The Mirrored Staircase - Episode 3

Novella Thursdays

Damn Jake for having cursed Lucas’ master plan. How fitting, given where they were now headed. Of course Lucas really didn’t believe his cousin had jinxed him, for his scientific mind wouldn’t allow for such superstition, but so far the odds weren’t in his favor despite his detailed orchestration of the mission.

The majority of the actual term paper had already been written, with Lucas referencing a number of trends, studies and statistics. From the underdeveloped brains of teenagers to the effect peers had on them, these supporting facts would help explain why today’s youth were so prone to keeping the myth of urban legend alive. Each generation had them, and not since Bloody Mary had there been such fascination with one surrounding a mirror.

This topic could have went off in many different directions, including one of psychoanalysis, where, from a Freudian perspective one could argue the real desire of the adolescents was that of self-discovery. That the mirror was a mere metaphor for seeking such answers as to who they were in the world and what they were meant to do in it. But Jake had chosen a different route. One of investigation, since he was a believer himself, while Lucas saw the study as a way to debunk some of the nonsense the masses had put so much energy into. That, and of course providing a means to a greater end, by once and for all losing the hidden yet obvious stigma of his virginity.

But as Lucas sat in the seat he had assigned himself he couldn’t help but cringe at the irony of seeing his own reflection in the glass window of Rodney’s van. Everything had went according to plan until they all packed into what some of them had referred to as The Mystery Machine. Rodney and his girl Tina in the front, Nancy and Glen and Jesse and Lisa in the middle and Jake with his fuck fairy Veronica sharing the back seat with Beth and Lucas.

Beth and Lucas, the only two who weren’t cozy and comfy. Jake had suggested her to his cousin when they were thinking on who to bring along.

“She just transferred from NYU about a month ago,” Jake had said. “Not sure if anybody has road-tested her yet, but I’ve seen her around and she seems cool. Just remember, no nerd talk. These kind of chicks are into their clothes, their makeup, that kind of shit. As long as you keep it cool you shouldn’t have a problem bangin’ her.”

“But what if she’s not attracted to me?” Lucas had asked.

“She’s plastic pussy, cuz. As long as you’re cool, by the time we get up there she’s gonna forget you’re not her type. Well, for the most part anyway. And besides, they’re all gonna know you were the mastermind who found this place, so you got some cred. She’ll be fine with given it up to you. Like pro boner.”

“Pro bono.”

“Yeah, whatever.”