I don't have anything to lose...

I observed Dahlia for a moment as I ate. She seemed to really like her friend, and I recalled how much she seemed to care about her family when we spoke while I was wearing Sarah. It made me wonder just how long she's been living like this. How long has she been a skinwalker? How long has she lived while slithering inside other people's skins and living their lives? How did she feel doing this?

There's no point in wondering all of that. I need to talk to her anyway...

From our few interactions, Dahlia didn't seem to be a bad person, even if she was the reason I ended up in this situation in the first place. I may absolutely hate it, but I didn't wish her any harm, she deserved to at least know that there's someone hunting monsters around.

I felt a hand caressing my thigh, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Are you alright, babe?" Bruno asked.

"Yeah, I was just thinking." I replied, giving him a reassuring smile.

He pulled me closer and kissed me again. "Thinking about what?"

"About the upcoming exams. I think I'll stay at the library for a bit once our classes are over."

"Want me to come?"

I giggled, poking his chest with a finger. "With you around, I wouldn't be able to focus, cariño~"

He chuckled. "Fair."

I went to the bathroom after lunch and took out my phone. I texted Dahlia, asking her to meet me at five in front of the library, where we met last time. I noticed that I also received a text from Claire, asking what happened, but I really wasn't sure what to reply...

After much thinking, I opted for something vague. I told her that I had to leave the city for both our safeties, but promised that I would be fine. I requested that she stays here and tries to live on her own. I had some savings I would give her to help her for the time being.

I reunited with Bruno as soon as I left the bathroom and we immediately kissed again, his hands running along my curves, caressing my hips. After this whole morning of playing the clingy and loving girlfriend, I was starting to get slightly more used to it even if, deep down, it still felt somewhat weird to kiss a man like this. But the fact that even Carmen's boyfriend couldn't tell that I had replaced her was reassuring, in a strange way. Skinwalkers really excelled at deception, and my new instincts seemed to help me a lot. As long as I kept acting like Carmen, I should be safe.

The afternoon classes went by pretty fast, I had a lot of fun. I accepted an invitation from Carmen's friends to go clubbing this evening, I thought it could be a nice distraction. Before that, though, I went in front of the library, sitting on the bench nearby and reading a book Carmen had to finish for her seminar. I lost myself in the book, fully immersed in the story, to the point of only noticing Dahlia when she sat next to me.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bother you." She said with a smile.

"Oh, it's alright. Whenever I get too invested in a book, I lose track of time." I replied, smiling back at her.

She was wearing a pink and white blouse and a pink skirt that Carmen found very cute. This thought made me want to try something.

"I absolutely love your outfit, it looks so good!" I commented enthusiastically. "Where did you buy this blouse?"

She blushed slightly at my compliment. "Thank you. I ordered it online, but I can send you the link if you're interested."

"Definitely!"

"I'm Dahlia, what's your name?"

"Carmen. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." She replied before observing our surroundings.

She was probably searching for me, meaning that I succeeded in fooling her.

"Are you looking for something?" I questioned with a sly smile as I closed the book and put it back in my bag.

"Hmm, I'm waiting for someone, actually." She replied, checking her phone.

I giggled. "Maybe that someone you're waiting for is already there?"

She immediately faced me and stared at me, surprised. "Edward?"

"I am Carmen." I spoke, emphasising my name. "Please avoid using that name to refer to me. Not in public, at least."

Dahlia chuckled after regaining her composure. "Alright, sorry. I didn't expect you to show up like this. You're a real natural, you know?"

"I don't have a choice anymore, unfortunately. I have to be good at it." I replied, sighing.

"What happened?" She asked, noticing the tone of my voice.

"Can we borrow a classroom like last time? It'd be better to speak privately."

She nodded and got up. "Of course, follow me."

"By the way... I'm sorry for the way I acted, last time." I said as we were walking towards the main building.

She stayed silent for a bit before replying. "It's alright, I understand. I'm glad you decided to speak to me again, at least. I admit that I was worried about you." She added, smiling slightly.

