Vacant; void-less, their eyes will forever be changed and stripped of the life they once deserved. They are walking lies, being inhabited by a deceiver of life itself. I’m overwhelmed and trapped by the countless thoughts that pass through my conscience on a day-to-day basis. Where have you gone, Mike and John? Where will we meet again?
Cabins - the very word evokes a sense of peaceful retreats in nature, away from the chaos of everyday life. For many, it’s a place where they have created fond memories, such as family vacations or simply enjoying time in the great outdoors. The crisp, fresh air, the tranquil sound of rivers flowing. The stunning beauty of nature all contributes to a sense of euphoria and contentment.
Despite the idealistic setting, there can be an underlying sense of eeriness that can cast a shadow over the experience. Perhaps it is a feeling of isolation that creeps in when the sun goes down coming to realization that one is never truly alone.
It is in these moments that one may lose their purity in mindfulness - that sense of being fully present and in the moment. The mind can wander and conjure up all sorts of unsettling thoughts and emotions.
The memory of that cabin still lingers in my mind. Every time I close my eyes, I can see the darkness; emptiness that filled that place. The air was heavy, and the atmosphere was thick with unease. The creaking floorboards and the howling wind outside sounded like screams, as if the cabin itself was alive and trying to warn me to leave.
Sometimes, I wonder if I’ve left a part of myself behind in that rundown shack of hell. It’s as if a piece of my soul was stripped away and left to rot there, unable to escape. The thought sends shivers down my spine, and I can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding whenever I think about that cabin.
Despite my ongoing unease, my purpose today is not to dwell on the past. Instead, I am here to warn you of something that inhabits our world. Something that we must be aware of and prepared for. I am warning you of the “masked,” the “hidden,” the “mimic.”
It all began when my close friend Mike called me up and pitched the idea of an exploration/camp out at some abandoned trails with our entire friend group. The place he described was supposedly located on the outskirts of town, far away from the city.
Despite my reservations and lingering superstitions, I agreed to go. The idea of spending time out in nature with my boys, surrounded by nothing but the sound of the wind and the rustling of leaves, was too enticing to resist. Not to also mention the opportunity for exploration and adventure.
The next day, Mike and I loaded up my truck with supplies for our hike. We were also joined by two other friends, Brandon and John. As we made our way towards the outskirts of town, Brandon shared his insight on what he came across while researching the trails. Apparently, there were several hiking trails in the area that had been abandoned and shut down due to funding issues. This didn’t make much sense to us, considering the popularity of hiking in the area, but we were eager to explore nonetheless.
We arrived at the trailhead and started gearing up for our hike. The trailhead had a rundown look to it, with overgrown weeds and broken signs. As we started walking down the trail, we couldn’t help but notice the eerie silence that surrounded us. The trees were dense, and the only sounds we could hear were the crunching of leaves beneath our feet and the occasional bird call.
As we continued on the trail, we started to come across strange objects. There were rusty cans, broken glass, and old camping gear scattered around the trail. We also noticed that some sections of the trail had been washed out by rain, making it harder to navigate.
As we hiked deeper into the woods, we started to notice that the trees were becoming twisted and deformed. The trail seemed to be leading us towards a section of the woods that was darker and more foreboding than the rest.
Despite our growing unease, we pressed on. We were determined to solve the mystery of the abandoned trails. Our theories ranged from budget cuts to supernatural forces, but we couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching us.
“I heard that within two years of its opening, 15 people went missing,” Mike said as we hiked deeper into the woods.
“Maybe there were a lot of black bears around?” he continued, trying to rationalize the disappearances.
“Come on, man! Why do you have to have such a bland answer? I mean, think about it, there were no remains left of all 15 people who went missing. No remains! So, tell me, Mike. Who killed them?” John replied, his voice rising with frustration.
John was always the one to entertain the idea of something more sinister lurking in the shadows. His fascination with the supernatural clearly frustrated a one dimensional intellect in Mike. Although I couldn’t deny the logic in his argument.
