Between Realities

A suspicious stranger? Hello!

({F}emale) Dopple POV:

"Hmmmm... That's strange..." I murmured, confused.

"Huh? What is?" Gänger asked, her face shadowed by her orange-with-

yellow-splotches hoodie. I could just make out her green-ish blue eyes, and her half-heart necklace with the letter "G" on it sparkled slightly in the moonlight.

"Weren't we-... weren't we just in our house? I was making my special stew just a few moments ago, but now we're in the woods..."

"What are you talking about? We've been here wandering all night. Are you okay?" Gänger's eyes flashed with a short sign of worry. That was even stranger. Gänger never worried. She's the tough one- nothing could scare her. And yet here we were.

"All night? But- but-..." I stood there, dumbfounded. That's impossible! I wanted to yell. But my voice caught in my throat.

"Dopple, that's the third time within the last fifteen minutes you've said that. Your little 'daydream world' isn't real." Gänger's concern turned to a not-so-subtle disappointment.

I hated the I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed look she always seemed to give me. It's not my fault that I'm confused! I wanted to say. But was that really true? I always seemed to fall into a daydream... but it seemed to feel so real every time. I sighed.

We continued walking through the forest, birch trees surrounding us. Their black-spotted white bark always made me uncomfortable- like someone was standing right in front of me, but I had no idea. Don't worry, Dopple. It's all just in your head.

A sudden flash of lightning appeared to our right, and I yelped, crouching with a backwards step in surprise. Gänger crouched as well, meeting me at my side. Lightning continued to flash until, very suddenly, a figure appeared, and the crashing died down. He had brown hair, and he wore a long-sleeved green shirt with blue jeans. He had a green and blue patch shaped like a world, and a menacing-looking sword with a clock on it was holstered at his back. The most note-worthy thing, though, was that he wore a covering over his eyes. Strange... I thought to myself as he faced my sister and I. I was the first to speak.

"Hi there! I'm Dopple!" I gave the stranger a friendly smile, though I doubt they could see it.

The stranger was taken aback, and he seemed to stare us down- although, I couldn't tell. You know, considering I couldn't see his eyes. Gänger, unlike me, seemed considerably more cautious, staying back as I uncrouched.

"Who-... who are you?" the stranger asked, his voice lined with curiosity, but something else. I believe he was somewhat threatening me, but I ignored it.

"Uhh, Dopple. You know, like I said? Whatever- this is my sister, Gänger." I gestured to my left. "And you are?"

"Who I am is none of your business," the stranger said with a dangerous tone. This made Gänger finally speak up.

"But who we are is your business?" she said with a more-than-a-little-sassy tone. "We asked who you are, so answer."

Once again, the stranger was taken aback. But this time was different. This time he gave a laugh. An unnerving, somewhat psychotic laugh. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I saw Gänger glance at me out of the corner of my eye. I wouldn't show it, though. I would never show my fear in a million years.

"I'm Sabre," the stranger said at last.

Sabre. Sabre. Sabre. His name echoed through my mind, and I suddenly felt calm. But why? This "Sabre" person was definitely not the friendly "I'd love to try your stew" kind of guy. He seemed kinda crazy, and, even though I couldn't see his eyes, I could tell that there was probably a psychotic look to them. But even then, I still felt a strange calmness. Was there something wrong with me? Was he doing this? Or was there something even stranger happening here? I couldn't put my finger on it, but something about him felt... familiar. He was there, remember? He was always there... something echoed through my mind. But there was no way. I couldn't know this guy. Could I?

"Well, it's nice to meet you!" I said in an optimistic tone. Gänger gave me another glance, and I could tell that something about him made her uncomfortable. But what?