A moment of respite

Before reaching my apartment, I stopped near some trash containers and threw away my bloodied clothes. I obviously couldn't keep them in the state they were in, and they'd be useless anyway as I wouldn't be able to show myself as Edward ever again. It'd be far too risky now that Aurora found out about me...

"I suppose that I should start getting used to playing roles, huh..." I said, letting out a rueful chuckle as I glanced at the rearview mirror, observing this face that I only borrowed a few minutes ago and yet already felt so natural.

Despite the bliss I felt from wearing Carmen's skin, I was still dejected. I had to give up on my life and identity far sooner than I expected, since Aurora knew what I was and was hunting me down. I could only hope that she wouldn't be able to find me while hidden inside a skin.

After a dozen minutes of driving, I finally reached the place I would spend at least this night at. It was a fairly standard apartment complex, where the rent wasn't too high and affordable for modest students such as Carmen and Rowana. I wrapped the dagger in the towel to hide it from views and grabbed it alongside Carmen's purse. I entered inside the hall and took the elevator to the third floor, letting my borrowed memories guide me.

I was careful not to make any noise as I stepped inside the apartment, as Rowana was most likely asleep at this hour. I sneakily walked to Carmen's room and locked the door behind me. When I observed the room, it seemed so familiar, as if it was a room I spent years in. There was a small but apparently very comfy bed, a desk with a mid-end laptop and some notebooks, a shelf with dozens and dozens of novels and theatre plays, a wardrobe packed with various clothes, another shelf next to it with numerous pairs of shoes, and a small balcony with a decent view.

After letting out a long yawn, I quickly undressed and changed into some pajamas shorts and shirt. Carmen was physically exhausted after her waitress shift, and I was mentally exhausted after tonight's events. I hid the dagger in a drawer and went to bed. It was very comfortable, and the sheets had a nice smell. My smell... It only took a few minutes for me to fall asleep.

I woke up fairly early the next day to my phone vibrating. I was incredibly hungry, I couldn't remember the last time I was starving like this. When I groggily opened my eyes, I realised that I wasn't in my usual bedroom and immediately recalled last night's events.

"It... It wasn't a nightmare... It really happened..." I muttered, my charming accented voice confirming what I was dreading.

I looked down and, instead of my usual male self, I was greeted by the sight of a slender yet busty tan body.

"Carmen's body..." I muttered before correcting myself. "No, this is my body... I am Carmen for the time being, body and soul..."

I had to get used to this. To think and act like the people I borrowed the identity of, to fully embody them. It was my fate from now on...

I got out of bed and approached the mirror on the wardrobe. Carmen was indeed a very attractive young woman, and seeing my reflection was bringing a thrill to my skinwalker side. For some reason, it was so satisfying to know that I was this beautiful Mexican girl, almost as much as when I became Sarah.

It's strange... Is it because of the novelty?

It was something I would have to think about more later, but I currently had more pressing matters to deal with. I touched the place where I was stabbed last night. I didn't feel any pain, but I was afraid of removing the skin to see how it was like underneath. This whole time, my thoughts also went to Claire. Depressing thoughts.

There's someone hunting me, now... If I tell her the truth, it would put her in danger too... I can't get her involved...

I grit my teeth and clenched my fists in frustration. I had to hide even from Claire. I was her only family, and I couldn't be there for her anymore. I hated this so much...

"Carmen, you're awake?" A sweet, high-pitched voice that my borrowed memories recognised asked from behind the door.

I did my best to sink into Carmen's persona and replied in a jovial tone. "I am, Rowana. I was about to take a shower."

"Alright, I'll make breakfast in the meantime." She said before leaving.

Sorry for invading your privacy even more, but I need to play your role for the time being, Carmen.

I grabbed a black skirt, a red off-shoulder top, a strapless bra and matching panties, and went to the bathroom. I would stay as Carmen for today at least, I didn't want to take any risk. And being Carmen meant attending college as her.

I've been there as a professor two weeks ago, and now I'll go as a student...

I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't at least a bit excited, even considering my grim situation. I was trying my hardest to look at the positives to avoid being reminded of my situation with Claire.