“Well, what else could’ve done this? If you’re going to go on a tangent about some supernatural bullshit, don’t even talk. Seriously, you know I’m not the type to sit around and listen to bogus theories,” Mike added, clearly annoyed.
But John wasn’t deterred. “Hey, man, it’s not personal. Maybe start to allow yourself to think outside the box. Not everything can be explained through logic,” he said, trying to reason with Mike.
We continued hiking, our conversation shifting to the various theories we had about the abandoned trails. The deeper we went, the more the woods seemed to close in around us, suffocating us with a sense of entrapment. Despite our apprehension, we were all determined to uncover the truth that was buried in the past.
With a sense of relief, we finally arrived at our destination and found the perfect campsite by the river. The sun was setting and the golden rays painted the sky in a warm glow. The sound of the river flowing gently by was soothing and we all stood there in awe, admiring the beauty of nature.
Our apprehension and fear seemed to dissipate as we took in the peaceful surroundings. We set up our tents, started a fire, and shared stories and jokes that made us laugh till our faces hurt.
As we sat around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories, it felt like we had been transported to a simpler time, away from the pressures and stress of our normal lives. We were in our element, surrounded by the raw beauty of nature, and nothing else seemed to matter.
For a moment, we forgot about the abandoned trails and the unsettling feeling that had accompanied us on our hike. We were free, and that feeling of euphoria returned to us, filling us with a sense of joy and wonder.
“This campfire is coming out nice! Ain’t it, guys?” John said with a grin on his face.
We all nodded in agreement, savoring the presence of each other’s company. Brandon chimed in, expressing his longing for more moments like this, where he could be in nature and escape the boredom of daily life.
“I agree,” I added. “I feel alive when I’m out exploring new things. I mean, think about it, guys. We slave our lives away working and paying taxes. Don’t you think we’re meant for something more than that?”
Mike, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. “Evolutionarily speaking, we used to travel all across the world in small tribes. It’s in our nature to want to explore new lands and experience something new every day. Most of us don’t have anything remotely similar to that. That’s probably why there’s mass depression across the world.”
As Mike’s words lingered in the air, we fell into a thoughtful silence, contemplating our own existence and the choices we had made. But in that moment, with the fire crackling and the stars twinkling above us, we were content with just being in each other’s company and enjoying the beauty of the natural world around us.
“I think we should go on more camping trips like this,” John said, breaking the silence. “What do you guys think?”
We all nodded in agreement, our spirits lifted by the promise of more adventures to come. For the time being, we were happy to be exactly where we were, surrounded by friends and the wonders of the great outdoors.
As night began to fall, we all gathered around the campfire and got our sleeping blankets out. We spent our last few moments awake goofing around, telling stories and jokes, and continuing to maintain our high spirits. The crackle of the fire and the sound of the nearby river created a soothing ambiance, lulling us into a state of relaxation.
However, that peacefulness was suddenly shattered by John’s blood-curdling scream. We all jolted upright, our hearts pounding with fear and confusion. It took us a moment to realize what was happening, but when we did, we rushed over to John’s tent to see what was going on.
John was huddled in a corner, his face contorted in terror, sweat pouring down his forehead. He kept muttering something about “it” being outside and “watching us.” We tried to calm him down and ask him what he meant, but he was inconsolable.
“Woah woah! Calm down man. Explain to us what happened.” (I replied)
“Someone caressed my face. Not gently, not aggressively, but firmly. I woke up, and no one was there. I thought for a second you guys were messing with me, but it continued randomly throughout the night. I woke up just now because I had a nightmare. A vivid nightmare of a strange creature hovering over us all. Its eyes were filled with malice like I’ve never seen before, although it had a touch of admiration and curiosity in its gaze,” John added.
“Okay John I know you’re freaked out, any of us here would be too, but Brandon has always been known for sleepwalking. It could’ve just been him.”
Mike said.
