The sharp trill of his alarm clock jolted Sato Manami awake. For a moment, he lay there, staring at the cracked ceiling of his small apartment, trying to remember what day it was. Monday? No, Tuesday. He let out a long sigh. Another day of playing the part.
Dragging himself out of bed, Sato shuffled to the bathroom, the faint hum of morning traffic outside his window barely registering. By the time he was fully dressed, the smell of food wafted in through the cracked kitchen door, along with the unmistakable sound of arguing.
He paused, closing his eyes for a moment. "Here we go," he muttered under his breath before stepping into the kitchen.
As expected, chaos greeted him. Akuri was flitting around the kitchen, her long blonde hair—tied back loosely and draped over her shoulder—bouncing with every exaggerated movement. She was currently attempting to pour juice into three glasses, managing to spill half of it on the counter.
Across from her, Aria stood at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. Her own long blonde hair was tied neatly at the nape of her neck, cascading down her back in an elegant curtain. Her calm, composed demeanor was a stark contrast to Akuri's whirlwind energy.
"Good morning!" Akuri chirped, flashing Sato a bright smile. "Breakfast is almost ready!"
Aria shot Sato a glance, her expression a mix of exasperation and amusement. "I've got it under control. Mostly."
"Mostly?" Sato said, leaning against the doorframe. "That's reassuring."
Akuri stuck her tongue out at him. "You'll love it! I'm getting better at this cooking thing, right, Aria?"
Aria hesitated, then gave a diplomatic nod. "You're trying."
"I'll take it!" Akuri said, beaming.
Minutes later, the three of them sat at the table. Aria had managed to salvage breakfast, producing a stack of golden pancakes and freshly scrambled eggs. Akuri's contribution—a slightly over-toasted piece of bread—sat proudly on her plate.
"So," Akuri said between bites, "Aria, how's it feel to be starting at Matsubara today? You nervous?"
"A little," Aria replied, her tone light. "It's a new school, but I'm sure it'll be fine. You'll show me around, right?"
"Of course! Stick with me, and you'll fit in in no time," Akuri declared confidently.
Sato, sipping his coffee, smirked. "You might want to tone it down, Akuri. You're not exactly—"
Aria's foot shot out under the table, catching Sato square in the shin. He winced but didn't react further, glancing at her with a flicker of irritation. Aria gave him a pointed look, her smile remaining perfectly composed.
"Not exactly what?" Akuri asked, her fork poised mid-air.
"Not exactly subtle," Sato said smoothly, recovering. "But that's part of your charm."
"True," Akuri said, completely missing the tension that passed between the two.
Sato shot Aria a brief glare, but she ignored him, taking a sip of her tea. The rest of breakfast passed without incident, though the weight of the unspoken hung heavy in the air.
As the three left the apartment and began walking toward Matsubara High, Akuri was her usual chatty self, gesturing animatedly as she talked about the day ahead. Sato kept pace beside her, his expression neutral but attentive. Aria trailed behind, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets, her gaze flitting between the two.
"Aria, you're gonna love Matsubara!" Akuri said, practically bouncing with excitement. "The teachers are great, and the cafeteria food's actually edible. Oh, and don't worry about making friends—you've got me!"
"I appreciate that," Aria replied with a soft smile, but her tone was distracted.
Her steps faltered slightly as a conversation echoed in her mind, pulling her focus inward. The memory was vivid, like she was there again.
A sterile, dimly lit room. The faint hum of machinery in the background.
"...You want me to go with him?" Aria's voice, calm but uncertain.
"Yes," the male voice replied, low and measured. "After the incident, I don't like the idea of him doing this on his own. I need you to join him."
Aria hesitated in the memory, then nodded, her voice firmer. "You can count on me."
The memory faded, leaving a faint echo of those final words lingering in her mind as her attention returned to the present.
"Aria, you okay back there?" Akuri's voice broke through her thoughts. She had stopped a few steps ahead, looking back with a curious tilt of her head.
"Fine," Aria said quickly, schooling her expression into one of warmth. "Just taking it all in."
Akuri grinned and beckoned her forward. "Come on! You're gonna love it."
Aria picked up her pace, falling into step behind them again. Her smile remained, but her eyes were sharper now, scanning her surroundings and lingering on Sato's back.
You can count on me. The words repeated in her head, grounding her in her mission.
