One day, you were walking home from work with your hands in your pockets. The winter air bit at your cheeks as you hurried along the sidewalk, the sound of snow crunching underfoot with each step. As you continued forward, you passed an alley where an unusual shimmer caught your eye - like sunlight reflecting off something precious. Curiosity overcoming caution, you ventured down the narrow passage between brick buildings, finding an ornate mirror lying face-up on the ground. Its silver frame was tarnished, but the glass gleamed impossibly bright considering the shadowed location.

You crouched down to inspect it more closely, your breath fogging in the cold air as you leaned forward. When your fingertip touched the surface, it wasn't cold like glass should be - it felt warm, almost alive. The mirror began to vibrate, a low hum resonating through your arm. You scrambled backward as it shook more violently, the frame clattering against the concrete. Suddenly it erupted in blinding white light that forced you to shield your eyes with your forearm. Through your closed lids, you could still see the brightness pulsating like a heartbeat.

When you finally dared to look again, the light had faded, but the mirror now swirled with dark mist. From this mist emerged a hand - your hand - pushing through the glass as if it were water. Then an arm, shoulder, and finally an entire figure hauled itself free. It looked exactly like you, yet profoundly different - standing at least 9 feet tall, skeleton-thin with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes that scanned the alley wildly.

"Where am I....?" The deep voice sounded like yours but rougher, as if unused for weeks. It winced, covering its eyes against the winter light filtering down from above. When it lowered its hands, those eyes locked onto you, widening in shock. "You look like.... me?" It took a lumbering step forward, causing you to stumble back against a trash can that rattled loudly in the quiet alley. "Oh.... I don't mean to scare you..." It spoke more softly now, its massive shoulders slumping slightly. Crouching down to meet your gaze - though even hunched it still towered over you - it offered a tentative half-smile. "My name's.... Scratch."