The handprint stayed there.
Pressed against the mirror from the inside.
Fingers.
Palm.
Even the lines on the skin.
Like someone—
Something—
Was trying to crawl out.
I couldn't move.
My legs felt glued to the floor as another crack split across the surface with a sharp, dry snap.
My phone buzzed violently in my hand.
YOU — 2031:
"Do not let it out."
My breath hitched.
"I wasn't planning to!"
Another message.
"You already did. In your last life."
A loud thud came from the mirror.
The handprint pushed harder.
The glass bulged outward slightly.
Like rubber.
Like it wasn't even solid anymore.
My heart started racing faster.
"What is that thing?!"
The reply came instantly this time.
"You."
Everything went silent.
Even my thoughts.
"Or what's left of you after Day 7."
The hand inside the mirror twitched.
Then—
It tapped.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Like it was trying to send a signal.
Or count.
My wrist burned suddenly.
I cried out, grabbing it as the glowing timer flickered violently.
06:18:44:09
The numbers skipped again.
Dropping faster now.
Minutes disappearing every second.
YOU — 2031:
"You have triggered an early breach."
"What does that mean?!"
No reply.
Another tap from the mirror.
This time—
The glass dented inward.
I stumbled back as the entire surface began to ripple like water.
A shadow formed behind it.
Humanoid.
Same height as me.
Same posture.
Same—
Face.
But wrong.
Its eyes were too deep.
Its smile too wide.
And its skin looked… cracked.
Like porcelain that had been broken and put back together.
YOU — 2031:
"Instruction 1:
Break the mirror before 3:00 AM."
I looked at the time.
2:43 AM.
Seventeen minutes.
The thing inside raised its hand slowly.
Mirroring me.
Matching me.
Learning me.
Another message came.
"If the mirror survives past 3:00…"
The typing stopped.
Then continued.
"It replaces you."
The shadow's lips moved.
And this time—
I heard it.
From inside the glass.
Soft.
Whispering.
"Let me out…"