1 00:00:01,879 --> 00:00:04,639 Speaker 1: The rain had been falling hard for most of the evening, 2 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:08,919 hammering the wind shield in waves, sweeping sideways. When the 3 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:14,359 wind picked up, the wipers couldn't keep up. I kept 4 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,559 one hand steady on the wheel while the other balanced 5 00:00:17,559 --> 00:00:21,480 the warm pizza box across my thigh. It had come 6 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:24,359 from one of those new vending machines set ups. Some 7 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:29,280 kimmicky start up people had started ordering from. The machines 8 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:36,159 handled everything order, prep box, and seal. My eyes bounced 9 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:40,159 between it and the road. I couldn't help wondering what 10 00:00:40,359 --> 00:00:45,719 made this so popular. The car jolted hard over a 11 00:00:45,759 --> 00:00:48,479 speed bump I hadn't seen in the rain, and I 12 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:54,200 felt something slide off my lap. I looked down. One 13 00:00:54,200 --> 00:00:56,600 of the slices had slipped half way out the box 14 00:00:56,880 --> 00:01:01,399 and landed right across my thigh. I pulled over and 15 00:01:01,479 --> 00:01:05,599 brought the car to a crawl. Glancing down again, my 16 00:01:05,719 --> 00:01:09,560 shirt was soaked in red. I lifted the slice by 17 00:01:09,599 --> 00:01:15,079 the crust, and somehow it looked perfect hardly any saucers 18 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,799 missing from the surface. The rest of it must have 19 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:21,319 been some excess pulling at the bottom of the box. 20 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:27,319 It didn't smell like pizza, though, I couldn't tell exactly 21 00:01:27,359 --> 00:01:31,120 what The liquid on me smelled like some weird oil 22 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:36,760 they used. The sauce hadn't changed the slice's appearance. I 23 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:40,280 pushed it back in with the others. It looked perfect 24 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:45,359 to me, so I figured the customers wouldn't complain. I 25 00:01:45,359 --> 00:01:47,920 wiped my fingers against the side of the seat and 26 00:01:48,079 --> 00:01:52,439 closed the box again. I pulled up to the curb 27 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,879 outside the modest two story house, headlights cutting through the 28 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:01,040 sheets of rain. The windows were forged from the inside. 29 00:02:02,239 --> 00:02:05,319 I grabbed the box, stepped out, shielding it from the 30 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:09,039 downpoor as best I could, and jogged up to the walkway. 31 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:15,039 I rang the bell. A second later, a muffled voice 32 00:02:15,159 --> 00:02:19,960 called out from inside Sweet Tea. Just like we practiced, 33 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:28,000 go get the pizza delivery. The door clicked open. A 34 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:31,759 little girl stood in the doorway, about seven years old. 35 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:36,599 Her hair was tied in two loose puffs, pulled back evenly. 36 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:41,639 One front tooth was missing. She wore a pink hoodie 37 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:47,560 she'd scribbled on with permanent marker. My arms went slack. 38 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:54,879 It was my sister. I stepped back once with an 39 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:59,759 audible gasp, staring. She tilted her head a little and 40 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:05,800 gave gave me a tiny shrug. Humm. I blinked. The 41 00:03:05,879 --> 00:03:09,439 rain was cold against my collar. My arms moved on 42 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:13,759 the roan and passed it over. She took it without question, 43 00:03:14,439 --> 00:03:17,400 said thank you with a smile, and shut the door. 44 00:03:20,479 --> 00:03:25,840 I kept standing there, staring at the closed door. That 45 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:30,319 was her, I was in imagining it. It wasn't someone 46 00:03:30,319 --> 00:03:35,240 who looked similar or reminded me of her. It was her, 47 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,280 from the chipped nail polish on her fingers to the 48 00:03:39,319 --> 00:03:42,280 way she rocked forward slightly on her toes before closing 49 00:03:42,319 --> 00:03:46,280 the door. I bagged down the steps slowly and got 50 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,879 into the car, my hands trembling as they found the 51 00:03:49,919 --> 00:03:54,439 steering wheel. The wet fabric of my shirt clung tighter now, 52 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:58,400 and I noticed fresh red smears on the upholstery where 53 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:03,400 I sat. I stared at the house through the windshield. 