“Mike, seriously? I was sleeping on the other side of John. Also, I have sleepwalked in the past, but I’ve never done it more than once a night. John, don’t tell me you’ve been messing around with psychedelics lately. Maybe it’s finally starting to catch up to you. I mean, all that tripping has got to cause damage,” Brandon replied.
“You know what, forget it,” John said with a sigh. “I don’t want to overthink it. Maybe I’m just still mentally drained from my past psychedelic trips. I mean, I’ve experimented with all sorts of them in the past, maybe it’s finally catching up to me.”
Brandon nodded in agreement, looking concerned. “Yeah man, that stuff can really mess with your head. I’ve seen it happen first hand with some other friends. Maybe it’s time to take a break from all that tripping for a while. We can’t have you running into the woods bare ass naked because you heard a bird chirp.” Brandon sarcastically remarked.
We all laughed, feeling relieved that the tension had dissipated, and went back to bed. The next morning, we woke up feeling refreshed and ready to continue our hike. As we walked down the trail, we started goofing around and laughing again, feeling a sense of Brotherhood. I couldn’t believe that exploring an abandoned trail with a group of friends could relieve me of the stress and anxiety that had been weighing me down in my normal life.
In spite of the fact that our initial plan was to sleep over one night and hike until noon, we ended up extending our stay for one more night due to our constant stops and goofing around. It was a perfect day, until John spotted something unusual.
“Hey guys, I see something over there,” John said.
“Please hand me the binoculars in your bag, Mike,” Brandon asked.
“Finally something creepy, I think all of us could have a good scare today. Things have been a bit too mellow,” I added.
“Guys… there’s a fucking cabin here!” John exclaimed.
“Hell yeah! Finally some action. Let’s go check it out,” John suggested.
“Okay guys, it seems like it’s on the other side of the river by the bank. From what I could tell, it’s gotta be at least two miles out,” Brandon informed the group.
We made our way down to the river, but we were unlucky as we didn’t have a boat to get across to the other side. However, we quickly devised a plan to create a makeshift walkway by grabbing a large tree trunk and throwing it down to bridge the gap. Fortunately, our physical strength from lifting weights made it easier for us to be successful.
We continued hiking for another 300 meters or so until we caught sight of the cabin. The cabin was neither large nor small, and it didn’t look old. It was a two-story, all-wooden structure with dark and moldy wood. Strangely enough, it had no windows. We stared at the cabin in awe, taking in the cold, decrepit view. What left us speechless was how the cabin even got there.
The trails had been abandoned since the seventies, and it was puzzling to think how someone could’ve brought all the necessary supplies deep into the trail on the other side of the river. Try to imagine that scenario and visualize the puzzled state we were in. Nevertheless, our curiosity grew too strong, and we weren’t going to stop at anything.
“We hit the jackpot! We’re gonna make the news once we tell everyone what we found here!” John exclaimed.
“Shut up, jackass! We’re not even supposed to be here right now, so keep your mouth shut,” Mike retorted.
“Yeah, Mike’s right. Let’s make a pact that we keep this to ourselves. This just doesn’t add up. A trail gets abandoned for no apparent reason, and 15 people went missing without a clue. And now there’s a cabin in the middle of nowhere,” Brandon said, adding to the confusion.
“Guys, are we making a mistake? What if the owner comes back and shoots us, or worse, skins us? There’s no way anyone living out here is mentally sane,” I said, voicing my concerns.
“Look, Adrian, if you don’t feel comfortable, please stay out as a lookout. I’m curious to see what’s up with all this mess,” Mike said, determined to explore further.
As we walked towards the cabin, with every crunch my feet made against the leaves on the ground, I was filled with a void of thoughts. I was engulfed with the idea of whether I would be alive and breathing fresh air tomorrow morning, still conscious and aware of my own existence, or if this was the beginning of the end, my last few steps into my destined demise.
As we walked up the steps towards the door, the moment of truth came. The smell inside the cabin was metallic, so much so that we all threw up. The repulsive smell was something alien in nature. The floor was scattered with many books and files, which we started picking up and reading.
