# Chapter 5: Beyond Borders

Benjamin stared at his duplicate through the window, a sick feeling twisting in his stomach. The creature that wore his face moved with jerky, unnatural motions as it approached the farm workers. Its skin had the texture of rotting bark, patches of black mold spreading across its features like a disease.

"We need to move," Sara urged, tugging at his arm. "There's nothing we can do for those people right now except get to the communications tower."

Benjamin nodded, forcing himself to turn away from the window. The image of his duplicate remained burned into his mind—a twisted reflection of his own capacity for deception.

"The fastest route to the communications tower is through the eastern corridor," Itzhak said. "But we'll need to be careful. The guards will be looking for you two."

They moved swiftly through the darkened hallways, pausing at intersections to check for patrols. The main building was unusually quiet, with most of the guards presumably occupied with the chaos unfolding in the village square.

"Do you think the others will join us?" Dana asked Drorit as they hurried along. "Dudi? Orni?"

Drorit's expression was grim. "Dudi was with me when we saw what the duplicates were becoming. He was horrified, but also afraid of going against Amatziah. Orni..." She shook her head. "I don't know. He's always been loyal to Amatziah."

"We don't have time to convince everyone," Benjamin said. "If we can reach the communications tower and broadcast the truth, that might be enough."

They reached a junction where the corridor split in three directions. Itzhak held up a hand, signaling them to stop.

"Listen," he whispered.

From the left corridor came the sound of voices—multiple voices speaking in overlapping patterns, creating a discordant echo that made the hair on Benjamin's neck stand on end.

"That doesn't sound human," Sara whispered.

Benjamin peered around the corner and immediately pulled back. "Duplicates," he confirmed. "Three of them. I saw Ofer, Dana, and... me."

Dana went pale. "What do they look like?"

Benjamin hesitated, not wanting to describe the grotesque transformations. "They're... changing. The black mold is spreading over them. Their arms don't look right anymore."

"We'll have to go another way," Itzhak decided. "The south passage will take longer, but it should be clear."

They backtracked and took the right corridor, moving as quietly as possible. Benjamin couldn't shake the image of his duplicate—the way its joints bent at impossible angles, the black mold spreading across its skin like a living shroud.

As they passed a row of windows overlooking the farm's eastern fields, Drorit gasped. "Look!"

Outside, lit by the rising moon, dozens of shadowy figures moved across the fields. Even from a distance, there was something wrong about their movements—too fluid in some places, too jerky in others, as if their bodies weren't quite solid.

"More duplicates," Sara said, her voice tight with fear. "They're spreading throughout the farm."

"And not just staying in the main complex," Benjamin added. "They're reaching the outlying areas."

"The eastern border is only a few miles beyond those fields," Itzhak pointed out, his face grave. "If they cross into neighboring territories..."

"One crisis at a time," Benjamin said firmly. "First, we get to the communications tower."

They continued through the south passage, which wound through the older sections of the main building. This area was primarily used for storage now, and the corridors were narrow and poorly lit.

"It should be clear through here," Itzhak said. "These storerooms haven't been used in—"

He broke off as a figure stepped out from a doorway ahead of them. It was Eyal—or rather, a duplicate of Eyal. The resemblance was still visible, but the transformation had progressed further than any they had seen before. The duplicate's arms had elongated into thin, branch-like appendages that nearly reached the floor. Its skin was entirely covered in the black mold, giving it a charred appearance. Most disturbing of all, its face had split vertically, creating a mouth-like opening that ran from forehead to chin.

When it spoke, multiple voices emerged from that terrible opening.

"The eastern forces have breached our defenses," it said in Eyal's voice, overlaid with other, unrecognizable tones. "They bring weapons of unimaginable power."

"Don't listen to it," Sara whispered. "It's trying to spread more lies."

The duplicate's head turned toward her, moving with an unnatural smoothness. "The council knew of this threat," it continued, now in a voice that sounded like a distorted version of Amatziah's. "They have been preparing secret bunkers for themselves while leaving the people to die."

"That's not true," Benjamin said loudly, stepping forward. "None of that is true."

