Chapter 21 · Apex Loop: Glitch Evolution - Chapter 21: The Perfect Mimic

"Stop right there, Dr. Vale."

Vivian’s hand froze inches from the security panel.

I stood behind her wearing the face of the guard I had swallowed two hours earlier. Same square jaw. Same clipped hair. Same gray uniform stretched across shoulders that were not mine.

The stolen voice came out clean.

"You heard me. Step away from the door."

Vivian turned slowly.

Her eyes moved over the badge first. Then the boots. Then my face.

She did not reach for the alarm.

That was the first problem.

The second was the way her nose lifted.

One breath.

A small pause.

Then another.

"You’re early," she said.

I kept the guard’s posture stiff. "You’re late."

"That isn’t what I asked."

"You didn’t ask anything. You tried to open a restricted door without clearance."

Her mouth twitched. Not fear. Interest.

I hated that look.

It had followed me through every cage, every death, every reset. Vivian never looked at me like I was a person. She looked at me like I was a problem she wanted to solve with a knife.

She took one step closer.

I did not move.

The corridor was narrow enough that her shoulder nearly brushed my chest.