I couldn't look away.
The reflection… was still moving.
Even when I wasn't.
My body stood frozen in front of the glass.
But inside it—
That thing wearing my face tilted its head slightly.
Watching me.
Studying me.
Like I was the reflection.
And it was real.
"No…" I whispered.
My breath came out uneven.
"That's not me…"
It smiled again.
Wider this time.
Too wide.
Unnatural.
Like something was stretching my face beyond what it should.
I took a step back.
Slow.
Careful.
In the reflection—
It didn't follow immediately.
There was a delay.
A fraction of a second.
Then it stepped back too.
Late.
Wrong.
That delay sent a cold wave through my entire body.
"They're not synced anymore…"
The message echoed in my mind.
Separation is no longer complete.
I swallowed hard.
"What does that even mean…"
The reflection lifted its hand again.
This time slower.
More deliberate.
It placed its palm against the glass.
Flat.
Waiting.
I stared at it.
My heart pounding violently.
"No…"
I didn't move.
Didn't respond.
Didn't mirror it.
Seconds passed.
Heavy.
Tense.
Then—
It tapped the glass.
Once.
A soft tap.
I flinched.
It tapped again.
Twice.
Then again.
Faster.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
My chest tightened.
"Stop…"
It didn't.
The tapping grew faster.
Louder.
More aggressive.
TapTapTapTap—
"STOP!"
I stepped back suddenly.
The sound stopped instantly.
Silence crashed down again.
The reflection lowered its hand slowly.
Still smiling.
Like it enjoyed that.
Like it was learning how to get a reaction.
I clenched my fists.
"Don't react…" I whispered to myself.
"That's what they want…"
The reflection leaned closer again.
Its face pressing near the glass.
Eyes locked on mine.
Empty.
But focused.
"You're slow."
My voice.
Again.
Perfect.
Mocking.
My breath hitched.
"I'm not talking to you."
"But you are."
It tilted its head slightly.
"You answered."
My chest tightened.
Damn it.
It was right.
Every reaction.
Every word.
Every movement.
I was feeding it.
"No more…" I whispered.
"No more."
I forced myself to step back.
One step.
Then another.
Breaking the distance.
In the reflection—
It didn't move this time.
It stayed there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Not following.
That was worse.
Much worse.
Because now—
It didn't need to copy me.
I turned away.
Finally.
Breaking eye contact.
My heart still racing.
My hands shaking.
"Just walk…" I muttered.
"Just leave…"
I took a step.
Then another.
Trying to ignore it.
Trying to pretend nothing happened.
But I could feel it.
Even without looking.
That gaze.
Still on me.
Still there.
My phone vibrated again.
I didn't want to check.
But I did.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Another message.
"You noticed the delay."
My grip tightened.
"Shut up…"
Another message appeared instantly.
"Good."
Cold.
Short.
Watching.
Always watching.
"It means we're getting closer."
My stomach twisted.
"What do you want from me…" I whispered.
The reply came immediately.
"You."
My heart skipped.
Just one word.
But it said everything.
I stopped walking.
Again.
Bad habit.
But I couldn't help it.
"What happens if you get me?" I asked quietly.
Silence.
For a moment.
Then—
The phone vibrated.
"You become stable."
My chest tightened.
Stable?
"And me?" I whispered.
No response.
That silence was louder than any answer.
I swallowed hard.
"I disappear…"
Another vibration.
"Correct."
My hands trembled.
"No…"
This wasn't just about being replaced anymore.
It was about being erased.
Completely.
A sudden movement caught my attention.
Without thinking—
I looked.
Wrong move.
The glass.
The reflection.
It was gone.
My reflection—
Was gone.
My breath stopped completely.
"No…"
I stepped closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
The glass reflected the street.
The buildings.
The sky.
Everything.
Except me.
My heart started racing uncontrollably.
"I'm still here…"
I lifted my hand.
Touched my face.
Felt it.
Real.
Solid.
But not visible.
"Why can't I see myself…"
My voice shook.
Behind me—
A whisper.
Very close.
"Because I'm here now."
My entire body froze.
That voice…
Wasn't from the phone.
Wasn't from the reflection.
It was behind me.
Real.
Close.
Too close.
My breathing stopped.
Slowly…
Very slowly…
I turned.
Nothing.
Empty street.
No one there.
No sound.
No movement.
But this time—
I didn't feel relief.
Because I knew.
I wasn't alone anymore.
My phone vibrated one last time.
I looked down.
Hands shaking.
Final message.
"Second break complete."
My heart dropped.
"No…"
Under it—
One last line appeared.
"Next… full replacement.