Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Poor Baba Yelena, she had lived a long life. A long difficult life full of controversies and dramas, but a long life nonetheless. Her stories of her youth playing in the Russian forest, getting lost with ‘pretty soldiers’, and her career of witchcraft scams, had carried the Sverchzt twins’ imagination for all their childhood. And now, she was gone…

The twins couldn’t go to the funeral in Russia. No time to prepare, especially with the Doppelgänger situation making every long distance travel an assault course. So Elenois and Selenne made an altar at home with every picture they had of their baba Yelena, and the Peachman brothers passed regularly to check up on them. Robertsky was as sweet and caring as he could be with his dear Selenne, making sure the sisters were still eating and resting enough. He was present, along with his older brother, when someone knocked at the door. Selenne was in the middle of a childhood story, so Elenois got up to answer and let her sister reminisce in peace. She somehow managed to hold up with grace and elegance despite her current state, slightly tilting her head when she opened the door to the building’s doorman, holding a large box.

-Hey miss Sverchzt… I was about to leave for the night. And well, this has arrived for you. So I figured, I could pass deliver it to you on my way out.

-Oh… Thank you… Do you want to come in ?

She asked while freeing the doorman’s hands from the box. It wasn’t as heavy as it looked, once she had a proper grip, it was pretty easy to carry.

-No, thanks, I’d rather go while there’s still light outside… Have a good evening miss Sverchzt.

Elenois closed the door, wishing them goodbye. She was not sure the poor one could remember which one she was without the IDs and files. They wouldn’t be the first person having this kind of trouble… Yet it’s not like she could do tattoos or change her haircut too dramatically, not with her job. She passed near the living room, hearing Selenne and Robertski still talking… Might as well give them space, and see what was in the box on her own first. She walked to her own room, closing the door behind her, and finally opened it.

Her eyes filled with pearls of tears, recognizing the items… Baba Yelena’s. This must be their side of inheritance. Nothing fancy, just emotional items. A bride veil. That would be for Selenne. Some very awful terracotta sculptures. They can find them a little place. And two books. The first one, full of picture of Yelena’s life. The second… Elenois didn’t recognize the second one. It had no name or title, but a handmade cover of collages making abstract signs. It was too thick to be a notebook, though. There was a note attached to it.

“To Selenne and Elenois,
My dearest pretties. I know we will not see each other again, I hope you miss me as much as I miss you. I am offering you a secret. Many times, I told you of my witchcraft years. Your parents passed it as humor, or meaningless scams. But let me tell you, now they can’t hold me back, those were real, very real.
I am offering you, my angels, something very important and powerful. My old grimoire. Keep it somewhere safe, and keep it closed, and it will bring you good fortune to anything you wish. A word of caution, do not ever open it. I had to give up witchcraft for a reason, and the spell stored inside is the reason. Just keep it near and hidden, locked, and you will be happy.

I trust you two, you are as smart as beautiful, my lovely girls.
Sincerely,
Your Baba
Yelena Savvin.”

Elenois chuckled through the tears. That sounded absolutely like her, always dreaming and imagining the world. Unlike her though, she had grown out of those whimsical stories. She picked up the grimoire, sat on her bed, and opened it, hoping to keep a connection with her grandmother through whatever she might have written on those pages.

She regretted it on the spot. The next second, she could regret no more.

The pages of the book shined a deep purple, the black ink inside seemingly aspiring light. Elenois could think no more. The book spoke through her, reciting the locked words.

“Ya na Kadishtu Nighl’ri stell’bsna nyoghta….”

The surrounding light dimmed, a shadow spreading from her and the book invading the room. Her skin was turning gray, her teeth shifting in her mouth pointier, more appropriate to recite such elder words, not meant for human mouths.

“K’yarnak phlegthoer l’Ebumna syha’h Nghtyf…”

Her eyes closed, but new ones opened. Ones that could read the words she was mindlessly chanting. Her ears also changed, stretching in points. The shadows crept under the door, and spread through the corridor and in the living room….

Albertsky was the first one to notice it. His brother was too busy hugging his girlfriend. The building could be crumbling, he wouldn’t notice. However Alberstky was perfectly alert on how suddenly dark the apartment was getting. An electricity shortage, a fuse blowing ? Surely he could check that, take that issue away from the sisters. He got up and searched for the fuse box.

