As I strolled down the street, each step seemed to send jolts of sensation through the soles of my feet, making me feel strangely hyperaware of the ground beneath me. The air against my skin felt off, like it was prickling with discomfort.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYtKn4DQVP
"At least my hearing's back to normal," I muttered to myself, sliding both hands into my pockets as I continued towards school.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljENGf2RuF
With every ounce of hope I could muster, I prayed that all the bizarre events were finally behind me. No more encounters with weirdos carrying mysterious vials, no more cuts on my hand from random collisions.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6bxCKBTRT
And please, no more encounters with creepy doppelgängers threatening my life. But deep down, I knew it was probably wishful thinking.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bXTiguCvO
"Hey, boss," came the familiar call, and I reluctantly turned to see my boys hustling toward me.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpeK1MpDvK
"Morning, boys," I greeted, forcing a smile. "Late as usual, I see. Good to know some things never change."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJCHjaLWJJ
"Boss!" Benny exclaimed, enveloping me in a tight hug.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35dHamsQId
"What the hell?" I grumbled inwardly, fighting the urge to deck him in the face.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2xUSqThMs
"We heard you were in the hospital, boss," Benny said, his eyes glistening with tears. "We were so worried. Never leave us again, boss."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcW3NNVeDB
I wished I could say I was touched by Benny's heartfelt words, or Jim's and the rest of the gang's concern. But honestly, it just creeped me out.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKfFpnS5sS
"Alright, alright," I grumbled, pushing Benny away to catch my breath. "I'm fine, so don't get all clingy on me."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPKdPTCxej
"Leyton," Charlie spoke up, his arms folded across his chest. "We were genuinely concerned."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpDIM5iJyp
"Since when are you my mother?" I shot back, turning to resume my walk.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7aYA26nzL
As the world seemed to drain of color and freeze, my heart pounded with dread, and I halted in my tracks at the chilling voice echoing in my mind.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVjfH5l4Yo
Slowly turning, I faced the source of the disturbance, and there he stood, grinning like a nightmare come to life, his arm slung casually around Charlie's shoulder.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY9h9Z3rrN
"You..." I uttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNP8ee794B
The doppelgänger's sharp, yellow eyes flicked towards Charlie as it spoke, disdain dripping from every word. "Pathetic, isn't it? These feeble creatures dare to worry about us, their superiors."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf9X49DzBY
"Get your hands off him!" I shouted, trying to mask the quiver in my voice.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0PSg4ytIi
With a smirk that sent shivers down my spine, the doppelgänger turned its attention back to me. "How can I resist?" it taunted, inching closer to Charlie, its mouth grotesquely widening until it seemed capable of swallowing a human whole.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mTzDKzXjI
In a sickening display, its jaw dislocated and its skin tore apart, revealing a gaping maw ready to consume Charlie's head. My mind raced, adrenaline surging through my veins as I braced myself for something I really didn't want to see. 128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI9wX8Ra2j
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqOrP3Inm2
"Stop!" I bellowed, charging forward with every intention of decking my doppelgänger in its grotesque face.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkQyrjK7tr
But as I closed the distance, reality began to shift back into place. Colors returned to the landscape, and my evil twin dissolved before my eyes, leaving behind the bewildered face of my friend Charlie, now returned to normal.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66cqPCwQbv
"Boss?" Charlie exclaimed, confusion etched on his features.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklRNONLTRX
"Uh-oh," I muttered, realizing I couldn't halt my momentum.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cxPVqueOO
With a crash, I collided with Charlie, and we both tumbled to the ground, limbs entangled.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5uRVAPIKy
Groaning, I pushed myself upright, my hands inadvertently landing on something soft and yielding. Opening my eyes, I found myself pressing down on Charlie's stomach, his expression dazed and barely coherent.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDeaYpn5JF
"Uh, sorry," I muttered, scrambling to my feet. "You alright, buddy?" I asked, receiving no response. "Guess not."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK8oH9EPpV
***
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDCux4etzh
"Are you sure you're okay, Boss?" Charlie trailed behind me, his tone laced with concern.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdBAbK4Ohn
"For the hundredth time, I'm fine," I snapped, rolling my eyes. "Ask me again, and you'll get a punch with your name on it."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpT8orhiSp
"No thanks," Charlie muttered, his irritation palpable. "You tackling me to the ground is enough for one day. And can you tell me again why you decided to give me the biggest bruise?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxUbwu6lrl
I hesitated, scratching my head as I searched for a plausible explanation. "I was just testing your reflexes," I declared, straightening up and pointing a finger at the boys. "And let me tell you, you all failed."
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJem6l46TSi
"Failed?" they echoed in unison.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwg2GCEYqY
"Yep, failed," I reiterated, adopting a know-it-all demeanor. "You've gotta keep your guard up at all times, never let it down. To do otherwise is just asking for trouble, got it?" I barked.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPCyuc8x7N
"Yes, sir!" they chorused obediently.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtiSP71fAQ
"Good," I thought, relieved that my little ruse seemed to have worked. But a glance at Charlie told me he wasn't buying it. Stubborn bastard.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSLd7o3tZR
It took only a few moments to get to class, and just like always, the teacher scolded us before allowing us to take our seats.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMNALdJdVf
I sat down at my desk, hoping for a moment of peace, but that hope was quickly shattered by the most annoying voice.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJE4BE7ysS
"You smell," came the taunt from beside me, and I turned to see Hazel glaring at me as if she held some kind of grudge.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx90E0rqEt
"Excuse me?" I said, feeling my anger rising.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyPdeUlzsm
"You stink," she repeated, her eyes twitching with anger.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yb3hIo4ZZ
I couldn't fathom why she was trying to start something with me. Usually, I was the instigator, but today, it seemed, she had taken the lead.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MtkGZ72gh
"You want to start something, Hunt?" I whispered, the tension crackling between us.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNUB01Hc2K
Hazel said nothing, her gaze sharp as if she were truly ready to throw down..
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlM773gFZk
"Excuse me, am I interrupting your little discussion?" Ms. Gamble's voice cut through the tension, pulling my attention away from Hazel.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmgXWn8Ylb
I shifted my gaze to the left, where Ms. Gamble stood, her stern expression bearing down on us. "First you're late, Mr. Norton, and now you're disrupting my class?" she scolded, her eyes flicking to Hazel. "And you, Hunt. Do you really think it's wise to cause trouble this early into your transfer?"
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLFeQZoEf7
"Sorry, ma'am," Hunt muttered sheepishly.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwl48vxRMn
"Detention for both of you," Ms. Gamble declared before returning to her lesson.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2LyWaTtOb
"Dammit," I cursed under my breath, shooting a glance at Hazel, who was still glaring at me. But something about her seemed off. Maybe it was the glare from the sun shining through the window, but her eyes appeared to be glowing yellow.
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw16oTH8ZoJ
I blinked, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling creeping over me. Surely, my mind was just playing tricks on me. Hazel's eyes couldn't actually be glowing yellow, could they?
***
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxEeBg2R9x
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.217.39da2
and then Add to home screen.