The next day after work, Corbin raced up the aged wooden staircase of his apartment building and fumbled for his keys. He selected the rusted slim one with a looped handle from his chain and unlocked the door. He went straight to the bathroom and looked into the mirror. His eyes scanned every inch of its surface. Where are you?... What are you?

Corbin touched the mirror’s smooth glass coating and felt a protrusion that ran along the left-hand side, forming a pizza slice arc with the edge. How didn’t I notice this before? he thought, slightly rubbing his finger over the imperfection. He moved his head so that his eyes were aligned with the mirrored glass and saw a slight distortion in his reflection. The mirror must have been fixed. I wonder what happened? He took a step back. Why cover the mirror back up?...Why not just buy another one? The intricate floral pattern imprinted into its frame and the carved angel on top had weathered over time. The frame was not well attached to the wall and started to come apart. He tried to jiggle it, but it didn’t budge. He attempted again with all his might. No wonder they didn’t get a new one. You can’t even move it. He searched the frame for any screws or bolt heads and came across a faded inscription at the bottom:

T pas es port s du te s.

What does that mean?...is that even English? He tapped his index finger on the glass hearing a distinct resonating sound within it. It’s hollow. His fingers felt around the frame for a hinge or a latch, but there was nothing. No medicine cabinet or compartment. That’s odd. It’s definitely large enough to store things inside. Corbin drew his attention closer to the chipped paint, the revealed, unmistakable color and pattern of oak wood. This must have been incredibly expensive to make and install as well as very heavy... Why would Mr. and Mrs. Church keep this mirror here?..This should be restored and sold. Not left in some bachelor’s apartment .... They can gain a fortune for this.

Corbin went downstairs to his landlord’s quarters next to the foyer. I hope they have some answers. Corbin had just moved in a few months ago and already forgot their first names. He knocked on the door twice until he heard something soft drop on the floor on the other side. A few muffled voices followed and seemed to be talking to each other from across the hall. One voice grew louder as it neared the door. Corbin couldn’t make out the conversation and leaned in close.

Before he could hear a word, the door cracked open. Corbin retreated by the stairwell, trying to hold a vacant expression on his face.

A young, thin woman in her mid-thirties answered the door. She wore a dress with floral patterns and bright colors that reached down to her feet. Her hair was unkempt and flowed down to the middle part of her back. Slim glasses, just wide to cover her small eyes, were perched upon her nose. She had the look of a stringent librarian.

“Oh hello Corbin, can I help you?” she asked in a pleasant voice.

“Yes, Mrs. Church. I was hoping if you could tell me anything about the mirror in my apartment?” Corbin asked.

“Well, please come in. I just finished doing some of my laundry...and you can call me Mindy...no need for formality,” she said with a grin.

“Hey Phil, Mr. James is here,” she called to her husband.

Phil and Mindy that’s right.

She led Corbin into their living room that gave off the scent of dried herbs.

“It’s nice to see our tenants once in a while.”

Corbin nodded and followed her into the hall. He was intrigued by a picture of the Churchs giving food to a young girl. That looks like the Middle East...I guess they traveled a lot before settling here.

“Hello, Corbin,” said a kindly gentleman as they entered the living room, “What can we help you with?”

Mr. Church was already seated in a large armchair that faced an alcove, leading to the street. His soldier like buzz cut contrasted with his long, scraggly beard. He wore an unbuttoned dress shirt, revealing his hippie-like tie dye underneath.

“Well, I was wondering if you could tell me more about the mirror in my bathroom. It’s very beautiful,” said Corbin.

Mindy stopped by her basket and smiled. “It is isn’t it? ...There’s nothing like it.”

Phil nodded. “Of course, the couple we bought the place from said that the mirror was incredibly unique. There’s none other like it.” He gestured for Corbin to sit.

Corbin noticed Phil’s flip-flops tapping the wooden floor.

“Interesting ... A piece of it seems to have been replaced,” stated Corbin as he carefully sat on the couch.

“What do you mean?” asked Mindy.

“There’s a part on the mirror with a slight protrusion. I assumed that someone tried to fix it from a crack,” relayed Corbin.

Phil and his wife looked at each other with concern.

“Then ...We’ll check into it,” said Phil.

“We’ve only had the place for three years and at least two tenants in there before you, and you’re the first to tell us about this,” said Mindy.

“Well, maybe I’m just being paranoid. I haven’t been getting much sleep from work.”

An eery silence filled the room.

“Well...that’s all I wanted to say,” said Corbin, rising from the couch.

“Are you enjoying your apartment?” asked Phil, “I’m sorry we haven’t checked in on you in your first month with us, but you know things can get busy around this time of year.”

“Oh yes, I understand....and things have been good in the apartment except,” he paused and then chuckled, “well...everything except for this mysterious woman I’ve been seeing in my bathroom.”

Mindy gasped, dropping some of her clothes into her basket.

Corbin twitched.

“Woman?” asked Phil.

“Yeah...,” Corbin’s voiced strayed as he glanced at Mindy, who had clasped her two hands around her mouth.

Corbin continued, “...but I think it’s just a figment of my imagination, although she looked as real as you do now, but I don’t know if I was dreaming.”

“Yeah, that must be it,” Phil’s voice began to rise, progressing into laughter. “Possibly your next girlfriend.”

Corbin noticed Mindy’s body was shaking as she tried to continue folding her laundry.

“Would you happen to know if any of the other tenants are still in the area?”

“Not that I know of. We only had two tenants before you,” replied Phil.

Corbin scrutinized the couple and turned on his journalist mind. “You said you had two tenants before me in only three years ...that’s seems a bit quick.”

Phil nodded, “Well...the first tenant stayed for two years, but lost his job and moved down south I think...and the recent tenant stayed for I think three months and then had to cut into his lease...and just left.” He snapped his fingers, “Just like that...Awfully weird.”

“Yes...now that I remember you did tell me about him...If I remember correctly you said he was old and didn’t have a job at the moment.”

Phil nodded his head. “Yeah...and his sweet niece came by to keep an eye on him, but I guess that wasn’t enough to keep him here.”

Beads of sweat glistened on his head. He scratched his thick beard with his right hand in erratic strokes.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what was his name?” asked Corbin.

Mindy abruptly rose, grabbed the edges of her wicker laundry basket and then left the room. The flowers on her dress, whisked away in a blur as she disappeared into a small corridor.

“Was it something I said?” Corbin asked Phil.

“I think it’s best if you left now. Thanks for coming in, Corbin. I’m sorry about my wife… she’s sensitive about the tenants leaving and such. She gets a bit too emotionally connected. Thank you for telling me about the mirror. I’ll look into it,” said Phil as he rose from his chair to escort Corbin to the door.

“Alright, well thank you, Mr. Church...I mean Phil,” said Corbin as he exited into the main hallway.
Corbin returned to his apartment and started to try to piece things together. He paced by his bed. So the Churches moved here three years ago. They seem nice and must have traveled and helped others, but they were awfully odd and bothered when I talked about the mirror. Something must have happened with the last tenant that they aren’t telling me. They said he had a niece that helped him. I wonder if she’s in town.

Next Chapter: 3 - Questions