“Ya hai Kadishtu…”

“Huh ? What was tha-AAAAAAAAAAAAAA”

Albertsky dropped to his knees, holding his head. A sharp pain was coursing through it, like a thousand needles poking in… Or more exactly, poking out of his skin. He could see his hair fall down in chunks. The pain and panic were overwhelming, unable to think, move, or keep screaming. What was happening to him ?? Why was his skin so… Gray ?

The only thing other than the pain he could register was the shadows still spreading. This was not electrical. It was more like devouring the light… And it was reaching the living room. Soon He heard the voices of Selenne and Robertsky screaming in a similar pain.

“Ep r’luh-eeh Nyogtha eeh…”

It took Albertsky all his willpower to get up. Something stung his hands. He moves them out slowly, realizing they were bleeding. He stumbled trying to get his footing. His eyes were adjusting to the obscurity, giving him a chance to look at the closest mirror. He couldn’t even make a sound, shocked by the horror…

He had lost all of his hair, mustache and eyebrows included, his eyes dark with a pale red iris. But the most striking things were the needles poking out of his head, everywhere, with precise measures. They must have been what poked his hand… I am not even bleeding, somehow crossed his mind. Yet he could feel the pain all the same, could see his face still shifting, and he wanted to throw up. He would likely have, if it was not for his instinct to go help his brother. He forced himself to look away from this grotesque reflection, to ignore it, at least long enough to make sure Robertsky was alright.

He was definitely not alright. Robertsky and Selenne were contorting in pain. The shadows seemed more physical around, like latching onto them, holding them through the painful transformation. Robertsky was losing his hair the same way Alberstky did, horns visible growing out. Selenne also had horns growing, albeit she kept her hair, it was even growing longer. Both were becoming sickly pale. Robertski looked up, his eyes were becoming fully yellow, glowing like a predator, yet there was nothing but fear in them:

— A…Albert ? What…Happen… ?

— I… I don’t know…

Albertsky approached slowly, helping them both to hold up without hurting themselves through the changes. More of the horns grew on Robertsky’s arms, ripping apart his shirt. His nose was scrunching back, while his teeth seemed to get too big for his own mouth.

— Help….

He pleaded out, but Albertsky couldn’t do more himself. Markings were appearing on both their faces, like tattoos made of a deep blood-red color. Selenne looked at those on Robertsky and muttered:

— Witchcraft… Baba… did those drawings….ah….. Where’s Elenois ?

She got up, her legs shaking. She almost collapsed, her whole balance changing with her body and her nerves flaring up with each move. Albertsky grabbed her in time, confused.

— What you mean ? Your grand-ma do that ?

— I don’t… know… Elenois…

— We’ll find her okay ? It-aouch

Albertsky bit his tongue. Were his teeth sharper ? This second of pause was enough for Selenne to get back her footing, and walk toward Elenois’ room. She knocked, multiple time, crying out her sister’s name.

“S’ugngh athg Li’hee orr’e Syha’h…”

Alberstky was still terrified, and his body aching… But the worst of the pain was calming down. The changes had fully ended, leaving him just with a general soreness. More than enough to help his brother up and follow together behind Selenne. Together, the two men managed to break the door. Literally, in this case, the horns on Robertsky’s arms pierced through the wood, leaving him stuck in it while Selenne hurried inside.

— Elenois, what’s going… what’s happening to you ? Talk to me… Please…

“Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthugha fomalhaut n’gha-ghia Naf’lthagn…”

Selenne shook her, in vain. She tried to take the glowing book out of her hands but it burnt her. All she could do was hug her out and cry, praying for this to end, to get back her sister. The Peachman, trying to get Robertski out of the door, paused their efforts to look at each other. Slowly they were coming to the realization that, whatever this magic was… If they couldn’t put a stop to it soon, they might stay like this forever…

What they didn’t know, however, was the shadows kept spreading out of the apartment to the next ones and in the hallway…

Chapter Text

There was only one thing Roman couldn’t stand about his wife : his best friend. When Lois and Rafttellyn were together, the tittle-tattling never ended, destroying his nerves slow and steady. Alf seemed equally helpless, as resigned as him to be silent witness to the gossiping. Alas, Roman and Alf both love their wives so much, none could deny them the wish to spend time together. And so, as often, they were gathered for dinner.

