The morning sun streamed through the gaps in the old temple's trees, scattering golden light onto the stone pathway. Dew clung to the leaves, shimmering like tiny stars before dripping to the ground. Birds chirped in harmony, their melodies blending with the soft rustle of wind carrying the scent of sandalwood from within the temple.
The temple itself wasn't eerie. On the contrary, it exuded warmth, a quiet sanctuary untouched by time. The wooden walls, worn by years of devotion, still stood firm, polished by countless hands that had cared for them. The silk curtains at the entrance swayed gently, greeting the day with a serenity that only sacred places could hold.
Yet, inside the temple, peace was nowhere to be found.
"Jun-Jun! How long are you planning to stay in your room?!"
The sharp voice of Wei Jun's mother rang from the kitchen, piercing through the stillness like a dagger. "Do I need to summon a ghost to drag you out?!"
At that, Bao Bao, the small yet fiercely loyal dog, bolted from the hallway. His fluffy body shot across the wooden floor like an arrow, his tiny paws skidding as he came to a stop near the kitchen. He puffed out his chest, his round eyes glinting with defiance as he barked at Wei Jun's mother.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" (How dare you yell at my master?!)
"Woof, woof, woof! WOOF!" (I swear I'll bite you! Watch yourself, old woman!)
Wei Jun's mother, unfazed, calmly set a steaming bowl of soup on the dining table. She placed one hand on her hip and pointed at the little dog, her lips twitching in amusement.
"Oh, you're mad now?" she teased. "Keep yapping like that, and I might just put you in the pot for dinner."
Bao Bao froze. His tail tucked between his legs, his ears drooped, and his once-brave eyes filled with horror.
Seeing his reaction, Wei Jun's mother burst into laughter and crouched down, giving Bao Bao a playful pat on the head. "Relax, Bao Bao. No one's eating you."
Bao Bao hesitated, staring at her, then his tail gave a tentative wag. "Woof?" (Really?)
"For now," she added, her smile widening.
Bao Bao whimpered. The woman was terrifying.
She stood up, grabbing a piece of tender meat from the plate and tossing it to Bao Bao. "Here. If you want another piece, go drag your master to the table."
The little dog caught the meat mid-air, his ears perking up. "Woof, woof!" (On it, Your Majesty!)
With newfound determination, Bao Bao darted back toward Wei Jun's room.
---
Inside his room, Wei Jun was buttoning his shirt, his dark hair still slightly damp from his morning wash. He had, of course, heard his mother shouting, but years of experience had taught him that responding would only prolong the yelling. He had grown accustomed to it. Besides, their home was far enough from the village that no one else had to witness his family's peculiar brand of morning chaos.
Well, except for the ghosts lurking around the temple. But they were probably used to it by now too.
As he adjusted his cuffs, the door creaked open. Bao Bao stormed in like a knight charging into battle. The dog wasted no time—he clamped his tiny jaws onto Wei Jun's pant leg and started tugging with all his might.
Wei Jun barely spared him a glance. "Not now, Bao Bao."
Bao Bao growled, shaking the fabric aggressively.
Wei Jun sighed. "I said, not—hey! Stop that!"
The little dog didn't listen. If anything, he doubled his efforts, determined to complete his mission.
Annoyed, Wei Jun finally looked down and pointed a stern finger at Bao Bao. "If you rip my pants, there's no walk for you this week."
Bao Bao instantly let go. His ears flattened, his body pressed low against the floor in submission. If he had been able to speak, he would've probably wailed, Why is life so unfair to dogs?!
Wei Jun shook his head, smirking slightly. He turned away, ready to fix his collar, when his eyes landed on the mirror across the room.
And that was when he saw it.
Not his reflection.
Not his own face.
But its face.
A pale figure. Long, matted black hair draping over hollow shoulders. Its eyes was deep, dark, and empty, staring straight at him through the glass.
His blood turned to ice.
"What the—?!"
He stumbled back, his heart hammering. His foot caught on Bao Bao, and in an instant, both man and dog went crashing onto the floor.
Bao Bao yelped. "Woof! Woof!" (What the hell, man?)
But before he could scold his master, Bao Bao's fur bristled. His tiny nose twitched. A cold, sinister presence slithered through the air, making his instincts scream.
Slowly, he turned his gaze to the mirror.
And he saw it too.
The figure.
Motionless. Expressionless. Watching.
Bao Bao didn't hesitate. He sprang to his feet, barking furiously, his small body trembling with rage rather than fear.
"Woof, woof, woof!" (Stay away from my human, you creepy bastard!)
Then—just as suddenly as it had appeared—the figure vanished.
Wei Jun blinked. His breath came in uneven gasps as he dragged his eyes back to the mirror. His own reflection stared back at him. Just himself.
Nothing else.
The eerie stillness stretched on for a few seconds before Bao Bao, still on high alert, turned to his master and whined.
"Woof, woof?" (You okay?)
Wei Jun exhaled, running a hand through his hair. His pulse was still erratic, but as Bao Bao nuzzled against him, he found himself calming down.
A shaky laugh escaped his lips. He scratched the little dog's ears, murmuring, "Yeah … I'm okay, buddy."
But deep down, he wasn't entirely sure.
Because as he looked back at the mirror one last time …
For the briefest moment, he could've sworn he saw something lingering in the reflection.
Something that shouldn't have been there.