Doppelganger (#TNTHorrorContest)

Doppelganger

Doppelganger

The roads damp and a wool blanket of grey clouds hovering above, I make my way to the market. With the air so muggy, I feel as though I am inhaling filthy rainwater. The streets of London seem rather quiet today in an eerie way. The people I pass by would act distant and avoidant. I suppose this is quite natural behavior during a war.

I reach out for bread, placing a few loafs into my woven basket, but then remember with Steven away at battle, I do not need that much bread. I sincerely hope that we defeat the Germans soon so my husband can return home. We have only been married a month before he was called. Fate can be quite cruel at times.

As I reach over to grab an apple I gaze down the market road and a woman by the cloths table catches hold of my eye. With her back turned, I am unable to see her face, but I can see she has the same long brunette hair as I do only hers falls straight. My eyes feel compelled to keep gaping in her direction. A brief chill touches my skin. Haltingly, the young girl I gaze upon begins to turn. The moment my eyes come upon her face my heart drops through my stomach. My shivering fingers release the apple. Her face, her body, every part of her appears just like me, the same soft fair skin, long dainty neck, hazel eyes, and high cheekbones. This girl could be my twin.

Just as I assure myself this must be the work of my mind playing tricks her eyes meet mine, and her even her expression transforms identical to mine, her face reading the same faintheartedness.

The town workers lift a satin purple veil up in front of her and as it lowers I find that my lookalike had vanished. This could only mean one thing. She is my doppelganger, my ghostly double, an omen of death.

oOo

Dr. Moore's office is located within a small rectangular building just outside the main streets of London. I desperately need to seek him this instant. I still do not know what to make of what I just saw. Does it mean I really am going to die soon or am I just simply losing my mind?

As I walk up the steps to the building, I cling to the tiny silver cross that hangs around my neck. I wonder what I must have done to bring God's judgment. I make it priority to go to church each week, even though every time I go the chapel it appears to have grown into more of a ghost town. It seems so strange. During a war, would that not be the best time to turn to God?

The entrance door leads straight to the waiting room, currently vacant. The wooden floor appears unleveled, the light green fabric chairs lie about, crooked rather than lined up orderly. I can see the dust on the table next to the end chair from here. It appears no one has been here for years.

I pace backwards, step by step, admiring the landscape paintings on the wall. I then feel an unpleasant tingle on my shoulder. A moment later, a hand snatches that very same spot. My blood nearly flows out of my flesh from the shock as I whirl my head around. Behind me stands an old hunchback man wearing a brown trench coat and rounded hat. As he opens his mouth, I notice he has several missing teeth.

"I am not ready," he mutters in a shivering tone.

I back away unnerved. "Not ready for what, sir?"

He just keeps shaking his head as though he did not hear me.

"It cannot be my time," he rambles on slowly stumbling out the door, relying on his wooden cane.

I back away more as I watch this man make his exit, my heart pounding heavily. Just as my breath calms I hastily turn my body back around and gasp yet again, my hand flying over my heart, as I see a man standing by the hallway entrance only centimeters from where I stood. He has brown hair at the start of its graying and wears a dark grey suit and bowtie.