Emily adjusted the candle's position, its light barely piercing the attic's gloom. Jake, Lily, Sam, and Tom stood in a semi-circle around the mirror, their expressions a mix of excitement and apprehension. "Are we really doing this?", Emily asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"We have to say it together," Jake insisted, a hint of nervous laughter in his tone. As they chanted the incantation, the mirror began to shimmer, its surface rippling like disturbed water. A low hum filled the room, and a figure slowly emerged from the glass.
Lily gasped, instinctively stepping back. The girl stood silent, her gaze fixed on the group. "Who are you?" Lily ventured, shivering as the temperature dropped further. The girl remained silent, but a haunting sadness seemed to emanate from her.
Sam moved closer to the clipping, reading aloud the account of a woman accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. "She wants revenge," Sam realized, his voice barely audible. Tom nodded, the implications of their actions dawning on him.
"We didn't mean for this to happen," Tom pleaded, his eyes wide with terror. The girl raised her hand, and the mirror's surface began to crack, sending shards of glass flying across the room. Chaos erupted as the friends scrambled to avoid the razor-sharp fragments.
Emily looked around at the others, her voice trembling. "We have to make this right," she declared. Jake nodded solemnly, the others following suit. Together, they vowed to uncover the truth and seek forgiveness for what had been unleashed.
















