Chapter 2: Of Trains, Towns, and Time - Part 7- END

Mi Fan sat at the door, her small frame blocking the entrance. One leg bent, the other crossed. For a moment, she reminded me of an old friend, always standing guard, just like he used to do years ago.

“Come use the bed, little lady,” I said softly.

“No. My job is to protect you, Mister Ma… Mimic,” she replied with her usual seriousness. I sighed, getting up from the bed.

I walked over and sat beside her, leaning my back against the door.

“What are you doing, sir?” she asked, confused.

“Well, I’m staying here too. This way, we can both protect each other,” I said with a warm smile.

Mi Fan looked at me with a hint of annoyance but didn’t protest. She just remained sitting next to me. And like that, we both drifted off to sleep together, sitting at the door of a random room in Hemlock Ridge.

While I slept, my mind began to split apart.

Hello, I said to myself.

Hello, Sherry, I answered.

Hello, Mimic, I replied again.

Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted the thoughts. It was a woman’s voice.

“I’ve been looking for you,” she said. “Dinner’s ready.”

I felt a hand take mine, and together we started walking toward the light.

But then, a guttural voice emerged from the darkness.

“So, it was you,” it said, the coldness of it sending a shiver down my spine.

“Yes, it’s me,” I answered, as if I couldn’t help it.

“It’s all we have left. I suppose you’ll do.”

A scream jolted me awake. I sat up abruptly, sweat beading on my forehead. The light of dawn was already filtering through the curtains of the room, but the feeling of unease clung to my skin. I brought a hand to my face, touching it softly, and reassured myself with the familiar feel of my own fur.

I was still me.

We rose slowly. Mi Fan was still asleep, sitting by the door. I gently shook her, and she groggily opened her eyes, grumbling.

A sudden shout from outside broke the morning calm.

“HE’S DEAD!” someone yelled, followed by another shout: “MURDERERS!”

I stood up quickly and opened the window. A crowd of townsfolk had gathered outside, upset, agitated. For a brief second, I considered throwing out a witty line, something from Columbo or Magnum P.I., but quickly decided now wasn’t the time.