Exchanging Truths

WINIFRED

Something weird is happening to my body.

It was the same dreams yet the hands that were grabbing at me had faces. They were no longer strangling me or trying to pull me down. Instead, all I could hear was their cry for help. They wanted me to help them. Why?

So, the first person I went to was Nathan. He seemed intrigued by it and offered to go into my consciousness once more. He sounded willing but didn't look the same. The last time he came out, he was shaken like he had seen something terrifying, something he wasn't speaking about.

"Nathan?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"What else did you see inside my consciousness?"

"Oh, it's finally time for that talk, is it? I think you should sit down. This is going to take a while."

He was being dramatic but I was there to hear what he was going to say.

"When I was in there, I met...you. But I knew it wasn't you. Not only was she grown, she knew you. She wanted to apologize for suddenly switching bodies..."

"So that's what happened."

Live beautifully. Those were the last words I heard before opening my eyes in this world. Those words constantly echoed in my head and they sounded so familiar but I couldn't place a finger on who exactly it was that said such a thing. It was her. The one in the books, the true villainess, Winifred.

"You know about her?"

"I haven't exactly met her but I know who she is. You're telling me she's in my consciousness? If she's in my consciousness after switching bodies, does that mean my original body is dead?"

"Urm...I don't know?"

"Right. You wouldn't know. But if you're right, there's a possibility I can go back to my own body. There's a...never mind. Please continue."

"Wait, wait, this is so confusing. You mean this isn't your body?"

"Hmmm...you were right. This is going to take a while."

I explained to him that I was from another world and that this world was one I read inside a book. As I explained this to him, I remembered something. I randomly found the book series inside the library I was stuck in for half of my life. I often asked people about this book and nobody had heard of it even though it was something that could easily become a fan favorite. I searched for it on the internet and came up empty. It was like the book didn't exist.

I didn't know how that didn't raise alarm bells in my head. If the book didn't exist and someone placed the book there for me to find, then...this world was real.

"Yeah, this is fucking crazy."

"You're telling me you're actually over 30? No wonder you always sound like an old woman."

"You're the one who's centuries old. Do not diss me!"

He chuckled and took my hand.

"Looks like we have a lot more in common than I thought. Looks like I might have to try even harder."

I felt his magic enter me like the last time. I accepted it, relaxing my body. I closed my eyes and soon felt my body descending. When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by water. I looked down at the water and there were no hands. My reflection was staring back at me, like...it was taunting me.

The voice calling my name was closer...like it was behind me. So, I turned behind and saw...her. In my reflection, I looked exactly like myself, my 29-year-old self. The one standing in front of me was wearing a black victorian era gown with a veil covering her face. The first thing she did was take off her veil and I saw her scars. There was no doubt this time. It was her.

{You don't know how long I have been waiting for this to happen.}

"Yes, I wouldn't know. You saved me when I was dying. I have to admit, it is very inconvenient being blind. Many people around me are too careless."

{You're doing better, compared to me. I knew this world would be the best fit for you. I envy you.}

"I scarcely think my life is the best. Are you occupying my body?"

{That was what I planned on but reversing time in your reality is harder than I thought. So, all I did was save your body from death. Your body is currently in a coma and I'm a ghost that roams your reality. It is quite fun.}

"I...see. Is anyone taking care of my body?"

{The answer to that is depressing so I would rather not answer.}

"Figures."

She had no family, no friends to rely on. Her father could only keep her body alive for only a few years so people would have a good opinion of him. She didn't know how time worked but if she couldn't do anything, the Winifred in the modern, non-magical world was good as dead.

{Don't you worry. I'll keep trying to reverse time, just for you. I owe you that at least.}

"You can't help me with the nightmares and the blindness?"

{Like I told him, I can't do much about them. They're the trials your body needs to face before you obtain the kind of magic I had to reverse time. You can overcome each trial but you have to figure out how to solve them yourself. I know it feels like someone is playing some sick, twisted game with you...and that feeling is right. So, fight back and give them something to cry about.}

"We truly are the same person."

{We don't have too much time. But you can always come down here and talk to me. Before you leave, I will provide you the first clue to solving the first trial. The key is this riddle. One is kind, helping souls of a good heart. But one is wise, not helping every soul.}

"Hmm...thank you."

The scenery was starting to fade. She smiled at me and mouthed something. It was small but it was enough to comfort me.

{Live Beautifully, Winifred}

NATHAN

The dive into her consciousness this time was smooth. However, I didn't see the lake or the room. I was back to the last place I heard Yon.

{You're back. I'm surprised}

{She asked me this time. But Yon, I have a question for you.}

{I really wish you wouldn't ask}

{Where is my body, Yon? I need to give her my eyes.}

{You asked. Perfect.}

I could hear him sigh in exasperation. I don't know why he's refusing to tell me where my own body is.

{After you 'died', your lover took your body. They couldn't stand or comprehend the fact that you were truly dead so they built a temple in the skies and that's where your body is. However, they are also there and they have lost their mind. I wouldn't go there if I were you.}

How could they still be alive? It's insanity, after all that had happened. Did they really think it was love, guarding my body after they betrayed me?

{Thank you for your advice but I would be the one to decide.}

{You're so stubborn. They're your only weakness. Do you think you would be able to remain angry at them?}

{I know I won't. That's why I'm taking backup.}

I went out of her consciousness earlier this time. Her eyes were still closed when I came out, telling me she was still in there. She had a content smile on her face which scared me because I thought she was about to pass away. Waking her up then was just madness because there was a slight chance she would actually pass away due to my oversight.

So, I waited for her.

She woke up and was annoyed to see me anxiously staring at her. I was anxious for a human woman. This was something I never thought would occur to me. I could even tolerate it when she looked at me like I was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen. It was adorable.

"Thank you. That made me feel better."

"Happy to help."

"I didn't appreciate you looking at me like that. You're still a pervert, entering my body like that. It was intrusive."

"But you asked me to."

She rolled her eyes and sat up. She exhaled and started talking.

"I met her, the one you were talking about. I know I have to go through the trials and thankfully, she helped me with the first. She gave me a riddle which you are going to help me figure out so we can get over with this trial."

"And what is the riddle?"

"One is kind, helping souls of a good heart. But one is wise, not helping every soul."

It was really thought-provoking, something I wouldn't be able to figure out in one day. But it was a good start.

"Don't you worry, my lady. I would get on it right away."