One is better than two (Short story)

A friendly visit

4 pm Bacholod.

Isabel walks home after hanging with her friends, she was thinking about all that happened at school. People avoiding her, whispers would echo in the halls more often and eyes would always have a glance of fear from young Isabel.

"What did I do wrong?" she thought, the heat continued to wave down as stray dogs and cats walk through the sidewalk. Looking for food and shelter, the local strays were normally friendly and approachable  to Izzy but now all they can do is run from her.  As she passed another stray cat, instead of running ,it hissed angrily towards Isabel  she was hesitant for a moment until growls were heard in front.

The stray dogs (who are usually gentle giants) began to bark and growl, bearing their teeth out at Isabel. She slowly ignored them, as she contained her fear towards the dogs. "If you ignore them and don't show fear, they won't harm you" she said to herself, grandma would always remind her of how to deal with dogs and paranormal . But as she got closer they backed away in fear.

The dogs backed away as their ears dropped and instead of defensible and fierce growls, just soft and terrified whimpers came out of the dogs. Isabel couldn't believe it, it's not just her peers who fear her it's also the animals "Did I do something wrong?" she asked herself.

She continued her walk home as cars honked and people sell, to what felt like forever Isabel made it to her house. "My sisters are busy with their friends, dads at work and mom is out. Thank god".

Smells of alcohol filled the house, as a small group empty red horse and san miguel bottles on the table. But she wasn't bothered "Mom and dad were drinking again, I might go to grandma" she said. Isabel headed upstairs and into her room, she was tired of her parents abuse but she can't escape "I wish I never had this family" she wished. As she laid down on her bed, she closed her eyes for a few minutes.

Waking up, there was no light the sun was gone  "ugh, I slept for too long I did not do my homework" she sighed. She was about to move, but she was frozen like she is inside an ice cube and all of a sudden it was cold but all the nights she had were always hot and warm.

As Isabel was trying to think of what happened, a figure was at the end of her bed.

Because of the darkness, she couldn't see a thing but as the light of the moon slowly came into view. She was in shock, the figure slowly brought it self up and onto the bed while remaining eye contact Isabel.

Nothing prepared her to see this coming as she looked, at the doppelganger her grandmother warned her about. They were identical like twins with black hair, tan skin but instead of soft brown eyes, theirs were black leaking pits.

"W-who are you?" she stammered in fear, the doppelganger did not talk but chuckled quietly.

"What are you doing here?!" she questioned it, but it's chuckle turned into a maniacal laugh. "Why are you laughing?!" Isabel yelled, the thing continued now making malfunctioning movements that is no close to a human. It's voice like Izzys, but more rough and disfigured like a broken doll. Isabel couldn't take it so she screamed for help from anyone, she had never been so loud in her life the scream had a violent and fearful push.  She soon stopped but  no one came, not even a familiar voice.

She can't hold back her tears, and started to cry silently. As the doppelganger just stared.

"Let me in" a rough and raspy voice commanded, it came from the thing. "W-what?" Isabel said confusingly "I DON'T GET IT EITHER, SEEING ALL YOU MORTALS ALIVE, but I just want it!" the doppelganger talked in a continuous laugh.

"But, why would I let you in, and where even?!"she asked with fear holding her dry tongue.  "haha, of course it's my reward for helping" she chuckled once more, confused Isabel got serious "What did you do to get r-rewarded to let you into me?" she stuttered. "I just scared away your peers, those horrid, disgusting, rude, RETCHED, UNGRATEFUL, UNPREDICTABLE RATS!" 

Isabel, was confused she didn't know what she was talking about until.. "Yes I was the reason why those scared little mice scurried away, they just didn't want to talk to the big bad monster" the doppelganger taunted, which turned Isabel angry. "What. Have. You. Done?" she slowly asked, "I just gave them a few visits down the street and in nightmares sometimes on their beds just endlessly staring, some brave kids  they are well you can just tha-" "Why?" She interrupted what the thing was about to say, but this time she did not have fear but anger.

"Yes, but you hurt them and my reputation, my reputation with my family is already bad enough!" she scolded the doppelganger "ha, why would you care for your family, didn't you wish you weren't part of it?" The doppelganger taunted her.

"Well yes but-" "And you also wished that your peers will slowly fear you correct, I granted them, I have the power to get rid of anyone you desire just let me in it is my reward, my reward, my reward, MY REWARD, MY REWARD, MY REWARD" The doppelganger anger grew through Isabels rejection as the room became darker like she was closing her own eyes. Her rage became sudden fear, "NO, I AM NOT LETTING YOU IN JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" she yelled breaking her throat.

Scared she checked on the doppelganger and it went silent for a moment, Isabel almost began to cry again. "Fine then, if you refuse I'LL TAKE YOU MYSELF YOU UNGRATEFULL LITTLE RUNT!"

9 am Bacholod

Isabels mother went upstairs to wake her child with frustration, she stood in front of the door. "Hey, get up littl-" "good morning mother" Isabel held a smile wearing her school uniform, while her mom was in confusion. She seemed different today, but she noticed something. "Hey what is that s-" "I'll cook dinner now mum I won't bother you, in this life" she said with a smile, her mother suspicious but she just sat down. "You better be quick alright?" her mother asked "sure mother" the doppelganger grabbed the knife, ready for her first day.

End..