The heat of the blaze caused my head to throb, and my eyes stung as sparks flew from various electrical items. My vision blurred. I looked through the glass of my office. What I saw made my stomach clench, and caused countless memories to come flooding back. There, standing menacingly still, was a woman.
I gingerly stepped closer, and the woman copied my movements to perfection. I thought at first it was merely my reflection, and that my mind was playing tricks on me. The woman's steps were cautious. It was only when I saw her emotion-void face and her fiery glowing eyes when I realised.
My doppelganger was back.
"No..."
Time stopped temporarily, then my instincts took over. I lifted a gun from holster, ready to strike. Again, the doppelganger did the same.
That was, until she saw Alistair stumbling and coughing nearby. She turned around, and in a flash, there was a shot.
"NO!"
Alistair didn't even have time to realise what had happened. He was on the floor, writhing in pain, and groaning. Then the evil woman turned to me. I began to shoot, but her reactions were so quick that she dodged every bullet. Then she began to fight back, slick, sharp jabs and kicks causing me to falter. I thought I had met my match. After every dodge she stood, her face boring into mine. Her scarlet eyes glinted, and her head was slightly cocked. She was teasing me. This was a sick and twisted game for her. After an arm twist and two sudden kicks in the back she swept me to the floor.
A final stare was a parting gift, then she ran off into the flames, and vanished through the remnants of a window.
I clutched my head wound, and hurriedly ran to Alistair. It was all a blur.
"Alistair..." I didn't know what to say, I just tried to stop the blood.
"I feel...bloody awful."
"Sssh, just lie still."
"I'll see...see you..."
"Alistair, hold on!"
"See you...in...Avalon."
Alistair died then. I didn't know what to say. I hated loss, but I had to be used to it by now. He became limp and cold. I remembered all he had done for me, his jokes, and his laughter. In my anger and sadness I could think of only one word.
"Damnit!"