The Smiling Double in the Corner

About six years ago, my family and I moved to South Africa. We stayed in my

mom’s friend’s house — small, old, and way too cramped for eight people.

Only two rooms. Everyone packed together. One night, I woke up from a

nightmare. I looked into the corner of the room… and I saw myself standing there.

Not a reflection. Not a shadow. Me. Same face. Same body.

But she was smiling — head tilted — staring directly into my eyes. I wasn’t even scared

at first. Just confused. So I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

I woke up again. She was closer. I shut my eyes, praying it would be gone.