They started back the way they had come, and this time Carlton saw the panels move: as they moved back to the spot where they had come in, a panel swung toward them, cutting off their path. A second later, another panel swung away, opening a new corridor. Marla hesitated, and Carlton stepped up beside her. “No choice, let’s go,” he said. She nodded, and they walked deeper into the maze.

As soon as they had crossed the new threshold, the panel swung shut. They looked around for the new opening, but there was none: they were enclosed on all sides by mirrors. Carlton walked the small perimeter quickly, beginning to panic.

“Carlton, just wait, another one will open,” Marla whispered.

“I kn-ow you’re in h-ere.” An unfamiliar voice rang out. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, echoing like it was bouncing from panel to panel. The sound was mechanical, glitching out midword. They exchanged a glance: Marla’s face was pale with fear.

“There!” Carlton pointed. A panel had opened while they were distracted. He rushed for it, and walked into a mirror, smacking his head on the glass. “Ow.”

“It’s there,” Marla hissed, pointing to the opposite side of the enclosure.

The panel began to swing shut, closing the room off again.

“I’ll f-ind you …” The glitching voice had a strange, unsteady tone.

“Carlton!” Marla stood in the gap, holding out a hand, and he ran for her, both of them making it through just as the panel rotated back to its position.

“What were you going to do, stand there and let it crush you?” Carlton hissed.

“I hadn’t considered we could get caught between the panels. This place is just asking for a lawsuit.” Marla straightened herself. “It’s been a lovely evening, but I think I’d like you to take me home now,” she said calmly.

“Take you home? Take me home!” Carlton said before pausing to listen.

“I know j-ust where you a-re …”

They were in a hallway again, this one with two corners to choose from. They exchanged a grim look and turned to the left, moving slowly. Carlton kept his eyes on Marla’s shoes ahead of him, trying not to look at the walls on either side, where ranks of their duplicates marched silently beside them, misshapen and warped in the mirrors, then, occasionally, appearing normal. When they reached the corner, something flashed in the corner of his eye, a reflection of a reflection of giant eyes, staring at them. Carlton grabbed Marla’s shoulder.

“Over there!” She shuddered.

“I saw it, too.”

“Come on, go, go, go,” Marla whispered. “Just follow me. Stay calm; remember, nothing can see us.”

“I’m getting clo-ser …” The mechanical voice echoed through the chamber.