The Lurking Reflection of a Long-Forgotten Soul

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the once-vibrant village of Eldridge. Now, it stood like a forgotten relic, its cobblestone streets and dilapidated houses whispering tales of yesteryears. The villagers had long since moved on, but one particular building remained, a peculiar two-story house with a large, round window at the top floor. It was said that the window held the gaze of a long-forgotten soul, a gaze that could either chill or glow, depending on who looked upon it.

Evelyn, a young artist in her late twenties, had recently moved to Eldridge to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. She was drawn to the village’s eerie beauty and its rich history, which she planned to incorporate into her next art exhibit. One evening, while exploring the village, she stumbled upon the peculiar house with the large window. The air around it was thick with a strange energy, as if it were a portal to another dimension.

Intrigued, Evelyn approached the house and climbed the rickety wooden staircase to the top floor. The door creaked open, revealing a room filled with dust and cobwebs. The large window was the focal point, its glass cracked and foggy. Evelyn stood before it, her breath visible in the cold air. As she peered through the glass, she saw not the outside world, but a reflection of her own face.

The reflection seemed to shift and change, and Evelyn felt a chill run down her spine. She turned to the source of the sensation and saw a mirror on the wall behind her. The reflection was no longer her own; it was a woman with long, flowing hair and eyes that seemed to burn with an inner fire. Evelyn’s heart raced as she realized that the woman was looking back at her.

“Who are you?” Evelyn asked, her voice trembling.

The woman’s reflection did not respond, but Evelyn felt a strange connection to her. She seemed to sense the woman’s pain and longing, as if she were a living soul trapped within the glass. Evelyn reached out to touch the reflection, and her fingers passed straight through it as if it were no more than a wisp of smoke.

Suddenly, the room began to spin, and Evelyn lost her balance. She fell to the floor, her head hitting the wooden planks with a thud. She lay there, disoriented, until she heard a faint whisper. “You must help me.”

Evelyn struggled to her feet and looked at the reflection once more. The woman’s eyes seemed to implore her. “She is trapped in the well below,” the whisper continued. “She needs your help to escape.”

Evelyn followed the whisper down the staircase, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. At the bottom, she found a heavy iron door leading to a dark, damp well. She opened the door and stepped inside, the air thick with the scent of earth and decay. The walls of the well were lined with rusted iron bars, and in the center, a wooden bucket hung from a rope.

Evelyn pulled the rope, and the bucket descended, the sound echoing in the confined space. She waited, her breath held, until the bucket reached the bottom. A moment later, the door opened, and the woman stepped out, her eyes wide with gratitude.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice trembling. “I am grateful for your help.”

Evelyn helped the woman to her feet and led her out of the well. As they reached the top, the woman’s reflection in the mirror began to fade, leaving only a faint glow behind. Evelyn realized that the woman was not a ghost, but a spirit trapped within the well for centuries, her eyes never leaving the world above.

Over the next few weeks, Evelyn worked tirelessly to restore the well and the house, transforming it into a place of reflection and remembrance. She held an exhibition showcasing her art, inspired by the mysterious woman and the chilling gaze that had once haunted Eldridge.

The village of Eldridge slowly began to change, its residents finding solace in the woman’s story. Evelyn’s exhibit became a place of healing and hope, a testament to the power of love and determination.

As the sun set on the final day of the exhibition, Evelyn stood before the well, her heart filled with gratitude. She had found a way to free the woman’s spirit and bring peace to the village. The chilling gaze of the well had transformed into a beacon of light, a reminder that even the most forgotten souls could find redemption.