The Switch: A Tale Of Two Souls

***Beatrice*** My eyes slowly opened, the bright lights above me pierced through my eyes like hundreds of needles, and I quickly shielded my eyes with my arm. I felt disoriented as I looked around, trying to figure out where I was. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, forcing me back to bed. I didn't know where I was, the smell of antiseptics and machines beeping filled my head. A hospital room. But how did I get here? I tried to remember, but my memory was as blank as an unwritten page awaiting its first word. I gazed down at my body and noticed the IV tube inserted into my wrist and the hospital gown I had on. I tried to talk but my voice was not audible enough, so I cleared my throat and tried again. ‘’Where am I?’’ I said as fear and confusion gripped my soul, but I got no response. ‘’Where am I? Damn it!’’ I exclaimed, with a surge of desperation. I had used all the strength I had left to say that, and it worked, because the door busted open, and a doctor hurried in. ‘’Thank goodness, you are finally awake,’’ he hurried to my side, checking the beeping machines around me, ‘’I thought I’d lost you.’’ The doctor said, his voice tinged with excitement. ‘’Please, where am I? And how long have I been here?’’ I asked, in a low tone, barely above a whisper. ‘’Elena, you are in a hospital, and you have been here for a few days— But don't you remember anything at all?’’ he asked calmly, his gaze locked into mine, hoping for a glimmer of recognition. I tried to remember, but my memory was still as blank as an unwritten page. I didn't know who Elena was, or why he had called me Elena. ‘’My Name is not Elena, and I need to get out of here, nothing about this place feels right to me, Doctor…,’’ I paused to check his name tag. ‘’Doctor Pete, Please get me out of here, I need to find out what brought me here.’’ I pleaded. ‘’Elena, we are going to run a few more tests, but before then, I need you to relax, and not strain your memory. Don't try to remember anything for now, as it will only put pressure on your brain, damaging it the more.’’ he explained calmly. I felt like I could trust this Doctor. I didn't know who he was, but he spoke to me like a family. I could see the affection in his eyes as he spoke, and there was something about the way he smelled. It wasn't his cologne, he just smelled so inviting. I quickly looked at my finger to see if there was a ring on it. He might be my husband, but there was no ring, which can only mean that I am not married. ‘’Do you know me? You keep calling me Elena, and you look at me like our relationship goes beyond just Doctor and Patient, or are you my brother?’’ I asked, curiously. ‘’I already told you not to try to remember anything for now, I'll tell you all you need to know later on, Okay?'’ he said, gently. ‘’Okay, Doctor Pete'’ I said, as I forced a smile. With that, he turned and left, each step he took echoed in my head, the sterile smell of the antiseptic grew strong in my nose, my sense of smell had heightened, and I could hear my heart beating as well. What was going on with me? I tried searching within myself for answers, but I found none. As I lay in the bed, I heard footsteps coming towards my room even before the door was opened. ‘’Miss Elena, Good morning, how are you feeling this morning?'’ she smiled, as she stared down at me, expecting my response. ‘’I feel very weak, pains in my head and in my wrist, my throat is parched, my mouth is dry, and I can't remember anything,’’ I replied frustratingly. ‘’I want you to know that you'll be fine, you'll get your strength and memories back as soon as possible.’’ She said, as she placed a reassuring hand on my right shoulder, and assisted me to sit up, to aid her in checking my vitals. I didn't feel close to her like I felt with Doctor Pete, although her smile seemed genuine, her touch felt strange, and her scent irritated my guts ‘cause my stomach turned. I couldn't explain why, but my body was reacting negatively to her presence. ‘’Please, do you know if any family member has come to visit me?’’ I asked, trying to keep my tone nice, despite the unease I felt around her. My gaze rested on the nape of her neck for a while and then moved to the skin behind her ears, and I could feel her pulse even without touching it. My eyes cringed at the sight and I felt the growing unease slapping me in the face. ‘’I can't say,’’ she replied, and turned to leave, as she was done with checking my vitals, ‘’But please, I don't want you to put any pressure on yourself.’’ She added. ‘’Please, I really need to see Doctor Pete,’’ I pleaded. ‘’He's currently busy, but I'll ask him to come as soon as he is less busy.’’ She said, and left. I heaved a sigh of relief as she left the room, but I felt a more pressing need to use the restroom. My eyes darted around the unfamiliar room to search for where the restroom might be, hoping to see a sign that indicated it. My gaze landed on a small door behind a curtain and I hoped that was it. I tried to sit up on my own, but I felt dizzy, and I hesitated a bit. I took a deep breath in and out, trying to gather enough strength. I would have just remained in bed, but my bladder protested with great urgency, so I stood up, wobbled a bit, and took a few tentative steps toward the door. ‘’I hope this is it'’ I said slowly as I turned the handle. My face lit up in excitement as I found the toilet seat. I moved mechanically towards it and sat to relieve myself, as I finished, I stood to flush, but as I looked beside me, A small mirror hung on the wall, and my gaze fell on it. Someone else was staring back at me in the mirror, an unfamiliar reflection. I stumbled backward, my heart thumping loudly against my chest, my mind was reeled in shock, and I tried to process what I was seeing, but I couldn't help but scream. ‘’Help!!!’’ I hoped someone had heard me, as my scream echoed through the bathroom. I had been trapped in a stranger's body. Who was this person? And where was my own body?