Chapter 1: I Don't Want To See Meat!
"Mr. Walker, I assume you're feeling better after consistently taking the pills?" Doctor Albert, a psychiatrist, asked, checking Elijah's medical details.
"...Yes," Elijah replied flatly.
"Do you still see people disappearing?" Doctor Albert asked.
"...No," Elijah answered, his voice hesitant.
Doctor Albert observed Elijah's expression, sighed, and began, "I see. In that case, you can stop taking the medication—" but Elijah interrupted.
"Actually, I'd like to continue," Elijah said.
Doctor Albert was stunned. "Why? Did you lie about seeing nonexistent people?" he asked, puzzled.
He knew Elijah was honest and had sought help willingly. He also knew Elijah's family situation and felt pity for him.
Elijah raised his head, his eyes lifeless and narrowed. "No, I didn't lie."
"Then—" Doctor Albert started, but his words caught in his throat.
Elijah lowered his head, fiddling with his fingers. "No particular reason," he mumbled.
Doctor Albert felt helpless. He, too, felt uneasy when going out, but dismissed it.
Since the red eclipse, more people had sought psychiatric help—for depression, anxiety, paranoia, even delusions. But Elijah's case was extreme; his descriptions and reactions were intensely realistic.
As a psychiatrist, Doctor Albert suspected loneliness and an imaginary friend.
Knowing Elijah's stubbornness, Doctor Albert sighed. "Fine," he said.
"Thank you, Doctor," Elijah replied.
Leaving the hospital, Doctor Albert asked, "How was school? You're graduating this year, right?"
"Yes," Elijah said, riding away.
Watching him go, Doctor Albert muttered, "Poor young man. I pray for his future." He thought of his daughter, smiled, and prepared to leave.
****
As he packed up, he suddenly felt nauseous and smelled rust. Vomiting dark blood, he coughed, his nose bled, and he collapsed, eyes wide, pupils slightly reddened.
His heart and breathing slowly started to weaken.
He saw his counseling room door open, reached out weakly, whispering, "Help me…" His throat felt like it was being cut.
Then, he saw something terrifying enter, his face contorting in fear, and before dying, he thought: 'Eli… you were… right.'
Thud. His arms fell lifeless.
****
Elijah returned home. As soon as he opened the door, a pile of distorted shadows and bloody eyes greeted him.
"...I'm home," he said calmly.
The eyes vanished, forming into a young girl with brown hair and a black dress. She looked eerily normal.
"...Emily," Elijah muttered.
"Mm?" Emily hummed, tilting her head, smiling innocently.
"..." Elijah sighed. "It's nothing."
Emily closed the door behind him. "Welcome home, Eli," she said, her voice natural.
Elijah frowned. "Don't call me that."
"Hmm? Why not?" Emily pouted.
"I don't like it," Elijah said, disgusted.
"Ehhh? But you used to like it!" Emily exclaimed, hands on her hips.
Elijah clenched his fist, hiding his anger, and went to the kitchen.
"I cleaned the house! Your turn to cook, hehe," Emily said slyly.
Elijah ignored her and washed his hands, lost in thought.
Since Emily's return, he knew she wasn't the same. The eyes and shadows proved it. 'Whatever it is, it's not Emily.'
She looked, sounded, moved, and spoke like Emily, even having her memories. But it wasn't her. She hadn't changed; she'd been replaced.
Turning off the sink, Elijah said, "Emily…"
"Yes?" Emily replied happily, watching television.
"...What are you, exactly?" he asked hesitantly.
"Hm? Well… I'm not sure myself…" she replied, embarrassed.
Elijah hummed, opening the fridge to get vegetables to cook when suddenly, he saw a steak, causing him to recoil and hitting the table.
"Eh? What happened? Are you alright, Eli?!" Emily rushed in.
Elijah was panting, pupils contracted, trembling, sweating. He turned, eyes filled with fear and anger.
"You—I told you I don't want to see meat in my house!" he yelled, feeling nauseous and rushing to the sink to vomit.
After calming down, he heard Emily's low voice.
"I… I'm sorry, I… I just want to eat meat again…" before she could even finish, Elijah interrupted, his voice filled with hatred.
"I told you! Don't you get it?! Who do you think is even the cause for that?!"
Emily trembled, clutching her dress.
"Because of you—ever since you appeared, I've been sickened by the sight of meat!" Elijah gritted his teeth.
He still remembered clearly.
1 year ago.
"You're not Emily, are you?" he said.
"...What?" Emily said, her smile stiff.
Before Elijah could speak, Emily clutched her head, yelling, "No, no, no! This can't be! It was supposed to be perfect!"
"What…" Elijah was horrified. Emily raised her head, her face distorting, her skin melting into shadows and bloody eyes, enveloping him.
"Emily… I'm Emily… aren't I? H- How did you know that…" her voice stammered, then distorted into a terrifying voice. "I'm not Emily?"