54 00:04:04,919 --> 00:04:08,879 What the hell did I just see? It was in 55 00:04:08,919 --> 00:04:16,000 a resemblance That was her. I tried forcing logic back 56 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:19,279 into my head. Maybe she was spending the weekend of 57 00:04:19,319 --> 00:04:22,399 a friend's place and I just delivered to her without 58 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:26,040 either of us registering what was happening. She could have 59 00:04:26,079 --> 00:04:32,120 been distracted, still, she had stared right into my face, 60 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:37,759 and I saw no familiarity in her eyes. Surely my 61 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:42,680 sister would have recognized me. My brain kept whirring in 62 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:46,720 my head like I'd missed something massive. I gript the 63 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:51,360 steering wheel harder and muttered to myself. I reached for 64 00:04:51,439 --> 00:04:55,160 my phone and diled my mom If anyone knew where 65 00:04:55,160 --> 00:05:00,920 my sister was, it would be her. It rang, then 66 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:04,759 rang again. I tapped my foot and looked up at 67 00:05:04,759 --> 00:05:11,279 the house. I hung up, then called again. Still nothing. 68 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:17,279 My leg bounced harder. I felt the wet fabric shift 69 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:21,079 under me, sticking to my skin. I leaned my head 70 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:24,439 back and stared at the ceiling of the car, whispering, 71 00:05:25,319 --> 00:05:30,959 come on, pick up. I dropped the phone onto the 72 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:34,560 passenger seat and stared at it, then out the window, 73 00:05:35,439 --> 00:05:40,519 then back at the house. This is insane, I said, 74 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,079 under my breath. I can't believe I'm about to do this. 75 00:05:46,439 --> 00:05:49,079 I popped the door and stepped out into the rain. 76 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,120 I didn't go straight to the front door. I walked 77 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:56,959 around to the side of the house, following the edge 78 00:05:56,959 --> 00:05:59,480 of the hedges until I found a spot where a 79 00:05:59,560 --> 00:06:03,839 curtain and didn't fully cover the window. My shoes were 80 00:06:03,879 --> 00:06:08,560 soaked every step squished, and the cold water crawled up 81 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:13,639 past my ankles. I just needed to see, just a peek. 82 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:20,160 I leaned in, squinting through the glass. The inside of 83 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,279 the window was foggy, but I could still make it 84 00:06:23,319 --> 00:06:29,439 out there. I saw my sister again, sitting cross legged 85 00:06:29,439 --> 00:06:31,800 on the carpet with a book spread out in front 86 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:39,279 of her. But I also noticed my dad sitting at 87 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:43,759 the table, focused on a newspaper. What looked to be 88 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:48,680 my mom, No, what was definitely my mom scrolled on 89 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:52,079 a phone across from him. She was on a phone 90 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:56,360 right now, but she hadn't picked up my call. The 91 00:06:56,439 --> 00:06:59,920 TV was on low volume, with some cartoon humming in 92 00:07:00,079 --> 00:07:03,920 the background. I pressed my palm flat against the window 93 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:12,680 and stared harder. That was them, all of them, But 94 00:07:12,759 --> 00:07:16,720 it couldn't be. They were supposed to be at home. 95 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:21,680 What were they doing here? And if they weren't my family, 96 00:07:22,759 --> 00:07:26,399 who the hell were they? Was there a doppleganger of 97 00:07:26,519 --> 00:07:31,040 me as well? A sound cut through the air so 98 00:07:31,279 --> 00:07:36,160 sharp and sudden I almost fell backward. The dog slammed 99 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:41,759 against the window, snarling, teeth bared. I hadn't even noticed 100 00:07:41,759 --> 00:07:44,720 her in the room, but now she was up against 101 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:50,279 the glass, her tail stiff and ears pinned. I stumbled back, 102 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:54,399 slipping slightly in the wet grass, then turned and ran. 103 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:58,360 I didn't look back until I was in the car, 104 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:03,199 slamming the door shut and locking it. It was our 105 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:07,279 family dog, but I thought she had run away months ago. 106 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,240 My chest heaved, my hands trembled, and the steering wheel. 