A Short Story
I'm brushing my teeth, getting ready for bed. As I lean over the sink to wash my hands, a strange movement catches my eye in the mirror. Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks, I think, but when I glance back, only my reflection meets my gaze so I dismiss it, thinking nothing of it.
Moving towards the switch to turn off the bathroom lights, I realize my reflection stays put, not following my steps but frozen in time.
My heart races as I slowly pivot to face the mirror, hoping it's all in my head. My reflection remains motionless, not mirroring my actions. I'm transfixed, waiting to see what unfolds. "Good, you can finally see me," a voice startles me – my own voice echoing back at me. Am I losing my mind? I want to flee, but my body feels rooted in place, trapped in fear, forced to watch and wait.
"I didn't expect you to be silent. Do you always stare at those who reach out?" the voice continues.
At this moment, I'm certain I'm not imagining things. "Who or what are you?" I manage to ask, my voice trembling.
"I'm you, dummy, can't you see?" the reflection chuckles in response. At this point, I'm teetering between thinking I'm losing my mind or witnessing something truly bizarre.
"So, what do you want then?" I cautiously inquire.
"I need your help. Where I come from, there's a lot happening, and we're in grave danger. If things escalate, we might be compelled to seek refuge in your world," it explains urgently.
"Where exactly do you come from, and why do you resemble me?" I press for answers.
"Oh, that. I'm you from an alternate world. You can only perceive me through a mirror. Normally, we aren't allowed to reveal ourselves to you, but this is an emergency, and we need your assistance," it clarifies.
"Why me specifically? And how can I trust you? Something feels off about this. What's the situation in your world?" I probe further, grappling with skepticism.
Though my instincts warn me against trusting her, the uncanny resemblance leaves me uncertain. Just moments ago, the concept of alternate universes was foreign to me, suggesting she might be speaking the truth.
"I'm reaching out to you because I possess the ability to communicate with our alternate selves. The others are counting on me. I require something from your world that could alter our fate and potentially save us all," Anna discloses.
"Alright, what's your name then? Do we share the same name?" I seek clarification. "Actually, yes, I'm Anna, like you. But setting that aside, will you lend me your aid?" Anna2 implores.
"What exactly do you need me to do, and what imminent danger are you facing? I need full disclosure before I commit myself," I assert, seeking clarity on the perilous situation.
"Alright, in our world, there exist varying levels of humanity. We aren't all equal; the smarter an individual is, the more distinct their appearance and the more advanced or evolved they become. This results in humans being categorized into different levels. I find myself as a level 2, signifying the second-best tier. Among us, there are level 1s who have uncovered a dangerous pathogen targeting a specific genetic trait unique to lower levels starting from level 3. This pathogen poses a severe threat, capable of spreading rapidly and causing catastrophic consequences, potentially leading to extinction. Originally intended to be kept confidential for research purposes, some rogue level 1s have stolen it. Utilizing their intelligence, they've concealed it effectively, with plans to unleash it soon. A reliable source has revealed their intention to enhance its lethality to decimate other levels, with the process expected to be completed within a month. However, opposing this annihilation are another faction of level 1s who have identified an antidote - a contrasting pathogen with reverse effects. This antidote, if located in time, could neutralize the pathogen's impact before irreversible damage occurs. Just as I exist in your world as your counterpart, this pathogen also has its counterpart in your reality.I need your assistance finding it, Anna. The pathogen troubling our realm is known as GenoCuller, while its counterpart, the potential savior, is GenoSaviour," Anna2 elaborates.
"I still need you to get to the part where I am to help you. What exactly do you want me to do, and how do I know you're not lying to me?" I ask, still hesitant.
"I need to switch with you," Anna2 says.
"What do you mean switch with me? Why not tell me where to go find it, and I'll do just that?" I asked, alarmed.
"That's because only I can find it. Only level 1s to 3 can find it. In our world, you'd be a lesser level," she declares.
"If I'm you, then shouldn't we be the same level? Also, how do you know that yet we have no such system in our world; you're definitely lying," I retort.
"I can tell what level you are because it's in our genes to be able to identify any level in any world. I'm not trying to be disrespectful," she says.
"I'll need some time to think it over, I'll let you know tomorrow," I reply to her.
"Alright, but don't drag it out, time's ticking," Anna2 remarks.
"I can't have you peeking at me, so I'm draping the mirror, good night," I say as I grab a cloth to cover the mirror.
Climbing into bed, uncertainty clouds my thoughts. If the pathogens are opposites, shouldn't we be opposites too? I know I'm not evil, so she must be my sinister reflection. That notion alone sends shivers down my spine. Yet, if I decline, the weight of an entire world's demise would rest on my shoulders, a burden that would haunt me indefinitely. Should I confide in someone about this? Are there others aware of their existence? If the GenoSaviour is present, then it's safeguarded by individuals, which means there are others from my realm who know about it . Maybe I should do some research on it.
The next morning I’m cruising the web, trying to see if I can get any information on GenoSaviour and as I click around the search results, I spot some shady sites promising more info. I click on one of them and my screen goes crazy, weird pop-ups show up, each ominously declaring, "we know you, we will find you." Panic sets in, and I slam my laptop shut, heart pounding. Did I just get hacked?
I hurry to the bathroom and uncover the mirror. "Hey, are you there? Did you know I might get hacked?" I whisper, hoping no one's listening. My reflection changes, and we're not in sync anymore. "Hey, what's going on? You let them find you? You know the trouble that's coming, right? They'll quiet you down, maybe harm you and let out the pathogen. You should've just asked me," she says, frustrated.
"So, what now? I'm sorry," I say, hoping for a way out, wishing it's not too late to help. The guilt weighs heavy on me, knowing I might have sealed the fate of millions, maybe billions from Anna2's world.
"We gotta switch now. I can handle them; I'm stronger than your people. They're likely on their way here for you, and they'll probably take me mistaking you for me because we look alike. They'll lead me to the GenoSaviour. It's our only chance. Please," she pleads.
I don't need to think twice as I hear loud banging on my door, signaling their arrival. "How do we switch?" I inquire. "Put your palm on mine, then we'll switch sides; it's simple," she explains.
Without hesitation, I place my palm on hers, and I'm pulled into a portal of some kind. Now, I find myself in a dimly lit room, holding a hand mirror that reflects my room. I observe a lone window high up, out of reach. I'm dressed in a blue uniform with a serial number.
In a panic, I ask Anna2 now in my room, "What happens now?" She gazes at me with a sinister smile and replies, "Now you stay there and rot."
Confused and on the verge of tears, I question, "What do you mean, stay here? When will you return, and what is this room?" She discloses, "I've been confined in that room for nearly five years; they imprisoned me for attempting to spread the pathogen to the lower levels.The GenoCuller was put in your world to make sure no one else tries using it and they took the GenoSaviour to my world to treat those who'd already been affected.You've inadvertently helped me regain the GenoCuller," she reveals with a look of dread in her eyes.
Concerned about the consequences in our world, I inquire, "What will you do with it now that you're stuck in my world?" She coldly responds, "I'll exterminate everyone here. Your world will pay for concealing it from me, for aiding my world in thwarting my plans."
I hear a loud noise as the people finally break into my house. I try to yell at them to leave, but they don't seem to hear me. I can only watch as she slaughters them all, knowing that that is just the beginning.
