I'm still not entirely satisfied with this, but I wanted to put it up anyways. This was inspired by Erraday and ninjagobro on tumblr.
The man in the mirror stares back at me, wonder filling his eyes. I blink. Tentatively, I raise my hand. The stranger copies the action. I wave it in a circle; our motions are in perfect sync. I laugh in not-quite-belief and it comes out as a sharp sigh.
I'm older. It's me.
I grip the edge of the sink, my breaths accelerating. I'm older. I'm an adult. My smile wavers, and the man -man- in the mirror reflects it. Man, not boy, not child. For a split second, I can see the burden of everything on my shoulders. Tears prick in the corners of my eyes. I am the green ninja. I am destined to kill my father.
It's me!
I cover my eyes with my hand. Come on Lloyd, get it together! Everything depends on you! My head hurts. I slide to the floor, muffling sobs. I can't do this! I'm not an adult, I'm nine! Why did I have to be the green ninja? I never wanted this!
I breathe, making an effort to slow my pulse. Crying is for babies, Lloyd! You're an adult now!
The fate of the world rests on my shoulders, I tell myself. You have to be strong. You are strong. How many times will I repeat that? How many times until it actually works? How many times until I believe it?
"Lloyd? Lloyd, where are you?"
Kai's voice breaks into my head, a welcome change from my suffocating thoughts. I scramble to my feet.
"Coming, Kai!"
I wipe my face and dry my tears, grateful for this distraction, however small it was. Any distractions were good. All distractions are good. I move to the door, and right before I leave, I glance back to the man in the mirror. And then I turn away, dimming the lights.
It's me.