SHLINK
An ice spike tore through the silence, whistling through the air before piercing the girl in front of Austin. His eyes widened in shock.
"What the—"
The girl's skin began to melt like wax, revealing the twisted face of a demon beneath.
It wasn't Valerie.
The one he'd been holding, the one he'd kissed—it hadn't been her.
Another spike that stabbed the demon and froze it to death.
He turned quickly, heart pounding, and there she was.
The real Valerie. Standing a few feet away, her hands trembling, and tears running down her cheeks.
"V-Val… I didn't realize it wasn't you—"
"Don't touch me." Her voice was sharp, raw. She stepped back as his hand instinctively reached toward her.
Austin froze, his fingers curling into tight fists. His heart felt heavier than ever.
"I...I didn't know. It looked exactly like you." His voice cracked, his grief laced in every word. "There wasn't a single thing that felt different."
But Valerie shook her head.