Many of the files contained information about cryptid creatures such as skinwalkers, wendigos, Bigfoot, and the Kraken, while a few contained information on lost civilizations. Despite my awe of these findings, one particular file stuck out to me - “The mimic”. As I read this document, I felt a chill crawl down my spine. I distinctly remember a quote from the document, “Level 4.7 danger warning.”
The origins of mimics are shrouded in mystery. While we don’t know much about these elusive creatures, some speculate that they may be therianthropes or otherkin, terms used to describe beings that possess both human and animal characteristics. Despite their unknown physical form, it is believed that mimics have the ability to consume a human’s consciousness and use their body as a vessel, retaining all of the memories of the previous human. This allows them to perfectly imitate their host’s personality and behavior.
It is important to exercise caution when traveling to unknown or densely populated areas, as these are believed to be hotspots for mimic activity. Hiking trails and national parks are common hunting grounds for these creatures as they search for their next potential host. One way to identify a potential mimic is by staring into their eyes, as it is believed that they are unable to fully replicate the human gaze. However, it’s important to note that the true nature and abilities of mimics remain largely unknown, making encounters with these creatures both rare and unpredictable.
In other words, with a deep, long gaze into their eyes, you will be able to see the vacantness in their eyes; soulless. Its purpose for wanting to partake in these actions is surrounded by a big cloud of mystery. Although it’s speculated that it wishes no more than to be a human - to breathe the same air as we do, to love as we do, or more so to hate as we do - STAY AWAY! This cryptid is the most precise killer of them all because of the fact that there is no evidence to prove someone is gone when it inhabits the body of the deceased person.
It could be your mother, your father, your friend - it could be anyone. There are more of them than you think, all around us, lingering in the shadows.”
This is all I could remember reading. It definitely wasn’t word for word, but again I’m just trying to give a summary of what “the mimic” is. You may be questioning whether whoever lived in this cabin before was a total nut job, but trust me when I say this: these looked like authentic government documents. They couldn’t have just been printed out.
“No fucking way. I thought all of this was just folklore.” John said.
“Can you please shut the fuck up for once. This isn’t a joke until we get out of here alive. We need to go now!” (Brandon replied)
“I’m with you man let’s dip, this is way too sketchy.”
(I added)
“No! Come on, guys. We only live once. This place hasn’t been opened up in a while. We should be safe here. How about we stay? There’s a fireplace in here, and it’ll be a great experience to talk about years from now,” Mike insisted.
“I’m with you, Mike. I’m scared shitless, but come on, there’s only one experience like this in our lives, so let’s live it up. I say fuck it,” John remarked.
“No! Come on, guys,” Mike exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. “We only live once. This place hasn’t been opened up in a while. We should be safe here. How about we stay? There’s a fireplace in here, and it’ll be a great experience to talk about years from now.”
“I’m with you, Mike,” John chimed in. “I’m scared shitless, but come on, there’s only one experience like this in our lives, so let’s live it up. I say fuck it.”
“Okay, I’m in as long as we do sleeping shifts to make sure we don’t get skinned alive in the middle of the night,” Brandon added, his voice trembling slightly.
“Well, I can’t leave my boys alone,” I said, my voice filled with a hint of hesitation.
“Guys, there’s a goddamn basement and upstairs!” John exclaimed, his voice rising with excitement. “Mike and I will check upstairs, and you and Brandon can check out the basement.” His voice trailed off as he made his way towards the staircase, his flashlight illuminating the darkened room.
Fear paralyzed me, my heart pounding in my chest as I hesitated at the top of the steep staircase. I wasn’t built for these kinds of situations, but like always, my pride and ego persevered, forcing me to continue. The stairs were extremely steep, and I stumbled several times, grateful for Brandon’s steady hand as he helped me down. It felt like we were descending for ages, and I estimated that we were now about 50 feet underground.