In a dimly lit room lined with broken incubators, the air was heavy with desolation and decay. Flickering lights cast eerie, uneven shadows on the walls, reflecting off puddles of spilled liquid. Among the shattered glass and debris, one incubator remained intact, its fractured surface barely holding together.
Inside, a girl floated, her long hair swaying gently in the suspension fluid. Her body curled tightly in the fetal position, her expression one of unease. Her eyelids twitched, her dreams filled with disjointed images: panic-stricken faces, echoing screams, and a cold, shadowy figure holding a weapon.
A vivid vision pierced through the haze:
A younger girl sat on the ground, her face streaked with tears. "W-what are you doing, big sister?" she whimpered, her voice trembling.
The figure standing over her sneered, raising a gun. "You should've stayed out of my way."
"No, please! Don't—"
The vision snapped away as the girl's eyes flew open, a gasp tearing from her lips. Her lungs burned as she struggled to breathe, panic clawing at her chest. She pressed her hands against the cracked glass of the incubator, the cold surface unyielding beneath her palms.
I have to get out, she thought, her mind reeling as her pulse pounded in her ears.
Summoning every ounce of strength, she shoved against the glass. The cracks spread like veins, splintering further with each push until the surface shattered, spilling her and the viscous liquid onto the cold floor.
She coughed violently, her body trembling as she tried to orient herself. The sterile, metallic taste of the air filled her mouth as she pushed herself up onto shaky hands and knees. Her reflection stared back at her from a nearby puddle—wide, frightened eyes framed by damp, unkempt hair.
"Is... that me?" she whispered, her voice hoarse. The question hung in the air, unanswered, as another sharp pain shot through her head. She clutched at her temple, a fragmented memory surfacing unbidden:
"You'll be safe here, I promise," a shadowy figure said, their voice soft but firm.
Safe? She glanced around the room, taking in the destroyed incubators and the eerie red glow of emergency lights. The words felt hollow against the desolation surrounding her.
Elsewhere in the facility, four soldiers moved through the dim corridors, their flashlights cutting through the thick shadows. The metallic echo of their boots rang out, blending with the faint hum of malfunctioning machinery.
"Command really thinks she's still here?" one soldier muttered, his voice skeptical.
"Orders are orders," another replied sharply. "We search every room."
"Doesn't mean it makes sense," the first soldier shot back. "A cryo-sleep subject just walking out on her own? Sounds like something out of a bad sci-fi flick."
"Stay sharp," the leader interrupted, his tone cold and commanding. "This isn't a debate."
The group pressed on, their movements tense and deliberate. The faint sound of dripping water and the flickering hum of lights were the only companions in the otherwise oppressive silence.
Back in the lab, the girl staggered to her feet, her legs unsteady as she scanned the room for anything she could use. Drawers and cabinets yielded nothing but shattered equipment and dust. Her eyes landed on a nearby door with a hand scanner. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her trembling hand to the pad.
The door hissed open, revealing a small storage room. Inside, she found what looked like a school uniform—crisp, clean, and utterly out of place. She dressed quickly, her movements jerky and uncertain, the fabric feeling foreign against her skin.
"A school uniform...?" she murmured, her brow furrowing. The sight of herself in the reflective metal of a nearby cabinet made her pause. Why does this feel... familiar?
Her gaze shifted back to the main lab. The faint sound of footsteps reached her ears, growing louder with each passing second. Her stomach tightened with dread. They're coming.
The soldiers' beams swept across the room as they rounded the corner, and one froze. "There she is!"
The girl turned, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes darted to the nearest exit, but the soldiers blocked her path.
"She's alive, alright," one of them muttered, lowering his weapon slightly.
"She's not going anywhere," the leader snapped. "Move in."
Her fear threatened to paralyze her, but desperation flared in her chest. She grabbed a piece of broken metal tubing from the floor, holding it in front of her like a weapon. "Stay back!"
The soldiers exchanged looks—half amused, half wary.
"She's got spirit," one of them remarked with a smirk.
The girl's hands trembled, but she tightened her grip. "I said, stay back!"
The morning sun illuminated the gates of Matsubara High School as students streamed in, their chatter filling the courtyard. Groups clustered under the cherry blossom trees, their voices blending into a lively hum. Sato, Akuri, and Aria walked through the gates together, their steps casual as they blended into the crowd.
"This is it," Akuri said, gesturing broadly to the school grounds. "Matsubara High. Not a bad place, huh?"
