Mirror, Mirror: DarklianEmpire Book Series, #3

By Steven Uecker

" A Thrilling Tale" of a young woman named Gloria Diaz. A small town girl who has a dream of being a police officer finds herself on a supernatural adventure. She accepts a house sitting job for a psychic/clairvoyant for a large sum of money to help get her through the academy. Sara Silvia has a mirror in a concealed room that can lead to other realms and places in time. . Gloria is tempted by the mirror and finds herself face to face with Evil, destiny, and Faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Uecker
• Release date: Aug 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201922085

Book preview

Chapter 1

So...that’s why I want to become a police officer. Gloria said with a smile

Well, Ms. Diaz, you have exceptional physical scores and you passed the pre-test with flying colors. The admittance clerk said. Also I see you have the rare RH Negative blood type? You know, people with that blood type are known to have psychic abilities.

Oh yeah, I’ve never heard that before, but it sounds good to me.

Well, it’s true I saw a documentary on it, it’s really interesting. Some conspiracy theorists think the RH Negative blood has to due with alien human hybrids, but not to worry you don’t look like an alien hybrid to me. He said snickering to himself under his breath.

I’ll have to look into that.

Gloria smiled.

And the written test. The admittance clerk paused. You squeaked by and—passed it as well. He said smiling.

Are you serious?! Gloria said abruptly. Are you serious?!

Yes, you’ve been accepted. You qualified to enter the Salinas Police Academy, congratulations Ms. Diaz.

Thank you sir, thank you!

Gloria jumped out of her chair and gave the admittance clerk a hug and his face turned red. She walked out of the front entrance of the administrations office with a spring in her step and almost immediately pulled out her smartphone to call her Dad. It went straight to voicemail which was typical, so she left a quick message. Her car was parked at the far end of the parking lot waiting for her arrival, and the illuminated cloud cover shone on surface of the glossy exterior. Next stop was to her Krav Maga class.

Moments later she pulled into the entrance of the parking lot. The Krav Maga class was one of many classes offered at Kens Cross Fit. It was at the far end of a strip mall next to a Chinese food establishment which specialized in to go orders. She carried her oversized duffle bag as she walked in through the entrance, straight to the locker room to change her clothes. A few minutes later she grabbed her smartphone, and took a look into the mirror that was hanging a few inches above a thick white porcelain sink.

Congratulations, you made it. You are going to be a great police officer. She said looking into her own eyes. She concentrated and looked intently into the chestnut brown color that surrounded the cornea. The windows to her soul sparkled with the excitement of life..

Hey there.

A hand grabbed her shoulder from behind.

Ahhh! holy shit! Gloria said dropping her phone into the empty dry porcelain sink.

Oh, sorry about that I didn’t mean to scare you.

Damn it, Sonia you scared the shit out of me, literally! Look, I shit my workout pants!

Gloria placed her hand on her chest laughing.

I thought I’d say hello, haven’t seen you in awhile. Sonia said.

I didn’t see you when I walked in. Gloria replied reaching down for her smartphone. Sonia continued to converse with Gloria looking at her image through the mirror.

I was in the corner cooling down from the circuit training class. Sonia replied.

You know I’ve been busy, and by the way. Gloria paused for dramatics. I got accepted to the police academy.

No fucking way, congratulations!

They both walked out of locker room to continue their conversation.

It starts next month, so it will be soon. Gloria said smiling.

This is so great. Oh yeah, before I forget Brett wants to know if you are still going to the beer tasting?

Beer tasting? What are you talking about? Gloria asked.

The Ale House, this Friday. Remember, we talked about this like three weeks ago. Sonia said as she dragged her finger across her neckline to pull her hair back. I left you a message last week.

Gloria ran the beer tasting thing through her mind and a light bulb of thought went off.

Oh yeah, that’s right, sure I’ll be there.

Gloria grabbed a set of MMA gloves and began to strap them on.

Okay we’ll celebrate your police academy thingy too. By the way I love your hair.

Thanks, I figure I’d cut it to the neckline little texture.

Well you look amazing. I’ll see you on Friday answer my calls.

Sonia threw a white terry cloth over her shoulder and took a swig from a water bottle, and headed to the exit. A man walked up to Gloria in his mid to late forties. His body was fit but the signs of his age were beginning to show on his face.

Are you ready? He asked.

Hey Ken. Guess what? Gloria said with a tease.

What’s that?

I got accepted to the academy.

Gloria smiled and waited for Ken’s response and he smiled overly wide.

Are you serious? No way that’s amazing. I can’t believe it—well I believe it for sure—I’m so excited.

Ken’s lisp began to become more prominent the more excited he got.

Attention everyone, attention. He barked out to his fitness patrons as he stood up straight with a limp hand. My girl here is going to be a cop, she got accepted to the police academy! He said flamboyantly clapping his hands and everyone within hearing distance clapped with him. Ken immediately went for a hug and he looked into Gloria’s eyes.

I am so happy for you. You deserve it. He said.

