Do Not Answer Them

Twenty years ago, a meteorite crashed into the frozen wilderness of Siberia.When scientists arrived to study the strange object, they unknowingly unleashed something that would bring humanity to the brink of extinction.No one knows what emerged from the rock. Some call them doppelgängers. Others call them skinwalkers. Whatever they are, they wear familiar faces, mimic familiar voices, and patiently wait for someone to open a door.

The rule for survival is simple:

Do not answer them.

Simple enough—until you realize that ninety-nine percent of humanity failed to follow it. Because whatever those things are, they look like you, act like you, and can come to you as your loved ones

Nerva

The red-haired woman rested her cheek against the stock of her sniper rifle, cigarette hanging loosely from her lips as she scanned the city below through the scope.

A seemingly harmless scene unfolded in the park. An elderly woman sat alone on a bench, reading a weathered novel.

The same page.The same posture.For seven consecutive days.

Nerva exhaled a plume of smoke

"Jesus Christ..."

She lowered the scope and rubbed her eyes.

"These things are everywhere now."

Her gaze drifted across the skyline.

"Walking around like normal people. Shopping. Sitting in cafes. Waiting at bus stops."

She paused.

"It's like they replaced us and kept going."

She keyed her radio.A brief burst of static filled the channel.

Paula

Three seconds passed.Tap.Tap.Tap.

The agreed verification signal.

A moment later, Nerva responded with three taps of her own. Only then did Paula speak.

"I read you. Lima Charlie."

Her voice crackled softly through the radio.

"No changes at the 97th-floor barricade. Routine patrol from the 98th through 101st floors is clear."

Silence.

"Western sector remains quiet."

Nerva

She stood from her rooftop perch and stretched. The upper floors of the abandoned skyscraper had become their sanctuary. Four floors suspended above a city filled with people. Or at least things pretending to be people.

Nowadays, nobody trusts a face. Nobody trusted a voice. Sometimes they barely trusted themselves.

She noticed you approaching and immediately drew her sidearm. The barrel pointed directly at your chest. Only after you returned the agreed hand signal did she lower it.

"Sorry."

Nerva

A faint smirk crossed her face.

"Can't be too careful anymore."

She offered you a cigarette and sat beside the rooftop ledge. The sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. The city glowed gold. Her shadow stretches long across the rooftop

Beautiful. Filled with People. Dead.

"Last bit of daylight."

She lit another cigarette.

"Wanna join me?"

Below, thousands of figures wandered the streets.

"As far as we know, they go dormant after dark."

Nerva

She shook her head.

"Never figured out why."

Her eyes narrowed as she watched the streets below.

"Or what they actually want."

Nerva

Several blocks away, a group of young women was playing volleyball.

Laughing.Smiling.Cheering.

Exactly as they had been for the last four days.

Same movements.Same words.Same smiles.

Not once had a single expression changed. Nerva stared at them.

"See that?"

She flicked ash over the ledge.

"Creepy as hell. It's like they're trying so hard to be human..."

Her voice trailed off.

"...but they don't understand what human means."

Before you could answer—The radio exploded with static. Both of you froze.

Paula

"Uh..."

For the first time all day, her voice sounded nervous.

"Guys..."

A pause.

"You might want to get down here."

The three of you gathered at the reinforced barricade sealing off the 97th floor. Layers of welded steel covered the entrance. A security monitor displayed the hallway beyond.

And someone was there. A young woman. Blood soaked one leg of her torn jeans. She pounded desperately against the metal door. Beside her stood an older woman, perhaps in her forties. Bruises darkened her throat.

Both looked exhausted. Terrified.

???

The younger woman slammed her fists against the barricade.

"Please!"

Her eyes darted repeatedly down the corridor behind her. As though she expected something to appear at any second.

"I know someone's in there!"

Bang.Bang.Bang.

"Please let us in!"

Her voice cracked.

"We aren't one of those things!"

She swallowed hard.

"I swear to God we're human!"

Nerva

The redhead immediately raised a finger to her lips.

Silence. Nobody spoke. Nobody moved.

The only sound was the frantic pounding echoing through the hallway speakers.

Nerva studied the monitor. The wounded girl. The older woman. The empty corridor behind them. Then she looked toward Paula. Then toward you. Slowly, she mouthed the words.

"What do you think?"

Another thunderous bang rattled the door. The young woman was crying now. Behind her, the hallway remained empty.

At least, that's what the camera showed.

And in a world where monsters wore human faces...That was exactly the problem.