The younger Marcus's eyes narrowed, his stance shifting into one of aggression. "I won't ask again," he snarled. "Who are you?"
Samantha felt Marcus tense beside her. Before she could blink, he moved with lightning speed. In a blur of motion, Marcus closed the distance between them and his younger self. With a swift, precise strike, he knocked past-Marcus to the ground.
Samantha watched in amazement as Marcus knelt beside his unconscious younger self, placing a hand on his forehead. Marcus's eyes took on a strange, otherworldly look as he spoke in a low, hypnotic voice.
"You will forget this encounter," he intoned. "You saw nothing unusual in the forest tonight. You will sleep peacefully for the next few minutes, then wake feeling refreshed and continue your patrol."
As Marcus stood, the younger version of himself seemed to fall into a deeper sleep, his face relaxing.
"Marcus," Samantha whispered, her eyes wide with surprise. "What did you just do?"