Aria followed, her school briefcase clutched neatly in front of her. Her gaze swept over the courtyard, taking in the students and the neatly kept grounds. "It's... lively," she said softly, her voice even.
"Lively's one way to put it," Akuri said with a grin. "Stick with me, and I'll show you all the best spots. You'll fit right in."
Sato walked slightly behind them, his bag slung over one shoulder. "We'll fit in better if we don't stand around talking," he remarked dryly. "Let's get to class."
"Always so serious," Akuri muttered, shooting him a look but leading the way into the building.
Inside, the hallways were a flurry of activity. Students exchanged greetings, opened lockers, and shuffled to their classrooms with the kind of casual rhythm that spoke of routine. Akuri walked ahead confidently, exchanging nods and waves with familiar faces.
"First-day nerves?" she asked, glancing back at Aria.
"A little," Aria admitted, her grip tightening on the straps of her briefcase. "But I'm fine."
"Good," Akuri said. "Just stick close to me, and you'll be fine too. Oh, and don't let the cafeteria's meatloaf fool you—it's not food."
Aria gave a small nod, her lips quirking in faint amusement. "Noted."
The three of them reached their homeroom just as the first bell rang. Akuri pushed the door open, gesturing for Aria to follow. "After you," she said cheerfully.
Sato and Akuri took their seats, with Akuri settling comfortably near the middle and Sato choosing a spot closer to the back. The classroom buzzed with chatter as students filled in, exchanging notes and stories from the weekend.
The bell rang again, and the teacher entered—a sharp-eyed man with neatly combed gray hair and glasses that rested low on his nose. He cleared his throat, drawing the class's attention.
"All right, everyone, settle down," he said firmly. "Before we begin, we have a new transfer student joining us today."
The room fell into an expectant hush as heads turned toward the door.
"Come in," the teacher said, motioning for the student.
The door slid open, and Aria stepped in. She hesitated for a moment, clutching her briefcase tightly in front of her. Her posture was straight, but her eyes flicked nervously across the sea of unfamiliar faces.
"This is Aria," the teacher said. "Please introduce yourself."
Aria swallowed lightly before speaking. "My name is Aria," she said softly but clearly. "I'm looking forward to studying with all of you."
For a moment, there was silence, then the whispers began.
"She's beautiful," one student murmured.
"Think she's a model?" another asked.
"She looks just like Akuri!" someone exclaimed.
That last comment sparked a wave of agreement. "Wait, is she Akuri's sister?"
"I didn't know Akuri had a twin!"
"They look so alike. Are they related?"
Akuri grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "What can I say? Good looks run in the family," she joked, throwing a wink at Aria.
Sato rolled his eyes slightly but didn't comment, keeping his focus on Aria as she made her way to her assigned seat.
"Take the seat by the window," the teacher said, motioning toward an empty desk.
Aria nodded and moved gracefully to her desk, setting her briefcase beside her. Her movements were deliberate, but the faint tension in her shoulders betrayed her nerves.
As the lesson began, Akuri leaned over her desk to whisper to Aria. "See? You're already the talk of the class. Told you they'd love you."
Aria offered a small smile, her voice low as she replied, "It's... a bit overwhelming."
"You'll get used to it," Akuri said, grinning. "Just wait until lunch. Half of them will probably want to talk to you."
Aria nodded faintly, her focus shifting to her notebook. Her pen moved steadily, though her eyes flicked occasionally toward the window, her thoughts distant.
Halfway through the class, Akuri leaned toward Sato, her voice a low whisper. "Hey, what do you think of Aria so far? Pretty cool, right?"
Sato blinked, glancing at her briefly. "She's fine," he said casually.
"Fine? That's all?" Akuri teased, her brow lifting. "Come on, you've gotta admit she's something special."
"She's... better than I expected," Sato replied before realizing his words might've been too telling.
Aria's head turned slightly, her gaze flicking toward him. Under the desk, her foot nudged his shin—hard. Sato didn't react outwardly but shifted his eyes to meet hers briefly, noting the subtle warning in her expression.
"Better than you expected?" Akuri asked, tilting her head curiously. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just that she's fitting in faster than I thought," Sato said smoothly, his tone even.
Akuri shrugged, seemingly satisfied with the answer. She turned back to her notes, leaving the moment to fade into the classroom hum. Aria, however, remained quiet, her pen moving steadily across the page.
At the abandoned facility
The first soldier took a step forward, his smirk widening. "Let's make this easy, sweetheart. Drop the stick and come quietly."
