Part 5: The Mouth of the MirrorThe mirror in the hallway had stopped reflecting Claire.It no longer followed her movements.No longer showed her daughter.No longer acknowledged her presence.When Nina walked past it, it worked. When strangers came by, it sparkled like any other glass.But when Claire stood before it, the surface turned black.Not broken. Not cracked.Just… hollow.Like the world inside it had shut its eyes.Or was waiting for Claire to open hers.---Elara had stopped using Claire’s name.She used to call her “Mama.”Now, she just pointed. Stared. Smiled.She was only two, but her eyes were too old now. Too still.Sometimes