At Risebelle's house, the doppelganger proved to be quite an expert at being her. The clock showed that it was 5 pm. Risebelle's mother had always been a harsh and strict type of woman, nagging at her every chance she could get about good grades, but for these last few days, she was just acting so motherly.

  This doppelganger, in the form of Risebelle, walked to her mom and with a smile told her, "You know, Mom, I am really starting to notice that you're nice this way. It's pretty neat."

  Risebelle's mom gazed at her daughter tenderly. "Well, sweetie, I've always cared about you, and I want what's best for you. Perhaps…perhaps I have been too hard on you all these years and you need a different pace."

  The doppelganger nodded. "I understand, Mom. I will get straight A’s this year, just like you want."

  Risebelle's mother smiled and patted the doppelganger on the shoulder. "Glad to hear that, sweetheart. I do know what you're capable of."

  The doppelganger and Risebelle's mother shared a moment of warmth that was quite unusual. Just then, the doorbell rang. Risebelle's mother furrowed her brows. Looking at the doppelganger, she said, "I'll go see who it is. You rest here."

  The doppelganger nodded. Risebelle's mother opened the door to find Roselle and Sadie standing on the doorstep. She recognized Roselle but was puzzled by the presence of the other girl. "Can I help you?"

  Roselle stepped forward. "We need to talk to Risebelle. It's really important. Is she home?"

  Risebelle's mother placed her hands on her sides. "I'm her mother. You can talk to me instead. What's this about?"

  Sadie, knowing what was happening, stepped forward, towards Roselle. "We need to speak to her in private, ma'am. It matters much. We think she might be in danger."

  Risebelle's mother shifted from suspicion to concern. She motioned for Roselle and Sadie to enter. "Come in. Let's talk in the living room. Risebelle is resting in her room. I'll get her."

  Risebelle's mother disappeared upstairs, leaving Roselle and Sadie alone in the living room.

  The doppelganger lay on the bed, nervously waiting for Risebelle's mother to return. When she heard her mother's footsteps approaching, she sat up and tried to maintain her calm.

  Risebelle's mother entered the room with a curious gaze. "There are two girls downstairs who want to talk to you, Risebelle. One of them has blue and pink hair, and the other has yellow hair. Do you know them?"

  The doppelganger's let out an "Oh shit," loudly by mistake. Risebelle's mother, who had been on edge due to recent events, immediately raised her suspicions.

  Risebelle’s mother looked at the doppelganger with narrowed eyes. “Alright, what’s going on here? Why did you react like that?”

  The doppelganger, heart pounding, but she responded, “OH, um, it’s nothing. Just… a bit of a shock. I wasn’t expecting visitors.”

  Risebelle’s mother remained stern. “You seem a bit nervous. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  The doppelganger thought to themselves, ‘Okay, stay calm. This isn’t the end. I just need to keep my composure. They haven’t beaten me yet. There’s still a way to rebound from this. Everything is going to be fine. I’ll have a family, just like I always wanted. Everything will be okay.’

  The doppelganger took a deep breath, trying to compose herself despite the rising panic. When Risebelle's mother looked at her with suspicion, she decided to speak while trembling. “M-Mom, I need to tell you something… It’s really serious. These two girls downstairs, Roselle and the other one… they’re not who they seem. They’ve been threatening me for months.”

  Risebelle’s mother’s eyes widened with concern. “Threatening you? What do you mean?”

  The doppelganger continued with her story with tears streaming down her cheeks. They've been blackmailing me, saying that if I don't cooperate, they'd hurt or, even worse, kill me. They made my life a living hell these last few days, and I didn't know how to tell you. I was scared you'd be upset with me, and I was just trying to focus on my studies, but they kept on pressuring."

  Risebelle’s mother immediately moved to her side and enveloped her in a comforting embrace. “Oh, sweetie, shh… it’s okay… It’s Okay….”

  The doppelganger clung to Risebelle’s mother. Risebelle's mother pulled back slightly with eyes narrowing. “So, when they said they wanted to talk to you…”

  She trailed off. A fire was lit in her eyes. It felt like the temperature in the room rose. Steam seemingly rose from the walls. The doppelganger, despite her act, felt a chill at the sight of Risebelle’s mother’s intense anger.

  “Those girls think they can threaten my daughter and get away with it?! I’ll make sure they regret ever setting foot in this house. Nothing will interrupt your studies, my dear. I promise you that!”