As we made our way deeper into the basement, not much was visible at first, but our flashlights illuminated the way. We stopped for a moment, both feeling unsure of what to do next. That was until we heard a human whimpering. My heart raced with fear, and I looked to Brandon, who had a similar expression of concern on his face. We both took a deep breath and followed the sound until we came to a dark corner of the basement.
As we approached the dark corner of the basement, our flashlights illuminating the way, we heard the sound of something moving on the ground. Suddenly, we turned our flashlights on and collapsed to the ground in fear. There, lying on the ground, was a middle-aged, skinny man with terrible fear in his eyes.
For a moment, we stared at the man in shock, unsure of what to do next. He didn’t move or say anything, and his eyes were filled with terror. It was clear that he had been through something traumatic. I looked over at Brandon, who was just as scared as I was. We knew we had to help the man, but we didn’t know how.
“Who the fuck are you! Don’t fuck with us, we have a gun,” Brandon exclaimed, his voice shaking with fear.
“Shush! shush!” The unknown man said, putting his hands up in surrender.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I realized we were in a dangerous situation. We didn’t have a gun or any weapon to protect ourselves, but at that moment, I was relieved that Brandon had said that. We had to figure out what to do next, and fast.
Before we could make a move, the man spoke again, his voice trembling with fear. “I know you guys are human, I sense it. Please let me explain myself, I swear I’m not crazy,” he said.
I could feel my blood boiling as the unknown man spoke. The tension in the air was palpable as we all waited for him to explain himself. Finally, he continued, “Me and a group of friends decided to come out here to hike for fun since we heard it was abandoned. Next thing you know, we hear a man calling out for help. We rushed over to see where it was coming from. We ended up here at this cabin. We cautiously walked in. There laid a man on the floor bleeding, crying out to us for help.”
As he spoke, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It seemed that the unknown man was telling the truth, and that we were all just victims of a terrible situation. However, we still had to figure out how to get out of there safely.
I listened intently to the man’s story, my mind racing with questions and theories. When he mentioned the documents, I couldn’t help but interrupt him.
“I don’t mean to interrupt you, and I know this might sound crazy, but does this have anything to do with the documents we found here?” I asked, hoping to get some clarity.
The man’s eyes widened in surprise, and I could see the fear etched into his face. “The mimic,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “If you read anything about it, then you’ll know what I’m talking about. I lost my two friends to those creatures, those wretched demons!”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The documents we found mentioned something about a “mimic,” but I had assumed it was just a legend or a myth. Now, it seemed that there was more to it than we had thought.
As the man continued his story, Brandon interrupted him with anger and suspicion in his voice. “Your story sounds like bullshit to me. What are you plotting, asshole?!” he shouted.
I tried to calm Brandon down, sensing that there might be some truth to the man’s story. “Brandon, let him finish. We’ll judge his story later,” I said.
The man continued, his voice trembling with fear. “Look, I know you don’t trust me, but please keep me hidden here and leave before they get y’all too. It’s too late for me; it’s just a matter of time.”
As he spoke, I could feel my own fear rising. We were in serious danger, and we had to find a way out of there before it was too late.
“Look, man, it’s alright. Just calm down and please continue your story,” I said, trying to reassure the man.
The next day, I returned to the cabin to investigate what had happened to my friends. As I approached the cabin, I felt a sense of unease and apprehension, almost as if the very air around the cabin was charged with an otherworldly energy. When I entered the cabin, I was immediately struck by how eerily quiet it was. There were no signs of a struggle or any disturbance, but the silence was suffocating.
As I called out for my friends, they suddenly appeared as if out of thin air. They greeted me casually and spoke as if nothing had happened. They told him that he must be suffering from schizophrenia and that the man they had heard yelling never existed. I couldn’t believe what he was hearing. I knew I had seen and heard things that were real, but now I was being told that I was crazy.
Two weeks passed, and I spent my time scavenging for food and avoiding detection. I was in a constant state of fear and paranoia, never sure if the mimic was still nearby. I eventually returned to the cabin three days ago to try and make sense of what had happened. As I dug through the documents, I began to understand the true nature of the mimic. It was a creature that consumed the consciousness of its host, imitating their personality and memories perfectly. The mimic aimed to confuse the masses by leaving no trace of anything unusual or out of the ordinary.