The duplicate's split face seemed to widen in what might have been a smile. "Truth? What is truth but what people believe? And they believe us. They believe because you made them believe. You taught them to fear."

"Go back," Itzhak urged, pulling at Benjamin's arm. "We need to find another way."

But the duplicate moved with shocking speed, its branch-like arms extending even further to block the corridor. "The eastern spies are among us," it continued, now speaking with a chorus of voices. "They wear familiar faces. Trust no one."

Benjamin felt a surge of revulsion and guilt. These were his lies—his and the other council members'. They had created this monster, fed it with their deceptions until it took physical form.

"We need to get past it," he said quietly to the others. "Any ideas?"

Dana looked around, then pointed to a side door. "That leads to the old kitchen passage. If it's still open, we can bypass this section entirely."

They backed away slowly, the duplicate watching them with what looked like amusement in its distorted features. When they reached the side door, Itzhak tried the handle.

"Locked," he muttered.

"Stand back," Benjamin said. He rammed his shoulder against the door. The old wood creaked but held. He tried again, putting his full weight behind it.

The duplicate moved toward them, its arms extending like tentacles. "The council betrays you," it said in its chorus of voices. "They have always betrayed you."

Benjamin slammed into the door a third time, and it finally gave way with a splintering crack. "Go!" he shouted, holding the door as the others rushed through.

The duplicate reached for him, one branch-like arm grazing his shoulder. Where it touched, Benjamin felt an intense burning sensation, as if the mold was trying to spread to his own skin.

He jerked away and stumbled through the door, slamming it shut behind him. In the dim light of the old kitchen passage, he examined his shoulder. The fabric of his shirt was singed where the duplicate had touched him, but his skin appeared unharmed.

"Are you alright?" Sara asked, noticing his inspection.

"Fine," he said, not entirely convinced. "That thing... it's becoming more than just a physical manifestation of our lies. It's actively trying to spread them."

"Like an infection," Drorit murmured. "The evil speech has become contagious."

They hurried through the kitchen passage, which was narrow and smelled of old smoke and grease. After several minutes of winding through the dark corridor, they emerged into a more familiar section of the building.

"The communications tower should be just ahead," Itzhak said. "Through the central courtyard and up the northwest staircase."

They paused at the door leading to the courtyard, peering cautiously through a small window. The courtyard appeared empty, bathed in moonlight.

"It looks clear," Dana said. "But I don't like it. Where is everyone?"

"The guards would normally patrol this area," Drorit agreed. "Something's wrong."

Benjamin took a deep breath. "We don't have a choice. We need to cross to reach the tower."

They slipped out into the courtyard, staying close to the walls where the shadows were deepest. The night air was unusually still, with no sound but their own quiet footsteps on the stone.

They were halfway across when the first figure appeared at the far side of the courtyard. It was followed by another, then another, until a dozen shapes stood watching them. In the moonlight, it was difficult to make out details, but Benjamin could see that each figure was misshapen in some way—limbs too long or too short, heads twisted at odd angles, bodies partially dissolved into formless masses.

"Duplicates," Sara whispered. "A lot of them."

As they watched, the duplicates began to change formation, spreading out to block all exits from the courtyard. Benjamin recognized the strategy—it was a standard containment pattern that the farm's guards used when dealing with intruders.

"They're thinking tactically now," he said, alarmed. "This isn't random."

"The tower entrance is still clear," Itzhak pointed out. "If we run for it now..."

"We might make it," Benjamin agreed. "On my signal... Now!"

They sprinted across the remaining distance to the northwest corner of the courtyard. Behind them, the duplicates moved with that same unnatural speed they had seen before, closing the gap with frightening rapidity.

Benjamin reached the tower door first, yanking it open and ushering the others through. Itzhak was last, barely making it inside before the first of the duplicates reached them. Benjamin slammed the door shut and threw the bolt.

"That won't hold them for long," he panted. "Not if they're as strong as they seem."

"Up the stairs," Dana urged. "Quickly!"

They raced up the winding staircase that led to the communications room at the top of the tower. Behind them, they could hear a heavy impact as something slammed against the door.