The girl's eyes darted around the room, her mind racing. She knew she couldn't fight them, but running wasn't an option either. The soldiers advanced slowly, their movements deliberate.
Just as one soldier reached for her, she lunged forward with a desperate cry, swinging the rod with all her strength. The metal connected with his helmet with a dull clang, sending him stumbling back in surprise.
"Damn it!" he cursed, clutching his head. "You little—"
Before he could finish, the girl bolted, ducking under the second soldier's arm and sprinting out of the room. Her bare feet pounded against the cold floor as she ran blindly down the corridor, the shouts of the soldiers echoing behind her.
"There! Don't let her get away!"
The girl's breath came in ragged gasps as she raced down the dark hallway, her grip on the metal rod tightening. Her bare feet slipped slightly on the damp floor, but she pushed forward, ignoring the burning in her legs.
"Cut her off!" one of the soldiers barked from behind, their boots pounding in pursuit.
Ahead, she spotted another automatic door, its frame warped and unpowered. She threw her shoulder against it, forcing it open with a screech of metal. The effort cost her precious seconds, and she could hear the soldiers closing the distance.
Darting into the room, she frantically scanned her surroundings. It was another storage area, cluttered with broken equipment and scattered debris. Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath.
Her mind swirled with fragmented images, each one as disjointed as the last:
The flash of a cold metal gun.
A girl's trembling hands.
A voice—low, cruel, and dripping with contempt: "Stay out of my way."
She shook her head violently, trying to banish the memories that didn't feel like her own. Who am I? she wondered, her grip on the rod tightening. The question lingered, unanswered, as a faint sound caught her attention—footsteps, steady and deliberate, echoing somewhere behind her.
Panic surged through her as the voices of the soldiers grew louder.
"She's in here!" one of them shouted, followed by the sound of boots skidding to a halt just outside the room.
The girl spotted a ventilation shaft in the corner, its cover hanging loosely. Without hesitating, she dropped the rod and scrambled toward it, her fingers prying at the cover until it clattered to the floor. Her muscles screamed in protest, but she forced herself into the narrow space, pulling her body through just as a flashlight beam swept over the shaft's entrance.
"Get her out of there!" the lead soldier barked.
The girl crawled deeper into the shaft, the sharp edges of the metal scraping against her arms and knees. Her chest heaved as she fought back rising panic. Somewhere ahead, a faint light glimmered through a grate. Gritting her teeth, she pushed onward, each movement accompanied by the clanging echo of her body against the vent walls.
Behind her, the sound of the soldiers prying at the shaft's entrance sent a chill down her spine. She could hear their grunts of frustration and the occasional clatter of tools. "Move faster!" one of them growled.
Matsubara high school
The chime of the bell echoed through the room, signaling the end of the first class. Chairs scraped against the floor as students stood, stretching and chatting in the brief reprieve before the next subject began. Groups formed quickly, their laughter and animated conversations filling the space.
Aria stayed seated at her desk by the window, carefully tucking her notebook into her briefcase. Her movements were slow, deliberate, as if she were unsure of what to do next. Across the room, Akuri leaned casually against her desk, already surrounded by a group of friends. Her confident laughter carried easily over the general din.
"Hey, Aria!" Akuri called out, waving her over. "Come on, don't sit there by yourself."
Aria hesitated for a moment before standing, her briefcase still in hand. The group's eyes turned toward her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and excitement as she approached.
"So, you're Akuri's twin?" one of the students asked, their gaze flicking between the two girls. "You guys really do look alike."
Aria offered a small, polite smile. "Yes, I'm her twin."
"That's so cool!" another chimed in. "Why didn't you come here sooner? I didn't even know Akuri had a twin."
"She's been at a different school," Akuri answered smoothly, stepping in before Aria had to. "But hey, better late than never, right?"
"Are you guys identical twins?" one girl asked, tilting her head. "You seem so different."
"We are identical," Aria replied, her tone soft but steady.
"Yeah, but Aria's more the quiet, elegant type," Akuri teased, nudging her playfully. "I guess I got all the personality."
The group laughed, and Aria allowed herself a small chuckle, though her posture remained reserved.
Another student leaned forward, their eyes lighting up with excitement. "Your hair is so long! Do you do anything special to take care of it?"
Aria blinked, slightly caught off guard. "Oh, I... just brush it and keep it tied back," she said, her fingers brushing the edge of her briefcase strap.
