My skin prickled with a chill as I ventured through the vast forest, shrouded in an eerie fog that swallowed everything in sight.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl2qdXtSv7
"Hello!" I called out, my voice echoing into the dense silence, but receiving no reply, just the eerie silence.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP0mDYKnhO
Questions swirled in my mind like leaves in the wind—how did I get here, where was I, and why on earth was I stark naked?
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2tXnj3JcD
Taking a tentative step forward, my legs felt like they might give way beneath me, weak and unsteady.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr2zSdsTp5
Clutching onto a nearby tree for support, a shiver ran down my spine as the forest came alive with the sound of rustling leaves, snapping twigs, and hurried footsteps, signaling I wasn't alone.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM7DPpdMMn
"Whose there?" I blurted out, whipping my head around to catch whoever was lurking nearby.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vsL92GHLv
The fear crept in as the noises alternated between ominously close and eerily distant, like a game of hide-and-seek gone terribly wrong.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRLoE0e8Q1
I couldn't decipher if I was a player in some twisted game or moments away from becoming the latest victim of this creepy forest.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBwK3PuQOM
"Ah, crap!" I exclaimed, legs pumping as I sprinted through the foliage, heart pounding louder than the sounds trailing me.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9eiHopBp1
Ignoring the unsettling symphony echoing behind me, I focused on one thing, getting the heck out of here.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9iNjrPSGK
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTWRlVNioB
Gasping for breath, I ducked behind a tree, hoping against hope that I was effectively concealed, although I couldn't pinpoint the source of those haunting noises.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVMduepexb
"Can't you just leave me alone?" I pleaded, knowing full well my hiding spot was compromised the moment the words left my lips.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqYndFHWbz
And then, silence fell like a heavy blanket, leaving me to wonder if I was truly alone or if something sinister lurked just beyond my sight.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokzfNSvgRS
I took cautious steps forward, every nerve on high alert, my senses heightened to the max. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeBNzTgHLM
Turning in every direction, I scanned the surroundings, but there was nothing but trees and shadows. "Maybe I lost them," I muttered to myself, trying to reassure my frazzled nerves.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3KcRoUxDr
Just as I turned back around, I came face to face with my creepy doppelgänger. "You?" I gasped, my jaw dropping in disbelief. "You look like me."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxz9QJXv0J
Staring back at me with closed eyes, the doppelgänger stood there unabashedly naked, a mirror image of myself, albeit without a shred of modesty.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYW92sTNYd
"How is this possible?" I stammered, racking my brain for any logical explanation that didn't involve me having an identical twin.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm17wZEI41
The doppelgänger remained silent, instead lifting his face slightly, sniffing the air like a curious animal. Then, with an unsettling smile, he spoke, "We finally meet," his voice sending shivers down my spine.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiHrMCh4h0
"Tell me," the doppelgänger said, advancing towards me with an unsettling confidence. "Is it I that look like you, or is it you that look like me?" His voice boomed, echoing through the silent forest, while his eyes glowed a menacing yellow.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7zWCWYNwy
Frozen in terror, I struggled to even breathe, let alone formulate a response, as those glowing eyes bore into my soul.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwthHuiselo
"Which one of us is real, and which one is the fake?" the clone taunted, his smile stretching unnaturally wide, revealing rows of pointed, sharp teeth.34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoS56FDbTM
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pwaa7hm99
"Shit," I gasped, panic coursing through my veins as I stumbled over my own feet, crashing to the ground in a tangled mess.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNchU2WBbA1
With a chilling nonchalance, the clone turned his back on me, sauntering away into the darkness. "Well, I guess such things don't matter," he mused, his voice fading into the night. "All that matters is that you enjoy your life, make the most out of every moment."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml0XGsIVrg
My heart hammered in my chest as his final words echoed in my ears. "Because one day, your body will be mine."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKNCdjMYv6
"What do you mean?" I managed to choke out, my vision blurring as dizziness overwhelmed me. With one last desperate effort, I reached out, but it was too late. Darkness consumed me, and I surrendered to unconsciousness, unsure if I would ever awaken again.
***
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO8djSEFGz
I opened my eyes to the sterile surroundings of a hospital room, the harsh light filtering through the window stinging my eyes. Slowly, I pushed myself upright, taking in my surroundings with a mix of confusion and grogginess.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjpjaZFjZ6
"You're up," came a familiar voice, and I turned to see my mother sitting beside me, her face a mix of relief and worry.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Zx0IaBHE
"What happened?" I croaked, my throat dry and scratchy.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNVTJDPoL3
"You collapsed on the street," my mom replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "You've been unconscious for three days. Thank God you're awake."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13wNlA16Et
I let her pull me into a hug, feeling a sense of safety and warmth wash over me despite the confusion swirling in my mind.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOejO55o1d
As I rested in her embrace, my gaze drifted to my right hand, which was swathed in bandages. Memories of the small vial and the person who collided with me on the street flashed through my mind.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vLwlT7ShT
At least my hand didn't hurt, I thought, trying to find a silver lining in the midst of the chaos.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7Sd4gMbTW
After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally made his appearance, clipboard in hand, ready to assess my condition.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3CMqaigVh
To be honest, I felt perfectly fine, better than fine even. In fact, before the doctor arrived, I sneaked a peek in the bathroom mirror and was astounded to find my body transformed, muscles rippling and abs chiseled like never before. Talk about the perks of beauty sleep!
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLceTZLlAqZ
"So," the doctor began, scanning through my chart, "it would appear that everything looks to be in order."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdy5uVYZ2b
My mom, ever the concerned parent, wasted no time in pressing for answers. "What about my son's loss of consciousness? Do you have any idea why that happened?"
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHePmtQW07c
Setting aside his clipboard, the doctor met my mom's gaze with a thoughtful expression. "Well, we believe it was caused by the cut on Leyton's hand. Probably some kind of infection that required your son's body to divert all its resources to fight it off. Essentially, his body went into hibernation mode to conserve energy and focus on healing."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoGs9o3dO5
After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally made his appearance, clipboard in hand, ready to assess my condition.
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLApH5Erwij
To be honest, I felt perfectly fine, better than fine even. In fact, before the doctor arrived, I sneaked a peek in the bathroom mirror and was astounded to find my body transformed, muscles rippling and abs chiseled like never before. Talk about the perks of beauty sleep!
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwOL3TYEsx
"So," the doctor began, scanning through my chart, "it would appear that everything looks to be in order."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDGQPYqnA9
My mom, ever the concerned parent, wasted no time in pressing for answers. "What about my son's loss of consciousness? Do you have any idea why that happened?"
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzEkUIL5y9
Setting aside his clipboard, the doctor met my mom's gaze with a thoughtful expression. "Well, we believe it was caused by the cut on Leyton's hand. Probably some kind of infection that required your son's body to divert all its resources to fight it off. Essentially, his body went into hibernation mode to conserve energy and focus on healing."
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1OhuqbWi8
My mom's expression softened with understanding, and she reached out to squeeze my hand reassuringly. It was a relief to finally have some answers, even if the explanation seemed a bit surreal.
***
34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuToWq16Oj
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns160.79.111.138da2
and then Add to home screen.