Thanks, girlfriend. Gloria said with sass.

You know how to rile me up. Come on let’s get to training.

Gloria was just finishing up punching on the eighty pound bag. She could feel her knuckles grind the inside leather fingers of her MMA gloves. She gave the bag a swift side kick, and stood resting.

Looking good, you’ve got a lot power in those legs. Ken said.

Thanks. Can you throw me one of those towels please? Gloria asked.

Sure babe.

Ken gingerly tossed a white terry cloth into her direction. It flailed in the air as it took resistance in its self created wind, Gloria caught the towel just before it hit the ground.

Nice throw, just like a girl.

Thanks for the compliment. Ken said shrugging off the kindly insult. Hey listen your looking strong, good job, but while you were on the bag I saw this listing for a nanny job. I immediately thought of you, check it out.

Ken walked closer to Gloria and showed her the screen on his computer tablet.

Look it’s a nanny job in Hollister. Ken pointed out. One week ten thousand dollars and check it. You have to know martial arts.

That is really strange ten thousand dollars for one week. Sounds to good to be true, not interested. It has to be a scam.

Ken pointed to the screen.

Look I will send you the number just give them a call. Talk to someone and see if they are fucking freaks. What could it hurt? Remember what I tell you?

Yeah, doing nothing gets you nothing. Gloria said slightly begrudgingly.

That’s right. So give them a call. You said you needed a job to make a little extra cash, right. So you could concentrate on your career?

You’re right Ken, you’re right. I’ll give them a call, and there’s no harm in that.

That’s my girl, besides it’s probably just some rich people who want to go on a gambling binge without their kids. Ken said with a smile.

I’m just going to head on home, so thanks for the lesson and the job listing. You’re a good friend.

I love you too. Ken said lifting his bottle of mineral water up into the air.

Gloria walked up to the fridge. After opening the door the light inside shone on her face accenting her perfect jawline and lips. Looking around the ice box, she reached in and pulled out an amber beer bottle. It was cold in her hand and she held it tightly. The drawer that held the bottle opener was within arms length and she slid open the drawer, and grabbed it. The opener clinked to the metal cap on the bottle and it bent off as it dropped back into the drawer with the bottle opener. They landed in the drawer on top of other bottle caps, plastic spoons and miscellaneous cutlery and knives. There was a small square kitchenette table that stood alone at the far end of her kitchen. Taking a seat she began to think about the academy and how excited she was to finally be following her life long dream. Her phone rang, the caller ID read BRAD. The beer bottle tilted back as she took a gulp, the fizzy bubbled head in the beer bottle arose slightly as she set the bottle on the table. She picked up the phone with apprehension.

What do you want? She asked immediately after answering the call.

How’s it going? I thought I’d give my lady a call. Brad said.

It had been months since they broke up and his voice was becoming unfamiliar to Gloria even though they had been together for a long time. They broke up on undesirable terms, and the more Gloria thought about him the more her disdain grew.

I’m not your girl, not anymore.

Come on, I made a mistake. Can’t you forgive me? He pleaded.

It’s not about forgiving you. It’s about me moving on to a better place in life, follow my faith and God given talents, and dreams.

There you go with the God thing again. He said.

Another reason I shouldn’t be with you. You don’t believe in God and I do, as a matter a fact you don’t believe in anything. Gloria replied.

I can look passed the God thing and you know what? It’s not my fault your weak minded and have to believe in a fairy tale. Brad said with a snarky tone.

Wow you have some kind of fucking nerve. You call me up and start digging into me about God.

Well you’ve just got to be intellectually honest with yourself. I was taking care of you. You didn’t want for a thing, trips to New York and eating at nice restaurants. Brad said sounding like a typical hedge funder on Wall Street.

I’m not giving up on my dream to be a police officer. Gloria said. And you know something.

Brad butted in. Yeah right, you’ll never pass the written test. You’ll be begging me to come back, you’ll see.

Well. Gloria paused for a moment. I did pass the written test and I’m starting the Police Academy in less than a month.  I should be a cop in about three months or so.

Brad was dead silent on the other end of the line.

That’s surprising, looks like your really going to do it, huh?

I am, and if you weren’t such a dick I’d still be with you. Gloria said sternly.

Alright then, you know where to find me. Brad paused. Look, I’m sorry for getting upset and being a dick. I just want you back. You know that girl meant nothing to me. I acted like an asshole, I didn’t get what I wanted from you and I made a mistake. You’re the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever been with.

I just can’t look at you the same way that I used to, and I need to be away from you. I’m actually really happy for the first time in a long time. I’ve got to go.

There was an uncomfortable silence that went on too long and Gloria could hardly stomach the obligatory good- bye. There was nothing good about her ex fiancé after he betrayed her.

Well I’m going to hang up now, goodnight. Brad said fishing for an equaled response.

Cya. Gloria ended the call.

She tilted her brown ale bottle all the way back and gulped it down to the last drop. It was about six o’clock and she thought about calling the number for the nanny position that Ken gave her earlier.

