Life Is But a Dream by Brian James

Author:Brian James [James, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: 2012-03-26T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

ELEVEN

—How long do I have to be in here?— I ask the security guard. I want to go back to my room so badly that my voice comes out high-pitched and fast. The guard mistakes my nervousness for anger at first. Then he sees my hands wound tightly together and knows that I’m only afraid.

His face turns kind after that. Even though his skin is dark like the center of my eyes, there is a glow to him. —I don’t think it will be long— he explains, reaching for the door handle on his way out of the room. —A doctor should be by … soon, I guess.—

I’m alone then, sitting in a tiny room at a tiny table.

A mirror takes up most of the wall facing me. There’s a reflection in the silver glass, but it’s not me. It’s nearly a perfect clone but something about the eyes is darker and different as they stare back at me. Her eyes don’t glow like mine. They are blue like the sky, but mine shine like electricity underwater.

It’s hard to breathe for a second and I have the impression that this other me has stolen the air from my lungs as she watches from the other side of the mirror in disguise.

The imposter me is small and only takes up a fraction of the space in the mirror. I keep watching—waiting for her to make a mistake and make a move that I don’t. Even if she only blinks, I will have proof.

I’ve seen this girl pretending to be me before. I’ve seen her in the bathroom mirrors at my school. Only glimpses though. I’ve seen her longer inside the computer. I remember her from there. It’s where she was born. That’s where she lives, but she wants out—wants to switch places with me for good.

She is one of the secret people. There’s a secret person for every one of us.

My chest tightens when I see her here and so stable. What if she has already done it—has gotten out? It’s possible. Everything is brighter in the reflection. It’s cramped in the room. The gray walls connect to form a metal box—a silver piece of glass like a computer screen in front of me. But which of us is on the outside and which one is looking in?

* * *

—Okay, I’m almost done— Kayliegh says. She thinks I’m mad at her for spending more time with Thomas than me this summer. She’s been spending the whole week before school starts up again trying to make it up to me. She says it’s bad luck to start sophomore year separated from your best friend. I’ve told her at least a hundred times that I’m not upset, but I guess I haven’t been too convincing. This is Kayliegh’s newest attempt to make up before then. My birthday is coming up soon and she’s giving me my present early—setting up a profile for me online without my parents knowing. —You’re going to love this— she says, clapping her hands in anticipation as she laughs.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.