107 00:08:15,439 --> 00:08:20,199 I drove the whole way home. I tried talking, sensing 108 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:25,040 to myself, they're just visiting someone, that's all it is. 109 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,800 I don't know. Maybe I forgot. Maybe they told me 110 00:08:28,839 --> 00:08:33,360 and I tuned out. I forced out a laugh. They 111 00:08:33,399 --> 00:08:39,320 don't have to tell me everything. I kept talking, but 112 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:45,039 the feeling didn't leave. Something was wrong, Something was deeply, 113 00:08:45,639 --> 00:08:54,799 irreversibly wrong. As I pulled into the driveway, the street 114 00:08:54,879 --> 00:08:59,200 lights cast long streaks across the wet road. My parents' 115 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,919 car was already there, sitting where it always did, angled 116 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:06,240 slightly toward the garage with a front bomperdent I'd seen 117 00:09:06,279 --> 00:09:11,279 a thousand times. I sat for a moment, then stepped 118 00:09:11,279 --> 00:09:14,399 out into the cold and walked up to the door. 119 00:09:16,159 --> 00:09:19,320 The moment I opened it, I saw something. I set 120 00:09:19,360 --> 00:09:23,519 alarm bells off in my head. My dad sneakers with 121 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:27,080 the grass stains around the soles, my mom's worn flat 122 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:32,600 and my sister's light velcrows. I shut the door behind 123 00:09:32,639 --> 00:09:40,039 me and called out Mom, no answer, Dad, You're home. 124 00:09:43,639 --> 00:09:47,879 I swallowed hard and moved deeper into the house, each 125 00:09:47,919 --> 00:09:51,919 step slower than the last. I passed the living room 126 00:09:51,919 --> 00:09:54,720 and the kitchen. I turned down the hall and the 127 00:09:54,799 --> 00:09:59,000 master bedroom. The door was shut, but I could hear 128 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:04,120 the quiet hummer a space eater coming from inside. I 129 00:10:04,159 --> 00:10:07,039 pushed it open just enough to see through the gap. 130 00:10:09,039 --> 00:10:12,960 There were three shapes under the covers, one large figure 131 00:10:13,039 --> 00:10:16,480 on the side, another in the middle, and a smaller 132 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:22,480 one near the edge. I shut the door gently. So 133 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:26,919 they'd been here all along, but I'd just seen them. 134 00:10:27,279 --> 00:10:31,639 I'd watched them sitting together at the other house. I 135 00:10:31,759 --> 00:10:36,600 know I hadn't imagined it. But if it wasn't my family, 136 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:41,759 then who the hell was at the other place. My 137 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:47,360 thoughts scrambled for answers, but every path hit a wall. Clones, 138 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:53,200 skin walkers, shape shifters. I wasn't superstitious, but I had 139 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:59,840 read stories. But those were fiction, weren't they. I lay 140 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:03,679 with my eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling fan 141 00:11:03,879 --> 00:11:08,039 slowly turning above me. My clothes were still damp with 142 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:12,039 rain and sauce, and I hadn't changed. I hadn't even 143 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:16,559 turned off the bedroom light. There was no sleep coming. 144 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:23,080 I had so many questions I needed answered. I tried 145 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:27,120 going over every detail. I thought maybe I'd exaggerated it. 146 00:11:28,159 --> 00:11:31,120 I told myself, people can resemble each other more than 147 00:11:31,159 --> 00:11:33,879 you think that. My mind had filled in the gaps 148 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:38,080 because I was stressed or overworked. But the more I 149 00:11:38,159 --> 00:11:43,279 ran through it, the more certain I became. I didn't 150 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:50,240 get it wrong. I'd seen my sister. I rolled over 151 00:11:50,519 --> 00:11:53,720 and looked at the clock, and it was still early, 152 00:11:54,279 --> 00:11:58,279 just before five. I got up and grabbed my keys. 153 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:06,799 I needed to see again, I needed proof. I parked 154 00:12:06,799 --> 00:12:09,320 across the street from the house and killed the engine. 155 00:12:10,159 --> 00:12:13,720 The windows were still dark. The porch light had shut 156 00:12:13,759 --> 00:12:17,720 off with the first rays of sunlight. I reclined slightly 157 00:12:17,759 --> 00:12:23,799 in the seat and waited. Minutes passed, maybe more than 158 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:30,919 an hour. Then the front door opened. My mom stepped 159 00:12:30,919 --> 00:12:34,600 out first, coats slung over one arm, digging in a 160 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:39,320 purse for keys. My sister followed behind her, wearing her 161 00:12:39,320 --> 00:12:44,679 school uniform. This couldn't be a coincidence. Now I was 162 00:12:44,759 --> 00:12:52,559 certain the exact same uniform. No way. They got into 163 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:56,039 their car, and I watched as my mother started driving. 