  Risebelle's mother stormed out of the room. The doppelganger remained behind. Her face slowly shifted from one of fear to a twisted, deranged smile. "She fell for it—hook, line, and sinker. With this guise, I have everything I ever wanted—a family, a place to belong, and no one suspects a thing. They trust me, they nurture me, and soon, they'll do anything I say."

  Risebelle's mother descended the stairs with such force that it seemed as if the entire house was shaking. Each step caused picture frames to rattle and loose objects to vibrate across surfaces. Sadie and Roselle, standing in the living room, exchanged uneasy glances.

  When Risebelle's mother finally reached the bottom of the stairs, she was surrounded by a swirling aura of steam that rose from her body like the heat from a boiling kettle. The room felt hotter the moment she came down.

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  Sadie's eyes widened. She whispered to herself, ‘Is that... steam power? I didn’t know she had any abilities…’

  "You two! You've got some nerve showing up here, threatening my daughter!" Risebelle’s Mother pointed a finger at them.

  Roselle and Sadie exchanged startled glances. Sadie said calmly, "Ma'am, we don't want to threaten anyone. We're here to help."

  Risebelle's mother responded. "You won't get away with this. You won't hurt my Risebelle."

  Sadie raised her hands in the air. "Please, just hear us out. We can explain everything."

  But Risebelle's mother wasn't in a listening mood. Ignoring the pleas from Roselle and Sadie, she rushed into the kitchen and grabbed a large kitchen knife. Her hands trembled with anger while clutching the weapon.

  Sadie called out, "Please, put the knife down! We mean no harm."

  Roselle added, "We just want to talk, to sort things out. We're not here to hurt anyone!"

  Risebelle’s mother recited, "Lord, in this moment of darkness and confusion, I beseech your divine guidance. Forgive me, for I am about to commit an act I never thought I would. I pray for the strength to protect my beloved Risebelle, for she is the light of my life. I fear for her safety and well-being, and I am willing to do anything to shield her from harm.

  I place my trust in your divine mercy.

  Amen."

  Risebelle’s Mother lunged forward, knife in hand, aiming for the two intruders. In that moment, Roselle's mind suddenly surged with a familiar, almost instinctual foresight. Her vision clouded over, and in an instant, she was pulled into the depths of a potential future. In this vision, she saw Sadie stepping in front of her, sacrificing herself to protect her friend, the blade slicing into her side. The image was vivid and haunting, but it also gave Roselle the clarity to urgently shout, "Sadie, go right!"

  Sadie moved just in time to avoid the knife alongside Roselle. Risebelle's mother stumbled forward, off-balance from the missed strike.

  Sadie called out, "We have no choice but to defend ourselves! Roselle, stay close!"

  Sadie took her stance, planting her feet firmly on the ground.

  Roselle quickly reached into her bag. Her fingers wrapped around the familiar, trusty wooden stick. She moved to stand beside Sadie.

  Risebelle's mother unleashed more steam, increasing the temperature in the room. The swirling clouds of steam was becoming difficult to breathe in. The intensity of her anger fueled the steam which also made it harder for Sadie and Roselle to see.

  Sadie kept her gaze fixed on Risebelle’s mother, trying to assess her next move. “I see what your power is doing, but I don’t think you’re aware of the harm it’s causing.”

  Roselle called out to Sadie, “Watch out!”

  Before Sadie could fully process Roselle's warning, Risebelle’s mother lunged forward again. Sadie barely managed to catch the incoming knife, stopping it mere inches from her side. Her muscles strained against Risebelle's mother’s strength.

  While Sadie was locked in a power struggle, Roselle swiftly reached into her bag. Her hand closed around a small canister of pepper spray she obtained from her mother for just the occasion. She carefully aimed it through the steam and squeezed the trigger.

  A burst of pepper spray hit Risebelle’s mother squarely in the face. She recoiled, dropping the knife. Her hands flew to her eyes and she cried out in pain.

  Seizing the opportunity, Sadie launched a swift, calculated kick to Risebelle’s mother’s midsection. The force of the blow sent her crashing to the floor, knocking her unconscious. The steam dissipated, and the room cooled down immediately.

  Sadie bent down, checking to ensure Risebelle's mother was merely unconscious and not dead. She turned to Roselle, maintaining a gloomy look. "Nice thinking with the pepper spray. Are you okay?"

  Roselle nodded. "I’m fine..." She looked down at Risebelle’s Mother sadly.

