Alter Ego [Karlnap]

ALTER EGO

3-4 Alter Ego

"Here at last," Karl spoke, seated on the surface of the desk, one leg crossed over the other.

"There's a book I'm interested in, but... I'm afraid to read it by myself," he placed his hand on the book in question, closed on the desk.

The book had an interesting design to it, it looked brand new, a teal swirl and flame designed on the front.

"It's a picture book, but it's strange... I can't take my eyes off it. If I try to read it alone, I may never leave this room again. I think this book could be dangerous for me. Yet, I need to read it to learn who I am," he breathed, Sapnap was intrigued.

"Would you... read it with me?" he shyly inquired.

Sapnap nodded, looking at the book with Karl.

"The cover reads... 'Alter Ego,' I think it's safe to assume that that's the title of this book," Karl opened the book to the first page.

Drawn on the page was a character with the same block hoodie as Karl, a sword holstered to his side, a book in his hand that looked eerily similar to the one Karl always seems to be reading over and over again. To the right was another man, white bandana tied around his head, black long sleeve shirt under a white t-shirt and a flame designed on the front, a sword of his own by his side.

"There are two characters in this story," Karl began, "one is a lost wanderer, the other is a boy acting as their guide. The wanderer, who has lost their way in the world, keeps on asking: 'who am I? What defines the world?'" he continued.

"The boy, who is guiding the poor wanderer, asks... 'who are you? What defines the world?' However, the boy in the hoodie simply doesn't realize, that he, himself, is the wanderer."

"Through his interactions with the wanderer, he finally realizes... he is..." he paused, "oh, my... the story just trails off after that. How do you think it might end?"

Sapnap smiled, he was being included as always.

"The boy continues searching, for himself, and the wanderer."

"Putting denial behind him, the boy continues on his travels," Karl read.

The page turned to show the hoodie boy and the wanderer holding hands, traveling down an empty path with sapphire butterflies fluttering around.

"See, there's more than one ending to the story. I don't have to reject either the world, or myself. It won't be easy to find the right answer... I'm still in the middle of my journey, after all," Karl closed the book and gave Sapnap a bright smile.

"I hope I can keep searching... together with you. Won't you take me along on your own journey? So that I can remain as myself. Thank you so much... for keeping me company all this time," Karl played with Sapnap's hand.

"I need a little time to work things out in my own mind. But come back soon, please," a squeeze.

Sapnap placed a chaste kiss against Karl's lips before returning to his spot in the library. He didn't hear the distant ticking of the clock.