ACT 1 MARK HEATHCLIFF POV You were at your house, just having finished dinner. You were in your room, watching television when a broadcast on the screen showed up.

Voice: "We are receiving countless reports of an unidentified hostile organism that we will refer to as "ALTERNATES". Until we have a complete understanding of the threat, it is important to stay home, lock all doors and windows, and have access to a loaded firearm or any ranged weapon at all times. You will know if an alternate exists solely based on their physical characteristics. If you see another person that looks identical to you, run away and hide. If you see someone with a biologically impossible characteristic, run away and hide. If one manages to break into your home, refrain from any kind of communication or contact with the threat. These intelligent lifeforms utilize elements of psychological warfare to take advantage of their victims. While we heavily discourage any form of contact or communication with an alternate, we make acceptions for attempts at executing them yourself."

'Weird.' you thought to yourself, continuing to listen to the broadcast.

On the screen, there was a title, that read "IF IN THE EVENT THAT YOU ENCOUTNER AN ALTERNATE, FOLLOW THE T.H.I.N.K. PRINCIPLE." So, you listen intently as to what it had to say.

T: "TELL an authority figure about your encounter."

H: "HINDER the alternate's movement."

I: "IDENTIFY the class type."

N: "NEUTRALIZE the alternate. (If safe to do so.)"

K: "KNOW your enemy."

TYPE ONE: Döppelganger

TYPE THREE:

After seeing the broadcast, you were incredibly shook, but decided to brush it off as some government propaganda. After a while, you got a phone call. You picked up, and heard the voice of your friend, Cesar.

C: "Hey, it's Cesar. I hope it's not too late."

YOU: "No, you're good man. What's up, is something wrong?"

C: "Yeah, no. It's not me, it's my mom."

C: "She's knocked out cold and I have no idea why."

C: "I'm on my way to the ER but can you do me a favor?"

YOU: "Yeah of course, what is it?"

C: "Remember those security cameras we had installed? Y'know, when we got robbed? Yeah, I need you to come and turn those on."

YOU: "Oh, sure. Would you mind if I asked why, though?"

C: "Well, she screamed really loud right before I found her on the ground. I-I just-"

YOU: "Well, do you have your doors and windows locked like the broadcast said?"

C: "Yeah, that's the weird part. Maybe she saw something?"

YOU: "Alright. I mean, it shouldn't be too bad. I'm just gonna switch them on and get outta there, though. You know how I feel about your house."

C: "Yeah, that's fine. One last thing, though."

YOU: "What is it?"

C: "Try to get a good view of the back hallwa-"

YOU: "Okay, I can."

C: "Alright, I gotta go. I'm almost at the hospital, thank you."

You hung up the phone, and put on your grey hoodie and shoes, and walked outside to your car. You couldn't shake the feeling you were being watched, but you just got in your car and drove to Cesar's house. Once getting there, you set up the cameras and headed home.

TIMESKIP IT FOLLOWED ME HOME, CESAR.

C?: "L-l-l-l-let me in Mar-r-r-r-rk! I have a gift for you-you-you.. I have a prese-e-e-ent! I have a surpriise! I will not hurt-"

I DO NOT WANT TO SEE WHAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

BUT IT HAS BEEN DAYS.

AND NOBODY HAS COME TO HELP ME.

You opened the door, and heard "Cesar" laughing maniacally.

YOU: "You fucking BASTARD!"

You yell before shooting the Alternate, and slamming the door shut before locking it yet again.

It's been 3 days... You keep trying to call emergency services, but nobody helps. You have no food, a half empty water bottle, and a handgun with 1 bullet.