A Different World

Leo opened his eyes. He was feeling stone cold and jumped at the first sight he saw. Sergio and Brian were lying there unconscious. It was the same place he was before all that happened. What happened? Why did it happen? Perhaps he was hallucinating?

His thoughts stopped at hearing Sergio's shout.

"What the hell was that!"shouted Sergio.

"I feel cold. Who could,who, who..who could put a drug in our f..in our food!",he was shivering.

"Hallucinations can occur because of drug use, psychosis or neurological disorders",said Brian,he was shivering too.

"Well I'm sure I don't have any."said Leo.

"Or sleep deprivation."

"I slept well last night."

"Come on man, let's go home,or we'll die of cold." The State Park was empty, except for some guys who looked like scientists. Leo threw another look at the bushes,but there was no pit. Leo didn't have the mood to search now. It was a hallucination,he thought,again and again,each thought arousing more doubt.

They took their bikes and were cycling home in a hurry. It was bright sunshine. Leo couldn't understand why he felt cold,it was a sunny day,and temperature in summers was in mid-40s in Caliente. It was an effect of the hallucination,perhaps? How could someone put a drug in their food? And the drug was strong. The three of them saw something that was really weird. The board at the roadside said,"Welcome to Culverwell" instead of "Welcome to Caliente". They thought it was a hallucination again,but each of them looked doubtful in their face. Soon they entered the main town. Everything seemed normal,they thought. Or was that what they wanted to think? The rail roads,the motels,the parks,the houses,they seemed normal. They left Brian at his home and set off for theirs,as they lived closer to each other. When they were barely 50 metres from their homes,they saw a sight which they can't believe they were seeing. No,they thought,how could the drug make them see this?

            Sergio pointed 30 metres away from him. Leo saw himself,looking exactly the same,with dark hair and the Batman t-shirt. And,he was walking hand-in-hand with none other than Emma Shey! The long straight hair,tall height,her perfect beautiful glowing face,yes,it was her. The original Leo and Sergio looked at each other and the sight confusingly. Sergio was as white as a ghost. How could this happen?