This time at least it was at their apartment, thought Roman, hoping to use that to go to his room early. For now, he was still stuck on his chair, eating an admittedly delicious bourguignon, trying to tune out the talk next to him.

— There has to be a reason other than the doppelgängers right ? Do you think he cheats on her ? Oh, poor Mia !

— The Doctor ? No, no, if he has an affair it is only with his work. Have you seen his shifts ? Let me tell you Rafty, with my window right above the main door, I know his schedule by heart. No, I think he is way poorer than he let Mia believe, and he is biding time to buy her the proper ceremony. 

— You say that, but we are not even sure what his job is exactly. He is a Doctor, but he doesn’t have a medical office or anywhere to take an appointment ? He doesn’t work at the hospital either, Nacha had to go there last week for a burn and she didn’t see him -

Alf filled back everyone’s glasses with wine, and the other man silently thanked him. They exchanged a tired glance, emptying their glasses as fast as it has been filled. Their plates were almost empty as well, while the ladies’ were still almost full. Alf broke a little amused smile and nudged his wife:

— Sugar, your beef will get cold… And I’m sure Lois has worked really hard on it, it is as delicious as always.

Lois giggled, calling Alf a flatterer. Roman took the opportunity to prepare his leave:

— No, no, he is right. You did a splendid work, darling. Alf and I are blessed to have such wonderful cooks by our side… Speaking of. While you ladies finish eating, we’re going to get an after dinner cigar. This way I’ll be right back once you’re done, to clean the table. You two have worked hard enough.

The women agreed, enjoying having such gentlemen for husbands. Freedom ! Alf and Roman went to the living room to enjoy some needed silence, around some good smoke. Roman didn’t smoke a lot, but he still enjoyed one during this kind of evening. The room was dimly lit, just a side lamp and their cigar. The men didn’t usually share much conversation, even when left alone. They liked it this way.
The lamp flickered and dimmed down, casting the room in almost darkness. Roman groaned, really, it was the moment the lightbulb chose to break down ? He got up and approached it to try to shift it a bit to see if it could be just a wrong contact. His cigar extinguished, somehow, making the darkness appear thicker around him. He could barely see Alf in the sofa, making him realize the dining room was also cast in this darkness. He called out.

— Must be a shortage, I’m going to ask next door if they have the same issue. I’ll be right back.

No answers from the ladies. He heard Alf groan out, maybe he knocked something or stubbed his foot. Roman pushed forward toward the door. The air was cold, unnaturally dark. He refused to be scared, though. It had to have a reasonable explanation, and what kind of man would he be to panic over a bit of dark ? Maybe… If there was a shortage, potentially something in the air conditioning was malfunctioning too. Yeah, that sounded right. As for the eerie silence, and the muted pain in his bones…

The pain suddenly grew in intensity. A splitting headache leaving him frozen in place. Despite the cold, something warm dripped on him. He brought his hand up to his head… Was he… bleeding ? How ? He didn’t knock or cut himself…

— Lois ?

Roman gulped, his voice was so raspier, like his throat was completely dry. If it wasn’t for the blood, he’d try to rationalize it as getting sick. He had to find an explanation, to make it make sense. To not panic. A real man, of his age, does not panic. The pain spread from the forehead to his jaw. No answer from Lois… Hold that, actually he could hear her. She was crying. That was enough for him to turn around. Maybe too fast. He bumped into something -pretty sure it was their key hook rack, he must have been closer to the wall than he thought. Still, it dug in his cheek, making him hiss in pain. He /definitely/ had a cut now, he felt it. Who cared.

— Lois, don’t move.

His voice was getting worse. He didn’t like how no one else talked, either. How the obscurity hid anyone’s movements, making the apartment slightly different. He felt alone, struggling to reach his wife, the pain throbbing in his head. Yet Roman kept going, stepping in the dining room.

