Prologue: The Day She Met Herself

It had been a long time since Mara had heard the stories about the cryptids. Mara had heard about nymphs, sirens, and most importantly, doppelgangers. It was a cold December night, the night of the winter formal at the high school, Mara was looking in the mirror as she put her makeup on. Suddenly in the mirror appeared a second face, so similar to hers that she quickly turned around; nobody was there.

Mara turned back to the mirror to see that there was only one reflection there. Creepy, Mara thought as she went to tell her parents goodbye.

"Have a nice time," her mother said.

"Be careful, don't take anything offered to you," her father ordered, "who knows what might have been placed in the punch."

Weird, that sounds like Dad's adding to the warning from my doppelganger. If it was my doppelganger. Mara just nodded, "of course, Dad, I'll watch myself."

When Mara arrived at the high school she couldn't help but keep scanning the crowd of her peers. Immediately her eyes locked on a girl who looked quite similar to her, but as the girl turned around Mara could tell that it was one of her friends. Her friend, Jackie, looked almost exactly like her, and almost the whole school year they had been mixed up by friends and teachers.

Tonight's definitely different, Jackie looks a lot like my second reflection I saw earlier. Maybe I should try my best to avoid her tonight, just in case my theory is correct.

"Hey, Jackie," Mara heard a male voice from behind her.

Mara slowly turned around, it was Michael Fischer, the boy that she had had a crush on since eighth grade. Why? Why has he always seemed to think Jackie is more attractive than me?

"Actually I'm Mara, sorry." As Mara turned away to go request her favorite song to the DJ, Michael grabbed her arm.

"I know, I just wanted to see your reaction," he smiled. Mara knew that the rumors about his canine teeth weren't true, but tonight they looked a little exceedingly sharp. Though she knew that if the rumors were true, he would have bitten someone by now.

"And?" Out of curiosity, Mara also smiled.

"You're still mad when people mix you and Jackie up," Michael said, chuckling, "I actually came over here to ask you something."

No way! Is he about to ask me to dance! I can't believe it!

"Do you wanna go outside and dance, I don't like dancing with girls in front of other people?"

Oh, well it's close, but I might have to stay inside.

"Sorry, Mike, could we just dance inside? I feel like it's too cold to go outside."

"Well, if it makes you more comfortable, I guess it won't kill me," he smiled again.

As they glided across the floor, Mara almost forgot all about Jackie and her theory. Until the song ended.

"I'm thirsty, wanna get a drink?"

"Maybe later, I think the punch might be a bit dry," Mara said, trying to make a good excuse.

"Oh, yeah. I'll probably wait until I get home as well."

Is he only agreeing with me because he likes me, or is there something I'm missing?

As Michael walked away, a hand holding a cup appeared in front of her. Mara looked up to see Jackie smiling. Jackie, with her brunette hair in a princess bun, sporting a short black dress, and red and black Louboutins. A small tiara sitting perfectly in the middle of her hair.

"Hey, girl. I was wondering if you were here." Jackie's smile seemed a little inhuman like as she pushed the drink into Mara's hands.

"Don't worry, I already took a sip for you. Drink it, you look dehydrated."

This has to be a threat, is there a way I can fool her into thinking I drank it? Maybe I can tell her that I have to go to the bathroom? Dad never told me how he survived his encounter with his doppelganger, if only he were here, he'd know what to do.

Before Mara could say anything, Jackie was already forcing the drink into her mouth. Mara, trying hard not to swallow, allowed the punch to enter her mouth. I hope Michael comes back, she couldn't help thinking.

Before she knew it everything went blurry.