Skin: Part 2

He rushed downstairs and then stopped right by the kitchen and tried to calm himself. He took deep breaths to try to control his breathing so the imposters didn’t think he knew anything. Many thoughts rushed throughout his head like how did this happen and why? How long has this been going on? Are his parents really dead? Was it their flesh and bones in the tub?

Liam sat back at the table staring at his mom and dad. 

“Honey you okay? You look like you didn’t have a good bathroom break. Is it an upset stomach? Diarrhea? Constipation?”

“Margaret, he doesn’t want to talk about his private business with the toilet.”

Liam couldn’t believe these weren’t his parents; they sounded, looked and acted like his parents. 

Ava tried to get them to stop bickering.

“Mom, dad please”

She had no idea that those creatures were just imitating their parents. 

Once they stopped bickering their mom served apple pie, also Liam’s favorite. Liam forced a smile. 

“Don’t worry honey, I got vanilla ice cream to go with your pie, just how you like it.”

Liam didn’t say anything, he just blankly stared at his parents. 

“Eat Liam” said Ava 

Liam couldn’t take it, he stood up aggressively and their parents looked confused and surprised. He grabbed Ava and ran to the nearest door. Which was the basement door, now they were trapped. He realized he didn’t think this through which made him freak out. Ava didn’t understand she just watched her brother put objects in front of the door.

“Hey Liam… what’s are you doing?”

Liam grabbed Ava by the shoulders and looked her dead in her eyes. 

“Those… those things are not mom and dad! They are monsters pretending to be them! I saw Ava… bones… in the fucking tub… blood everywhere I have to get you somewhere safe.”

Ava didn’t say a word. Liam continued to try to block the door he knew Ava would have a hard time processing. Suddenly, while Liam was putting a lamp by the door something hit the back of his head and knocked him out. 

Hours later, Liam woke up in his old room tied to a chair. He groaned because the pain in the back of his head was throbbing. He started yelling. 

“HEEEELLLPPPPP SOMEBODY HELP ME!”

Ava walked into the room. 

“Can’t believe you went to war so pathetic.”

Liam felt foolish he knew now that Ava was not actually Ava. He looked at the imposter, his eyebrows went downwards and eyes began to water. He couldn’t believe his sister was gone, his little sister… his only sister.

“Sad Liam? Don’t worry Ava went down easy… she screamed for you her big brother who left her here all alone.”

“Fuck you!”

“Now now that’s not how you talk to children.”

“You aren’t a child, you monster!”

She laughed. 

Liam could hear footsteps coming up the stairs; he assumed it was his fake parents coming to kill him. However, it was not. It was a strange man covered in dirt. The dirt left a trail. 

“Who the fuck are you?” Asked Liam

The man crookedly turned his head and started to examine Liam. Walking around him checking his ears and little unique features such as birthmarks or moles. Once he saw enough he signaled for Ava to leave the room.

“Alright Liam let me level with you. Downstairs are my parents pretending to be your parents. My little sister is pretending to be your little sister sooooo…”

“So… you’re going to pretend to be me.”

“Very good.”

He grabbed Liam's shoulder and held on for about 5 minutes before his skin started to shed. It was the grossest thing Liam had ever seen. Blood splattered on Liam’s face, he started to gag. He closed his eyes in fear. 

Once it was over, Liam opened his eyes slowly only to see himself naked. The imposter started going through Liam’s old clothes and found an outfit that fit. He pulled off Liam’s sneakers and put them on.

“What now? You kill me?” 

“You’re two for two soldier I don’t know why my sister said you were dumb, you’re very smart.”

Imposter Liam dragged Liam into his parents bathroom. The odor smelt worse than earlier. Flies started to buzz around the shower and closet door.  Once he cut the light on, Liam looked petrified. His face went pale and he started to jerk the chair around trying to break free.

“I’m going to tell you a secret because I like you Liam, your memories are pretty cool.”

Liam froze.

“My memories? What are you talking about?”

He looked deep into Liam’s eyes.

“This isn’t some sci-fi alien bull shit. Monsters are real and I’m one of them… I’m what you call a shapeshifter. When I touch you I get all your memories so that I can properly become you.”

“What? Monsters! Like vampires and werewolves?”

“Yes yes everything”

“No”

“Yes. I would tell you to come to terms with it but I’m afraid you have a lady friend coming over who I have to entertain.”

Liam just remembered about Rose, he came home to tell his family about Rose. They've been dating for two years and he proposed a week ago. 

“Don’t you fucking touch her!”

“Bye Liam!”

Liam tried to scream but the shapeshifter held his mouth closed. He took a huge bite out of his neck. Blood shot out , the shapeshifter kept eating. Liam’s body started to shake. His last thoughts were about his sister at least he’ll get to see her again.