I struggled to comprehend the implications of what I had discovered. I was horrified by the thought that the people around me could be nothing more than hosts for these creatures.” His voice trembled as he spoke, unable to fully process the weight of the knowledge he had gained.
“Look, man, I’m not going to say you’re lying or that you’re crazy. You can leave now while my friends are upstairs. I’ll explain to them later,” I said.
“No! Don’t tell your friends. You guys have to leave too. You can’t trust anyone!” the unknown man added.
“We’re not going to leave our friends behind. Good luck, man. Please stay away from us. We won’t be here for long,” I added.
The man ran off into the woods, leaving me and Brandon shell-shocked and unsure of what to do next. We were filled with doubts and fears, wondering if he was really crazy or if his story actually added up. Brandon didn’t utter a single word, lost in thought.
“We gotta get out of here,” Brandon finally said, breaking the silence.
“I agree. Something in my gut tells me he’s telling the truth,” I replied, nodding in agreement.
As we turned to head back upstairs, John’s voice interrupted us. “Brandon?! Adrian?! What’s taking so long guys? We just finished checking out upstairs. Whoever lived here before was definitely tripping on something.”
I exchanged a worried glance with Brandon, unsure of how to respond. It seemed that the bizarre events we had experienced were far from over.
Me and Brandon headed upstairs retaining the knowledge that the mimic could be anywhere. We both agreed to pull an all-nighter to ensure our safety. Mike and John seemed to be in great spirits almost forgetting that we were in an abandoned cabin in the middle of nowhere. Although we made the best of our situation. We started up a fire on the fireplace and started reminiscing about old times.
“Mike, remember that time you jumped into the lake because I told you I accidentally dropped your phone in there?” (Brandon said)
“Haha, yeah, you’ve always been an asshole. I hope you know I’m going to get you back worse one day,” Mike replied.
“You’ll try you dweeb!” Brandon added.
“Wait hold on guys. Did you hear that?” Mike said
“No, what’s up man?.” Brandon said.
“Mike, is everything okay?” I asked.
“No, guys shut the fire off.” Mike demanded.
“Mike, start explaining what the hell is going on.” John said.
“There’s someone outside of this cabin. I hear footsteps nearby.” Mike said.
A few moments later, we felt the walls rattle with vibrations as someone banged on the door continuously, yelling “Come out, you little weasels!” Me and Brandon knew all too well that this was the mimic, we couldn’t help but look at one another in an overwhelming disturbance.
The way the man yelled was truly bone-chilling. It was as if his voice had been stripped of all humanity, replaced by a primal growl that rattled the very foundation of the cabin. The banging on the door seemed to intensify, as if the man was growing increasingly angry and desperate to get inside.
As we huddled together in the room, the atmosphere became thick with tension and unease. The air seemed to grow heavier, as if it were pressing down on us with an otherworldly force. The man’s voice continued to deteriorate, morphing into a guttural snarl that seemed to come from deep within his throat. Despite our fear, we couldn’t help but be fascinated by the strange and unsettling sound.
Suddenly, the banging stopped, and the silence was unbearable. We held our breath, waiting for what would come next. And then we heard it: the sound of footsteps slowly making their way towards the door. Each step echoed through the house like a hammer on a drum, and we knew all too well what was about to take place.
We huddled together, trying to keep our composure, but the fear was overwhelming. Our hearts were pounding in our chests, and we could feel the sweat running down our foreheads. We knew that we had to be ready to defend ourselves, but we had no idea what we were up against.
“Mike what the fuck are you doing?!” I asked.
Mike started yelling and threatening whoever was behind the door. He rushed to open it, and as he did, the man’s yells turned into laughter. In fact, Mike and the other man started laughing hysterically. We were left in a state of confusion. Before we could even respond to Mike, he and the other man attacked us, beating us so badly that we were knocked unconscious.
