A Slanted Look

A narrow glint caught my eye from beyond the edge of the board. I crept past a pair of discarded wooden dice and found a small brass mirror propped against a stack of thick envelopes. I froze for a moment... watching the still glass. Taking half a step closer, I tilted slightly. In the polished oval, my divided face appeared, split down the center by a sharp angle of afternoon light. I reached out and gently nudged the hinged brass rim. The reflection tilted slowly upward, catching the ceiling's calm shadow instead. It felt quiet... and safe to step back.