Rafttellyn had left the room it seemed, but Lois was there, Roman could see her shape… Even if it was all wrong. She was shaking uncontrollably, curled up in her chair. She seemed to change, to morph into something else entirely right in front of him… He had to be hallucinating. The dark played tricks on his mind. The only thing sure was she was in atrocious pain, which was all he had to know to join her side. When he tried to hold her, however, she pushed him away, feebly. Her arms seemed feeble, her hands too small. She cried between two sobs:

— Don’t…look at me…

— Lois, my dear, you… You’re hurt, let me take a look…

He noted how distorted her voice sounded, more cavernous. It was getting so different, but not in the same way as him. He cupped her cheek to make her gently look up at him… And he gasped, staring in absolute horror. How could he not, when his wife was now looking up at him with 9, yellow eyes faintly reflecting in the darkness ? Even without fully seeing her, he could not pretend she was not monstrous. Lois was equally aware of it. She looked equally terrified of her state… And also… Of him ? She quickly pushed him away, hiding her face in her hands again, despite the hands too small to cover her. Roman brought a hand to his face, feeling the differences he couldn’t see or feel through the numbing pain. How his face had shifted. The transformation occurring in him, albeit less dramatic as Lois’. His mind spiraled, grasping at straws to rationalize this. Yet he could find nothing, no explanation for their demise. The only coherent thought he could have right now, was that Lois needed him to be strong for them both. 

— Darling, it’s me… Don’t be scared. We… I will find a way to get things back to normal. I promise… Now come here.

He wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from this awful reality. After some struggling of her part, Lois relented and held him back.

— You look… Awful, Roman… Thank you, for being here.

— Well, you’re still pretty as a butterfly. I’ll never leave you, no matter what goes.

He forced a smile and kissed her forehead. Her hair was gone, he just realized. It was something else on her head, thicker and fleshier… Fingers ? Hands ?…

— You shouldn’t lie. I… I can see I'm a monster…

— Nonsense.

He kept hugging and kissing her, despite the hands-fingers-things actually really creeping him out. He would rather die than let her doubt or afraid. No choices, he will find a way to fix this anyway. Or he’ll get used to it. He couldn’t help but wonder if that was how Lois looked… And she found him awful… What could he look like in her eyes ?…

Meanwhile, Rafttellyn had locked herself in the bathroom. She had started to move the moment she felt sick. With the moonlight as the only source of light, she had been able to see all her transformation in the mirror’s reflection. How her lovely hair grew darker and longer, her face graying and bloating out, how her nose, eyes, and chin changed. She was as confused as Roman and Lois, but she was still unaware of their own changes. So she just stayed in here, sitting against the shower cabinet, unable to look away from the ghostly reflection of her new form. Wondering what caused such transformation, how to cure this, what Alfy would say… He would have to see this, after all, she couldn’t hide in the Stilnsky’s bathroom forever. She heard a voice she didn’t quite recognize outside the room. It took her a moment to understand it was Roman, likely with Lois. It didn’t sound like they were doing any better. Rafttellyn took all her courage to open the door and walk back to the others. She almost screamed seeing the creature with hands on its head, and the bloodied man with razor teeth and eyes of flame.

— Wh… Where’s Alf ?.....

She piped out, feeling her legs shaking, almost giving away. The man turned an eye toward her. She vaguely recognized Roman, his mannerisms still present.

— Rafttellyn ?…. I…. He might still be in the next room…

She nodded a thanks, and keeping a hand on the wall, followed the direction in search of her husband. As she passed she couldn’t help but notice, despite the horrifying situation, how close her friend and husband still were, comforting each other… Maybe it wasn’t going to be as terrible as she thought with Alf…

— Alf ? You’re in here ?

She passed her head in the living room. No sound. She slowly stepped in deeper, looking around. Her feet stumbled on something, making her almost trip, she stopped herself only thanks to the couch nearby. She looked down, and screamed in panic.

— AALF !!!

She threw herself down, holding up the limp body of her husband. He had changed too : slightly shrunk -he has never been a tall man but still average, now he was quite short — his hair longer and darker, skin a dark purple… The weirdest feature were these sorts of ligaments, feeling like ropes under Rafttellyn’s fingers, sprouting in and out of his skin. He also felt oddly light in her arms.