164 00:12:57,360 --> 00:13:00,600 I didn't even realize i'd started the ignition until I 165 00:13:00,679 --> 00:13:06,039 was already following them. I followed them across town, keeping 166 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:10,519 two cars back so I wouldn't be noticed. They pulled 167 00:13:10,519 --> 00:13:14,519 into the lot of West Grove Elementary, my sister's school. 168 00:13:15,399 --> 00:13:18,440 I recognized the mural on the front wall and the 169 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:23,000 big plastic tiger near the entrance. I parked across the 170 00:13:23,039 --> 00:13:27,720 street and watched. My mom stepped out first, guiding my 171 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:31,679 sister with a hand on her back. She adjested her coat, 172 00:13:32,159 --> 00:13:36,879 glanced both ways, and crossed towards the front door. My 173 00:13:37,000 --> 00:13:42,120 sister skipped behind her, bouncing at the sidewalk's edge. They 174 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:47,679 laughed about something before heading through the main entrance. I 175 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:52,039 stayed frozen behind the wheel. My hands were locked around it, stiff. 176 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:58,960 This was really happening. I couldn't wait any more. I 177 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,799 got out and crossed the street. The security officer at 178 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:06,000 the door didn't stop me. I walked through the main 179 00:14:06,159 --> 00:14:10,960 entrance and straight toward the front desk. The woman sitting 180 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,679 there looked up and offered a polite smile that disappeared 181 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:19,120 as soon as she saw me. Can I help you, 182 00:14:20,039 --> 00:14:24,120 she asked, voice cautious. I'm trying to find my mom 183 00:14:24,159 --> 00:14:27,279 and sister. They just came in. I saw them walk 184 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:33,799 through the doors. She hesitated, glanced toward the interior hall, 185 00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:38,799 then back to me. There's a parent student event going 186 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:41,679 on this morning, a lot of families, I hear right now. 187 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:46,480 Do you know what classroom they were going to? I 188 00:14:46,519 --> 00:14:51,879 shook my head. I just I need to talk to them. 189 00:14:52,399 --> 00:14:56,600 I'm sure they're here. I saw them come in. Her 190 00:14:56,639 --> 00:14:59,879 eyes flicked down to my shirt. Her lips parted like 191 00:15:00,039 --> 00:15:05,720 she was about to ask something, then stopped herself instead. 192 00:15:06,039 --> 00:15:09,200 She pointed to a small cluster of chairs by the entrance. 193 00:15:11,080 --> 00:15:15,879 You can sit and wait there, if you'd like. I sat. 194 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,679 The seat creaked beneath me, and the smell of industrial 195 00:15:20,759 --> 00:15:25,320 carpet and disinfectant hit my nose. I rested my arms 196 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:29,279 on my knees and tried to quiet my breathing. My 197 00:15:29,399 --> 00:15:32,159 head ached from how hard I've been clenching my jaw. 198 00:15:34,080 --> 00:15:37,000 The woman at the desk glanced at me again, then 199 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:42,639 stood and stepped closer, her voice lower, Sorry to bother you, 200 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:48,559 but what is that on your shirt? I looked down. 201 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:52,480 The red stains were still smeared across the front, and 202 00:15:52,600 --> 00:16:00,440 sleeves thicker near the bottom. I'd forgotten all about it, Sauce, 203 00:16:01,039 --> 00:16:08,960 I muttered, had a delivery incident. It's nothing, She nodded, unsure. 204 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:15,399 I leaned back and rubbed my eyes. My thoughts spun 205 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:19,799 without direction. What was the point of all of this? 206 00:16:20,559 --> 00:16:25,519 Why were these copies even targeting my family specifically? And 207 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:29,960 more importantly, when was I going to see my own copy? 208 00:16:34,159 --> 00:16:36,720 I was so deep in my train of thought that 209 00:16:36,799 --> 00:16:39,679 I hadn't noticed the flood of parents and children that 210 00:16:39,799 --> 00:16:43,440 had spilled into the front lobby. I got up in 211 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:47,440 a trance, looking around while tiptoeing trying to find the two. 212 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:52,960 