I looked down and didn't say anything else until we reached the classroom and Dahlia locked the door behind us.

"We should be fine now. Can you tell me what happened, Ed?" She asked, leaning against the professor's desk.

"Well... I was attacked last night." I said bluntly, eliciting a gasp from Dahlia. "A goth woman I met at the bar while I was working somehow knew that I wasn't human and tried to kill me."

She came closer, her face showing how worried she felt. "Oh god... Are you alright?"

I caressed my stomach and grimaced. "She stabbed me, but I managed to flee and found Carmen. Ever since I wore her, the pain disappeared."

Dahlia immediately hugged me. "I'm glad you're okay... Could I... check your wound? I know some things about medicine, I might be able to help."

"I'd... prefer to avoid removing this skin for now. But I don't think it was a severe wound."

Dahlia didn't seem all too convinced, but didn't push further. "If you're sure... We heal faster than humans, it should hopefully get better in a few days, especially if you keep wearing a skin and eat a lot."

"That's where this unnatural hunger came from, then... Anyway, be careful. The one hunting me is probably still around and I have no idea if she works alone or not."

"Thank you for warning me." She said as she let go of the hug.

"It's the reason why I can no longer live as Edward... and why I can't be with Claire..." I spoke, looking down and gritting my teeth.

"You won't tell her?"

I shook my head and sighed again. "It'd be far too dangerous, I don't want to get her involved in all of this..."

"I'm sorry, Edward..." Dahlia muttered in a saddened tone. "I... I truly didn't expect things would turn out this way... I acted without thinking when I turned you... In the end, I just... repeated what my 'genitor' did to me..." She was starting to cry, clenching her fists hard. "I **** you to abandon your family... all because of my selfishness..."

"What do you mean, Dahlia?"

"I'll admit, I turned you into a skinwalker because I hoped we could become friends... I hoped I would finally have someone I could be myself with... and I didn't see any other way."

"You turned me into a skinwalker... so we could be friends? Did you really have to do that?"

"Ed... Would you have trusted me had I revealed my nature to you while you were still human? Wouldn't you have been afraid or disgusted?"

I looked away. "I... don't know..."

Her crying intensified as she avoided my eyes. "Still, it doesn't forgive what I did to you... I am truly sorry, Edward..."

I went to hug her. "I should probably hate you but... I just can't. You truly didn't intend for this to happen, and you tried your best to help me. I can't hate you when you feel genuine remorse... And a small part of me has been enjoying these experiences too... Being Sarah before, and now being Carmen. It's been... pretty interesting for the most part."

"Thank you..." She whispered, before breaking free and looking at me. "What are you going to do, now?"

"I'll stay as Carmen until the end of the week, I think. Just to make sure that I recover enough from the injury. After that, I don't really know... Maybe I'll stay around and find a skin to watch over Claire. A part of me is tempted to leave the city and try to explore the world, but I'd most likely end up worrying too much about Claire..."

Dahlia fidgeted with her fingers nervously. "Hmm... If you leave, maybe I could... watch over your sister...? It's the least I could do to atone for what I did..."

"Huh?"

"I could... give you news, and make sure she's alright. If we set up private email addresses, we'd be able to exchange no matter the skin you end up wearing."

I looked away, thinking about her offer. Considering how she's been acting with me, I felt like Dahlia would keep her word if she were to watch over Claire. Knowing that she'll be safe would help me a lot indeed. I'd be able to try to enjoy my new life more.

"If I decide to leave, I'll take you on your offer." I finally replied, smiling at her. "Thanks, Dahlia."

"You don't need to thank me..."

"I'll tell you when I make up my mind. For now, I should probably go back home to get ready. Carmen's friends invited me to go to a nightclub this evening." I said, checking the time on my phone.

Dahlia smiled slightly. "I hope you'll manage to have fun, Carmen."

"I'll try to."

On that, I left Dahlia and went on my way to Carmen and Rowana's apartment. I was excited about this evening, Carmen loved dancing in clubs with Bruno and her friends, and her memories made it look so fun. I needed a moment to just relax and stop thinking about everything.