I didn't like this plan. Sam seemed convinced it would work, and Emily had agreed to it, but then, I also didn't think either of them was really in the right state to make the decision…
And yet, here we were. I resisted the urge to check, again, that Emily wanted to go through with this.
Taylor was her best friend, I knew that, and she would do whatever it took to see her safe. I could see where she was coming from.
I just gave her hand a squeeze instead. She squeezed back, hard, a silent confirmation that she was more afraid than she looked.
We waited just in the tree line for a few more moments, giving Sam time to limp into position. I knew he was moving slowly from more injuries than he wanted to admit.
Trying not to think about all the ways this could go wrong I stepped out of the trees and moved swiftly to the door. I could feel Emily close behind me.
I held my gun ready in front of me as we moved into the cabin, eyes taking a moment to adjust to the change in light…and several more to process the image in front of me.
When there was no immediate attack, and I didn't start shooting, Emily moved into the room, and froze beside me.
We were expecting to see a terrified Taylor and a monster wearing either my face or Sam's. Instead, we were faced with two Taylors, looking terrified from where they sat on the floor staring at each other from opposite corners at the back of the room…
Somehow, I hadn't even considered this possibility.
The damn thing had thought this through. We couldn't attack either of them without fear of hurting the real Taylor.
I glanced at Emily, making sure to keep both Taylors in sight.
She looked between me and the Taylors, then shrugged a little. "Guess I'm on…" She said quietly.
I raised an eyebrow, and nodded, surprised at how well she seemed to be taking this turn of events. I guess a monster is a little less scary when it's in the body of a young woman. I just hoped she didn't end up underestimating it…
"It's ok Taylor, we're going to get you out of here." She told the two girls cowering at the back of the room. Neither of them moved. They didn't even look at us.
She cleared her throat nervously and tried again. "I…I don't know what he…she…it…" She faltered for a moment before continuing, "What it told you. But it is going to be ok. We will work out the real you and get you out of here safely."
I glanced at Emily again, proud of her for managing to sound so confident. I could only hope that Taylor believed us and would give us a sign.
When there was yet again no response she took a step towards them, holding her silver necklace in front of her like a shield.
I moved with her, doing my best to follow her lead. It was hard. I had a lot less control when I wasn't the one leading…but I had to trust that she knew her friend well enough to get this right.
She took another step forward, this time moving closer to the Taylor in the corner on the right.
"No!" Emily jumped at the fearful cry from the left hand Taylor.
"You don't want me to approach her?" Emily asked carefully, studying the one who'd spoken. The other hadn't moved.
The Taylor shook her head shakily, but kept her focus on the other, as though waiting for her to attack.
"Why?" Emily asked.
The Taylor shot her a quick glance, "She'll hurt you. Please…Emily, get out of here before she hurts you…"
I honestly couldn't tell if we were talking to the real Taylor. She sounded genuinely scared, not just for herself, but for Emily's safety…but I knew how convincing these damn things could be.
I glanced at Emily, and saw that her eyes were shining with unshed tears. I could only imagine what was going through her head right now. And yet, when she spoke again, her voice was steady.
"I'm not going to leave you." She directed the comment towards both of them, clearly not yet ready to believe the Taylor talking to her. She took another step towards the still silent Taylor on the right, who let out a quiet sob and shook her head almost imperceptibly.
The Taylor on the left however just glanced at her again, but this time…this time there was a flash of something other than fear. There was a flash of anger in those eyes. Sam had warned me that this monster was unstable, full of anger…but I also knew how strong Taylor was, and couldn't be sure this wasn't just her strength showing through as anger at Emily continuing to put herself in danger…
Was it the deceptive quiet of the Taylor Emily was approaching that we should be worried about?
I hated just standing here, waiting with my gun aimed between them until Emily gave me a signal…and what if she got it wrong? Was I right to let her make the choice? She'd never forgive herself if she got it wrong.
I knew that she was just as aware as me of how high the risks were in this horrible game. She was silent and still for several moments, just staring at one Taylor and then the other as if waiting for an epiphany.
The only movement in the room was the silver necklace swinging slightly in her hand.
I started to worry that she had frozen, unable to make a decision.
Then, without warning, she threw the necklace towards the Taylor on the right…and all hell broke loose.
Hi everybody! I know, I know, I just couldn't resist one more cliffhanger as we reach the end of the story! I will do my best to not leave you hanging for too long!
Thankyou to HakSem and Sallyannerenee for reviewing!