Two Is Company

At first I thought it was a reflection of me, through the glass window of old mansion, but when the reflection moved, when I was still I knew it wasn’t me. I thought the wild rain was playing games, conjuring up images on a darkened night. I quickly revised my school physics in my mind to find an answer. perhaps a mirage? the lightening was furiously tearing apart, the meandering dark clouds over the island. the patter of rain drops and the yellow glow of a hurricane lamp added to the mystery. for a brief moment there was absolute silence, then the image appeared, this time closer, only a few feet from the window. It was, I could see, a replica of me, similar features, hair, attire and my own eyes. then it was gone. I knew that this was not me! It was no reflection or mirage! It appeared again- and stayed still, as I backed towards the light switch. I pressed the switch but the darkness remained. The storm must have knocked a pole off! The hurricane lamp stayed alight all night! Next morning, when I drove away in my car, I briefly looked in the rear view mirror. There was someone in the rear seat. There was someone there, someone like me. Then as suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone…. sometimes on a rainy stormy night, I feel there is someone with me….. someone like me… 2nd placement Written 10/January/2022 a Ghost story poetry contest Angela Tune sponsored