I used to be quite content with living life as your classic schoolyard bully, you know, taking what I wanted and always being the strong one tormenting the weaker ones. I thought I was the perfect guy, don't You think so? But all that changed when I...
As I strolled down the street, each step seemed to send jolts of sensation through the soles of my feet, making me feel strangely hyperaware of the ground beneath me. The air against my skin felt off, like it was prickling with discomfort.
"At least my hearing's back to normal," I muttered to myself, sliding both hands into my pockets as I continued towards school.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
With every ounce of hope I could muster, I prayed that all the bizarre events were finally behind me. No more encounters with weirdos carrying mysterious vials, no more cuts on my hand from random collisions.
And please, no more encounters with creepy doppelgängers threatening my life. But deep down, I knew it was probably wishful thinking.
"Hey, boss," came the familiar call, and I reluctantly turned to see my boys hustling toward me.
"Morning, boys," I greeted, forcing a smile. "Late as usual, I see. Good to know some things never change."
"Boss!" Benny exclaimed, enveloping me in a tight hug.
"What the hell?" I grumbled inwardly, fighting the urge to deck him in the face.
"We heard you were in the hospital, boss," Benny said, his eyes glistening with tears. "We were so worried. Never leave us again, boss."
I wished I could say I was touched by Benny's heartfelt words, or Jim's and the rest of the gang's concern. But honestly, it just creeped me out.
"Alright, alright," I grumbled, pushing Benny away to catch my breath. "I'm fine, so don't get all clingy on me."
"Leyton," Charlie spoke up, his arms folded across his chest. "We were genuinely concerned."
"Since when are you my mother?" I shot back, turning to resume my walk.
As the world seemed to drain of color and freeze, my heart pounded with dread, and I halted in my tracks at the chilling voice echoing in my mind.
Slowly turning, I faced the source of the disturbance, and there he stood, grinning like a nightmare come to life, his arm slung casually around Charlie's shoulder.
"You..." I uttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
The doppelgänger's sharp, yellow eyes flicked towards Charlie as it spoke, disdain dripping from every word. "Pathetic, isn't it? These feeble creatures dare to worry about us, their superiors."
"Get your hands off him!" I shouted, trying to mask the quiver in my voice.
With a smirk that sent shivers down my spine, the doppelgänger turned its attention back to me. "How can I resist?" it taunted, inching closer to Charlie, its mouth grotesquely widening until it seemed capable of swallowing a human whole.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