Then I saw them, my mom guiding my sister by 213 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:57,080 the hand. They were headed for the exit, her purse 214 00:16:57,159 --> 00:17:02,879 over one shoulder. I had to try calling out to them, ma'am, 215 00:17:03,639 --> 00:17:08,240 I shouted. It didn't seem like they heard me, but 216 00:17:08,319 --> 00:17:11,240 I couldn't quite tell because I was interrupted by a 217 00:17:11,359 --> 00:17:17,799 hand landing on my shoulder. You're right, man, I turned 218 00:17:17,839 --> 00:17:20,599 to see a security guard standing next to me, I 219 00:17:20,839 --> 00:17:25,640 scanning me from head to toe, I haked my arm free. 220 00:17:25,960 --> 00:17:28,880 I'm fine, I just need to talk to them. They 221 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:34,279 didn't hear me. The guard opened his mouth, probably about 222 00:17:34,279 --> 00:17:39,039 to suggest I calmed down, wait or sign something. I 223 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:42,920 didn't give him the chance. I stormed out the front door. 224 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:49,519 The car had already started moving. I sprinted across the lot, 225 00:17:49,799 --> 00:17:54,279 jumped into mine, and cranked the ignition. My tires screeched 226 00:17:54,319 --> 00:17:56,920 against the wet road as I pulled out and began 227 00:17:57,039 --> 00:18:02,759 tailing them. They pulled into the driveway and parked. I 228 00:18:02,839 --> 00:18:05,799 stayed on the opposite side of the street, ducked low 229 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:10,000 behind my steering wheel. My mom stepped out and my 230 00:18:10,079 --> 00:18:14,480 sister followed. The front door opened and my dad appeared 231 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:18,680 in his work uniform. I was on the cusper, losing 232 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:23,519 my mind. Every time I tried rationalizing what was happening, 233 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:28,799 I got hit with another slap in the face. He smiled, 234 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:32,359 walked down the steps, wrapped my mom in a brief hug, 235 00:18:32,799 --> 00:18:36,200 kissed the forehead, and knelt and patted the dog barreling 236 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:41,519 out behind him. They all walked inside together, the door 237 00:18:41,640 --> 00:18:46,720 shut behind them. I stared at the house with my 238 00:18:46,839 --> 00:18:51,160 hands frozen. At ten and two, I had seen them 239 00:18:52,039 --> 00:18:59,440 all of them but me. The sun had begun to dip. 240 00:18:59,519 --> 00:19:02,680 By the time the front door opened again, I had 241 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:06,640 been watching for hours, parked down the street, barely blinking. 242 00:19:07,759 --> 00:19:10,920 My legs were sore from sitting. My stomach had long 243 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:17,079 since given up asking for food. They all stepped out 244 00:19:17,079 --> 00:19:21,240 of the house together. My mom locked the door behind her, 245 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:24,799 dropped the keys into a purse, and got into the car. 246 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:30,759 They pulled away without a glance behind them. I waited 247 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:34,920 until they turned the corner. Then I stepped out of 248 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:39,200 my car. I passed the front door and rounded the house, 249 00:19:39,559 --> 00:19:43,440 stepping over weeds and bits of rotted mulch. My hand 250 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:47,240 trembled as I reached for the back door. I tried 251 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:52,119 twisting the handle, but it was locked. I stepped back, 252 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:55,279 scanned the area, found a rock near the edge of 253 00:19:55,319 --> 00:19:59,720 the fence, and hefted it with both hands. My breath 254 00:19:59,759 --> 00:20:03,440 was fast. I raised it and smashed it through the 255 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:09,079 back window. Glass scattered across the linonium. I cleared the 256 00:20:09,079 --> 00:20:12,680 sharp edges of my forearm, climbed in and landed with 257 00:20:12,759 --> 00:20:18,079 a thud in the kitchen. The moment I landed, I 258 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:22,480 heard a growl. She stood at the end of the hallway. 259 00:20:22,960 --> 00:20:27,519 Ears pulled tight, tail still, her front paw lifted an 260 00:20:27,559 --> 00:20:33,599 inch off the floor, her body stiff. Hey, I whispered, 261 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:41,200 it's me. You remember me, right? She growled louder, hackles raised. 262 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:48,759 It's me, girl, it's me. The dog lunged forward, barking 263 00:20:48,799 --> 00:20:52,480 with a snarl that echoed down the hallway. He barely 264 00:20:52,519 --> 00:20:55,359 managed to raise my arm before she collided with me, 265 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:59,960 her teeth snapping at my forearm. I twisted and showed 266 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:03,039 with all my weight, throwing her sideways into the wall. 267 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:07,839 She yelped as she hid the ground hard. She didn't 268 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:12,160 move after that, but I checked her chest, still breathing. 