the mirror followed his movements.

Sarah hated the beard. When it had started to grow so exuberantly, Keith had tried to shave it off. But for some reason it had just sped up the growth. A smile appeared on the lips in the mirror. Keith blinked. His fingers traced his own lips. The mirror image didn’t follow. The smile persisted while the eyes grew hard. Then the lips opened. Two silent words. Keith blinked again. His fingers were on his lips. The smile was gone.

“What?”

The visitor

“Keith! KEITH!!!”

Sarah’s cries made Keith open his eyes. He looked up at a clear blue sky. He couldn’t see the sun but a few white clouds.

It should be grey.

A sigh escaped him before pushing himself up. The long grass around him was flattened. As soon as his heavy weight didn’t press it down anymore it built itself up again. With a wry smile he looked at the grass fighting its way back to stand tall and proud.

As it should be. Growth through struggle.

Another shout of his name shifted his focus. Hurriedly, he picked up the scythe and his helmet. He rushed toward the house, passing patches of dry grass and yellow leaves on the ground. Trees were letting go of their coat before it was time.

Soon, he reached the edge where he had stopped cutting the long grass. The previously cut grass lay in the sun to dry.

I need to turn it soon.

“There you are! Come in quickly.”

Sarah stood on the back porch, twisting her hands. Looking at her face Keith frowned. Quickening his step even further, he placed the scythe and helmet next to the back door. While untying his boots, Sarah disappeared into the house. Keith hastened his movements. Then he could hear her talk to someone. His frown deepened, but his heartbeat slowed.

No threat. Good.

Placing his shoes facing outwards, he first washed his hands and face before joining his girlfriend and their guest in the living room.

The moment he stepped through the door, he froze. Sarah turned around. Her cheeks were flushed. There was a shine in her eyes and a broad smile on her lips. The handsome man on the couch looked up as well. Keith staggered backwards.

Splatters of blood covered his visitor’s pale smooth skin. The heavy ancient armor was dented. Blood soaked the burnt soil around his motionless body. The smell of sulfur and ash filled Keith’s nose.

“Keith!”

Feeling Sarah’s hand on his arm made Keith blink. Their visitor sat on the couch. Neither blood, nor armor in sight. The stranger’s eyes widened, a frown distorting his handsome face for a short moment.

“Is it the sun? How long have you been working? I told you to take a break and drink water. Let me fetch you something. Sit first.”

She pressed Keith in the armchair, the upholstery pressing his muscular frame into position.

“Do you need a refill?”

With an unusual high-pitched voice, Sarah turned her attention to the stranger.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

The visitor’s voice was just as friendly as the wide smile which he cast in Sarah’s direction. Her face flushed even more. Keith thought he even heard a giggle. He balled his fists. There was a taste of ash on his tongue. He opened his mouth, but before words could escape, Sarah left for the kitchen. The moment the door closed, the visitor leaned forward. Keith fought the urge to squirm under thin man’s intense stare.

“So, you are Keith Forrester.”

“Yes. And you?”

A smirk appeared on the face and with elegance the man took a sip from the lemonade Sarah must have served him earlier.

“Ash Vann. Nice to meet you. Here’s my card.”

Meticulously manicured fingers fished out a name card and slid it over the table toward Keith. Trying to forget the bloodied visage from earlier, Keith concentrated on the card in front of him.

Raven Real Estate?

“What’s that?”

Keith looked up and caught Ash frowning again. But the expression immediately changed into the jovial smile from before.

“Well, I’ve been looking for you, Mister Forrester. Or specifically Mister Raven.”

“I don’t know him.”

This made Ash’s face drop for a second.

“Well, yes. But Mister Raven would want to meet you in person. I’m here to…”

“I’m not selling my land.”

“And we don’t expect it. You have published several articles regarding environmental changes. Mister Raven is genuinely interested.”

“But I’m not. Please leave.”

Without waiting for a reaction, Keith got up, the heavy armchair almost toppling over. His broad back straight as a rod, his movements stiff. Just when he reached the door, Sarah opened it, balancing a small tray on her hand.

“Oh, Keith, what’s wrong? Are you done with your discussion? Is Mister Vann already leaving?”

She took a step to glance toward the visitor who was still sitting on the couch. Keith shook his head.

“I’m done.”

The phone call

With his heart pounding up to his throat, Keith’s eyes flew open. Shaky breath hitching, Keith turned toward the alarm clock.

3.39 Again.

He didn’t touch his forehead. Neither did he look at the empty space on the right side of his bed. With a groan he lifted his bulky body out of the bed. His broad shoulders bumped into the doorframe on his way to the bathroom.

The hamper was overflowing with dirty laundry. The sweat-soaked shirt bumped off the pile and landed on the floor. His beard was covering his face like a wild bush.

“Get it together.”