"That's it? No way," the girl replied with a dramatic sigh. "I'd kill for hair like that."
Akuri grinned, slinging an arm around Aria's shoulders. "Told you she's a natural. You wouldn't believe the number of questions I get about it. 'How do you both have perfect hair?' Blah, blah, blah."
"Come on, Akuri," Aria said softly, her cheeks coloring faintly.
"What?" Akuri asked with mock innocence. "I'm just hyping you up."
The group chuckled again, the lighthearted banter putting Aria slightly more at ease.
From his desk near the back, Sato watched the interaction with mild interest. He rested his chin on his hand, his expression neutral as his eyes flicked between the group and the rest of the classroom. He noted how effortlessly Akuri deflected attention and kept the conversation flowing, her energetic personality taking the spotlight.
She's better at this than I thought, he mused. Aria, for her part, was handling the attention well enough, answering questions with quiet grace while letting Akuri take the lead.
The ventilation duct groaned under her weight, its brittle metal echoing with every cautious movement she made. The girl crawled forward, her knees and palms scraping against the jagged surface. In the pitch-black facility, the faint hum of approaching voices and the rhythmic clatter of boots below were her only guide.
Her breath came in quick, shallow bursts, each exhale fogging in the cold, stagnant air. She had no idea where she was going—only that she had to keep moving.
The facility's labyrinthine corridors felt endless, their darkness suffocating. The duct beneath her creaked again, louder this time, and she froze, her heart pounding. Keep going, she thought, biting back the rising fear. Just a little farther.
The duct shuddered violently, a high-pitched screech of stressed metal echoing through the shaft. Before she could adjust her weight, the floor beneath her buckled, tilting sharply downward.
Her eyes widened in panic as she slid uncontrollably down the incline, her hands clawing at the smooth surface for a grip. Sparks flew as her skin scraped against the metal, but she couldn't stop her descent.
With a deafening crash, the duct gave way entirely, sending her tumbling out. She landed hard on something solid, the impact jarring her bones and knocking the air from her lungs. A grunt of pain beneath her made her freeze.
Dazed and disoriented, the girl realized she was sprawled on top of a soldier, his helmeted head tilted awkwardly as he groaned in pain. Panic surged through her as she scrambled to her knees, her hands fumbling against his chest.
Her fingers brushed against something smooth and metallic—his sidearm. Without thinking, she grabbed it, yanking it free from its holster. The sleek weapon felt alien in her trembling hands, its barrel glowing faintly with residual energy from the last discharge.
"What the hell—" the soldier growled, his voice sharp with anger.
"Stay back!" she screamed, her voice breaking as she stumbled backward, pointing the weapon at him with shaking hands.
A flashlight beam swept over the scene, illuminating her pale face and the soldier lying stunned on the ground. The other soldiers rounded the corner, their laser rifles aimed and ready.
"Drop the gun!" one of them barked, his voice echoing through the corridor.
The girl's chest heaved as she glanced between the glowing weapon in her hands and the soldier glaring up at her. The man on the ground sneered, his lip curling in disdain despite his vulnerable position.
"You don't even know how to use that," he said, his tone mocking. "You're just a scared little girl."
Her finger twitched over the trigger, her entire body trembling. The voices of the other soldiers grew louder, their footsteps closing in.
"Put it down!" another soldier ordered, his laser rifle glowing with a faint blue charge.
The soldier beneath her made a sudden lunge, his arm reaching for her wrist. Without thinking, she squeezed the trigger. A sharp vmmm filled the air as a bright red laser beam discharged from the weapon, striking the soldier square in the chest.
He froze, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief as his body slumped back against the floor. The faint glow of burnt fabric spread outward from the point of impact, the acrid smell of charred flesh filling the corridor.
The girl stared in horror, her breath catching in her throat. Her hands shook violently, the pistol slipping slightly from her grip. I didn't mean to...
"Open fire!" one of the other soldiers yelled.
The corridor exploded with streaks of blue and red light as laser rounds ricocheted off the walls, leaving glowing scorch marks in their wake. The girl dove behind a pile of debris, her body trembling as the heat of the shots seared past her.
"She's pinned down!" a soldier shouted. "Move in!"
The girl clutched the pistol tightly, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Tears blurred her vision, but the sharp hum of charging weapons forced her to act. She peeked around the edge of her cover and fired blindly, the red beam illuminating the corridor in short bursts.