269 00:21:14,039 --> 00:21:16,640 I pushed into the living room and tried to steady 270 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:20,519 my breathing. I moved through the house room by room, 271 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:26,039 turning over drawers, peeling open photo albums, and flipping through paperwork. 272 00:21:27,279 --> 00:21:30,519 The diplomas were on the wall. Their wedding photo sat 273 00:21:30,559 --> 00:21:35,400 crooked on the dresser. I opened my sister's closet. Her 274 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:39,480 clothes were exactly as I remembered them. I checked the 275 00:21:39,519 --> 00:21:43,960 drawings taped to a wall in my parents room. I 276 00:21:44,039 --> 00:21:47,240 rifled through the drawers one by one until I hit 277 00:21:47,279 --> 00:21:50,880 the one near the bottom. It stuck a little. When 278 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:56,680 I pulled it, swollen from humidity. I yanked harder. A 279 00:21:56,720 --> 00:22:01,319 stack of old text documents and receipts billed forward. Beneath them, 280 00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:07,319 Wrapped in a hand towel was a revolver. I unwrapped 281 00:22:07,319 --> 00:22:11,200 it and turned it in my hands. The chamber was empty. 282 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:15,119 I had come here and prepared if I was about 283 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:18,319 to meet a group of skin walkers and monsters. I 284 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:21,359 realized then that I needed a way to defend myself 285 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:26,440 at the very least. I kept searching, and eventually I 286 00:22:26,519 --> 00:22:29,160 found a box of rounds beneath a row of passports 287 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:34,319 and family records. I loaded the cylinder, clicking each bullet 288 00:22:34,319 --> 00:22:40,079 into place. Six rounds. I sat on the couch and 289 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:44,440 stared at the hallway where the dog lay. I just 290 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:47,720 wanted to end it. I wanted someone to tell me 291 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:53,200 why this was happening. It was dark by the time 292 00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:56,000 their headlights swept across the wall of the living room. 293 00:22:57,119 --> 00:23:01,599 I turned every light off. I sat in silence, revolver 294 00:23:01,799 --> 00:23:06,039 resting in my lap, heart steady. Now I had been 295 00:23:06,079 --> 00:23:09,279 waiting so long that the silence had begun to settle 296 00:23:09,319 --> 00:23:15,000 around me like furniture. The car door slam shut. The 297 00:23:15,039 --> 00:23:20,119 front door unlocked, swung open, and they entered together, chatting 298 00:23:20,160 --> 00:23:29,319 about something casual. Then they saw the dog. The laughter stopped. 299 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:34,079 My mom dropped her purse. They ran forward, crouching down, 300 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:38,440 reaching for her. My sister gasped and pressed herself against 301 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:43,519 the wall. That's when I stepped forward from the hallway. 302 00:23:44,960 --> 00:23:50,039 They turned as one. I lifted the revolver and cocked it. 303 00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:57,519 They froze. My dad raised his hands slowly. My mom 304 00:23:57,599 --> 00:24:01,400 didn't move. My sister stared at me with her eyes 305 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:08,599 wide and wet. I didn't blink. Who are you? We 306 00:24:08,640 --> 00:24:13,519 all asked at the same time. I didn't answer, and 307 00:24:13,599 --> 00:24:18,759 they didn't either. I waved the gun around. I asked 308 00:24:18,799 --> 00:24:24,440 the questions. I corrected my posture. Why are you copying 309 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:31,720 my family? Still nothing? I saw you all here, I said. 310 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:34,960 I delivered that stupid Peter here and saw my little 311 00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:38,759 sister and my entire family in this home. But I 312 00:24:38,799 --> 00:24:43,960 saw them my family back home, lying in bed. So 313 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:47,400 who are you people? Why is there no copy of me? 314 00:24:48,319 --> 00:24:52,839 Am I not good enough? My voice cracked at the end, 315 00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:59,400 but I swallowed it back. You're not them. My dad 316 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:04,799 started to say something low and even don't, I said, 317 00:25:05,319 --> 00:25:10,519 don't start acting now. I reached into my coat pocket 318 00:25:10,839 --> 