[Dopple Effect Ver. 0.91] - Relaunched

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

The massive reflective anomaly fixates its singular eye on you, casting a spotlight on your body. The glow is unlike anything you've ever seen in nature.

A sharp coldness roots itself deep in your body.

You try to retreat but can't move.

Every muscle in you is suddenly stuff.


You feel like a deer about to meet god. 

Dorothy: Hey, what the fuck is that?

You try to respond and can't get out more than a couple of mouth sounds. 

Dorothy: Diane?

You see it start to close the gap incredibly fast.

Dorothy: Diane move!

It's going to ram you head on. Your lungs are tightening as you brace for impact. 


Suddenly you feel someone slamming directly into your back. You're launched off your feet and tumble into the sand. The large creature narrowly misses you, kicking up tons of dirt as it crashes itself directly into the elevator. You feel yourself grabbed by the arm and being dragged downhill.

Dorothy: Hey come on get up! What happened back there? You froze up!

Diane: Sorry...

Dorothy: You can't be getting scared like that. On your feet. 

You fumble a little as you stand up. Your body can move again but you're still a little stiff. 

Diane: It's not like that like....

Dorothy: Shh, hold that thought for a sec.
 

Dorothy leads you behind some cover. You have a more than little bit of trouble but she helps you quickly lay low. The creature seems to linger around the top of the hill, scanning the area for the two of you but doesn't seem to have much success. After what feels like an eternity, it seems to give up its attempt to pursue and drifts off. You continue to stay silent until you're absolutely certain it's out of range.



Dorothy: I think we're good for now. You okay? Sorry if I was rough on you at all. 

Diane: You did what you had to. I'm sorry about that.

Dorothy: We made it out right? We just gotta avoid any more of those while we're here.

Diane: Don't even want to think about more of them existing. When that thing looked at me I couldn't move at all. Not just a fear thing but like... I couldn't move at all. 

Dorothy: You serious? 

Diane: Mm. Think I'm almost back to normal though.

Dorothy: Think you should get your vitals checked quick. Operator?

Papaya: Yeah doing a quick scan. Doesn't seem like anything super serious, should be just fine but for a little bit you seemed like you were in a state of something close to sleep paralysis. Good thing is your lifeline is intact for the most part but the elevator needs some time to regen. Gonna make the suggestion you don't try to fight any of those.

Dorothy: Any traces of toxins that could've done that? Maybe radiation?

Papaya: Nah, brain patterns make me think it has some sort of hypnotic effect though. You said it just looked directly at you?

Diane: Mmhmm. Fixated on me. 

Papaya: Gonna say for now you stay out of sight completely then. Never heard of an animal that can do that to someone though, can't imagine how anyone would live out here. 

Dorothy: So it just looks at you and then crushes you and there's nothing you can do about it?

Papaya: As far I know yeah. Good thing is there's two of you though so as long as you both don't get caught by it I guess you got a chance.... I'll be honest though, I’m worried.  You sure you can continue this?

Diane: As long as we stay out of its focus we'll be fine. It's pretty easy to see them coming so...


Dorothy: If they're still up for it, I got no issue. 

Diane: You sure?

Dorothy: Course. Keeping my commitment here. Besides, someone has to keep you safe from... what would you even call that?

Diane: A giant mirror ball?

Dorothy: I got more metal whale vibes from it. Operator?

Papaya: Literally can't tell, looks like a really big blip from my interface.​​​​​​ Sure if you ask the locals they'd have a name for it. 

Diane: Can't imagine anyone wanting to live in a place where that thing exists.

Papaya: I mean they do. Lots of them actually, look south. Getting a lot of vitals on radar and I'm pretty sure it's not just the local fauna. 



Diane: Oh. Well.

Papaya: Yeah. Literally can't miss it. 

Dorothy: No kidding. Big.

Diane: That's our next stop. 

Papaya: Yeah. Gonna focus on fixing up the tower that thing damaged while you both investigate. Need it to bring the target back. Your lifelines are still intact so I can bail you both if it gets desperate enough but they're not equipped for a third person. Ya'll can hold off for a few hours though I'm pretty sure. It'll probably take you longer to track the target.

Diane: That's fine. We're gonna go check town. Keep us updated.