The last thing the real Elias felt was the sensation of being right-clicked, selected, and moved to the Recycle Bin.

On the screen, the empty room in the mirror started to fill. A digital version of his desk appeared. Then a chair. Then a figure began to render—pixel by pixel, starting from the feet up. It was wearing his hoodie. It had his frayed watch strap.

His logic screamed at him to stop. His curiosity, fueled by months of digital breadcrumbs, won. He double-clicked.