When I woke up, my head was pounding, and I struggled to focus my vision. Mike and the other man were standing over us, their eyes black as night, devoid of any emotion or humanity. Their presence was suffocating, as if the very air around them was being drained of life.
Suddenly, I felt a deep sense of grief and loss wash over me. It was as if I had just realized that my childhood best friend, Mike, had been dead for a long time, his soul replaced by some malevolent force. The other man was no longer a stranger, but a vessel for the same entity that had claimed Mike’s life.
The weight of the situation was overwhelming, and tears streamed down my face as I tried to process what had happened. I knew that it was only a matter of time before I, too, would be taken over by the creature they called the “mimic.”
You finally woke up, huh?” Mike/mimic said.
“What are you waiting for? Why not just be done with it, whatever you are?” I replied.
At this point, Brandon and John started waking up as well. Brandon knew all too well just as I that our demise was soon to come. John, on the other hand, was in a shocked state. He couldn’t even mutter up a sentence.
“Well, there are three of you and two of us. We’re waiting for another one of us to get here,” Mike/mimic said.
“What even are you? What do you truly look like?” Brandon asked.
“Haha, you humans have always been curious, even hundreds of thousands of years ago. You guys never seem to change,” Mimic/Mike replied.
“What the fuck are you even talking about? If you’re about to kill us, at least do us the justice of telling us what our bodies are going to be used for. Why do we even fucking deserve it?!” Brandon added.
“How about this? You tell us where you’re from. Why do you even need us to sustain yourself? whatever you may be,” I suggested.
“We aren’t from here. We come from another place and evolve slowly over time by consuming the consciousness, or what you humans call the ‘mind.’ We begin by taking over the smallest insects, then move on to more intelligent animals, and the cycle continues. We learn as we grow and consume. We have witnessed it all: the fall of the dinosaurs and the rise of mammals. The excitement never ends - each new life brings a new experience. Please understand that our actions are not personal; it is simply a matter of survival,” Mike/Mimic explained.
“Do you have emotions? Why do you sound like any other ordinary human? This all has to just be a bad dream,” I replied.
“One thing that most humans lack is the ability to delve deeper into every small detail given to them. As I mentioned earlier, we learn as we grow and consume. We possess everything a human could possibly have, as well as many other types of organisms on this planet. We are scattered across the cosmos, growing and consuming. Our only desire is to experience all that life has to offer and to be immortal,” Mike/Mimic explained.
“Well if you already have Mike’s body, why would you need another vessel?,” Brandon asked.
“That document you read on mimics didn’t specify the context that we can’t completely consume the conscience of our host immediately, it takes about four years, not to also mention it can vary depending on various factors such as: age, size and lastly their health .Once we’ve almost completely consumed their conscience we are in a hurry to find our next host,” mike/mimic clarified.
“Wait, so Mike’s alive somewhere deep down in his mind?”
“Indeed he is, or at-least just fragments of him. Our host goes into a dreamlike state never able to wake up once we have fully implanted ourselves into them. Matter of fact I feel his fear and confusion as we speak. He isn’t aware of what’s going on but I feel his precious fear and sorrow. It overwhelms me with life!” Mike/mimic said
All of a sudden, John started screaming out in terror. He cried continuously, overcome by great sadness, confusion, and fear. Before I could join John in his delve into darkness, I was interrupted by the sound of footsteps outside the cabin. A tall, mutilated man entered through the door, with dry and flaky skin, and most importantly, empty eyes.
“You see our friend here who just walked through the door is in dire need of a new host. So, tell me. Which one of you is it going to be?” Mike/mimic said.
“One last question before it’s our time to go. What does life mean to you?” I inquisitively asked.
“Life is a rare and precious phenomenon, surpassing anything else in existence. It is driven by an unyielding will to survive, and fueled by the profound depth and richness of human emotions and experiences. “Mimic/Mike replied.
