Chapter 2: Pandora's Box of Blood

Jericho opened his eyes finding his self waking up in an unfamiliar environment. A room full of posters of vintage bands, collectibles, discs, and a messy room struck by the most powerful hurricane in the century. This day is also different because there is not a single presence of his mortal nemesis: his alarm clock which made his life miserable for the whole years of his existence. He went to the bathroom to do his normal routine but he was surprised that when he grabbed the toothbrush of unfamiliar shape and color, the face of Juana's boyfriend stood in front of him as he face the mirror.

"The last thing I remember is that I was in a hurry to return home because of the extended classes. I crossed the street and something heavy pushed me so far that made me pass out. And now, waking up as you? Is that possible that I am a wandering soul now? If that's the case, I'll name myself Zero!", Zero, as he declared his new alias, exclaimed using his enemy's voice as he discovered a hole to peek through the rays of light of the truth.

Zero discovered his new ability to jump to different bodies each day of him waking up and that thought made him excited, uncertain, afraid, and at the same time, skeptical and baffled out of what he should do.

Within a dozen of minutes of a staring contest with his enemy which turns out to be him for now, an idea popped up to his mind.

He looked for the nearest phone and saw it which is underneath the bed with the stinky shoes and socks ready to kill you of their smell anytime.

First, he opened the camera and took a selfie of his current body or form. After taking a single shot, he opened the pre-installed Instagram app on the phone, which is, technically his phone for now. An account bearing his current facade and the name of Andrew Reynolds appeared with pictures majority of Andrew and Juana together, in different places.

Considering that the account can be logged in without a password, he logged it out and created a new one. He named the account: "Neut Zero" and did put a picture with the number zero as the profile picture.

He then uploaded the selfie he took earlier without any caption.

"From now on, I will upload on this Instagram account all the people's faces that I will take control of in the future.", his eyes shimmered out of excitement on what possibilities may happen in the future.

~~~

Andrew Reynolds is not a perfect boyfriend material. In fact, he is possessive and aggressive to Juana every time he sees her with another man or if she does not obey what he wants her to do so, making him also a manipulative one. But this day is different because today's Andrew that Juana and every else that will see him will be totally different.

Zero opened Andrew's contacts in his phone and called Juana.

"What do you want again? Leave me alone, Andrew! I am not your lackey or slave to live my life the way as you wish too!", Juana felt salt dripped on her lips as she picked up Zero on Andrew's body's call.

"I'm sorry. I always knew that I did not became a good partner to you. Today will be different. I promise. Will you go here at lunch to meet me?", Zero improvised effectively.

"Just make sure that is not another lie or else we are done, Andrew!", Juana exclaimed followed by a deafening drop tone as she ended the call.

~~~

After several hours, a velvet coated car spitted out a blooming and gorgeous Juana of simple and decent clothes. Also, her smell similar to a blueberry pie is still there. Zero can still sense it even it is Andrew now.

"So... Why did you call after all of a sudden? You seem weird today." , Juana asked "Andrew" confused and baffled out of what is happening.

"Don't ask too many questions. Come in and proceed to the dining room and it will answer your question", Zero answered her in a soothing and calming voice that cradled Juana to make her small steps to "Andrew's" dining room.

"YOU MADE THESE? FOR ME? OH! HOW SWEET OF YOU!", Juana expressed her gratitude as a candlelight dinner table surrounded by red rose petals and an accompaniment of vintage romance music Zero got from Andrew's room, together with the cozy fireplace in the center of the wall.

"Come on, let us take a seat, shall we?" , Zero did gently slide a chair and guided Juana to sit there before he sat to his own.

While Zero is serving Juana some foods and drinks, the next music that came out from the radio caught Juana's attention.

🎵Moon river, wider than a mile...🎵

"Andrew! It's the song you are singing while playing a guitar when I first met you!" , Juana's excitement was increased as her song reminded her of their first encounter.

"Shall we dance, my dear Juana?", Zero desperately owned and stole the chance from Andrew until there is still enough time to do so.

"Of course! I would love to, my dear Andrew!", Juana agreed in an elated tone of voice.

While the two were dancing, Zero was struck by its conscience and decided to reveal to Juana what is inside his Pandora's Box.

"Juana, can I confess something?", Zero skeptically asked.

"Sure, go on, my love.", Juana answered innocently.

"But promise me that you will believe me.", Zero asked assurance.

"Just ask! Haha", Juana said.

"I am not the real Andrew. I am Jericho, your classmate in the first period. I passed out when I crossed the street and waked up finding myself in Andrew's body. Now, can you say that you would believe me?"

"JERICHO!? THAT'S PLAUSIBLE! PROVE ME!", Juana trembled as she heard every word that came out from Andrew's body's mouth and voice.

Zero got Andrew's phone from his pocket and logged in his account in Facebook and showed her the conversation between him and Juana.

"Jericho! It's really you! But I thought you were in a coma? How did this happen?" , Juana blasted a lot of questions to Zero or Jericho out of curiosity.

Jericho answered it in a lengthy conversation until the night reached them in their race with it.

"Oh, that is why. Now I understand.", Juana sighed as her mind was already clear from questions.

"I guess I have to leave. I still have many errands to do at home.", Juana added.

"Wait, before you go!", Zero blocked Juana's path before he can even go out of the door.

"What is it? You silly soul. Haha" , Juana jokingly asked.

"I love you, Juana. And I will always find you, no matter what."