“Impressive, Roselle. You’re five minutes early.”

  Roselle tried to dis the identity of the person in the shadow but couldn’t make out any distinct features. She had a good idea of who it might have beeo the way they called her name.

  The figure stepped out of the shadows, revealing her distinctive blue and pink hair in puff balls and her multicolored shirt. It was Sadie, the sirl she had met before that turned out to be the Sleuth of Shadows.

  Roselle excimed, “Sadie?! You’re CipherMystery08?!”

  Sadie nodded. “Yes, Roselle. I go by many names, but for this task, I am CipherMystery08. I’ve been watg you closely, and now it’s time to front your doppelgahe one who’s causing all this chaos.”

  Roselle took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly. “Okay, Roselle,” she muttered to herself, “just stay calm.”

  Sadie watched her with a steady gaze. “The st time we met face to face, you lost sciousness. I saw it ing before it happened. It’s ected to your powers, Roselle.”

  Roselle opened her eyes wide. “But weeks ago, I didn’t even have any powers. How could they be ected?”

  Sadie said solemnly, “Your powers are lio a deeper part of yourself, ohat’s been awakened retly. To front your doppelganger, you o mahat power of fht you possess.”

  Roselle looked puzzled. “How do I use that power?”

  Sadie grew more urgent. “We’ll get to that ter. Right now, we don’t have much time. The doppelgangers are the ones who kidnapped Michigo. If you cooperate with me, we figure out who among us has already been repced by doppelgangers in the chatroom.”

  Sadie fixed her gaze on Roselle, holding her eyes for a moment that felt like ay. Roselle shifted nervously uhe intense gaze. After the pause, Sadie spoke. “I’ve been w closely with the site admins Harty and Angie. However, I know for a fact that Harty is missing.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s impossible! Both of them were onlily. I saw them myself.”

  Sadie shook her head. “That’s exactly what the doppelgangers want you to believe. They’re maniputing perceptions, making you think everything is normal. I assure you, Harty is indeed missing. Angie’s behavior has also raised many red fgs tely. Something isn’t right. By the way, I unicate with Harty through our phones, not the chatroom. It’s a personal thing.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “W-wait a mihat means you would be texting Harty regurly.”

  Sadie nodded. “Yes, and if I’m being ho, it wasn’t just about detective club matters. Sometimes, Harty and I would go on what he called ‘dates.’”

  Roselle’s face became flushed. “So, were you... were you Harty’s girlfriend or something?”

  Sadie’s face remained as calm aral. “We didn’t kisss and have sex, if that’s what you’re asking, but eh… maybe something like that. It’s plicated.”

  Roselle blushed briefly and said to herself, ‘How Sadie be so calm about this?’

  Sadie went on to expin, “Sihe i involving Risebelle and the break-in at Jess’s home, Harty hasn’t been calling me. Instead, he’s been using the chatroom for private chats, which is unusual. I knew something was amiss, and fronted him. Right after that’s when I got in touch with you. We o uhis mystery and save Michigo, Harty, and possibly even Angie.”

  Sadie held up a list of names and turo Roselle with a thoughtful look. “Out of those left on this list, who do you think looks the most suspicious?”

  Ruled out:

  Michigo: “KarateSpirit23”

  Roselle: “StarlightSeeker27”

  Sadie: “CipherMystery08”

  Harty: “Chessmaster12”

  Remaining names:

  Angie: “EnigmaGamer19”

  Hashta: “PixelChaos03”

  EclipseDreamer14: (Unknown)

  Roselle pohe question. “I’ve always thought Angie was a bit mysterious, and she has been close Harty. EclipseDreamer14 is an unknown, and Hashta is my friend. If Harty has been ag strangely, maybe Angie and EclipseDreamer14 are the ones we should focus on.”

  Sadie nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Roselle. Angie and EclipseDreamer14 are the most likely didates for the doppelganger. But there’s something else you should know, Roselle. EclipseDreamer14 is Risebelle’s username in the game. And here’s the shog part: Risebelle is currently in the hospital and not scious, yet somehow her at has been active in the chatroom.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s impossible. Risebelle… ’t be online if she’s in the hospital and unscious. This is getting more and more plicated.”

  Sadie reached for a small, pact ptop she had brought with her. She quickly logged into the chatroom and looked at the list of online members. EclipseDreamer14 was listed as online.

  Sadie leaned over and said to Roselle, “This is our ce, Roselle. If EclipseDreamer14 is ohere’s a good ce the doppelganger will try to impersonate Risebelle and act like her. We o bait out the doppelganger and expose it.”

  She motioned for Roselle to e over. “Observe how it responds and what it says. We’ll catch this doppelganger in its own web of lies.”

