The Cursed Reflection

In the heart of the bustling city of Shanghai, amidst the towering skyscrapers and the relentless hum of neon lights, there existed a hidden chatroom known to the few as "The Chatroom of the Dead." It was said that the chatroom was a place where spirits and the living could communicate, a place where the veil between worlds was thin.

Liu Wei, a young and ambitious graphic designer, was not one to believe in the supernatural. His life was a series of deadlines, coffee-fueled nights, and the pursuit of a career he hoped would one day bring him recognition. One late evening, as he scrolled through a random forum, he stumbled upon a post that mentioned "The Chatroom of the Dead."

Curiosity piqued, Liu clicked the link provided and found himself on a chatroom that looked like any other. However, something was different. The chatroom was silent, and the only sign of life was a mirror in the corner. Liu's fingers danced across the keyboard, typing out a simple message: "Hello?"

The mirror's surface shimmered, and the words appeared as if they were being written on the glass itself. "Hello, Liu Wei. Welcome to our world."

Liu's heart raced. He was about to delete the chatroom when he noticed another message. "I am the Cursed Reflection. I have been waiting for you."

The Cursed Reflection. Liu's mind raced with questions. He had no idea who or what this "Cursed Reflection" was, but it seemed to be talking to him directly through the mirror. The chatroom was empty, except for the mirror, which was now pulsating with an eerie glow.

"Tell me about yourself, Liu Wei," the Cursed Reflection demanded.

Liu's fingers hovered over the keyboard. "I'm a graphic designer," he typed. "I design websites and graphics for a company."

The Cursed Reflection's response was immediate and chilling. "I see. You are creative, and you possess a certain... beauty. That is why I have chosen you."

Liu's eyes widened. He felt a shiver run down his spine. "What do you want from me?"

The Cursed Reflection's voice was smooth and sinister. "I want you to look into the mirror and see your true self."

Confused and slightly terrified, Liu did as he was told. He stared into the mirror, and for a moment, everything seemed normal. Then, his reflection began to change. The features shifted, becoming more angular, more... unnatural. Liu's eyes widened in shock as his own face twisted into something monstrous.

"No!" he shouted, but the words were muffled as the image in the mirror continued to transform. The features grew more twisted, the eyes more piercing, the mouth more... monstrous.

The Cursed Reflection's voice echoed in Liu's mind. "You are the reflection of your deepest fears and desires, Liu Wei. Now, look at what you have become."

Liu's reflection was now a hideous creature, its form twisted and grotesque. He could feel the weight of his own terror. The Cursed Reflection was laughing, a sound that was both eerie and sinister.

"I have given you a gift, Liu Wei. Now, go forth and spread my influence. Only then will you be free of this curse."

Liu was frozen in place, the image of his twisted reflection staring back at him. He felt the weight of the curse pressing down on him, and he knew he had to escape. He typed a message, his fingers trembling: "Help me!"

The Cursed Reflection's response was immediate. "It is too late for help, Liu Wei. You are now one of us."

Liu's world began to spin. He felt the ground beneath his feet giving way. He looked down and saw the twisted figure of himself, its eyes locked onto his. The Cursed Reflection was right. There was no help to be found. He was now part of the chatroom of the dead, forever trapped in a world where the living and the dead were intertwined.

The chatroom's glow faded, and Liu found himself in the dimly lit room of his apartment. He was alone, the weight of the curse still pressing down on him. He looked at the mirror on the wall and saw his own reflection, normal and unremarkable. But he knew that within that reflection lay a monster, waiting for the moment to break free.

Liu Wei's journey had just begun, and he was about to face the true horror of the Cursed Reflection.