Roselle rushed toward Angie with her eyes brimming with tears. “Angie!” she cried out and wrapped her arms around her savior.

  Angie stood stiffly. A slight blush crept up her cheeks. “Easy there, Bursting Cloud. Now you owe me three favors.”

  Roselle released her hold and stepped back. A slight pout came to her face. “Three? You’re just adding them up now.”

  Angie turned away, crossing her arms. “Don’t give me that. I’m still not your friend, alright?”

  Runebelle looked at Angie with curiosity. "You’re the Angie one Harty talks about. I'm Runebelle, the Sleuth of Shadows."

  Roselle tilted her head. “Wait a minute, I thought your name was Sadie.”

  Runebelle smacked her forehead lightly, groaning. “Doh, I let my identity slip! Guess there’s no use hiding it anymore.”

  Both Angie and Roselle leaned in with intrigue.

  Runebelle took a deep breath. “Sadie was my sister’s name. I used it to keep my true identity hidden. It was easier that way, especially when dealing with things like this,” she said, gesturing around the attic.

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “Oh, I see. You wanted to protect yourself—and maybe your sister’s memory, too?”

  Runebelle nodded. “Exactly. It was my way of staying in the shadows while still honoring her. But now that you know, I guess there’s no more shadows to hide in.”

  Angie nodded with a smirk. “That’s pretty smart, actually. Using a name like a shield.”

  Runebelle shrugged with a small smile. “It worked for a while, at least. Now, we have to focus on getting out of this mess and dealing with what’s next.”

  Angie raised an eyebrow. “By the by…Harty's been going on and on about you a lot lately. What's the deal with you?"

  Runebelle took a deep breath before stating, "Harty is a Doppelganger. He's been replaced. That's why he's been acting strange. The real Harty is missing."

  Angie shook her head “I knew something was up. Harty was trying to ask me out recently. It was so out of character with how he just threw it on me.”

  Runebelle raised an eyebrow.“That’s interesting. The doppelganger tried the same thing with me.”

  Angie let out a huff, shaking her head. “These doppelgangers are getting bolder by the minute.”

  The group hurried downstairs and explained the entire situation to Risebelle’s Mother. At first, she flat out rejected everything, but Angie quickly pulled out her phone and showed her the video she’d taken.

  In the video, Risebelle lay in a hospital bed, looking pale and deeply asleep. Angie came through in the video at a high pitch, saying, “Get well soon, Risebelle.”

  Risebelle’s Mother’s face went pale. Tears welled up in her “I…I didn’t know. I didn’t believe you. I thought… I thought you were trying to trick me.”

  Angie placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. What matters now is that we have to act quickly. We need to deal with the doppelganger in the attic and make sure Risebelle gets the care she needs.”

  Risebelle’s Mother nodded, “I’m so sorry. I should have listened. Let’s do whatever it takes to make things right.”

  The doppelganger was dragged from the attic to the living room. She was still tied to a chair and unconscious. Angie snapped her fingers in front of the doppelganger’s face, rousing them from their unconscious state.

  The doppelganger blinked groggily and looked around. Her eyes eventually focused on Angie, who stood with an authoritative glare. “Welcome back to reality. How’s it feel to be on the other side of the ropes?”

  The doppelganger shifted from anger to fear at the surroundings and the now stern faces of Roselle, Runebelle, and Risebelle’s Mother.

  Angie chuckled darkly. “You’re going to face the punishment for your actions. We’re going to make sure the truth gets out of you.”

  Runebelle pulled Angie aside and whispered. “I gave Harty a special ‘pen’-looking device to pass along. I thought it was meant for the chat’s owners to keep. Did you get it?”

  Angie raised an eyebrow and reached into her pocket, pulling out the device. “This is no ordinary pen. I know exactly what it does. I used it on my own doppelganger.”

  Runebelle’s eyes widened slightly. She took the device from Angie’s hand and then held it in front of the doppelganger, who was slowly regaining her composure.

  The doppelganger’s eyes widened in horror. “No! Don’t use that on me! Please, don’t!”

