𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

DOPPELGANGER

***

It was never been easy living alone but I have no choice but to leave that house which was already owned by the second family of my dad. Since my younger sister and my mom died, I feel like I did not belong to that family anymore. My dad hates me and his wife hates me more. Instead of suffering in that house that doesn't feel like home, I left and went to a place, a house that my mom bought me 2 years before she died. It’s still the same. The smell and the milieu. I’m glad that the housekeeper maintains its structure and neatness. However, the ambiance was not the same as before for I can no longer hear the laughter of my sister and the lullabies of my mom. How I wish they were here.

It was 5:00 in the afternoon and I was supposed to meet my friends but it was raining cats and dogs, and I suddenly feel like staying at home, so I just informed them that I cannot meet them. I went directly into my room and rolled myself in a blanket. Geez, so cold.

---

I was startled by the bark of my dog and shook my head. Ugh, it hurts. I headed to the kitchen when I suddenly feel hungry. I looked at the clock and it was midnight, did I sleep that long?

I was preparing food for my dog when I heard the piano playing upstairs. I went to the room where it was stored and got surprised to see it open.

“Hello there?” I heard no answer, so with confusion, I just closed it and close the door. I was just taking three steps down the stairs when I heard it playing again. I entered the room and closed it again. I inhaled when I feel something odd and strange, I’m having goosebumps but I don’t mind it.

I’m facing the door and was about to leave when it played again. I turned around disgustedly and my eyes widened to what I am seeing right now.

I know how to play piano but my sister’s more fond of doing it. And right now, I am looking at someone who has the same color as my hair, has the same color of my dress, the ways she moves, and her posture—but she was not my sister.

I gasped when she turned her gaze at me, looked directly into my eyes, and smiled creepily.

“My doppelganger”