= The Man In the Mirror = {[Nomin]}

• Chapter 10 •

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"What the f..," Jeno started but trailed off at the strange sight.

The other Jeno grinned and showed his pearly white teeth, eyes slightly forming crescents just like any other time he smiles. It was honestly freaky, watching yourself form an expression that wasn't on your own face.

Jeno felt his arms shake that were holding him up. His eyes frantically looked around for Nana, but there was no sight of the boy. The only piece of evidence was the lantern that was lit in the living room.

"Jeno..," the voice rasped. It sounded the exact same, but there was a hint of something that Jeno couldn't put his finger on.

"W-what are you?" Jeno hesitantly asked.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm the monster you created, Jeno. I'm you."

The last two words sent chills all over his body, the other Jeno taking a step towards him as he slowly scooted backwards.

"What do you mean? How are you me when I am me?"

The thing shook his head and continued to grin. "You should know by now. The weaker you are, the stronger I get. Be more careful."

Jeno was about to say something but the other Jeno lunges at him, taking the man's neck tight into its icy cold grip. The dark haired choked out and immediately clawed at the clammy hands, struggling the best he could.

His eyes were shut tight as he writhed in the tight grip, feeling his lungs struggle to inflate and deflate with each lack of breath. His leg violently kicked upwards to the other Jeno, landing a harsh kick right onto the thing's stomach. It grabbed at its torso and stumbled backwards, giving enough room for Jeno to stand up.

With panic arising in his mind, Jeno made a b-line for the staircase as he heard a laugh coming from behind.

"You can run, but I will catch you," the other Jeno said as he continued to laugh.

Jeno felt his heart pick up speed at the taunting words as he reached the top step, tripping and almost face planting onto the floor. He quickly scrambled up and headed towards his room, locking the door quickly as his eyes flashed everywhere for a hiding place.

The closet looked tempting, but the man thought against the idea since it was pretty cliche. And if this thing is smart then he'd be discovered in no time.

Footsteps started to echo on the marble stairs that made Jeno's ears twitch, suddenly becoming incredibly antsy as he began to frantically look in his room. Eventually, he settled on hiding under the bed since there were already pillows under there that he could easily cover himself with.

The footsteps were really close now as Jeno slid himself under swiftly, accidentally breaking a nail in the process. But that was the last thing on his mind right now.