  Risebelle's Mother, bewildered and concerned, asked, "What is that device, and why does it scare her so much?"

  Runebelle, holding the Memory Remover, explained, "This device erases a person's identity. It's the only way to neutralize the doppelganger, ensuring she can't harm anyone else. Once we use this, she won't be able to impersonate or cause trouble again. The fact that she’s reacting means she’s seen this somewhere before."

  The doppelganger pleaded, "You can't do this! It's…it’s inhumane!"

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Angie remarked coldly, "You forfeited any claim to humanity when you tried to harm my 'friend' here. It's a small price to pay for the safety of everyone involved."

  Angie snatched the Memory Remover and moved it threateningly close to the doppelganger; however, Runebelle intervened and stood infront of her.

  "Wait, Angie. We need to know more. Tell us everything," Runebelle demanded while turning to the doppelganger.

  The doppelganger started to break down in tears. "I'm Riselle. I was created by Shadowcroft as a back-up plan in case Rosebelle failed. But recently, I teamed up with Rosebelle to replace both Roselle and Risebelle. Rosebelle has Michigo right now."

  “Where is Rosebelle right now,” Roselle asked.

  Riselle, however, fell silent.

  Angie demanded, "Spit it out! Where's Rosebelle?"

  Angie, with a stern gaze, moved Runebelle aside and brought the Memory Remover right up to Riselle’s face.

  In between sobs, Riselle finally shouted, "Club Crimson on 66th Street! That's where Rosebelle and Michigo are! Please don't erase me!"

  Roselle couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for Riselle, understanding the fear of losing one's identity. Runebelle, however, remained resolute, instructing, "Take her away."

  Angie asked Runebelle, "You mean… to the place we discussed the other day?"

  Runebelle nodded. "Yes, that's the one."

  Roselle looked between Runebelle and Angie with confusion. “What place are you talking about? And when did you have time to discuss it?”

  Runebelle replied. “That’s not important right now. What matters is that we act quickly. We need to get to Club Crimson on 66th Street before it’s too late.”

  Roselle and Sadie met up with Angie and made their way to Club Crimson. Roselle checked her watch and informed the others, "its 5:37 pm. We're going to make it in time. We have to find Michigo and my friend, Sarah."

  Once they reached the club, the neon lights and pulsating music created a vibrant atmosphere. Angie, Sadie, and Roselle pushed through the crowd that was standing infront of the entrance to the door. They approached the entrance.

  The bouncer observed Roselle and remarked, "You look just like that gorgeous woman who entered with some tied-up company a while ago. Some people are really into that exotic stuff.

  Roselle leaned forward. “Do you know the names of the people who were tied up?”

  The bouncer scratched his chin, looking thoughtful for a moment. “Names, nah. But I do know the woman who brought them in. Goes by ‘Rosebelle.’ She’s got a VIP card. Real grappling champion in the fighters’ area, top model, naturally beautiful—a real triple threat,” he chuckled.

  Roselle exchanged a look with Sadie and Angie. This confirmed suspicions.

  The bouncer shrugged. “Anyway, if you don’t have a VIP card, you’re only allowed in the regular areas. But good luck finding your friends. It’s a jungle in there,” he said, stepping aside to let them through.

  Roselle nodded.

  “We’ll figure something out,” Sadie said, glancing at Angie. “We need to get to the VIP area somehow.”

  Angie gave them a dark smile, pulling out three VIP cards from her pocket. “These might help,” she said casually.

  Roselle shrieked, taken aback by Angie's gaze. “H-How did you get those?”

  Sadie shook her head. “It’s probably best not to ask that,” she advised, shivering slightly at Angie’s grin. “But are you sure you’re not more freaky than Jess?”

  Angie simply smiled wider. “Let’s just say I have my ways.”

  The group made their way through the club, navigating through the crowd, until they reached the VIP area. They got in with their cards and while looking through rooms, they soon found one where they found Michigo and Sarah. Both were bound to a chair looking distraught.