  Sadie shook her head and said, "We didn't have a choice, Roselle. Now, we need to find the doppelganger and put an end to her schemes."

  Roselle nodded. "You're right. Let's move quickly. She should be upstairs."

  Suddenly, the doppelganger descended the stairs with a glare.

  Roselle growled. "You've caused enough trouble, pretending to be Risebelle and manipulating her mother… It all ends now!"

  The doppelganger spoke in a calm yet threatening tone, "You've proven to be a nuisance, and I can't allow you to interfere any longer. Risebelle's life is mine now."

  Sadie warned, "Don't make any sudden moves. We know your game, and it's over."

  The doppelganger smirked. "You may have caught me off guard by coming here, but you've missed one crucial detail. I am far stronger than the two of you. Whatever tricks you have won't work on me!”

  The doppelganger launched herself at Roselle and Sadie with alarming speed. Roselle quickly raised her pepper spray, aiming for the doppelganger’s face once more, but the doppelganger anticipated the move. With a swift kick, she knocked the canister out of Roselle’s hand, sending it clattering across the floor.

  Undeterred, Roselle tightened her grip on her wooden stick. She swung the stick in a wide arc, aiming to keep the doppelganger at bay. However, the doppelganger, With a single strike, the chopped down on the stick, snapping it clean in half.

  Roselle’s eyes widened in shock. The doppelganger gave a mocking smile."You really thought a stick would stop me? Get real."

  The doppelganger then pivoted, aiming a powerful kick at Roselle. Time seemed to slow as Roselle braced herself for impact, but before the blow could land, Sadie leapt into action. She positioned herself in front of Roselle, taking the full force of the kick herself.

  Sadie went flying backward, crashing into Roselle. The impact knocked the wind out of both girls. They tumbled to the floor in a heap. Roselle gasped for air. Sadie groaned, struggling to push herself up.

  Roselle shook her head to clear her thoughts and scrambled to her feet. Sadie helped her to stand. The doppelganger watched them with cold amusement.

  Sadie grimaced but managed a defiant smile. "Nice kick for a phoney."

  The doppelganger sneered. “I am Risebelle. I'm not just some doppelganger—I’m the real one! I’m not useless!”

  Sadie narrowed her eyes, taking in the doppelganger’s words. In her mind, she noted the phrase “not useless” as a potential clue for later.

  Suddenly, the doppelganger emitted a burst of blue energy. Her aura flared like a wildfire. The room pulsed with power, and Roselle felt the familiar twinge of foresight. Her vision clouded with a glimpse of what was to come. She saw herself and Sadie being overwhelmed in a matter of seconds, unable to withstand the doppelganger’s onslaught.

  Roselle’s heart sank when the Vision faded. “Oh no,” she muttered. “I don’t see a way to counter this…”

  The doppelganger moved with blinding speed. Desperation drove Roselle to trade blows with her opponent, but before she could land a hit, a sharp pain shot through her side. The doppelganger screamed, “I won’t be useless!”

  Roselle was knocked backward. Her body slammed into the wall with a bone-rattling thud. She slid to the floor, struggling to catch her breath. “Roselle!” Sadie shouted.

  With Roselle temporarily down, Sadie stepped forward. She moved to engage the doppelganger, bracing herself for the flurry of hits. Sadie absorbed the blows thrown at her, adjusting to the force with each impact.

  Thee doppelganger’s strategy shifted when they saw Sadie tanking her hits. She began to move with calculated strikes rather than furious ones, feinting to one side before delivering a swift kick to Sadie’s legs. Sadie stumbled, barely regaining her balance.

  “You may have adapted to my strength, but I’m still faster.

  Roselle strained to open one eye. She heard the doppelganger's chilling words who now stood over her with an echo. “This is perfect, Roselle. You're going to be the key to my success. I'm Riselle, and by using you, we are going to prove to Shadowcroft that I am far from useless."

  With tremendous effort, Roselle managed to fully open her eyes and focus on the chilling figure before her, Riselle. Despite her battered state, Roselle's will remained.

  "Together? You must be out of your mind," Roselle retorted. "I'll never help you with your twisted plans."

  Riselle maintained her sinister composure and replied, "Oh, but you've already helped me, Roselle. By luring you here and incapacitating you, I've ensured that Rosebelle will be replace you. Then, all that will be left is to take care of Risebelle. “

  Riselle let out a cold laugh. “YOU LOSE, DETECTIVES!”