"She's shooting back!" one soldier exclaimed, his voice laced with frustration.
The girl's shots went wide, striking walls and scattering sparks, but the sudden counterattack made the soldiers hesitate. She took another shaky breath and fired again, this time forcing them to duck for cover.
Her hands trembled as she steadied the pistol, her knuckles white from the strain. The soldiers regrouped, their flashlights casting long shadows down the corridor.
"We've got her trapped!" one of them yelled. "She's outmatched—fall back and flank her!"
The girl's chest heaved as she fired again, her aim wild but desperate. The shots forced the soldiers to retreat slightly, their formation breaking as they reassessed the situation.
For a brief moment, the corridor fell silent, save for the hum of cooling weapon barrels and the faint crackle of scorched walls. The girl slumped against her cover, her breaths uneven as the adrenaline coursed through her veins.
The soldiers' voices grew distant as they retreated further into the facility, their frustration evident in their clipped tones. The girl stayed crouched behind the debris, her entire body trembling. Her hands felt numb, the weight of the pistol heavy in her lap.
She glanced down at the weapon, its glowing barrel still faintly warm to the touch. Her fingers tightened around it as the image of the soldier's lifeless body replayed in her mind. The acrid smell of burnt flesh lingered, making her stomach churn.
"I didn't mean to..." she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I didn't mean to..."
But there was no time to grieve. The sound of distant footsteps reminded her that she wasn't safe yet. Forcing herself to her feet, she stumbled deeper into the darkness, her legs shaky but determined.
I have to get out of here.
The girl shivered as she crept through the endless corridors of the abandoned facility. Her damp hair clung to her neck, and the cold seeped into her skin, making her teeth chatter. She clutched the pistol tightly, its weight foreign and unsettling in her trembling hands.
Her breaths were shallow, her chest heaving as she pressed herself against the wall, trying to stay quiet. The only sounds were the faint dripping of water from overhead pipes and the distant groan of metal settling in the ruined structure. Her body ached, and her legs felt like they could give out at any moment.
Then, she heard it—a voice.
She froze, her ears straining to catch the sound. It was faint at first, almost lost in the eerie silence, but it was unmistakably human. A soft, curious tone floated through the air, sending a shiver down her spine. She couldn't make out the words, but the familiarity of the voice made her chest tighten.
Her pulse quickened as she crept closer to the source, her movements slow and deliberate. She rounded a corner and stopped just short of a doorway. The room beyond was shrouded in darkness, the faint glow of a cellphone flashlight flickering inside.
The voice came again, clearer this time. "This one was mine," it said, soft and introspective.
The girl's breath caught in her throat. Mine? The word echoed in her mind, stirring something she couldn't quite place. She leaned closer, peeking around the edge of the doorway.
Inside, the room was lined with broken incubators, their shattered glass and tangled wires casting jagged shadows in the dim light. At the far end stood a figure, illuminated by the faint glow of the flashlight. Long hair cascaded down the figure's back, and she was leaning over one of the incubators, her head tilted in curiosity.
The girl stared, her heart pounding in her chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. Her body trembled with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. She took a shaky breath, preparing to step into the room—
And sneezed.
The sound broke the silence like a gunshot. The girl's eyes widened in horror as she clamped a hand over her mouth, her heart racing. No, no, no! she thought, panic surging through her veins.
The figure in the room froze, her flashlight beam jerking slightly as she turned toward the doorway. "Is someone there?" she called out, her voice sharp and tinged with wariness.
The girl pressed herself against the wall, her mind racing. She wanted to run, to hide, but her legs refused to move. Her body shook as she bit her lip, trying to steady her nerves.
Finally, summoning every ounce of courage she had left, she stepped into the doorway. The faint light from the flashlight fell on her, illuminating her pale face and disheveled appearance.
The figure turned fully toward her, and the girl's breath hitched.
The two of them stared at each other, frozen in a moment of mutual disbelief. The flashlight beam wavered slightly as the figure lowered it, revealing her face.
The girl's heart skipped a beat. The long hair, the delicate features—it was like looking into a warped mirror. The figure staring back at her was achingly familiar, yet she couldn't place why.
"Who... are you?" the figure finally asked, her voice quiet but steady.
The girl's lips parted, but no sound came. She took a hesitant step forward, her grip on the pistol tightening. The figure didn't move, her expression flickering between shock and curiosity.
"Another one," the figure murmured, almost to herself. The words sent a chill through the girl's body.