The Switch: A Tale Of Two Souls

Chapter Four: The Potion

Elena/Beatrice

“When two people die and they both have unfinished business to settle there is usually a switch in the spirit world. I don't know if you understand what I'm trying to say, but what I am saying is that the person whose body you are currently inhabiting died on the same day you did.” I nodded slowly to confirm to her that I was listening to all that she was saying. As I tried to process the flood of information, so many questions raced through my mind.

“I know many questions are running through your mind right now, but even as a witch I will not be able to reveal them to you. However, I have a potion that I can give to you to drink after which you will see everything clearly for yourself.”

“Where is it? Please, give it to me, I need to know where my real body is, and if I had a family, I really need to know everything, my memory is blank and I am living in a strange world— There are so many things happening currently to me that I can't explain myself, I really need your help. Please give me the potion.’’ I pleaded, with a weight of desperation almost crushing me.

“Giving you the potion is not the problem.’’ Her tone and expression suddenly changed to a grave seriousness. ‘’But there are two things involved: first, you have to keep it a secret after you find out the truth, or you end up vanishing forever. Second, you will have to either choose to get the memories of this woman whose body you possess, or reclaim your actual memory.”

Her words hit me like a punch in the gut, I paused for a moment, who will I choose? Elena or myself? My mind was torn between two souls, two lives, two identities. My curiosity about who I really was gnawed at me more than anything else. I had Pete reminding me of who Elena is, but then I thought again, by next month, I'll be asked to return back to the hospital to resume work. I cannot even remember anything about medicine, how will I do it if I don't have Elena's memory? I stood at a crossroads, getting crushed by the enormity of whose memory to choose.

“If you are confused about what to choose you can come back tomorrow after you have given it enough thought.” she offered.

“No, I can't come back tomorrow. I want it now. I choose… I want my own memory.” I said firmly, though my mind raced with uncertainty.

The witch didn't ask if I was sure of my decision, she just disappeared inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The room was filled with odd-looking and awkward artifacts, making my skin cringe as my eyes darted around the room, but that was not the reason I was there. I was eager for her to bring the potion.

A few moments later, she came outside with a tiny bottle filled with a black ominous liquid, my heart jumped for joy as the thought of having my memories back filled me, I was finally going to prove to Pete that I was right all along and I was never crazy.

As I stretched my hand to collect the potion from her she hesitated and repeated her warning.

“Do you want to disappear forever? I mean do you want to vanish forever? She asked with a very serious tone.

My heart skipped a beat at the question and her sudden change in expression.

“No,” I answered, shaking my head vigorously, "I can't disappear. I have so many things I want to learn of, I want to learn of the finished business that I have that made me inhabit another woman's body. I really have so many things to do I can't just vanish.”

“Then you must heed my warning, you must keep your mouth shut and keep this a secret, not a word to anyone.” She said firmly before handing the potion to me.

As I opened it to gulp down the content, the foul odor hit me like a vehicle without a brake. It smelled so bad that I coiled my stomach in disgust and instinctively covered it up.

“Am I supposed to drink this?” I asked, my voice filled with doubt.

“No, you're supposed to wash your face with it,” she replied sarcastically “My friend, if you are not interested will you give me back my portion?” She added, firmly, snapping her fingers impatiently.

‘’I'm sorry.’’ I said, feeling stupid. I opened the bottle again, this time bracing myself for the foul odor, but she stopped me.

‘’Take it when you get home and make sure you are the only one in your room when you take it.’’ Her voice suddenly calmed.

‘’Okay, thank you very much.’’ I said to her showing my gratitude as I stood to leave. But as I turned to leave, she stopped me again.

‘’Hey, you haven't paid for my services.’’

‘’Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know that I was supposed to pay, how much is it?’’ My tone flustered.

‘’Pay whatever you have.’’ She said, waving her hands dismissively.

I dug my hand in my bag and brought out $1,000.

“I'm sorry this is all I have, please manage it. I know it's not enough for the service you have rendered, but please manage it.” I said feeling guilty.

She nodded, with a faint smile, and gestured for me to leave. I hurried out of her place, holding tight onto the potion.

As I got home, I took the potion out of my bag, my hands trembling with anxiety, I covered my nose to avoid the foul odor and I gulped down all the content, it made me nauseous, and I thought I was going to vomit it, but Instead the world around me got blurred, and I saw myself—My actual self, BEATRICE CARSON, THE WIFE OF SCOTT CARSON, THE MOTHER OF BAILEY CARSON, THE SISTER-IN-LAW TO PETE CARSON, AND THE OWNER OF THE BIGGEST CONSTRUCTION FIRM IN THE CITY. A BILLIONAIRESS.

The revelation was overwhelming like being hit by a car without a brake, I stared at the vision of my own life, it was a whirlwind of emotions for me, but there were still thousands of questions racing in my mind. How did I die? What was the unfinished business? Why am I in Elena's body? How can I go back to my family? Now that my body has been buried, does it mean that I can never be me again? How can I continue to be in a relationship with my brother-in-law?

Although I had questions to ask, I was still grateful for one thing, and it is because I have my memories back, I now know who I was before inhabiting Elena's body. However, I will have to end my relationship with Pete, because I am his sister-in-law, I'm sure he'll understand even if it breaks both of our hearts.

But as I took my phone to dial Pete’s number, the witch warning came back to me loud and clear, as I remembered the words, I remembered her expression, it came to me like the flashback in the movies—Do you want to disappear? Do you want to vanish forever? Her voice echoed so loud in my mind as though she was in the room with me, and I quickly dropped my phone in fear, dismissing every thought of telling Pete.