— Alf, please, wake up !!

She begged out in vain. Her cries eventually brought the Stilnsky in the room. Lois had struggles finding her balance with how morphed her limbs were, holding onto her husband who observed the situation and took a deep breath :

— I’m going to call for an ambulance. Nothing of this is normal.

— Are you mad, Roman ? Look at us ! What will happen is being mistaken for doppelgängers, if not worse. We are going to die !

— Alf might be dying now… Dammit, still no electricity… I’ll go knock on the neighbor’s doors. You know what ? I will go directly get Dr.Afton. Maybe he’ll make sense of this… You, you stay with Rafttellyn, okey ?

Lois knew she wouldn’t be able to change her husband’s mind. That’s how he was. He wasn’t one to wait, or to admit his fears, he was one to act as much as he could. So she nodded and waddled closer to her friends, helping her install Alf on the couch.

Roman turned and went to the door. This was all too much for him. As he left the apartment, a whisper reached his ears.

“Wza-yei dhohnna  yr nhhngr…”

He looked quickly around. The hallway was empty, engulfed in the darkness that kept spreading up the floors…

Chapter Text

While the first floor was suffering anguishes and horrors, the atmosphere in Izaack’s apartment was far more vibrant and joyful, still unaware of the dark fate crawling to them like an infection.
Izaack had invited his dear Angus for a little romantic dinner. Just the two of them, in all privacy, with some candles and a good meal and wine. Mostly wine. Along with a porto and some vermouth. And, yeah, by this point they were wasted. Laughing loudly together in the dim light, forgetting about the rest of the world in their little world… Until someone knocked at Izaack’s door. Izaack gulped, partially sobering up as he ushered Angus to quiet down. He got up and opened with his trademark smile:

— Hm, oh, hey Margaret… How may I help ?

— Good evening, sorry to disturb you at such a late hour… I was hoping you would have a flashlight or a spare candle perhaps ?

— Candles ? Oh, yes, uh yes, yes, I have that…. Why ?

Margarette smirked amused

— You didn’t notice the shortage ?

Izaack blushed, and stuttered the start of an excuse, his mind slowed down by alcohol. Margarette rolled eyes. Like she didn’t hear him and Mister Ciprianni laugh their heart out from her own living room. Yet as she turned her glance in the hallway, she caught the glimpse of something turning her pale. She stepped in Izaack’s apartment, a hand on her mouth. Izaack of course protested.

— Hey ! What gives ? I’m going to get you those candles just,

— Shh…please… I just saw some…thing… in the stairs…

She whispered, fear all over her face, her valid eye locked on Izaack with a silent plea. The journalist frowned and looked outside. Nothing but darkness. And to say he was the drunk one…. Oh, well… He just closed the door.

— I suppose y’can wait here, and I’ll be right back….

When he stumbled in the living room, Angus sat up from the couch, smiling to him

— Well Mio Caro, you comin’ back ?

— Gimme a sec… Margie’s here…

Izaack meant for it to be a whisper, but he was pretty sure everyone and their mother could hear them. He went to the drawer for extra candles, ignoring Angus groaning.

— Eeuuugh whyyyy…

— Electricity’s dead apparently…

— Oh ? I was so lost in the light of yer eyes I didn’t notice ~

Izaack snorted, face red. He passed by the couch to plant a kiss on Angus’ forehead before he returned to the entrance with the candles.

—  Here you go… Margie ? You alright ?

The bubbly woman was holding herself against the door, in a silent panic. Still this ‘thing in the dark’ scaring her ? As he approached, two yellow dots turned to him. Eyes. Followed by a second pair, then a third ! Snakes ! The journalist dropped the candles out of shock, frozen. He had to be hallucinating !! There was a sick feeling in his stomach, his guts twisting in disgust and pain. The alcohol and vision of Margarette made his head spin… Whatever was happening to her or him. He turned to reach back to the living room, but his body felt heavy, sluggish. He had trouble lifting his feet up :

— A-Angus ?

He called out. Angus answered with a whining:

— C-coming…

The room spun even faster, Izaack tripped over himself and fell down. His body was burning, and he felt his clothes tightening around him, constricting his movements and breathing even more. Angus, closer, yelled out : 

— Che cazzo ? Pezzo di merda, mio naso !!

