Warning

Roy had seen the thing in action (had beheld its malevolent power) and was having exactly none of that sorry business anymore. "I'm on to you," he hissed, "so you just mind yourself and keep those lies and judgments in check. You pop off even one time ... you plant some crappy seed of doubt in anybody's mind ... and I will not hold back. You'll be common rubbish then, my friend, and don't think I'll feel guilty for one second. You get me?" There was no response. "Good! Excellent!" Roy grinned. "That's the idea. Not a peep outta you any more ... and I mean it." Debbie came out of the bedroom dressed for dinner, met him in the hallway, and gazed into the mirror. "I don't know ... is this hanging right?" she hesitated, looking at her reflection and feeling uncertain. "You look AMAZING," Roy whispered, and she smiled; to the mirror, he mouthed, "SHARDS" and narrowed his eyes. "Well, honestly, it is what it is," Debbie laughed, "and it's good enough. Let's go." They moved to the front door, which Roy opened for her; looking back into the hallway, he made eye contact with the mirror once again and nodded.