The Double

Strange Magic

Thirteen Years Later.
"Mom!" Jackson said, "I'm going to Barnes and Nobles to pick up some books!"
"Okay sweetie, be back by 7:30!"
"Yes ma'am!" Jackson fished out his key, locked the deadbolt behind him, and slid into the Camaro. The engine rumbled to life as he checked his watch. It read 6:17. "Dangit!" He exclaimed, "I only have an hour before Cecily comes home. Better hurry!" He said as he drove off into the wintry dusk.
"Welcome to B and N, how may I help you?"said the cheery customer service helper, ten minutes later.
"I'm here to pick up three novels for Jackson Morgenstern."
"And your date of birth?"
"Five nineteen, nineteen ninety four."
"It looks like you have four ready for you."
"Huh? It should be the next three quantum physics textbooks."
"It also says 'The Shadowhunter's Codex'"
"Oh, mom must have ordered it for me," he said suspiciously. "Thank you!" He said as she handed him the books.
"Anytime sweetheart!"
Jackson put the books in the front seat, with "The Shadowhunter's Codex" on top. I don't ever remember hearing about this, he thought. I don't even know what a codex is! He got home and checked his watch again. It read: 6:58. Well, I do have a little time, he thought. Jackson opened the book as a chill ran down his spine. It must be the cold air. His eyes scanned the pages and he saw something crazy. Thin, scrawling handwriting pointing to drawings in the book, "samples" which were probably just acrylic, and the pages themselves which talked about weird creatures called "downworlders." Mom knew he didn't like fiction because it just promoted the hallucinations.
He put the book down and walked out of the car and into the house. As he opened the door, a wafting smell of penne pasta and tomato cream sauce hit him, and drew him into the house. He took a look around, put his jacket in the closet, ran upstairs, quickly washed up and got ready for dinner. I can't believe Cecily is coming here tonight, He thought, she's a very good person, and mom has been wanting to meet my girlfriend! He walked into the room and put his books on the empty space in his shelf. He was about to tell mom he was home when a hand covered his mouth and a knife appeared under his chin.
"If you have half a brain, you'll turn around very slowly and do exactly what I say."
Jackson did as told, and when he turned around, he saw a pale boy with white hair, black eyes and holding a large knife.
"Miss me, brother?" said Sebastian.