Echoes of Me

Ava had always believed that life held its most profound truths in ordinary moments. The sunny Wednesday morning seemed just like any other as she strolled down the familiar path in Maplewood Park, her mind lost somewhere between the pages of her favorite book. It was a routine escape, one she cherished amidst the humdrum of everyday life.

As she rounded the corner by the small pond, Ava nearly collided with someone who appeared to be in a hurry. Startled, she looked up, ready to apologize, but the words froze in her throat. Staring back at her was...herself.

The woman was her spitting image, from the tangled mass of curly hair to the constellation of freckles dotted across her…