I undressed, smiling weakly at the sight of my beautiful body, and stepped inside the shower. I explored Carmen's memories more in the meantime. She had a group of friends she always hung out with at college, and also a boyfriend there, a man named Bruno. They met during the start of their third year of college, quickly becoming friends, and started dating two months ago. Thinking about him made me feel Carmen's love for him.

It's so weird to experience someone else's love. But it's not a bad feeling.

I was a bit apprehensive at the thought of playing the girlfriend, but I didn't have much choice for now.

While I was washing myself, I also thought about the future.

Should I stay here and watch over Claire? Borrow a life close to her and make sure she's alright? Or should I leave the city and hope for the best?

I really didn't know what to do yet, but one thing was certain: Edward needed to disappear. For my and Claire's safety.

The shower was enjoyable, but didn't help cheer me up that much. I quickly got dressed, skillfully applied some lip gloss and eye shadows, added a pair of pantyhose to my outfit due to the cold morning, and slipped into a pair of red high heels to complete my sexy yet elegant look. It was Carmen's usual look when she wasn't working during the evening. I was so beautiful my heart almost skipped a beat.

I'm such a stunning woman.

Once I was done, I joined Rowana in the kitchen, ready to eat breakfast. Carmen usually had a light meal, but I was so hungry that it definitely wouldn't be enough.

"Took you long enough. Had trouble getting up?" She asked as she handed me a warm cup of tea.

"Yeah, last night completely drained me." I replied as I started to drink. "We had a lot of customers."

"You made some good tips, at least?"

I nodded, smiling. "I'll be good for this month's rent."

"Great! That's one less thing to worry about."

I grabbed a bowl of cereal and quickly emptied it, but as I had already guessed, it wasn't enough to satiate my hunger. While Rowana left to get ready, I opened a cupboard and took out a box of biscuits, hoping that it'd help. I ate half of it before stopping. I still felt a bit hungry, but I couldn't eat too much, it'd be strange for Carmen. I'd eat more during lunch anyway.

I put the box back in the cupboard, grabbed my bag, and left for college after wishing Rowana a good day. She started later than Carmen, but always got up early.

Carmen prefered to take public transports to go there instead of her car, so I waited for the bus. I could feel the gazes of a few men waiting there, observing me. Like when I was Sarah, it was a fairly enjoyable feeling, Carmen quite liked the attention she was getting.

When I arrived on the campus, I met some of Carmen's friends, and we spent some time talking while waiting for the lecture to start. I easily fooled them, using Carmen's knowledge and memories to flawlessly pass as her. While I was talking, I felt a pair of arms wrapping themselves around my waist from behind, and lips kissing my neck.

"Hey babe, you're stunning today~" A deep male voice whispered in my ear.

I turned around and smiled warmly, fully immersing myself in Carmen's persona. "Thank you~"

Bruno pulled me closer and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I tried to ignore my inner apprehension and returned the kiss, not wanting to cause any trouble for Carmen while I was wearing her. With her own soul and love to help me, kissing Bruno didn't feel too bad. Maybe it was something else I had to get used to now that I was condemned to borrow other people's lives.

I spent the morning with Carmen's friends and Bruno, acting all lovey-dovey with him like Carmen would. My skinwalker side really loved deceiving these people like this, it was strangely satisfying to see just how perfectly I could imitate someone.

There's no way Aurora or someone else could find me... I should be safe.

The classes were also very interesting. Theatre wasn't something I was really interested in before, but with Carmen's passion, it was a very enjoyable morning. There was also this strange ironic twist with me playing a character and reading their lines while I was myself playing Carmen's role.

During lunch, after meeting back with Rowana, we all went to the cafeteria. It served cheap but decent meals, and I bought more than Carmen's usual due to my hunger, using last night's tiring shift as an excuse.

As I ate, I spotted a familiar redhead a few tables away, talking to a taller tomboyish girl.

Dahlia...

She was the only person I could potentially talk to and confide in, considering that she was a skinwalker herself, but with how our last meeting ended, I wasn't sure if I should try to approach her...