  Roselle’s heart skipped a beat when she spotted Michigo and Sarah. Her best friend Sarah, whom she hadn’t seen since the first day in the detectives club, and Michigo, the karate club girl who had stuck with Roselle through thick and thin.

  Roselle’s face lit up with joy and relief. “Sarah! Michigo!” she exclaimed while running towards her.

  Sarah and Michigo shook their heads vigorously. Muffled sounds escaped from behind the tape that covered their lips. Sadie’s eyes narrowed. She observed their behavior and concluded that something wasn’t right. “Wait, Roselle!” she shouted, trying to reach out to Roselle’s arm in time. “It’s a trap!”

  When Roselle stepped closer to Sarah and Michigo, the lights in the VIP area suddenly flickered out, plunging the room into darkness. An uneasy silence enveloped them for a moment.

  When the lights came back on, the scene had dramatically changed. Sadie and Angie lay unconscious on the floor. Shadowcroft grunts, clad in dark uniforms, now surrounded the entire room. Their menacing presence cut off any hope of escape.

  Roselle's eyes widened in panic. Sweat beaded on her forehead while she frantically scanned the room. The grunts' intimidating figures closed in.

  Suddenly, a person cut through the tension, saying, "Don't, like, kill them or anything. Not yet, totes."

  Roselle's eyes widened. She turned to see a girl who bore a resemblance to her, dressed in a provocative yet stylish outfit. It was as if she were Roselle's dark and rebellious twin.

  Runebelle regained consciousness and saw the surreal scene unfolding around her. The atmosphere had transformed into a makeshift arena, complete with cheering sections for both Roselle and Rosebelle. Runebelle's mind raced as she tried to grasp the reality of the situation.

  In the ring, Roselle fought valiantly, throwing wild blows; however, Rosebelle effortlessly dodged and countered with calculated precision.

  Michigo and Sarah were now free from the tape. They cheered on Roselle from the cheerleading section. Angie tood stoically on the sidelines.

  Roselle launched a series of precise counterattacks, leaving Rosebelle unable to block or defend against them. It seemed like Roselle had tapped into a source of power beyond herself.

  After enduring a relentless barrage of blows from Roselle, Rosebelle finally had to step back, She dropped to one knee.

  Runebelle thought, ‘Roselle…is going to beat Rosebelle…?’

  However, Alex, Rosebelle’s boyfriend who had been sitting in as one of Rosebelle's cheerleaders, abruptly threw on his white tuxedo and began to make his way out of the arena.

  "No, no, like, you can't just leave me here like this! ALEX!!" Rosebelle shouted in panic."Alex, get back here! You can't like, do this to me!"

  But Alex continued to walk away.

  Rosebelle, her head hung low, began to question her relationship with Alex. Her voice wavered as she muttered to herself, "What am I to Alex? We were supposed to be a team, working together to achieve our goal of replacing Roselle. But this is the third time he's left me... always by myself."

  Rosebelle screamed, “I hate it! I hate not being like you, Roselle! I hate that Alex dumped me for the third time! I hate being part of Shadowcroft, a place that never really cared for me! I hate being a doppelganger, a shadow of someone else! And most of all, “I HATE YOU, ROSELLE!!!!!" Rosebelle delivered a crushing blow, a culmination of all her anger and frustration. A powerful surge of energy slammed into Roselle with immense force.

  The impact was devastating. Roselle was thrown back. She crashed into the ground with a resounding thud. The spectators, including those who had been cheering for Rosebelle, were left in awe of the raw power and ferocity displayed in that moment.

  Roselle lay unconscious in a pool of her own blood. Her body was now battered and broken from the brutal assault.

  But then, as if breaking a spell, the crowd erupted in cheers. They had come for a spectacle, for brutality, and they had witnessed it. Rosebelle's ferocious display had left a mark on the audience, and they responded with enthusiasm.

  Angie, Runebelle, Sarah, and Michigo, however, were left speechless.

  Sarah finally found her words in the midst of the chaotic scene. She began slowly. "Roselle is... she's not moving guys. This is... this is really, really bad."