  [EclipseDreamer14 has joihe chat.]

  EclipseDreamer14: “Hey, everyone! Iv’e been busy. Hospital life, you know? But I’m back, and I missed you all!”

  [CipherMystery08 has joihe chat.]

  CipherMystery08: “Well, well, look whose back. You certainly haven’t missed much, EclipseDreamer14. Wele back, though.”

  EnigmaGamer19: “EclipseDreamer14, we’ve been w where you’ve been. It’s good to have you back!”

  Chessmaster12: “Indeed, it’s been a while. How have you been, EclipseDreamer14?”

  KarateSpirit23: “Yeah, we’ve been worried about you. Good to see you back.”

  PixelChaos03: “EclipseDreamer14! I was beginning to think you got shot to the moon. So gd you’re here.”

  EclipseDreamer14: “Aw, thanks, everyone!”

  CipherMystery08: “EclipseDreamer14, it is always o see you e back, though I guess that makes this appeara of the blue. How’s everythireating you?”

  EnigmaGamer19: “Whoa, I just realized! CipherMystery08 is posting in the main chat! Aw shits! This rarely happens!”

  Chessmaster12: “It sure doesn’t. EclipseDreamer14, we have all been worried about how you’re doing. Miing us know how you are?”

  PixelChaos03: “Yeah, this is definitely a first. EclipseDreamer14, we’ve missed you. But what’s up with CipherMystery08′s sudden appearanli the same time too? Let me guess, you two were pnning this graurn from the start. ”

  EclipseDreamer14: “CipherMystery08, it’s a surprise to see you here in the main chat holy. But yeah, I’ve been through a lot, and it’s been quite an ordeal. I appreciate your .”

  [EclipseDreamer14 has sent a private chat request to CipherMystery08.]

  Sadie blinked in surprise. Roselle, who was the situation, also looked perplexed. She leaned in closer to Sadie’s s and asked, “Why is she sending you a request for a private chat? This is ued.”

  Sadie turo Roselle and said, “It’s also iing. EclipseDreamer14 wants to talk to me privately. I wasn’t expeg this… I wonder what EclipseDreamer14 wants to discuss privately. Let’s find out.”

  Sadie accepted EclipseDreamer14′s private chat request, and the versation began.

  EclipseDreamer14: “CipherMystery08, you’re the only one whose secret identity I ’t figure out. There’s been a lot on my mind ever sihe ret atta Jess’s house and my own enter with the Doppelganger, so I think about everyone’s identity. There’s something off about you, and it’s pissing me off, so just cut to the chase—am I right in guessing you are really one of Shadowcroft’s tools?”

  Sadieturo Roselle and expined, “This is an S-css impersonation of Risebelle, but it’s still an impersonation. Risebelle is known for her serious yet strategiature. This type of behavior is sistent with her character.”

  Sadie then respoo EclipseDreamer14.

  CipherMystery08: “I know you’re a bit leery, EclipseDreamer14. LEMME put it to you straight: I am not w for Shadowcroft. I’ve been issioned uhe guise of unc the truth and the source of these disturbances. I’m uo reveal my true identity at this time. For my safety and the security of the iigation, I’ve got to hold back a little information. If that’s too much for you, then maybe we turn our attention to the solution.”

  EclipseDreamer14: “I see. But just saying you’re not w for Shadowcroft isn’t enough for me. I need more than vague assurances. If you want to prove you’re on our side, you’ll o give me something more crete. A name, a clue, anything that help us trust you. Otherwise, I’m still going to have doubts about you.”

  CipherMystery08: “Revealing myself is not something I do lightly. It’s for the safety and prote of the group. .”

  EclipseDreamer14: “Safety and prote? By not revealing your name, you only cast suspi on yourself! How we trust someone who hides their identity when we’re fag a threat on this level?! You’re putting the group at risk!”

  CipherMystery08: “Nah. I’m definitely not.”

  EclipseDreamer14: “If you truly cared about our safety, you would disclose your identity. We ’t afford to have secrets in roup at a time like this.”

  Sadie read the test message from EclipseDreamer14 and took a deep breath. “Alright, it’s time to employ my strategy,” she said, turning to Roselle. “I’m going to pause my responses for five minutes. Let’s see how EclipseDreamer14 reacts to this.”

  Roselle looked ed. “What if they just log off and disappear?”

  Sadie shook her head. “If EclipseDreamer14 is a doppelgahey won’t just disappear. They’ll want to keep the pressure on. I guarahat they’ll send more messages, trying to provoke or manipute us. Let’s see if they fall into that pattern.”

  Sadie deliberately left the chat unresponsive and waited.

