Ketria Greene bombed the sale on bamboo carpet. She hated sales, but it was money, and so far she was doing well at it, until today. She was proud of herself, having become stable and sober for the past few years. For once, her future was starting to look bright.
Her supervisor unwrapped a mirror. Her eyes traced the golden scrolls and flowers adorning the polished, beveled frame. "Now doesn't that lighten up the place?"
Ketria stepped beside Emerald, glancing into the mirror. A nauseous wave swelled within her stomach even though all she saw were her dark brown eyes staring. She rubbed the back of her neck, patting down the hairs there that stood on edge. "It certainly has a presence."
Ketria closed the store alone that night. As she was sweeping, a skitter of whispers peppered her skin in goosebumps. She glanced at the mirror, and the same wave of nausea crashed into her stomach. She turned her back to the mirror and swept vigorously. Something heavy clamped down on her right shoulder. She wheeled around, and her elbow pushed the mirror to the ground, shattering it. She stared at the last shard clattering to the floor. When she glanced up, she was no longer in the carpet store anymore. She was in a house that had once been a home.
The air thickened, stale and still when a piercing noise echoed through her ears. She faced the hollow eyes of her ex lover, her body all distorted and twisted. Ketria backed away. "Thank you for giving us another chance." She closed her eyes, her body flashing through every bruise, every scar. "You can change one thing, but the past doesn't let go so easily." She screamed.
Suddenly, she appeared back in the store. But she wasn’t alone.