Lina didn't sleep.
Not even for a second.
Every time she closed her eyes… she saw his face.
Not the one lying lifeless on the street—
But the one from inside the mirror.
The one she became.
Morning came, but it felt meaningless.
The world outside her window moved on like nothing had happened.
Cars passed. People laughed. Life continued.
But Lina…
She felt like she didn't belong in it anymore.
Her phone buzzed again.
Lina flinched.
Unknown number.
The same one.
Her hands trembled as she opened the message.
"You should turn on the news."
Her heart started pounding.
"No…"
But she did it anyway.
The TV flickered to life.
"…breaking news this morning," the reporter said. "A man was found dead late last night under mysterious circumstances. No signs of struggle. No visible injuries…"
Lina's breath caught.
They showed his picture.
It was him.
The man from the street.
The man whose life she had lived.
"The authorities are calling it a sudden cardiac failure," the reporter continued, "but sources say the case has drawn unusual attention—"
Lina turned off the TV.
Her hands were shaking uncontrollably now.
"They don't know…" she whispered.
"They don't know it was me…"
Knock.
Lina froze.
A slow, heavy knock echoed through her apartment.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"They found me…"
No.
Impossible.
Right?
"Miss Lina Voss?"
A man's voice.
Calm.
Controlled.
Too calm.
Lina didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Maybe if she stayed quiet, he would leave.
"I know you're inside," the voice said.
A pause.
Then—
"And I know what you did."
Her blood ran cold.
Slowly… Lina stood up.
Her legs felt weak, like they might give out at any moment.
She walked toward the door, each step heavier than the last.
Her hand hovered over the handle.
"Run," her mind screamed.
"Open it," something else whispered.
She opened it.
The man standing there didn't look like a threat.
That was the problem.
He looked… normal.
Tall. Dark coat. Sharp eyes.
Too observant.
Like he was seeing through her.
"Who are you?" Lina asked, her voice barely steady.
The man studied her for a moment.
Then he smiled slightly.
"Detective Noah Hale."
Lina's heart dropped.
Police.
"I think you already know why I'm here," he said.
Lina crossed her arms, forcing herself to stay calm.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
A lie.
A weak one.
And he knew it.
Noah tilted his head slightly.
"Interesting."
"What is?"
"You're not denying it the way normal people do."
Silence.
His gaze sharpened.
"Most people panic. They over-explain. They talk too much."
He took a step closer.
"You, on the other hand…"
Another step.
"Are trying very hard to feel normal."
Lina's breath hitched.
"Please leave," she said.
But her voice betrayed her.
Noah didn't move.
"Do you want to know what I think?" he asked quietly.
"No."
"I think you touched him."
Lina's heart stopped.
"I think something happened in that moment."
Her vision blurred slightly.
"And I think…" he continued,
"You're terrified of yourself."
"Stop," Lina snapped.
Too fast.
Too emotional.
A mistake.
Noah's eyes darkened.
"There it is."
Silence filled the space between them.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Then—
Lina's phone buzzed again.
Both of them looked at it.
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
Lina hesitated.
Then slowly picked it up.
Another message.
From the same number.
She opened it.
And immediately wished she hadn't.
"Careful, Lina."
"He's closer than you think."
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
Noah was watching her closely.
"Bad news?" he asked.
Lina forced a smile.
"Spam."
He didn't believe her.
Not for a second.
Noah stepped back slightly.
"Here's what's going to happen," he said calmly.
"I'm going to leave."
Lina blinked.
"What?"
"But I'll be watching you."
Her stomach dropped.
"And if I'm right…"
He paused.
Locked eyes with her.
"Then you're not just a witness, Lina."
A beat.
"You're the beginning of something much worse."
He turned and walked away.
Just like that.
Lina stood frozen in the doorway.
Her mind racing.
Her heart pounding.
Her world collapsing—again.
Her phone buzzed one last time.
Slowly…
She looked down.
"He suspects you."
"Good."
"It makes things more interesting."
Lina's hands shook.
Her breathing became uneven.
"Who are you…?" she whispered.
The reply came instantly.
"I'm the one who gave you this gift."
"And soon…"
"You'll beg me to take it back."