Izaack tried to get up, causing his shirt and vest to burst at the seams. He couldn’t ignore it now, even if his mind struggled to process it : he was swelling up. The burning inside, the sensation of his insides shifting. It was actually happening. How ? Why ? 

— Madre di Dio, Izaack !

Izaack looked up to Angus. His voice seemed different, with a hand covering partially his face. So much red seeping through the clothes…

— Angus… You’re bleeding….

— Yes, yes, I know, who cares, what’s happening to -ack

A surge of pain interrupted the businessman, making his whole body jerk unnaturally. At the same time, another wave of swelling surged through Izaack. There was something growing out of his neck. He couldn’t figure what, couldn’t figure anything. He pushed on his arms to get up, yet couldn’t feel his legs. It was as if they melted together. He quickly collapsed back on the ground, so heavy. Unable to help Angus, who was twitching while some thin rods surged from his shoulder. 

Another twitch, Angus couldn’t keep the hand on his face in place. His nose…fell. Dropping right there between them, bloody. Patches of skin with it, like it had been torn away. Shit, there was even a bit of bone. Angus fell on his knees screeching. Izaack couldn’t help, barely able to move, forced to watch his boyfriend contorting. After his nose, it was some of his fingers ripping out of his hands. He was falling in pieces, a puzzle getting broken to fit back in the box. He saw him spit blood as thin metal rods pierced through his skin and clothes, from his shoulder blades. It scraped his face and for a second Izaack was afraid it would pierce his eyes and blind him.

Maybe it should have, for instead it pierced through the eyelids and spread them, stretching them out. Angus collapsed right there and then from the pain. Izaack followed barely a second after. The last thing his mind registered was the growth on his necks, seeing it from the corner of his eyes. It looked like a stub of a hand… Then darkness engulfed him, in his mind and outside.

Chapter Text

Anastacha was praying for a miracle, anything, to make the Schmicht go away… They were not bad people really, in fact Gloria’s pumpkin pie was the best of the building -scratch that, the state. The problems are only when they come to her apartment as homework coaches. She has been in school all day, she doesn’t want to do any more learning !!! And yet, with her ‘behavior troubles’, she needed the perfect grades to avoid exclusions. Because mom didn’t have the money to pay a proper tutor, she had offered the Schmicht to come once a week help her with her lessons in exchange for a good professional meal.
And so, every week, Anastacha was dying inside just like this evening, with M.Arnold hovering above her hammering the rhyming rules and other methods to give a text a rhythm. Mm.Gloria and Nacha were in the kitchen, doing the dishes.

Finally, the miracle happened. The lights flickered and soon, the apartment was pitch black. A power outage ! Thanks all gods and angels ! Anastacha jumped on her feet

— Oh no, guess we have to end the lesson here since I can’t read, goodbye !!

She hurried to the kitchen ignoring Arnold’s protests, joining her mom.

— Mom, since there’s no more lights, is the lesson over ?

— Sweetheart, it might just be a quick power outage… Let’s give it 10 minutes, okay ?

The teenager groaned, rolling her eyes. Of course, she would answer some stupid stuff like that. She crossed her arms leaning against the wall.

—Hmm, whatever.

Gloria chuckled, now used to the teenager’s moods, which made her huff even more. Why did they have to be so… stubborn ? Anastacha listened to the two women talking while they dried the last plate.

—Ana, your mother said you had a B+ at your last geometry assignment ? A pretty good score !... Once the light is back, do you want me to review the assignment with you to see how we can improve on it ?

—... No, thanks. B’side, your husband still has like, a thousand words and half to list rhyming with ‘flower’.

—Anastacha ! called out Nacha ; Be nicer, the Schmichts are taking a long time of their evening just to help you. You should be glad !

—It’s okay Nacha, she isn’t completely wrong. Arnold can get easily carried away.

Gloria laughed gently, keeping her usual calm, measured demeanor. Nothing ever seemed to upset this woman. Not even the darkness growing thicker, or the sudden sound coming from the living room. She just made her way to the other room, slowly but steady from the sound of her heels. Once she had passed by Anastacha the young girl tiptoed to her mom with a dramatic sigh.

