Elena halted abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest as the doppelganger materialized before her, effectively obstructing her retreat to the sanctuary of the circle. Its grotesque grin expanded unnaturally, revealing a row of razor-sharp teeth glimmering like tarnished daggers in the murky light. A swell of nausea twisted in her stomach upon sighting this, overwhelming her with a wave of dread as the reality of her vulnerability washed over her, leaving her feeling exposed and powerless in the face of this sinister apparition.
From the depths of the circle, Luciana's delicate sobs penetrated the oppressive atmosphere, serving as a fragile lifeline that beckoned Elena back from the abyss of her terror. She understood that she needed to escape, that every second counted. Yet, the monstrous figure loomed ominously in front of her, its claws catching the dim light as it raised them with malice, the seconds elongating into an agonizing eternity, suffocating her resolve.
“What a sweet gesture,” it jeered, its voice saturated with contempt and insincerity. The sound reverberated through her, sending a jolt of ice coursing down her spine, making reality feel like it was teetering on the edge of obliteration. In an instant, the creature had the power to extinguish her life, as well as Loni, and perhaps even little Luciana's, in a single, merciless strike.
Yet, in a shocking twist, the doppelganger hesitated.
Its clawed hand quavered suspended in the air, its unnatural eyes flickering with a flash of an unexpected emotion—anguish. Elena's astonished gaze darted to the creature's arm, where the gaping wound from Elijah’s spear appeared more pronounced. The monster's previous aggression faltered as its movements slowed, the strike directed at her becoming sluggish and painfully obvious in its intent.
In that pivotal moment, instinct surged forth, shattering the paralyzing grip of fear that had anchored her in place. With a swift, decisive motion, Elena ducked, the lethal swipe narrowly missing her and allowing her to scramble backward, her boots slipping on the sugar-dusted surface beneath her. The adrenaline coursed through her veins as she fought against the disorienting haze of panic, determined to reach safety more than ever before. Because she had a chance.
Just as Elena began to twist herself toward the sanctuary of the circle, a blur materialized in her peripheral vision. From nowhere, Elijah appeared, his spear driving forward with deadly precision, the tip aimed squarely at the creature’s grotesque form. The spear seemed to cut through the air itself, its momentum a razor-sharp promise of salvation. For a heartbeat, the world froze, her gaze locked on the gleaming weapon as if it carried the weight of all their hopes.
The doppelganger’s unnaturally oily black eyes flicked downward to track the spear’s trajectory. A guttural snarl tore from its throat, echoing through the bakery like the wail of a predator caught unawares.
All the while, Elena’s instincts screamed at her to move, but her body remained paralyzed by the visceral collision of events—Elijah's sudden appearance, the monstrous howl, and the impending clash that promised either victory or utter catastrophe.
Claws lashed out lethargically at Elijah, even as the spear plunged with brutal precision into the doppelganger’s abhorrent body. The impact was horrifyingly visceral and was followed by the creature’s guttural screech as the spear struck true. The doppelganger's repulsive form convulsed violently in response to the puncture, and for a fleeting moment, Elena feared it might somehow elude its grim destiny once more. However, as reality reclaimed its hold, the creature's body slumped to the ground, its sinister grin diminishing into a pallid, lifeless mask as it uttered its farewell: “This is just… the beginning…”
As the doppelganger collapsed, the suffocating atmosphere within the bakery seemed to lift, as if the encroaching darkness had inhaled its final, rattling breath. The creature’s disfigured features melted away into an otherworldly visage, rendering it unrecognizable and no longer bound by its perverse impersonation of humanity. Elena's chest heaved as she surveyed the lifeless entity, a tide of nausea crashing through her at the grotesque spectacle. Even in repose, the sight of the thing seemed to instill a deep unease within her.
Suddenly, Luciana’s heart-wrenching wails splintered the tenuous silence, and Elena whipped her gaze toward the little girl, her heart constricting at the sheer terror in Luciana’s cries. The cry yanked her from her stupor, urging her to take a cautious step back toward the protective circle as Loni, visibly worn and wounded, enveloped her daughter tightly in her embrace, murmuring soft reassurances that sought to soothe her. She made sure to grab the torn bag this time, taking careful steps toward the descending barrier to avoid spilling the rest of its contents.
Elena’s gaze was first drawn to Loni’s wan complexion as she got closer, the noticeable tremor in her hands, and the vivid red stain unfurling across her jumper. She knelt beside her, her heart filled with concern and determination.
“We’re safe, thanks to you,” Elena whispered gently, her words intended to soothe both mother and child in that moment of fear. Relying on instinct, she placed a calming hand on Loni’s uninjured arm, her own fingers quivering ever so slightly with apprehension. “But we should probably take care of that injury now,” she continued, gesturing towards the jagged claw marks marring Loni’s shoulder.
Before Loni could voice any objections, Quill materialized with a first aid kit in hand; her swift and assured movements helped to alleviate some of Elena’s residual anxiety. In a moment of clarity, Elena handed over the sugar just as she started applying first aid.
“Combine this with the salt and press it into the wound—it should help to stem the bleeding until better help shows up,” she said.
As the other woman finished with the first aid, Elena then did her best to answer her inquiry.
“I… don’t know everything,” she admitted, her tone cautious. “It showed up looking like someone else. Started messing with people’s heads—turned them into puppets, basically.” Her brow furrowed as she glanced toward the lifeless body on the floor, now reduced to something unrecognizable. “Whatever that thing was… it wasn’t human. But I guess you figured that out already.”