"How did they know to cut us off?" Drorit asked between breaths as they climbed. "It's like they anticipated our plan."

"They're born from our thoughts," Sara replied grimly. "Maybe they can still access them."

The thought sent a chill through Benjamin. If the duplicates could read their intentions, what hope did they have of outmaneuvering them?

They reached the landing just below the communications room, pausing to catch their breath. The door at the bottom of the tower crashed open, and the sound of multiple footsteps echoed up the stairwell.

"Go," Benjamin urged. "Get to the communications room. I'll try to slow them down."

"We're not splitting up," Sara said firmly. "We go together or not at all."

Benjamin wanted to argue, but she was right. Divided, they would be even more vulnerable. "Alright. Together."

They climbed the final flight of stairs and reached the door to the communications room. To their surprise, it was already ajar, a sliver of light spilling out onto the landing.

Benjamin exchanged worried glances with the others. Someone was already inside. Carefully, he pushed the door open wider.

The communications room was a circular chamber at the top of the tower, filled with broadcasting equipment. Large windows provided a view of the entire farm in all directions. Standing at the main console, his back to them, was Amatziah.

He turned as they entered, and Benjamin was struck by how haggard he looked. The proud, confident leader who had dominated the council for years appeared diminished, his face pale and drawn, his eyes haunted.

"I thought you might come here," Amatziah said quietly.

Benjamin tensed, expecting guards to emerge from hiding. But Amatziah was alone, and his posture wasn't threatening—if anything, he seemed defeated.

"We need to broadcast the truth," Benjamin said cautiously. "Before it's too late."

To his surprise, Amatziah nodded. "I know. That's why I'm here." He gestured to the console. "I was trying to figure out how to operate it. This was always Orni's domain."

Benjamin approached slowly, still suspicious. "What made you change your mind?"

Amatziah turned to look out the window. From this height, they could see across much of the farm. In the distance, fires burned in several locations. Shadowy figures moved through the fields and along the roads, their forms distorted in the moonlight.

"I saw what we created," Amatziah said, his voice hollow. "I saw my own duplicates spreading lies far worse than anything I had planned. I saw one of them... transform completely. It doesn't even look human anymore."

He turned back to face them, and Benjamin was shocked to see tears in the man's eyes. "This was supposed to be a simple political strategy. A way to maintain control. I never imagined..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

"The scroll warned us," Sara said, moving to stand beside Benjamin. "The evil speech made flesh."

"I know that now," Amatziah admitted. "But understanding doesn't undo what we've done. The duplicates are everywhere, spreading fear and hatred. And they're growing stronger."

Drorit joined them at the window, pointing to the eastern fields. "Look there."

A large group of duplicates was moving in formation toward the eastern border, their bodies twisted and molded into nightmarish forms. Some no longer walked upright but crawled on multiple limbs. Others seemed to float just above the ground, their lower bodies dissolved into swirling masses of mold.

"They're heading for the border," Dana realized. "If they cross into the eastern territory..."

"They already have," Amatziah said grimly. "We've been receiving reports for the past hour. Duplicates of all of us have been seen in neighboring territories, spreading the same lies they've been spreading here. The eastern council believes we're planning an invasion. The southern territory has closed their borders entirely."

"We need to broadcast now," Benjamin insisted, turning to the console. "Tell everyone the truth."

Itzhak, who had been examining the equipment, looked up with a worried expression. "There's a problem. The primary transmitter is offline. According to this diagnostic, it was physically damaged about twenty minutes ago."

"Can you fix it?" Sara asked.

Itzhak shook his head. "Not without parts from the maintenance shed. And even then, it would take hours."

"The duplicates," Amatziah said, his voice flat. "They must have known what we were planning. They disabled the transmitter to prevent us from communicating the truth."

"They're learning," Benjamin realized. "Adapting. They know the truth is their weakness, so they're cutting off our ability to spread it."

A heavy impact shook the door, making them all jump. The duplicates had reached the top of the tower.

"The emergency transmitter," Dana suggested quickly. "It doesn't have the range of the primary system, but it should reach most of the farm."

"Better than nothing," Benjamin agreed. "Where is it?"