—I really don’t think it’ll be just 5 minutes. Pleeeaase mom, can we call it a day ?

Nacha thought for a moment, unsure. Anastacha knew she was close to finally getting her time-off, she would even break her if she could do her pleading-kitten eyes. Anastacha was ready to add a Please, when Gloria’s voice interrupted her.

—I think Ana deserves a break. In fact, love, why don’t you go to your room now ? It’s getting cold, you’ll be better all snuggled in your bed while… The adults take care of the electricity issue, hm ?

Anastacha raised an eyebrow. Well. Yeah, that sounded good right now. Like, it’s exactly what she wanted. It’s just that something bothered her in Gloria’s tone. She sounded as calm as before, sure, but something was… Different. She just couldn’t pinpoint what.

—Go to your room love, you worked hard enough for today.

Insisted Gloria. Now, Ana knew something was wrong. Specially as the sound in the living room doubled -why did it sound like there was a damn elephant in the building ? She hummed

—Yeah, yeah. Uh. Goodnight mom. Goodnight Madam Schmicht.

She walked to her room with a hand on the wall. Behind her, she could hear the two women whisper in haste. Something smelled fishy… Wait no, something was really stinking up the apartment, she just noticed. What was going on ? She turned back to ask her moment about it, but the moment she stepped in the kitchen, her blood froze. She could barely see the figures of her mom and Misses Gloria, but she could see sparks flying. And with their brief lights, she saw at her feet two squishy balls. Eyes. A blue and a green.

She ran to her room faster than ever. Slammed the door behind her. No. No no, she had, dreamed. Or it was a bad prank to teach her some stupid life lesson. She did not just see her mom’s eyes on the floor like forgotten buttons. She slid down the ground, back against the door. She closed her eyes. Took deep breaths, like mister Rudboys sometimes had to when there was an alarm. Tried to push away the sickness rising in her from the fear and the stink in the apartment. It was getting harder to breath. She tried to open her mouth wide, in vain. It was like she had no mouth anymore, yet she needed to scream.

When she finally opened her eyes back, some light had come back. Not a lot, just enough to make her room not as scary… Scratch that, it was still terrifying but at least she could see it happen now. Oh yes, she could see, more than ever. Everywhere around her, no blind spot. She could see her reflection in her dresser’s mirror. The light came from above her, a little shining ring. Her face is covered with eyes… She tried to step closer, but as she lifted her foot she flew up the ceiling, her shoulders slamming in it.

‘Aouch ! What’s going on ???’

She tried to say. No sound really came out. She tried jumping back down, swimming clumsily midair. Eventually she managed to grab her wardrobe’s corner to climb back down, more or less.

Looking around with her new eyes, she could now see through the enchanted darkness, noticing the wine-colored strings spreading around. It was on the floor and walls, latching on furniture, as well as on her arms and legs. And what they wrapped around had changed or were still changing. She looked out the window. The strings didn’t seem to spread outside, or not far at least. However, she could spot the difference in color between out and here. It was… Difficult to see. But it was there. Outside was very, one-toned, normal. In her room ? It was like those ‘3D pictures’ made of red and blue. A weird overlay made by those wine strings, that she could only see due to her overlay having so many eyes.

Of course, Anastacha was terrified. But now her eyes were opened to it all, she had to see it all. To go find help. She grabbed a notebook and pen to write, and walked floated clumsily to open the door, crawling in the hallway. Her little halo shed just enough light to guide her, find her way back to the kitchen and living room.

There was her mom, with the ‘overlay’ of a green, dry hag of a woman, a smile carved up to her ears despite her tears. Gloria looking like that Frankenstein woman in the movie. And, impossible to miss, Mister Arnold, almost filling the room, the overlay of a man-elephant engulfing his old shape covered of the wine strings. Anastacha wanted to call out… Before being reminded of her lack of voice. Well. She might not be best at school, but she was smart enough to know, the adults couldn’t fix it right now. They didn’t even seem to realize she had joined them. So as silently as she arrived, Anastacha floated to the main door and slid out. She will find the origin of the strings… as soon as she can control the floating thing that made her go upside down against the opposite wall.