What the hell. She said to herself and pulled out her smartphone, and after long pressing on the digits the phone rang.

Hello? A pleasant woman’s voice answered.

Hello, my name is Gloria I am calling about the nanny position that you posted on VectorJobs? Is it still available? Gloria asked.

Why, yes it is. The woman answered.

Great.

Gloria waited for more information from the woman but she didn’t speak.

The ad said it paid ten thousand dollars for one week is that correct?

Yes, yes that’s correct. You read it right. I’m sorry I was a little distracted. That was rude of me. Yes, it pays ten thousand dollars for one week, and you have to know martial arts. You’ll just need to watch over my grandson and house sit. I will be heading out of town for an important business meeting. I will give five thousand when you start and the other five thousand when I get back. Provided that I give you the job. The woman said.

I know some martial arts. I am trained in karate, tae kwon do, and Krav Maga.

Wow that’s great. Can you come by tomorrow around let’s say ten in the morning?

Sure.

By the way my name is Sara, Sara Silvia. Can I send you the directions to this phone number? Sara asked.

Yeah, that would be great.

Okay, well I hope to see you tomorrow at ten.

I will be there, thank you.

Gloria ended the call and her phone vibrated with the directions to the house, 616 John Smith Road, Hollister. Gloria smiled at what seemed to be a good opportunity to bundle some cash together quickly which would enable her to fully concentrate on her training for the academy. The light to the bathroom turned off and Gloria walked out wearing an oversized t-shirt and socks. She hopped onto her bed and pulled the freshly cleaned comforter over her body. Her arm reached out from underneath the plush blanket and she turned off the side table lamp. She always took five deep meditative breaths to clear her mind before going to sleep and thanked God for the events of the day. She was fast asleep in a matter of minutes, and a grumbling tussle of sound ensued from somewhere in her room. The emotion of fear was heavy when Gloria opened her eyes and she could hear the subtle nuance of sound coming from the darkest corner of her room. Her body was paralyzed but her eyes were open and peering to the darkness of the corner. Two yellow eyes manifested in the blackness of the shadows, and began to grow from nothingness.

Ruuuler Ovvvvv Wooorlds desires your soul. The shadow spoke out in a goblin like tone.

As it grew engulfing all the empty unshadowed space, immense fear and anxiety began to cloud Gloria’s mind. The words it spoke were like shards of pure evil penetrating her soul causing an abandonment of the good inside her. The shadow grew until the yellow eyes of nothingness were inches from her face. It’s eyes widened instantly and a beam of white light swooped in from the ceiling and evaporated the shadowy figure. Gloria woke up from her dream and sat up in her bed catching her breath.

Holy shit, what was that? She said to herself.

She laid back down in relief that it was just a bad dream. The time on her clock was 11:11pm. She thought of happy memories of her grandpa and grandma and took in her deep breaths. She fell back to sleep in a matter of seconds.

She woke up refreshed and turned to the side to see the morning sun shining through her window treatment. She knew she had a nightmare, but couldn’t remember the details. All she could recall was the feeling of fear and the yellow eyes. She suddenly realized that her alarm didn’t go off. She jumped out her bed like a frog on a hot plate. She looked in a panic at the clock on her wall, 8:55am. Hollister was thirty minutes from Salinas, forty five minutes if there was a lot of traffic. She jumped into a pair of skinny jeans, threw on a black pair of high heels and her new David Bowie shirt, she thought casual but stylish will work. She grabbed her holstered nine millimeter just in case, her wallet and a small black makeup bag with all the essentials. Jumping into her car she pressed the start button on the dash and the engine turned on. A silent prayer was said to herself while the car warmed up, a tradition in her mind that guaranteed that the day was going to be great. Down the freeway she went headed to Hollister, excited for another adventure in this new found freedom called life. 

Chapter 2

The neighborhood was charming something you would see in a Hallmark movie. The houses were old craftsman style with the big porches that wrapped around the front. Big thick ornate wood beams and moulding gave them character and the look of sturdy well made structures. Tall trees canopied the unusually wide asphalt street. They shaded the houses from the dry inland heat of Hollister, and its neighboring town San Juan Bautista.

Almost there, on the right. Gloria spoke out looking at the navigation system on the car dashboard.

Up ahead to the right on a brick laid mailbox that stood street side were the address number, 616. Gloria parked her car quietly on the street just passed the mailbox and she took a quick glance at the white two story house through the windshield of her car.

She stepped out and admired the square lush green grass that carpeted the ground. It strewn from the curb face of the street all the way to the house. The wood slated boards that wrapped around the porch looked freshly painted with a thick coat of white paint. While a row of large red rose bushes separated the houses to the left and to the right of the property lines on both sides. A slight cool breeze swayed Gloria’s hair out her face and she looked up at movement in a window on the second story. She caught a glimpse of a shadowy child sized figure closing a white curtain, and then it suddenly disappeared behind the curtain in an instant.   The image was a little strange but it was rationalized