0 0 2 ━ [ 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯 ]

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟹𝟶: 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕

The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, momentarily casting deep, dark shadows across Alternate James' face that accentuated his unnerving smile and hungry eyes. 

"Well, he's a handsome devil," James remarked, his voice echoing in Sarah's head. She shot him a sharp glance which Alternate James and Alternate Sarah tracked with confusion to empty air.

"Fascinating," Alternate James commented, his attention once more returning to Sarah. He folded his hands behind his back and took a step closer to study her better. "So very, very fascinating...Am I correct in assuming that you're from an alternate universe?"

Sarah's mouth was too dry to speak so she gave a slow nod in response.

Alternate Sarah's head cocked in confusion at this. "You traveled here through a portal?"

"Yes," Sarah answered, finally finding her voice. Despite her nerves in the moment, a smug smile tugged at her lips and her eyebrow arched in contempt. "Can't do that yet?"

Alternate Sarah's eyes narrowed, a red tinge coating her cheeks.

"Tell me..." Alternate James continued, taking control of the lull in the conversation. Alternate Sarah shifted uncomfortably at his side, still stewing in her own anger. "What is your universe like?"

"Well, for starters, you're dead," Sarah answered and a deep frown appeared on Alternate James' face. "And just like it would appear in this universe, you were a megalomaniac."

"Rude."

"The work we do here is important," Alternate Sarah seethed, clutching the clipboard tightly to her chest.

Sarah's lip curled in disgust and her fists clenched tightly at her sides, a blue glow emanating from them that sent her hairs on end and the air bristling with electricity. "You sound like Brenner."

"Brenner wasn't wrong." The energy amplified as Alternate Sarah's hands also glowed blue.

"That's enough," Alternate James snapped, stepping between the two before the situation could escalate any farther. Almost immediately, the current rippling between Alternate Sarah's fingers diminished and she hung her head in defeat, her face a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Alternate James had used his abilities to make her stop.