00:25:13,039 and pulled out the roll of duct tape i'd brought 319 00:25:13,079 --> 00:25:16,440 from the kitchen drawer. I tossed it across the room. 320 00:25:17,640 --> 00:25:22,359 He bounced once, then stopped near my dad's foot. Start 321 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:29,799 tying all of you arms, legs. Don't test me. My 322 00:25:29,920 --> 00:25:34,039 sister started crying. My mom didn't move and to my dad. 323 00:25:34,119 --> 00:25:38,000 Knelt and began wrapping her wrist, muttering that everything was 324 00:25:38,039 --> 00:25:41,119 going to be fine, that they'd do what I said. 325 00:25:42,279 --> 00:25:48,279 He woked quickly, quietly, barely looking up. He bound her 326 00:25:48,319 --> 00:25:51,880 ankles next, then moved to my sister, who flinched with 327 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:58,519 every motion. I tied my father's wrists myself. You're coming 328 00:25:58,559 --> 00:26:02,119 with me, I said, We're going to see the real ones, 329 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:10,039 the originals. My dad looked up at me, confusion twisting 330 00:26:10,480 --> 00:26:18,640 into fear. I'm going to get my answers. I marched 331 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:23,039 them outside. The street was empty. I had them walk 332 00:26:23,079 --> 00:26:27,920 in a line, slow and careful. My finger never left 333 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:31,680 the trigger. I opened the door of the car and 334 00:26:31,759 --> 00:26:34,119 shoved them into the back seat, one at a time. 335 00:26:35,279 --> 00:26:38,559 My sister sat in the middle, wedged between them. Their 336 00:26:38,640 --> 00:26:42,640 faces were tight with panic. My dad tried whispering something 337 00:26:42,640 --> 00:26:47,519 to her. I told him to shut up. I got 338 00:26:47,559 --> 00:26:53,119 behind the wheel and started the engine. I drove toward 339 00:26:53,160 --> 00:26:56,599 my house. My fingers tightened and the wheel with every mile. 340 00:26:57,640 --> 00:27:00,480 My throat was dry and the weight of the revolver 341 00:27:00,599 --> 00:27:05,079 pressed against my thigh. I kept my eyes flickering between 342 00:27:05,119 --> 00:27:12,119 the road and the mirror. We pulled into the driveway. 343 00:27:12,839 --> 00:27:15,720 My hands were shaking on the wheel, slick with sweat, 344 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:19,680 even though the night air had turned cold. I left 345 00:27:19,680 --> 00:27:23,079 the engine running and stepped out first, keeping the revolver 346 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:29,640 low but steady. Out I said, voice dry, come on, 347 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:35,039 let's go. The dad shuffled out of the car slowly. 348 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:39,400 His hands were still taped, arms held away from his sides, 349 00:27:39,839 --> 00:27:43,720 like he thought any movement might set me off. He 350 00:27:43,759 --> 00:27:48,480 looked at the house for a second, then at me. Look, 351 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:53,160 he said, trying to meet my eyes. Please just think 352 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,599 about this. You don't have to do any of this. 353 00:27:56,359 --> 00:28:01,599 This is a mistake. You're confused. I can tell I 354 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:07,480 didn't say anything. He kept going, breath picking up. You said, 355 00:28:07,519 --> 00:28:12,000 we are copies, doppelgangers. What if that's not what this is? 356 00:28:12,519 --> 00:28:17,119 What if you just mix something up? We walked toward 357 00:28:17,119 --> 00:28:23,000 the front steps. I was right behind him. Ah, he stuttered, 358 00:28:23,920 --> 00:28:30,640 if I'm a copy? What's my name? I stopped walking. 359 00:28:31,599 --> 00:28:36,880 The question buzzed in my head, dull and ugly. His name. 360 00:28:38,039 --> 00:28:42,400 I should be easy, I'd said it a thousand times. 361 00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:49,279 I opened my mouth. Your name is? He defensively raised 362 00:28:49,319 --> 00:28:53,319 his arms, awaiting an answer. I raised the gun again. 363 00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:57,519 Shut up, just shut up. You're about to meet them. 364 00:29:00,119 --> 00:29:03,319 Him down the hallway. Every light in the house was off. 365 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:08,480 I didn't bother with the switches. I just I wanted 366 00:29:08,519 --> 00:29:12,880 to get this over with. They're in there, I said, 367 00:29:13,359 --> 00:29:17,279 the real ones you'll see, and when you do, I 368 00:29:17,319 --> 00:29:19,680 want to hear you say it. I want you to 369 00:29:19,759 --> 00:29:26,559 admit you're a copy. He didn't speak. I reached for 370 00:29:26,599 --> 00:29:29,599 the master bedroom door and pushed it open with a 371 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:36,960 barrel of the gun. It creaked. The air inside was thicker, warmer. Somehow, 372 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:44,160 my family was still in there, sleeping. I stepped in 373 00:29:44,279 --> 00:29:50,960 first and flipped the light switch, and then I stopped breathing. 