The man in the mirror shook his head, while Keith’s head didn’t move. Keith gripped the edge of the sink. Grinding his teeth, his fingers dug into the ceramic. The lips in the mirror moved. The same silent words, which had been following Keith for the last three months. He still didn’t understand them.

A sudden crunching sound made Keith look down. Mouth agape, he stared at the destroyed sink. His gaze shot up again. The man in the mirror was gone. Instead, Keith only stared at the empty reflection of his bathroom.

I’m losing it.

Shaking his head, he stepped back. The pieces of the broken sink landed on the pile overflowing hamper, bounced off and landed with a loud clank on the tiles. The noise was the overture to the ringing of the landline.

Sarah?

Forgetting the mess, he turned. The house vibrated with each of his steps. Sarah would have scolded him for the disturbance. When he saw the name on the display, his heart dropped then sped up even more.

“What happened?”

There was silence on the other end. Then Keith heard a faint howling.

Wolves?

“Mom! Say something!”

“Ah, sorry. You’re not asleep?”

“No.”

“Did you get my message? I really need the leather! It’s important.”

“I sent it yesterday. Be patient.”

There was some rustling audible. Then some loud bangs, as if from a hammer.

Is she crafting again?

“Mom!”

The banging continued. The howling grew louder. Keith’s grip around the phone tightened. Plastic pieces flew like bullets through the room. With a final crunch, the connection snapped.

The meeting

Tires were crunching on the gravel leading to his farm. Keith turned around. The former lush forest could cover the vehicle for only a while longer. Keith put away the sledgehammer. The windows of the vehicle were tinted but there was a logo with silver letters painted on both sides. When he reached his porch, the car had stopped as well.

Crossing his arms in front of his chest, Keith waited. The motor was turned off and the door of the passenger’s side opened. A lanky man in a black suit jumped out. Not acknowledging Keith, he hurried to open the back door.

With a frown, Keith continued to observe the scene in front of him. There was movement, but no words were spoken. Finally, a heavy foot landed on the ground. Keith could feel the vibrations.

“Caw! Caw! Caw!”

Keith’s gaze shot up. A small flock of ravens passed the red sky above the farm. He followed the unusual sight of the birds.

“Ah, young one! We finally meet.”

Keith’s head snapped back. Next to the car stood a tall, burly man. Silver hair cascaded down his back. An impressive beard framed his face. One eye was covered by an eyepatch, while the other focused on Keith. His height matched the farmer’s. With steady steps he approached Keith. Every time his foot touched the ground, Keith could feel it in his bones. The lanky fellow and his colleague followed the colossus like shadows.

“Who are you?”

The man smiled grimly and put a hand on Keith’s shoulder. Keith suppressed a flinch. The hand was heavy, despite it being a friendly gesture. A strange familiarity accompanied the weight.

“I see. You haven’t awakened completely. Despite already looking the part. May we come in?”

“No. What’s this about, Mister Raven?”

One of the lanky fellows wanted to jump forward, but Mister Raven lifted his hand. Then he flicked his finger and the other dark figure rushed to the boot of the car.

“I’m here to bring you a gift.”

“I don’t accept gifts from strangers.”

The furrow on Mister Raven’s forehead deepened. Keith thought he heard a sigh escaping the real estate manager.

“I’m not the one giving this to you. You can see me as… a delivery service. It’s Greta who asked me to bring it to you. She received the last leather straps and rushed to finish the gift.”

“You know my mother?”

The remaining eye shimmered wet. Mister Raven cleared his throat a few times, avoiding Keith’s gaze.

“Are you sure, you won’t let me in?”

Keith hesitated. The man had mentioned his mother. Her vehement words ringing in his ears he sighed.

The rule of hospitality.

“I can only offer water.”

“That’s more than enough. Lead the way, my son.”

Keith had already turned around, ignoring the weird address. They settled in silence in the living room. The two lanky men stood behind Mister Raven. Their black eyes followed Keith’s every movement.

Keith looked at the clock.

3.39

Mister Raven sipped on the water before asking for the package to be placed on the dusty table. With a quick glance at the handwriting Keith confirmed that his mother had indeed sent the package.

“Open it. I’m sure you’ll be impressed.”

“You’ve seen it?”

“I did. Your mother asked for advice a few times. I was glad to help her out. It should be a perfect fit.”

Keith ripped the cardboard apart. A pair of boots emerged. Boots made of a patchwork of different browns, greens and grays. It was definitely his mother’s handiwork.

“Anything come to mind?”

Keith didn’t bother to look up. His gaze was locked on the boots. His chest felt tight. With shaking fingers, he traced the different leather straps. The thick soles were made with several layers of straps, nailed together with metal pins. The moment his finger touched one of the pins, Keith’s breath hitched.

He looked up and stared at the silver haired man. Two ravens sitting on his shoulder. A spear in his hands, blood dripping off its tip.

Abandoning his armchair, Keith kneeled.

“Father.”