Part 1 Part 2

Although last night seemed to last forever, the dawn came too soon for comfort. I tried to get sleep multiple times, but it avoided me and I was stuck thinking everything through over and over again. All those hours became a blur of emotions that changed constantly, ranging from despair, bewilderment, hopelessness to denial and bouts of laughter I couldn't control, to finally settle on anger and hesitant determination. The whole situation was so far-fetched that I was both glad and sad that my friend wasn't there to witness my condition as he selflessly left his bed to me and took the couch instead.

By the time sun came up I made up my mind to confront her. The sooner the better.

I told my friend as much once he woke up. We decided to talk to her (or threaten to go to police in worse case scenario) after the first lecture of day was finished.

I was anxious, nervous and everything else that makes your stomach feel like a boulder has been dropped into it. The time couldn't go fast enough.

I fidgeted a lot during our wait near the lecture theater and I must have looked even paler in the bright light than I usually did, but even like that no one seemed to even look in my direction, not even a passing glance. I was extremely grateful that my friend was there with me to calm my nerves somewhat.

I kept glancing at the big clock at the end of the corridor. The closer it got to the end of the lecture, the more uncertain I grew; what if she wasn't even there, what if she was looking for me instead, and maybe we should have gone to the police station first.

The doors opened and students started to file out of the theater. I subconsciously held my breath and I started scanning the crowd for her, dreading what would happen next.

She came out among the last and as soon as I caught sight of her, she somehow knew I was there too and looked me straight in the eye, not even slightest bit surprised to see me there. I felt hot and cold at the same time, almost giving in to the urge to run far away and never come across her again.

After whoever she was talking to was almost out the main door, my friend and I both stepped closer and I was ready to start the questioning, when I was frozen mid-breath.

Not literally frozen, but I couldn't move nevertheless.

Now I was scared out of my mind and my brain almost gave up on me. No matter how much I tried I couldn't move anything but my eyes. I was still breathing, but I couldn't speak.

It was proving more difficult to calm down. Then she moved towards and I thought I would die of terror. I looked down the corridor to see if anyone could help, if anyone noticed what was going on, but I only saw some man just about to take a turn, frozen even more than me. I couldn't see my friend as they were a step behind me. The clock's second hand was still even though it was in perfect working order just minutes ago.

How was this even possible?

Any screams I wanted to let out were stuck in my brain, echoing only for me to hear in my head. She must have noticed I was losing it fast so she snapped her fingers in front of my face. It worked incredibly well despite me being on the verge of mental collapse. My brain took the opportunity to observe a moving object and ironically eased my distress just enough for me to pay to attention to her.

She smirked at me. She was terrifying.

She looked even more like me than before, only after a single day. There was frizz in her hair. The moles on her left ear were in identical positions as mine. And the wrinkles you couldn't see unless you were looking for them on my forehead were there as well.

She was exactly the same height as me.

She turned into a replica of me.

I wanted to cry. I wanted to run. But I couldn't do anything at all, only stare and take even breaths. It seemed I like had no control over that either.

"You shouldn't have come here," she said. I would have let out a hysterical laugh if I were able to. Why indeed have I even tried to seek her out! If only I had known...

She stepped around and looked at my friend. "So that's where you've stayed. I should have figured out it would be him," she said. I could only guess that the soft sound of skin meeting skin was her patting his cheek in mock affection. She came around, into my field of vision and sneered, bringing her face - but it was my face! - close.

"I already took over, love. Your time here is up," she whispered harshly.

"It really is a pity you decided to turn up," she continued, taking a step back. "It would have been much easier if you just left the country, or city even, but like this?" she tutted and pretended to look me over, "I'm afraid I can't have you walking around here, now can I?"

I don't think I was really registering what she was saying, but the glint in her eyes made my blood run cold again and I was finding it more difficult to stay coherent even with the forced, even breathing. It was maddening that I couldn't do a thing, couldn't say anything, not even negotiate. Please, for the love of whomever, don't let her mean what I think-

She squeezed my cheeks and smirked, "Yes, you will definitely have to go." She let go not too gently and pinched one of my cheeks. "There is really no point for you to tag around anymore! I'm not sure if you noticed, but it doesn't seem like anyone here even saw you after they came in contact with me." She made a turn with her arms spread wide to make her point. Then she frowned and looked just to my right, where my friend was frozen, unaware of what was happening.

"And bringing him here.. That really was irresponsible of you, making me do more work than I have to," she sighed heavily, "Now I will have to get rid of him too."

No, not him as well!

"Really, you give me no choice. There is no need for you to be surprised," she said offhandedly.

I really wanted to do something, anything, right then and there. She was driving me to the point of madness and I was surprised - still am - that I was still listening to her. With my head trying to process everything it was a miracle that I haven't blacked out yet.

I didn't even notice she made her way to my side. I couldn't see her anymore, but I felt her presence more acutely than I wanted. I could feel her lean in close to my ear.

"Don't worry, love," she whispered and I desperately wanted to jump away, "He'll go painlessly. With you, I'll have some fun before then. But I'll get you both soon."

"Very soon," her last words were no more than a light breath against my skin. Then I no longer felt her presence and the time started again soon after.

Everything rushed at me at the same time. My heart sped up, my body no longer supported me and with no even breathing to keep me sane my whole self went into overdrive. I collapsed and the last thing I heard before I fainted was a startled cry of my friend.

I came around, now spread out over a bench in the corridor. My head was killing me and my eyes hurt from the light. It took a few seconds, maybe minutes, until I remembered what had happened. My stomach turned and I stumbled to the nearest bin to throw up into. I couldn't hear over the buzz in my head, I could only feel my friend stroking my back.

I was going to die. We both were.

There was nothing we could do to prevent it.

I broke down and spent who knows how long crying, clutching the bin in my arms, with my friend mumbling comforting nothings.

He managed to make me get up and start walking towards his place. My face felt very puffy and tender, my head was killing me and I slipped into a state where I no longer tried to make sense of things.

There was no sense to make.

It was a good thing we didn't go to the police station first. I didn't even want to imagine what would have happened otherwise.

But him... I brought this on him because I sought him out in the time of need. He was going to die because of me.

I guess I still have some tears to spill for him every time I think of it. Even now.

It's been over twelve hours since then and both of us are still here. I begged him to stay near me, even though I couldn't explain, I didn't want to explain, what happened in that corridor. He tried to get some answers from me, but I was afraid that once I started, I wouldn't be able to finish what I was going to say. Maybe he would even think I have gone mad. I wouldn't blame him.

Maybe it wasn't real. Maybe if I don't tell him, if I make myself believe that it wasn't real, he will be alright. We will be alright.

It's no use to try and find a different place to stay, she will find me. She has become me, she will always know where I am now.

I get petrified every time I hear a door close or the door bell ring. But then I just snort bitterly. Why would she bother with any of that?

I don't want my time to be up yet. I'm afraid to fall asleep.