  EclipseDreamer14: “Still nothing, CipherMystery08? This is exactly why I ’t trust you. You’re only avoiding the question, CipherMystery08. You’ve been silent for so long, and you won’t reveal your identity when everyone needs it? I ’t trust someone who operates in the shadows like this.”

  EclipseDreamer14: “roup has always been open and transparent when we had to reveal who we are. If you want to keep being a part of it, you have to py the rule. No more secrets.”

  5 mier…

  EclipseDreamer14: “This is ridiculous! We trust in roup. You’re being a coward by hiding your identity. I won’t stand for this!”

  EclipseDreamer14: “CipherMystery08, you’re making this situation worse by not revealing your name. How do I know you’re not the doppelgarying to manipute us?”

  ….

  EclipseDreamer14: “ENOUGH GAMES! Tell us who you are, or I’ll expose yht now! We ’t afford to have a traitor in our midst.”

  EclipseDreamer14: “If you won’t tell us, then I’ll make it my mission to find out who you are. I won’t rest until I know the truth.”

  ……..

  EclipseDreamer14: “Like, really you think you could just ignore me a away with it? You are s. I’m going to bottom of this.

  EclipseDreamer14: “YOU ARE JEOPARDISING OUR SAFETY BY NOT TALKING TO ME… AND I AM NOT PUTTING UP WITH IT. TELL ME YOUR NAME NOW!!

  EclipseDreamer14: “IF YOU DON’T TELL ME WHO YOU ARE NOW, I’LL MAKE SURE EVERY PERSON IN THIS GROUP KNOWS HOW UNTRUSTWORTHY YOU ARE!”

  EclipseDreamer14: “FINE! YOU’VE DECIDED! I’M TELLING EVERYBODY AND TURNING THEM AGAINST YOU! WE’RE GONNA FIND YOU, YOU GODDAMN DOPPLEGANGER!

  Sadie leaned bad looked at Roselle with a gloomy yet satisfied smile. “I’ve got them. They’re panig because I’m being silent, and that’s revealing their true nature.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

  Sadie expined, “At first, EclipseDreamer14 tried to accuse me of w for Shadowcroft, but now they’re calling me a doppelgahat insistency is a clear sign of their desperation. They’re losing trol because their own lies aren’t w against me.”

  Roselle nodded. “So, what’s our move?”

  Sadie’s gaze sharpened with resolve. “We o respond strategically. Let’s address their threats head-on while subtly direg them.

  CipherMystery08: “EclipseDreamer14, I uand your frustration, and I don’t wish to hide my identity from the group any longer. I’ll tell you who I am on one dition: You must tell me why you suspect me of being a Doppelganger.”

  EclipseDreamer14: “Because Angie said so. She said you were ag strange and to suspect you, and I did it, so why isn’t it w?”

  Immediately after sending the message, EclipseDreamer14 seemed to realize the mistake. They attempted to delete the message, but Sadie, being a mod, was quick to react. Sadie’s fingers flew over the keyboard, and with a few ands, she mao uhe message before it could be permaly erased.

  Sadie turo Roselle with a knowing look. “They just revealed their true motivation—Angie’s influe’s a crucial slip. They’re trying to cover their traow, but it’s too te. The doppelganger is exposed.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. “So Angie’s been involved all along? That’s huge!”

  CipherMystery08: “Iing. So Angie’s influence is your basis for suspi. Let me assure you, the real threat is much closer than you think. And your attempt to delete the evidenly firms your ow. Care to expin why you’re so quick to hide the truth?”

  EclipseDreamer14: “That’s wrong! Angie didn’t tell me that. I meant to type Harty’s name, not Angie. I must have made a mistake.”

  Sadie raised an eyebrow.

  CipherMystery08: “Oh, is that so? I find that hard to believe, but if that’s your expnatio’s put it to the test. To clear my name and validate your cim, I suggest we meet face to face.”

  EclipseDreamer14: “Alright. If meeting in person will clear things up, I’ll agree. Let’s arraime and pce to discuss this.”

  Sadie raised one fist in victory. “We’ve just outsmarted the doppelganger, Roselle. EclipseDreamer14 just revealed herself. Shadowade their move but don’t expect terpy of this level. They still have to dispose of Risebelle, but you making the move to kick Jess out lead Jess back to Risebelle. The real Risebelle will be fine as long as Jess is at the hospital with her.”

  Roselle’s eyes widened. She had been upset with her mother for kig Jess out, but now it appeared to be a fortuurn of events. “My mother’s as iently led Jess back to Risebelle? Then…we expose the doppelganger and save everyone!”

  Roselle raised up one fist with a smile on her face. “Let’s bring down some evil body doubles!”