My skin prickled with a chill as I ventured through the vast forest, shrouded in an eerie fog that swallowed everything in sight.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiDdaLrXPX
"Hello!" I called out, my voice echoing into the dense silence, but receiving no reply, just the eerie silence.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3fpllNCSK
Questions swirled in my mind like leaves in the wind—how did I get here, where was I, and why on earth was I stark naked?
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf4Y0gN5od
Taking a tentative step forward, my legs felt like they might give way beneath me, weak and unsteady.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZN82ueRCP
Clutching onto a nearby tree for support, a shiver ran down my spine as the forest came alive with the sound of rustling leaves, snapping twigs, and hurried footsteps, signaling I wasn't alone.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zatCnuF8U
"Whose there?" I blurted out, whipping my head around to catch whoever was lurking nearby.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZuft47MFh
The fear crept in as the noises alternated between ominously close and eerily distant, like a game of hide-and-seek gone terribly wrong.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpq2HLdHrd
I couldn't decipher if I was a player in some twisted game or moments away from becoming the latest victim of this creepy forest.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlATPmPSri3
"Ah, crap!" I exclaimed, legs pumping as I sprinted through the foliage, heart pounding louder than the sounds trailing me.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBYZX4j4xi
Ignoring the unsettling symphony echoing behind me, I focused on one thing, getting the heck out of here.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Ps8LhOaB
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkrpPbK57U
Gasping for breath, I ducked behind a tree, hoping against hope that I was effectively concealed, although I couldn't pinpoint the source of those haunting noises.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoE79Hk5zL
"Can't you just leave me alone?" I pleaded, knowing full well my hiding spot was compromised the moment the words left my lips.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapSsc9XPk0
And then, silence fell like a heavy blanket, leaving me to wonder if I was truly alone or if something sinister lurked just beyond my sight.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkMOi0ISig
I took cautious steps forward, every nerve on high alert, my senses heightened to the max. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupoJuMnBoG
Turning in every direction, I scanned the surroundings, but there was nothing but trees and shadows. "Maybe I lost them," I muttered to myself, trying to reassure my frazzled nerves.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgVVyA29Bx
Just as I turned back around, I came face to face with my creepy doppelgänger. "You?" I gasped, my jaw dropping in disbelief. "You look like me."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA4FmQ0qam
Staring back at me with closed eyes, the doppelgänger stood there unabashedly naked, a mirror image of myself, albeit without a shred of modesty.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIGrEyKMmZ
"How is this possible?" I stammered, racking my brain for any logical explanation that didn't involve me having an identical twin.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX34zgPwVN
The doppelgänger remained silent, instead lifting his face slightly, sniffing the air like a curious animal. Then, with an unsettling smile, he spoke, "We finally meet," his voice sending shivers down my spine.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVkJiUQzI2
"Tell me," the doppelgänger said, advancing towards me with an unsettling confidence. "Is it I that look like you, or is it you that look like me?" His voice boomed, echoing through the silent forest, while his eyes glowed a menacing yellow.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT7wdCUgL3
Frozen in terror, I struggled to even breathe, let alone formulate a response, as those glowing eyes bore into my soul.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S8v4ZzfjI
"Which one of us is real, and which one is the fake?" the clone taunted, his smile stretching unnaturally wide, revealing rows of pointed, sharp teeth.109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ7PKVIOnN
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl70tZ1Qcw
"Shit," I gasped, panic coursing through my veins as I stumbled over my own feet, crashing to the ground in a tangled mess.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwYH2JGi5z
With a chilling nonchalance, the clone turned his back on me, sauntering away into the darkness. "Well, I guess such things don't matter," he mused, his voice fading into the night. "All that matters is that you enjoy your life, make the most out of every moment."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPoodqAuIQ
My heart hammered in my chest as his final words echoed in my ears. "Because one day, your body will be mine."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2SHFovwkO
"What do you mean?" I managed to choke out, my vision blurring as dizziness overwhelmed me. With one last desperate effort, I reached out, but it was too late. Darkness consumed me, and I surrendered to unconsciousness, unsure if I would ever awaken again.
***
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM7uhD98F6
I opened my eyes to the sterile surroundings of a hospital room, the harsh light filtering through the window stinging my eyes. Slowly, I pushed myself upright, taking in my surroundings with a mix of confusion and grogginess.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCYDQ0c7Gf
"You're up," came a familiar voice, and I turned to see my mother sitting beside me, her face a mix of relief and worry.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDwu8A31Fc
"What happened?" I croaked, my throat dry and scratchy.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdQPtW9Tod
"You collapsed on the street," my mom replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "You've been unconscious for three days. Thank God you're awake."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QcZucOhvE
I let her pull me into a hug, feeling a sense of safety and warmth wash over me despite the confusion swirling in my mind.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi2Ye4XcYJ
As I rested in her embrace, my gaze drifted to my right hand, which was swathed in bandages. Memories of the small vial and the person who collided with me on the street flashed through my mind.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHoarF6lz2
At least my hand didn't hurt, I thought, trying to find a silver lining in the midst of the chaos.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrTD0Ta5Bv
After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally made his appearance, clipboard in hand, ready to assess my condition.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWAVMpmE2m
To be honest, I felt perfectly fine, better than fine even. In fact, before the doctor arrived, I sneaked a peek in the bathroom mirror and was astounded to find my body transformed, muscles rippling and abs chiseled like never before. Talk about the perks of beauty sleep!
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzG62MvL6A
"So," the doctor began, scanning through my chart, "it would appear that everything looks to be in order."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJzddVMU2W
My mom, ever the concerned parent, wasted no time in pressing for answers. "What about my son's loss of consciousness? Do you have any idea why that happened?"
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeB7XT6B3g4
Setting aside his clipboard, the doctor met my mom's gaze with a thoughtful expression. "Well, we believe it was caused by the cut on Leyton's hand. Probably some kind of infection that required your son's body to divert all its resources to fight it off. Essentially, his body went into hibernation mode to conserve energy and focus on healing."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyeKDXw4Pw
After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally made his appearance, clipboard in hand, ready to assess my condition.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlQ0cqdn5N
To be honest, I felt perfectly fine, better than fine even. In fact, before the doctor arrived, I sneaked a peek in the bathroom mirror and was astounded to find my body transformed, muscles rippling and abs chiseled like never before. Talk about the perks of beauty sleep!
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxd9moy37y
"So," the doctor began, scanning through my chart, "it would appear that everything looks to be in order."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TDuWJhvir
My mom, ever the concerned parent, wasted no time in pressing for answers. "What about my son's loss of consciousness? Do you have any idea why that happened?"
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN2p0kZsbH
Setting aside his clipboard, the doctor met my mom's gaze with a thoughtful expression. "Well, we believe it was caused by the cut on Leyton's hand. Probably some kind of infection that required your son's body to divert all its resources to fight it off. Essentially, his body went into hibernation mode to conserve energy and focus on healing."
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzLvVngVqt
My mom's expression softened with understanding, and she reached out to squeeze my hand reassuringly. It was a relief to finally have some answers, even if the explanation seemed a bit surreal.
***
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgQR1tXO9j
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.224da2
然後按「加至主畫面」