The Gemini Effect

The Gemini Effect

"Derrick... there's something in my room," a nervous eight-year-old Noah begged while standing at Derrick's bedroom door.

"Come on, Noah. Don't start that again. There's nothing in your room."


"Please, Derrick, come with me. I can prove it this time." With a huff, twelve-year-old Derrick rose from beneath the covers and followed his brother back to his bedroom.


Standing at Noah's bedroom door, Derrick watched Noah step inside his closet.


Noah waggled his finger. "Come on."


"What? You want me to go in there with you?"


"Yes. Come on. Hurry up."


Derrick slouched with a heavy sigh and entered the closet.


Noah closed the door, knelled, then said, "Watch the light beneath the door. You'll see shadows moving." Derrick kneeled and watched.


After a long pause, Derrick was about to speak when shadows passed through the light, but what frightened him was the sound of footsteps that matched the shadows. He lunged back, while Noah watched.


Not totally convinced, he leaped from the closet. Noah's bedroom sat empty... but his bedroom door was still open. Maybe their sister was messing with them.


Derrick shut the bedroom door and returned to the closet. Noah hadn't moved. Derrick kneeled again and watched. The same thing happened, but he allowed it to go for a while before rushing from the closet. The bedroom was empty.


With a raised pulse, he turned off the bedroom lights and felt his way back inside the closet. He felt Noah on his right.


Derrick listened.


He definitely heard footsteps. Noah said, "See. I told you."


"Okay. Okay. Be quiet," Derrick pleaded. He continued to listen.


The footsteps stopped in front of the closet door, and Derrick leaned back.


The door opened.


The bedroom lights switched on.


There stood a second Noah.