The Doppelgänger: A Psychological Thriller by P. Wish Page B

there is someone who looks like you.”
    “Why is it disturbing? I always wished I had a twin,” Susan said.
    “She was not my twin,” Jillian said. “She was a doppelgänger.”
    A moment of silence filled the room. Darcy smelled the coffee and the hot chocolate clearly for a moment. The cold outside the window bit into her skin. She didn’t speak. The door opened.
    “We need a few hands-” one of the library staff stood at the door, looking at Jillian. 
    “I’ll be there.” Jillian said. Darcy stood wordlessly as Jillian ran out the door.
    “That girl’s been reading too much science fiction,” Susan said, sounding like an old grandmother. “Doppelgänger? I wonder how she came up with that.”
    “I’ll go and help out downstairs.” Darcy said immediately. Darcy hung her coat and rushed out of the door. She pressed for the elevator and stood beside it. Jillian was next to her.
    “What’s so scary about seeing your doppelgänger, anyway?” Darcy asked, ticking her fingers on the mirror.
    “Haven’t you heard the stories?” Jillian asked. The elevator door opened. The two women stepped in. Jillian pressed the button. The door closed.
    “What stories?” Darcy asked. Her shoes clicked on the hard floor. Jillian stopped. She turned to face Darcy. Jillian didn’t blink.
    “They say when you see someone who looks exactly like you, you die.”
    Darcy stomach turned queasy. The eggs she ate for breakfast churned in her belly.
    “It’s supposed to be back luck,” Jillian continued.

    The elevator doors opened. Darcy didn’t move. Jillian stepped out. Jillian said something in the background but Darcy didn’t register her words. The elevator door began to shut. She closed her eyes.
    “Are you coming?” Jillian asked, pressing the button. The doors opened wide.
    “Huh? Yeah.” Darcy said. 

    At 1:00 PM, Mike arrived at the library. Darcy stood at the reception waiting for him. She waved to him. He waved back. He took long strides, closing the distance between them. His hair was ruffled. His eyes were puffier than she remembered. Red lines were visible on the white surface of his eyeball.
    “You’ve been working hard.” Darcy noted.
    “Deadline.” he explained with a shrug.
    “I looked through the library catalogue. We stock that book,” Darcy said, in a low voice.
    “That’s good news,” Mike said. “But I’m not a student. Can I still borrow the book?”
    “I had a word with Susan. She says researchers from the public can borrow books but I need you to fill out a form and give me a proof of identity. Your social security number?”
    “I think I got my ID card…” he said, digging into his pocket. “Will my driver’s license do?”
    “Yes.” Darcy took a step toward the library. “Come on in,” she said.
    Darcy walked to the reception and handed Mike a form.
    “Fill this out. I’ll get the book for you. You can reserve it next time by calling in advance or using the online system.”
    Mike began filling out the form.
    “I’ll need a copy of your driver’s license and social security number.” Darcy said.
    “Um…sure. Here is it.” Mike said, handing her the driver’s license.
    “Thank you.” Darcy said. She sat before the computer and entered the details in the system. Mike finished filling out the form and handed it back to her.
    “Thanks. I’ll process it,” she said. “Wait a second, I’ll get the book.”
    Darcy stepped away from the main desk and went into a room filled with reserved books. She swiped her card. A beep resounded, and the door opened. Darcy stepped in and found the book. She headed back to the main area with the book.
    “Here you go.” She said, handing it to Mike.
    “Thanks a lot. I couldn’t find this one anywhere. I owe you one.”
    “I thought you were writing an article on parallel universes,” Darcy said.
    “I am,” Mike said.
    “What do doppelgängers have to do with parallel universes?”
    “A lot, apparently. I’ll have