The three mimics then approached us with hungry, curious eyes. They all placed their hands on our heads, caressing us as if we were precious children, almost as if these creatures admired our entire existence as a whole. Suddenly, the human host skin started to flare up in a plethora of bright colors.
As the mimic released its hold on the human bodies, they all dropped to the ground. And then I saw it - the mimic’s true form. Its body didn’t resemble any earthly animal, as if the most twisted, eerie minds couldn’t even conceive such a creature. The mimic had thin, almost otherworldly limbs that seemed to be able to grab onto anything in their path. Their structure was unlike that of an octopus; they were arranged in an irregular and unorthodox fashion.
The mimic’s face was even more unnerving, with a disconcerting and displaced structure that defied all logic. Imagine long, spindly limbs jutting out in all directions, and a face that was terrifying yet inexplicably puzzling. And the colors and textures of the creature were equally baffling - bright primary dark shades surrounding its disfigured face. In short, the mimic’s true form was something out of a nightmare, a freakish; otherworldly entity that defied explanation.
Despite its grotesque appearance, there was an unexplainable beauty to the being that filled me with both admiration and terror. But before I could even begin to comprehend the Mimic’s true form, hundreds of its thin, skirmish limbs gripped my body, constricting me with an otherworldly strength.
As the Mimic tightened its grip, I felt my consciousness begin to slip away. In that moment, I was overcome by a deluge of emotions that weren’t my own. It was as if I was experiencing the memories and sensations of every creature the Mimics had ever assimilated, from the tiniest insects to the mightiest sea beasts, and ultimately to the most complex and enigmatic species of them all: humans.
In those moments, it was all too apparent to me that I was going to delve into that dream-like sleeping state that the mimic had explained to me before. With my few conscious thoughts, I thought to myself, “Was this the only outcome?” In a way, I assumed it was better than me dying a painful death. Although realistically, my body was being used and mimicked to the touch: my phrases, my mannerisms, my emotions… This was an assault on humanity, I thought. This was far worse than simply just becoming nonexistent and out of the picture we call “life”.
Complete darkness engulfed me, and I slowly felt myself getting tired. Then, without warning, gunshots were fired, and I awoke to the mimic’s corpses on the ground and an all-too-familiar face. It was the man Brandon and I had encountered in the basement, the one we let flee away because we thought he was crazy. Before I could cry out in appreciation the unknown yelled to me, “there’s only two corpses on the ground. He got John’s body, it’s too late. We gotta make a run for it! Let’s go!
Brandon and I, without second guessing, ran out of the cabin and followed the man who saved us. He explained to us that he had been monitoring us for days to ensure we didn’t meet the same fate as he and his friends had prior. Luckily, his compassion for his fellow humans saved us in the end.
We ran and ran and ran for hours on end, our fear fueling our desperate attempts to escape. Eventually, a small town emerged on the horizon, and we found refuge in an abandoned house. My friend Brandon and I grieved for our fallen companion John, our tears flowing freely in deep sorrow for the remainder of the day. It has now been three weeks since that fateful incident, and we have been accused of murder by those who believe that John is still alive, or at least his imposter is.
This turn of events has forced us to live in constant fear, always on the run from both mimics and humans alike. Despite this, I hold onto the peace in my heart, knowing that I have not lost my soul to those walking deceivers.
To the parents of Mike and John, if you are reading this, remember that your sons are gone. Mike has been missing for far longer than you know, and the John you see before you is not your son. Who knows what that creature may do in the night when no one is around to see. Its stares are filled with deep selfishness and hunger, an envy you couldn’t even begin to comprehend.
To my brothers, wherever you are, know that I love you always. Brandon and I have taken it upon ourselves to hunt down these parasites and protect humanity from their malevolent schemes in the shadows. This was not the life I had envisioned for myself, but it is the life I have been given, and I will not rest until my long-lost friends have been given the justice they deserve.
I leave you with this final thought: within the shadows, lie secrets far more terrible than you can begin to fathom. Hold the ones you love dear close, no one is safe, from “the mimic”.