374 00:29:53,039 --> 00:29:56,839 The sheets were stained, dark red splotches soaked through the 375 00:29:56,880 --> 00:30:00,920 fabric and crusted it around the edges. The man behind 376 00:30:00,960 --> 00:30:06,599 me led out a soft, hoarse sound. Why he said, 377 00:30:06,960 --> 00:30:12,400 voice breaking, why are you showing me this? I looked 378 00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:18,240 at him. I didn't speak. I raised the gun and 379 00:30:18,359 --> 00:30:23,759 shot him once in the chest. He dropped to his knees, gasping. 380 00:30:24,839 --> 00:30:27,720 Then I stepped forward, placed the barrel against his head, 381 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:32,920 then fired again. His body fell sideways under the carpet. 382 00:30:34,599 --> 00:30:38,039 I stood there for a while still. There was noise 383 00:30:38,079 --> 00:30:42,400 in my ears and fan word above us. I didn't 384 00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:46,160 say anything. I just turned around and walked back toward 385 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:50,039 the door. The rain had returned by the time I 386 00:30:50,079 --> 00:30:54,640 stepped back outside. It drifted over the street in soft sheets, 387 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:59,279 thin and consistent, slipping into the collar of my shirt. 388 00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:03,160 As I crossed the yard, the sidewalk glistened beneath the 389 00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:07,599 street light, puddles gathering in the same uneven cracks that 390 00:31:07,720 --> 00:31:11,599 had always been there. I walked toward the car with 391 00:31:11,680 --> 00:31:16,240 the revolver down at my side. My mom sat rigid, 392 00:31:16,839 --> 00:31:20,160 mouth sealed beneath the tape, eyes locked on the door 393 00:31:20,240 --> 00:31:25,200 of the house. The sister sat next to her, shoulders trembling, 394 00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:28,519 hands pinned in a lap with the tape still tied 395 00:31:28,559 --> 00:31:33,519 across a wrist. Their faces were red from crying. They 396 00:31:33,519 --> 00:31:41,599 had seen the flashes through the window. They knew. I 397 00:31:41,640 --> 00:31:47,039 stood there for a moment. No one said anything. I 398 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:51,240 opened the driver's side door and looked at them. My 399 00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:56,200 mom's eyes flicked to mine. Her head shook slightly just once. 400 00:31:58,640 --> 00:32:05,480 I raised the gun and fired. The bullets struck her 401 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:09,000 just beneath the left eye. Her head jerked back and 402 00:32:09,079 --> 00:32:12,480 smack the seat with a dull thud. Blood sprayed the 403 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:15,720 inside of the window and rolled in slow streaks down 404 00:32:15,759 --> 00:32:20,160 the side of her cheek. My sister screamed against the tape. 405 00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:24,200 She writhed sideways, twisting as far as the restraints let 406 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:28,359 her move. Her knees kicked to the dashboard. She tried 407 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:32,680 to turn away. I walked around the car. Her eyes 408 00:32:32,759 --> 00:32:36,920 met mine through the side window. I opened the passenger door. 409 00:32:38,079 --> 00:32:41,200 She tried to speak, her voice caught behind the lays 410 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:45,519 of tape and panic. I raised the gun again and 411 00:32:45,599 --> 00:32:50,519 fired twice into her chest. Her body slammed back against 412 00:32:50,519 --> 00:32:57,759 the seat, then folded sideways. The screams stopped. Blood soaked 413 00:32:57,759 --> 00:33:01,799 through a shirt, soaking into the seat be lower. One 414 00:33:01,799 --> 00:33:04,920 of her arms dropped loose at the elbow, limp over 415 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:09,799 the edge of the cushion. I stood there, staring at 416 00:33:09,799 --> 00:33:15,000 the mess for a long time. My arm trembled beneath 417 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:17,720 the weight of the gun. I let it drop to 418 00:33:17,759 --> 00:33:21,480 my side and stepped back from the car, breathing through 419 00:33:21,519 --> 00:33:28,279 my mouth. The rain hadn't let up. I turned and 420 00:33:28,400 --> 00:33:33,319 walked back inside. My shoes left a trail across the 421 00:33:33,400 --> 00:33:37,759 tiles in the entryway. The copper smell inside had grown stronger. 422 00:33:38,440 --> 00:33:42,319 It crawled into my nose, into my throat, and settled there. 423 00:33:43,680 --> 00:33:47,160 I sat down on the couch. The revolver clacked as 424 00:33:47,200 --> 00:33:49,160 I placed it on the table in front of me. 425 00:33:50,799 --> 00:33:54,400 I leaned back and stared at the wall. My hands 426 00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:58,200 rested in my lap. I could still feel the recail 427 00:33:58,279 --> 00:34:05,680 in my fingers. Minutes passed, maybe more, and then far 428 00:34:05,799 --> 00:34:14,239 off I heard sirens. They were coming. I looked at 429 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:31,679 the revolver again. One shot left.