It's time to decide what comes next

When I opened my eyes the next morning, I was laying next to Bruno, my arms wrapped around him. He was still sleeping soundly despite the rays of the sun illuminating the room through the curtains.

I really had sex with him, huh... I thought.

It should have felt so much weirder, but I was at peace right now. Last night... had been pretty nice. I felt sore in spots I never felt sore before, but it was a pleasant kind of ache. One Carmen loved as well.

Being a girlfriend isn't all that bad, in the end.

I smiled, kissing Bruno on the forehead. "Wake up, cariño~ Sun's been up for a while."

"Hmm... It's Saturday, Carmen.. " He muttered still half-asleep. "Let's sleep more..."

"Nope, I need to clean everything before Rowana comes back, and I also have a few things I need to do afterwards. So get up or I'll make you~"

He groggily sat up, wiping his eyes. "Fine... You can be so authoritarian sometimes."

I grinned. "And you love me for it~"

He chuckled. "Touché."

As he got up, he pulled me closer and kissed me, his tongue invading my mouth again. I returned the gesture, not bothered anymore by a simple kiss after what happened last night.

If I'm now **** to play roles for the rest of my life, the least I can do is to enjoy it.

Bruno went to the bathroom to take a shower while I grabbed the sheets and put them in the washing machine. I opened the windows to let some fresh air enter and get rid of the scent of sex permeating the whole room. The morning breeze was calming, I could almost forget everything that happened to me recently.

Dahlia will meet with Claire today, I should check how it went afterwards. And think of what I'll do...

After Bruno came back, it was my turn to take a shower, I needed a good cleaning after last night. Washing myself while recalling what I did was making me aroused again, but it wasn't the time to relieve myself. I grabbed a dark red tanktop, a black frilly skirt, and black sneakers, choosing a more comfy style for today, as I didn't have much planned and would probably need to remove my clothes fast if I decided to switch skins.

I was still unsure whether to stay here and watch over Claire alongside Dahlia or leave and let Dahlia take care of her. But I'd have to take my decision soon, I already spent almost a full week as Carmen, and my injuries had hopefully healed since that fight with Aurora. I didn't have any reason to stay as Carmen any longer, even if I was already feeling a pang of disappointment just thinking about leaving such a wonderful skin and life.

Stop... I'll find another nice skin... I don't need to stay as Carmen...

I shook my head and finished cleaning everything before Rowana arrived. Bruno left shortly after, kissing me for what would most likely be the last time we'd be together. I'd probably miss him for a short while. Despite all odds, I quite liked the time we spent together.

Hopefully, if I have to be a girlfriend or wife again, I'll be with another nice man.

After getting ready, I texted Dahlia, asking to meet after she has talked to Claire. In the meantime, I studied in Carmen's stead, doing some of her homework and finishing the books she needed to read for her classes. With her own tastes, it was enjoyable. She loved theatre and literature so much that she didn't even consider these tasks a chore.

In the middle of the afternoon, I received a text from Dahlia, telling me to join her at her flat. I agreed and got on my way, slightly nervous about how her meeting with Claire went.

I unlocked the door with the spare keys and walked in. "Dahlia? I'm here."

"I'm in the kitchen. Do you want something to drink?" She asked.

"I'd like some tea if you have any." I replied, sitting on the couch.

"Give me a minute. Do you want some sugar?"

"One spoon, please."

Shortly after, she came to the living room, two smoking hot cups of tea in her hands.

"Here you go." She said, handing me the cup and sitting next to me, her face serious. "Before I talk about how my meeting with Claire went, there's something I need to mention."

I raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"You told me that the woman who tried to kill you was a goth girl, right?" I nodded, making her continue. "I... spotted someone fitting that description near your apartment building. She seemed to be on the lookout. I felt her gaze on me as I rang Claire and stepped inside the building."

"Fuck... Do you think she's suspicious of you?" I asked, worried.

"She's probably suspicious of everyone currently. It's a skinwalker she's trying to hunt down, after all. But as long as we lay low, I see no reason for her to find us."

"Sorry for getting you involved in that, Dahlia..." I muttered.

Dahlia put a hand on my thigh and smiled weakly. "Don't be, it was because of me that it happened in the first place. And as I said, as long as she doesn't have any evidence of us being skinwalkers, she won't do anything. It'd be too risky."

"I hope you're right..."

"Anyway, I spoke with Claire. She kept asking me what happened to you. I told her what you asked me to, that you were away for both your safeties and would stay in touch through me."

"How did she take it?"

"Not that well, but since she doesn't have any other way to contact you, she gave me a chance. Your sister really loves you a lot, Ed."

"I know. I love her too." I replied in a depressed tone. "And it's exactly why I can't get her involved."

After a moment of silence, Dahlia spoke again. "Have you thought of what you're going to do now? Your wound should be healed, right?"

"It should, yeah, but I haven't checked yet. As for what I'll do... I'm still thinking about it."

I got up and approached the window, observing the streets from above, lost in thought. I could just leave the city, explore different countries like I first thought. These powers would make it so easy, and it'd probably be the best way to keep my mind occcupied and stop thinking about Claire too much.

On the other hand, I could stay here, maybe experience different lives in the city. I could become a professor at college and have fun like I did as Sarah, or maybe a student there, trying different subjects under different skins. Or I could be a police officer at the station where Claire works, watching closely over her without her knowledge.

Another option came to mind as I looked down, observing the skin I was in. Carmen's skin. I should leave it and let her live her life again, I already borrowed her for long enough... That's what I was trying to convince myself. But I already embraced her life so much that my skinwalker side seemed heartbroken by the mere thought of leaving so soon. I've loved every second that passed since I donned Carmen's skin, her life was so fun and comfortable. It was so tempting to stay in her skin for a little bit longer.