Identity Thief -
The thief stepped closer. You remember the memories you memorized from the real Elias’s journals. You did such a good job hiding the body that you actually started to believe the lie. But you got lazy, Arthur. You stopped being 'Elias' and started just being a shadow.
He went to the nearest ATM, three blocks away, his breath coming in shallow hitches. He shoved his debit card into the slot. He typed his PIN with trembling fingers. The screen didn’t show his balance. It simply flickered once and swallowed the card. A message appeared in stark, white letters: Account Closed. Please contact your local branch. Identity Thief
The thief reached into his drawer and pulled out a folder. Inside were photos of a younger Elias Thorne—the man who had just walked into the room—standing over a shallow grave in the woods. Except, in the photo, the man holding the shovel had Elias’s face, and the body in the dirt had the thief’s. The thief stepped closer
I’m the upgrade, the thief whispered. I’m the one who’s going to use this life for something. You’re just the man who stole it first. And now, I’ve reported Arthur Vance for the murder of Elias Thorne. The police are on their way. But you got lazy, Arthur
Elias backed toward the window. He looked at the man who was currently living his life, wearing his clothes, and possessing his name. He realized he couldn't fight for a life he had stolen, because there was no "Elias" left to save.
The thief sat back down and resumed typing. You should run, Arthur. It’s what you’re best at.