James Kwok shuffled into his apartment and threw himself onto the plush, cream sofa. He was drained, yet satisfied. His advertising company was finally beginning to take off. He patted the recently purchased sofa and lay down, inviting well-deserved sleep.
The computer screen lit.
An email notifcation.
A message about his mother. He glossed over it quickly.
Bookmarked it.
Along with many other unopened bookmarks.
The message was parked. He wasn’t.
***
James stumbled into the apartment the following night, in a drunken stupor.
His colleagues had celebrated his recent promotion.
He still had work to do. But he wanted her to know.
He’d done it.
“Useless” still rang in his ears.
He opened the laptop again. The bookmarked message stared at him, plaintive.
Accusing.
He navigated from it, his mouse firm.
Clicked.
Navigated.
Clicked.
***
He stepped into the apartment the next night, his feet light. His bosses praised his performance.
He found the email.
And clicked.
He didn’t steer the cursor away.
It hovered over the subject line. Then stilled.
***
A word on the email.
“Come.”
Critical.
No one in his family had visited.
He had been the last one she had seen.
***
He stared at the screen before him. Clarity.
In a single moment.
A demand. For not answering.
Was he too late?
***
He opened the email again.
One word.
Useless.
He stared at the screen before him.
And pulled it down.
.***
Mirrors of the Mind is a collection of five psychological horror stories exploring memory, identity, and the quiet things we try not to see.
From whispered voices beneath floorboards to shadows that move only when acknowledged, these stories linger where the mind begins to fracture.
If you enjoy slow-burn, reflective horror, you are welcome here.
