In the bustling city of Detroit, there lived a young man named Alex. Alex was obsessed with material wealth. He craved the latest gadgets, designer clothes, and luxury cars. His social media was a constant display of his extravagant lifestyle, and he measured his worth by the number of likes and followers he amassed.


Despite his outward success, Alex was never satisfied. He always wanted more, believing that happiness could be bought. One evening, while scrolling through an online auction site, he stumbled upon a listing for an antique mirror. The description claimed it was a rare artifact that could grant its owner unimaginable wealth.


Intrigued, Alex placed a bid and won the mirror for a surprisingly low price. When it arrived, he marveled at its ornate frame and the strange symbols etched into the glass. He hung it in his bedroom, eager to see if the legend was true.


That night, as Alex admired his reflection, the mirror began to glow with an eerie light. A voice echoed from within.


Mirror: “Do you desire wealth beyond your wildest dreams?”


Alex: “Yes, more than anything.”


Mirror: “Then you must give something in return. Are you willing to pay the price?”


Blinded by greed, Alex agreed without hesitation. The next morning, he awoke to find his bank account overflowing with money. His social media exploded with new followers, and he was showered with gifts and opportunities. It seemed the mirror had kept its promise.


But as the days passed, strange things began to happen. Alex’s reflection in the mirror started to change. It grew darker, more sinister, and seemed to move independently. At first, he dismissed it as a trick of the light, but the occurrences became more frequent and disturbing.


One night, as Alex lay in bed, he heard a whisper.


Mirror: “The price must be paid.”


Terrified, Alex tried to cover the mirror, but the whispers grew louder, filling his mind with dread. He realized too late that his obsession had led him down a dangerous path.


The next morning, Alex’s friends and family noticed his absence. They found his apartment in disarray, with the mirror shattered on the floor. But Alex was nowhere to be found. The only clue was a message scrawled on the wall in a dark, viscous substance.


Message: “The price has been paid.”


Rumors spread about Alex’s disappearance, and the antique mirror became a local legend. Some said it was cursed, that it consumed those who were consumed by greed. The mirror was eventually sold to a collector, who restored it and placed it in his gallery.


Years later, a young woman named Emily visited the gallery. She was drawn to the mirror, captivated by its beauty and the cryptic symbols etched into the glass. As she stood before it, the surface shimmered, and a familiar voice echoed from within.

Mirror: “Do you desire wealth beyond your wildest dreams?”

Emily’s eyes lingered on the strange symbols, a flicker of unease crossing her face. She glanced at the plaque beside the mirror—"Anonymous Donor, Circa 20th Century. Provenance Unknown"—and noticed a faint stain near the bottom edge of the frame. Her gaze sharpened, curiosity now tinged with something heavier.

Emily: “I... I’m not sure.”

The mirror pulsed faintly.

Mirror: “The choice is yours. But all wealth comes at a price.”

This time, Emily took a step back. Her reflection did not. It remained, watching her with eyes not her own.

Emily turned and walked away, a chill creeping down her spine. She didn’t look back.

Behind her, the mirror dimmed. The reflection smiled.