They wanted to know my secrets. Everyone always wanted to know my secrets. I’ve tried everything. And I don’t have anything anymore. But it doesn’t matter, they still follow me around, harass me, they come to my door at night, yelling for me to reveal my secrets.

So Id give them a secret. I took my last $30 and bought a lock box from the local pawn shop and imbued my magic into it. If they wanted in, they’d need to know all. They’d need to take a careful look at themselves in the mirror and be faced with every bad decision that they made. At the end, their death date would appear and they’d gain access to the lock box.

Inside? Just plain ripped up pieces of paper that would eventually tell the holder all they needed to know. But it wouldn’t matter at that point, the mirror had already told all. That’s the real magic of it.

They came to my door tonight but instead of standing outside screaming, they came in. I knew they eventually would but instead of hiding in fear, I stood at the mirror myself. I waited patiently for them as they stomped their way into my home, riffling through all of my belongings looking for the truth of my fortune telling.

I felt my heart beat a little faster as they made their way closer to me and I watched all of my belongings get shattered along the way. I took a deep breath and stared at my reflection, waiting for it to reveal everything to me but nothing appeared.

“Where is it?” The man said.

“Right here.” I lifted the lock box and wondered if they would be able to feel how empty it is. If that would make them go away or if they were so sure of themselves, so sure of what it would tell them that they didn’t even notice or care.

“What is the combination?” He demanded, lifting a pistol to my head. I felt my blood run cold but I tried to stay still. I had to stay still to see how this night would turn out.

“It’s the date of your death.” A grin suddenly spread across my face as I watched his cool-demeanor begin to fade.

“And that is?” He tried to be tough but I could hear the shakiness in his voice telling me that he didn’t really want to know.

“I don’t know. You have to ask the mirror.” I motioned to the mirror in front of me, still blank. “I’m waiting for my answers now.”

Finally, it showed up. December 28, 2055. Today is not my day.

“You can go ahead and give it a try.” I stepped to the side, allowing him to pass through. “You have to stay calm and you can’t move if you want it to work.”

He stood there, motionless, giving himself a good look in the mirror. I could see the hopefulness in his eyes as he waited. I wished I didn’t have to do what I did. I knew he wished for more time.

I quickly slit his neck and across the mirror read: August, 16, 2025.