Premise:
In a dusty antique shop, there’s a mirror that shows not your reflection, but your deepest, darkest fear. Those who gaze into it find themselves unable to look away, trapped in a waking nightmare. What horrors await those foolish enough to peer into its depths?
Core Challenge:
When the mirror finds its way into a family home, it begins to affect everyone differently. As each family member confronts their worst fears, the line between reality and reflection blurs. Can they break free from the mirror’s hold before it’s too late, or will their fears consume them?
Key Elements:
- A series of mysterious disappearances linked to the mirror’s previous owners
- Reflections that linger even when no one is looking
- An ancient inscription on the mirror’s frame, partially obscured
Twist:
The mirror doesn’t just show fears…
Writing Style Tip:
Use vivid, visceral descriptions to bring each character’s personalized nightmare to life. Play with perspective, blurring the lines between what’s real and what’s reflected, to keep readers questioning reality alongside the characters.
Optional Variations:
- Set the story in a hall of mirrors at an abandoned carnival, where every reflection holds a different horror
- Explore the mirror’s origins through the eyes of its creator, trapped within their own creation