"Storage cabinet, northwest corner," Amatziah said, already moving in that direction. He opened the cabinet and pulled out a smaller console, quickly connecting it to the power supply. "This hasn't been used in years. I hope it still works."

Another impact hit the door, harder this time. The wood began to splinter.

"Hurry," Sara urged.

Amatziah powered up the emergency transmitter. Lights flickered across its control panel, and a low hum filled the room. "It's working," he said with relief. "But the microphone is missing."

"Use the internal one," Itzhak suggested, pointing to a small opening on the console itself. "You'll have to speak directly into it, but it should work."

Amatziah nodded and leaned close to the console. He took a deep breath, then pressed the broadcast button. "People of the farm, this is Amatziah, true head of the council. What you have been told by those who look like us is false. There is no invasion from the east. There are no spies among you. The council has been spreading lies to maintain control, and those lies have taken physical form."

The door splintered further, a twisted arm pushing through the gap.

"The duplicates you see are manifestations of our deception," Amatziah continued, his voice growing more urgent. "Do not listen to them. Do not trust what they say. They are lies made flesh, and they will bring destruction upon us all."

Benjamin moved to hold the door, bracing his body against it as more force was applied from the other side. Sara and Dana joined him, adding their weight to the barrier.

"We have betrayed your trust," Amatziah said into the transmitter, his voice breaking. "I have betrayed your trust. For this, I am deeply sorry. But now we must unite against the darkness we have created. Spread the truth. Help others recognize the duplicates for what they are."

The door gave way slightly, and Benjamin caught a glimpse of what waited on the other side—multiple figures fused together into a writhing mass of limbs and faces, all covered in the black mold.

"They're breaking through!" he shouted.

Amatziah spoke faster. "The duplicates are crossing our borders. They seek to spread their lies to neighboring territories. We must stop them before—"

The transmission was cut short as the emergency transmitter sparked and went dead. Amatziah looked up in confusion. "What happened?"

Itzhak examined the console. "Power failure. The whole system is down."

As if to confirm his words, the lights in the communications room flickered and went out, plunging them into darkness broken only by the moonlight streaming through the windows.

"They've cut the power to the tower," Dana realized.

In the silence that followed, they could hear strange voices on the other side of the door—not speaking in unison anymore, but merging into a single, distorted sound that seemed to contain elements of all their voices.

"Did we reach enough people?" Drorit asked. "Will they believe us?"

"I don't know," Amatziah admitted. "But it's a start."

Benjamin moved to the window, looking out over the farm. In the moonlight, he could see the extent of the chaos below. Fires burned in several locations. People ran through the streets, pursued by shambling figures. And at the borders, groups of duplicates moved with purpose, crossing into neighboring territories.

"It's not enough," he said quietly. "Look."

The others joined him at the window. From their vantage point, they could see movement along the farm's borders—not just duplicates crossing out, but armed forces moving in.

"The eastern territory's military," Amatziah identified them. "They're responding to the provocations of our duplicates."

"And there," Itzhak pointed to the southern border. "Those are southern forces."

"It's happening exactly as the duplicates planned," Sara said, her voice tight with fear. "They've provoked our neighbors into attacking us."

"Not just attacking us," Benjamin realized with growing horror. "Look at the eastern and southern forces. They're moving toward each other, not just toward us. The duplicates must have spread conflicting lies, turning our neighbors against each other as well."

The implications were clear. What had begun as a political strategy to maintain control of their farm had spiraled into a regional conflict that could engulf all the surrounding territories.

"What have we done?" Amatziah whispered.

The door finally gave way with a splintering crash. The fused mass of duplicates pushed into the room, their forms barely recognizable as human anymore. Black mold covered every surface of their twisted bodies, and their voices merged into an unintelligible chorus of lies.

As they backed away from the advancing horror, Benjamin looked out the window once more. In the distance, beyond their borders, he could see the torches of advancing armies, moving inexorably toward a confrontation that might destroy them all.

The duplicates had moved beyond borders, spreading their poison to neighboring lands. And in doing so, they had brought the farm to the brink of catastrophe.