Mimic mixup

The moonlight shines out through the clouds into an open window and a chill breeze flows through.  

“Close  the window. I don't want Pete to get sick.”

“Aunt Em, will you make me blueberry pancakes in the morning.”

“Of course sweetie and your uncle is actually going to eat breakfast with us instead of rushing off to work, aren't you?”

Aunt Em smiles and stares at him intensely. 

“… oh yes of course.”

Aunt Em smiles back at Pete. “See. Tomorrow will be a good day.”

“I know you're just being nice because I am not good at anything.”

Aunt Em stares in disbelief. “Don’t you dare say that! You just aren’t good at sports… but there is more to life than being good at baseball or football. You like building stuff, and you are really good at painting.”

Pete nodded and rolled over on his side. Uncle Eric tucked him in while Aunt Em kissed him goodnight. 

“Sweet dreams”

Uncle Eric closes the door and they both walk to their room, before they step a foot inside; A noise from downstairs startles them. A light coming from downstairs makes them both confused and uneasy.

“You left the tv on?” whispers Aunt Em

“I swear I didn’t”

A thumping noise comes from downstairs. 

“Eric what was that?”

“Stay here I’ll check.”

“No, I'm going with you.” she grabs his hand.

“I’m asking you to stay here. If something happens one of us needs to be there for Pete.”

Aunt Em nods. “Be careful”, his hand slowly releases from hers. She feels her heart skip a few beats. 

Eric heads downstairs slowly as he peeks around the staircase into the living room. He was surprised by what he saw. 

“Pete?”

“Can I please finish the marathon I promise it’s over at ten”

Eric's face turns pale and he stands frozen in place.

“Honey!”

“Yes? Is everything okay? What’s going on?”

“I don’t know, you tell me… is Pete still in bed?”

Emily raises one eyebrow in confusion.

“Of course he is”

“No seriously check!”

“Fine!”

Emily opens the door and sees Pete lying in bed, the same as they left him.

“Yes, he is here, why?”

“Because I’m also looking at Peter…”

“You can’t be…”

“Honey swear to god I am.”

Emily looks back at Pete and he is no longer lying in bed but standing up right in front of her.

Emily trembles.

“What’s the matter, Auntie Em, don’t you love me?” his distorted voice made her heart pound. 

“Who are you?” 

“I’m your precious nephew.”

“Get the fuck away from me!”

Eric broke out of his fear and rushed upstairs.

The imposter grabbed Emily by the neck and lifted her off the ground.

“Oh auntie we just aren’t seeing eye to eye anymore, I’m a big boy I need to spread my wings and fly.” It laughed watching her struggle to breathe.

“Let her go!” Eric grabbed a vase and bashed it over the head. 

Its neck turned all the way staring Eric in his eyes. He threw Emily down the hall.

“Run! Save Pete!” 

“Not leaving you!”

“Emily now!”

It grabbed Eric’s neck and bit out his throat. His eyes blinked twice before the life slowly left his body. Blood poured his body staining the Italian rug. 

“ERIC!”

It turned its attention back to Emily still chewing the piece of Eric. She stumbled twice before fully getting up and running at full speed. She ran downstairs to grab Pete but couldn't find him. 

“Peter Auntie really needs you to come out of hiding, we have to go now.” her voice cracked.

“Peter, where are you!”

The imposter came downstairs and smiled at Emily as its body stretched and morphed into Eric. 

“Honey, it’s okay. You're safe now

“You are not Eric, stay away from me… Peter, where are you?”

She backs up slowly looking around the living room for where Peter might be. 

Peter comes out from behind a curtain.

“Peter, we have to go.” She grabs his arm but is unable to move him. 

“I’m afraid I can’t do that Auntie.”

“Oh my god!”

They both turn into ten tall monsters with sharp teeth. Their eyes bulging and glowing red and their sharp claws. They both growl at Emily. She cowered into a corner and started trembling, all she could do was cry. She thought at least when it’s all over she can be with Peter and Eric again. 

A loud piercing ringing noise echoes through the house like a siren. The monsters shriek in pain. A younger man shows up and grabs Emily by the arm and practically drags her out of the house, leaving her on the porch. After a few minutes, the ringing noise stops. The man comes out of the house wiping off his machete. He stands firm and unbothered. 

“Sorry for your loss.” 

Emily stares up at him into his eyes. 

“What- what was- what are those things?”

“Nobody really knows I like to call them mimics because they aren’t shapeshifters or changelings but they can mimic humans and their behaviors but they are a lot uglier than shifters. Also, they find humor in changing into children.”

“So Pete is gone?”

“He will be if we don’t find the nest.”

“Nest?”

“It must be close to this town because well it's a town full of kids, perfect for them.”

“It killed Eric…” Emily sniffled 

“I’m terribly sorry… I was late if only I was here on time… we need to find your son.”

“He’s my nephew” Emily’s body would not stop trembling. “There is a state park close by here…”

“Great, let's start there.”

He helps her up and helps her walk to the car. 

“Thank you for saving me”

“It’s my job but you're welcome, nobody really says thank you.”

“What is your name?”

“Dean.”