9 Minutes

4 Minutes

Zach's POV

I felt dizzy and got up to get some water. It's 11:30 pm as I checked my phone. I don't know what just happened, but the last thing I remember is picking up something.

Ellis is still asleep, and as I touch him, he feels hot. I wonder if he has a fever. I try to wake him up, but I decide to let him rest, knowing he's a workaholic. I've warned him about prioritizing his health.

He's a philosophy teacher at Maryland Academy, where we first met. Fate originally planned for him to teach at Ohio Academy, but he didn't pass the first licensure exam. So, he tried again and ended up at Maryland Academy.

Afterwards, I continue to sleep...

Sigh. Heavy sigh. I can't see anything! What place is this? Am I dreaming?

"Yes, you are, honey!" someone says.

"Who are you!? Why am I here? Let me see you."

Then someone appears...

"Honey! It's me, Ellis. Don't be afraid!" a doppelganger of Ellis states.

"Ellis!? Is that really you? Why are we here? It's so dark," I say.

"Yeah, it is really dark. Also, thanks for picking me. You literally know me very well," the doppelganger of Ellis smirks.

Somethings wrong!? the doppelganger ask.

"No, it's just weird here. I'm worried," I state.

"We're here because you chose me. We're in your precious mind, and I'm gonna go back to your best memories," the doppelganger says.

"But why? You and I know our experiences together, right?" I question.

"Yeah, but I just want to be there again. Please open the door to your best memories for me, honey!" the doppelganger begs.

Ellis' POV

Crying in darkness.

Oh no, what have I done? I created a doppelganger and tried to ruin us. I should blame myself. I don't know what I'm gonna do. I'm sobbing.

Fate appears...

"No, you know what you're gonna do! You're just afraid to make mistakes again. Life is nothing without challenges; life isn't just about good deeds. It also includes the bad deeds we do, and from those bad experiences, there's a lesson. A person becomes stronger and better than yesterday.

Remember, you are the most powerful in the underworld of your mind. No matter what struggles there are, it's on you how you handle every situation. Fate is a result of every choice you make. Do what's right, and fate will be there."

Fate disappears again. Yeah, I know what I'm gonna do. The doppelganger said he will go to Zach's mind and ruin our best memories. I'm not gonna allow that. I should find Zach...

Zach's POV

Yeah, but how can I open the door to my best memories? I ask.

"Just close your eyes, remember those memories, and allow me to enter your mind," the doppelganger says.

I gently close my eyes, remembering those memories with Ellis. The doppelganger of Ellis enters my mind. The memories start to fade away through darkness.

"Huh? Why are my memories getting dark?" I question.

"It's okay, don't be afraid because that's how your mind works," the doppelganger smirks.

"Zach, Zach, where are you?" someone's talking in darkness. "Zach, it's a doppelganger of me. Don't let it enter your mind."

"I'm here, Ellis. Please find me! It's getting dark in my memories."