The Double

Untitled Part 1

Sam was always confused of why they called it the 'big city', but standing on the corner of Broadway and W. 46th he felt so small. Slack-jawed and dumbfounded, he stood unmoving and unblinking. After a New York minute his brain rebooted and Sam was once again capable of speech, albeit not the most engaging of conversation.

"Wow," Sam almost whispered, his single word getting lost in the hustle and bustle of people. Luckily his fiancé was watching with sly eyes. You see, this was Sammi's second time through New York, so it wasn't as mesmerizing for her. Watching Sam defy human anatomy to crane his neck far enough back in an attempt to view the distant rooftops was much more enjoyable for her.

"Like what you see?" See cooed into Sam's ear, pulling his chin down. Locking eyes with him, she remembered all the reasons she said yes when Sam had asked her to marry him.

Samuel Kauffman was in his early twenties. He spent most days tending to his grandfather's farm, which had shaped him into a strapping young man. Tall and well built, topped off with a rich olive tan, Sam was the fella authors dreamed up for their romance novels. In fact, when Sammi first saw him leaving Willie Burger in Haven, Kansas, she couldn't keep her eyes off him. In fact, she walked right into one of the tables, toppling over an elderly couples just served lunch. And to her horror, he saw it all. He even rushed over to help her up. Paid for the couple's meal as well.

"Better view now," He said, a huge smile splitting his face. Sammi always made him smile. It was something about the way her eyes always shown with an innocence, but at the same time curiosity and a hunger for adventure. It was the first thing that grabbed his attention leaving Willie Burger that day. He had wanted to stop and introduce himself, but lost his nerve as she came through the door. Luckily she had tripped over something and went crashing through a table, giving him the opportunity to "White Knight" the situation.

Samantha "Sammi" Brodie was 'almost' the same height as Sam and by that I mean several inches shorter. But what she lacked in height she made up with spunk. Her brunette hair cascaded softly over her shoulders, a couple strays wandering in a breeze that didn't exist. Sammi was a swimmer, and her toned form showed it. Sam may have been the bigger of the two, but Sammi made sure he knew who was boss. She blushed at Sam's cheesy comment.

"Shut up, you know you're more interested in that stupid car of yours." Sam gasped.

"Excuse me?" He scoffed at her, perfectly portraying a Greek Tragedy. "There is nothing 'stupid' about a 1966 Ford Mustang. It's a classic." He folded his arms across his chest, huffed at her, and turned away. Sammi giggled softly, wrapped her arms around his torso, and laid her head against his back. With her eyes closed she felt his heart beating softly in her ear. All other sounds faded away, and it was just them.

"So what now?" Sam's voice sounded foggy through his back.

"Well... I'm kinda hungry," she sighed, enjoying the moment.

"Not surprised. It's been a whole two hours since you last consumed nourishment," Sam harassed with a chuckle. He felt Sammi's face twist into a scowl. She playfully slapped him in the chest.

"You're just so damn funny aren't..." Sammi trailed off as she pushed off of Sam's back. He turned to see what had snagged her attention. She was pale and shaking. Sam quickly followed her gaze into the sea of people only to come up with nothing.

"What? What did you see?" Sam still combed through the faces and people. Sammi slipped her hand into his.

"I could have sworn you were just standing under that stop light. Like, one hundred percent sure," She pointed to the far street- 7th Ave.- where a human mass had formed like a giant tumor on the city streets. Sam seemed unamused.

"Look," he turned her to face him, "I know I've put on some weight-"Sammi slapped him softly in the chest again, and both of them laughed. "Seriously though, let's go get some food, eh?"

"... Yeah, let's do that. Little pizza shop up 46th, if I remember right"

"But... there's a McDonalds right there!" Sam gestured across the busy intersection to the two story monstrosity, only half-jokingly. Sammi looked at him in disgust.

"Really? I did NOT spend 6 hours on a plane to eat at McDonalds!"

"Aww, but come on! The closest one is 20 minutes away back home!" Sam stomped his foot, feigning a tantrum, but nevertheless followed Sammi. Hand in hand, they pushed through the throngs of people. Sammi looked back only once. She looked worried, but quickly donned a smile to hide her true feelings. Never mind the fact the man she saw was wearing the same shirt as Sam.

Just a coincidence.

Sam and Sammi made their way through the giant crowds of tourists toward the small pizza shop, had a lovely lunch, decided they wanted to walk the big apple some more, and after some debate, picked a direction and headed out. Sam noticed that Sammi seemed detached from the world, a glassy look over her face.

"You ok, hun?" He rubbed her back, obviously concerned. This was an amazing place, he hated seeing her not having as much fun as him.

"Huh?" Sammi seemed confused, and realized Sam had said... something. Unsure as to what was happening, seeing Sam was concerned, and not wanting to make it worse, she said the first thing to pop into her mind.

"My feet hurt?" See said slowly, gauging Sam's reaction to her response. She sighed as Sam's look relaxed.

"I could carry you. Well, I mean I COULD, but," Sam pushed out his stomach as far as her could and rubbed it, "I'm already carrying two!" I probably shouldn't have eaten that last... three slices of pizza." he laughed, but it was short lived. Once again Sammi seemed choked up. "What's up?" All Sammi could do was point, and Sam quickly snapped in gaze in line of direction. His eyes widen and his jaw dropped. There, at the far end of an alley, a man stood.

This man was tall, had dark olive skin, and was well built. He couldn't be more than his mid twenties. But it wasn't the fact some young adult was standing at the end of a poorly lit alley, no. What was draining Sam of color was the fact it was HIM standing at the end of the alley. Down to the shoes, a perfect mirror image of Samuel Kauffman stood staring back at the couple. Sam gathered his thoughts and formed a complete line of thought; An angry one.

"Hey! You!" Sam hollered down the alley, his fist clenching tightly into fists. Was this the guy Sammi saw early? It had to be. And if that was true, that means he was following them. But for how long? Sam saw Sammi take a step back out of the corner of his eye, but didn't want to break his consitration on this... double.

The man didn't move, he just stood there, hands by his side. As Sam's eyes adjusted to the lighting he was able to see The Doubles Face clearer. He too seemed to be shocked by the ordeal. Sam took a step forward, The Double balled his fists.

"Hey! You followin' us?" Sam's voice was deep and booming, but The Double didn't flitch. Sammi looked around, but for the first time since hitting the asfault of New York City, no one was in site. How was this happening? She turned her now watering eyes back to The Double. Chills ran down her spine.

"Damnit kid, I'm talking to you!" Sam made another shuffle forward, chest puffed out. Apparently it did the trick, because The Double took off down a side alley. Sam's brow furrowed deeply. "Oh no you don't! We ain't done yet!" He dropped into a dead sprint, taking chase after The Double.

As he reached the end of the alley Sam was able to barely catch the heel end of a shoe duck down another side alley.