Planning the next step

I left Dahlia's building with Claire, accompanying her back to our flat and carrying my bag stuffed with my clothes. Claire was still a bit awkward, but it was understandable after what she learnt. She glanced at me a few times, observing my face and my body, as if she was trying to remember that I was underneath this skin.

"It's weird, huh?" I said, chuckling softly.

"Very... It's so surreal to know that it's you when you look like this." She replied.

"I have a hard time realising it too. Being Laura, having all of her memories, all of her feelings... Even in my wildest dreams, I never expected to ever experience something like this."

"How does it feel to have another person's memories?"

"Weirdly enough, pretty natural. Probably due to my new nature making me adapt a lot faster. I truly feel like I'm Laura."

"I see."

We kept walking a while longer until she spoke again, more insecure. "Hmm, E-Ed?"

"What is it?"

"Do you... Do you have anything planned after... that?" She asked while eyeing me.

"I do, yeah. I've been thinking of how to use these new abilities I got. I'll pay our parents a visit soon. Now I can make them pay for what they did to us." I said, clenching my fists.

Claire was surprised, but came closer, holding my hand. "Ed, you don't have to. I know you hate them, but..."

She was worried, that was clear. I knew that she hated our parents too, but she wasn't one to take **** like this.

"Claire, you know they're corrupt to the core. If I don't do anything, who will expose them?"

"I don't know, but maybe take the time to think about all this properly and calmly first? No need to rush things."

I considered what she said for a moment. It was true that rushing like this probably wouldn't be a good idea. I needed to learn more about my abilities before trying anything, and take the time to explore the possibilities I now had. I couldn't let my hate for our parents blind me.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "You're right. They're not going anywhere anytime soon anyway. I'll wait for now."

"I... I resent Father too, but I'm fine being with you, Ed. We're far away from them, we can live freely now. No need to return there." She said, holding my hand more tightly. "All I want is for us to stay together... even when you'll... you'll be someone else..."

I felt depressed as she muttered that last part. I knew I'd have to choose another life at some point, but even after Dahlia's encouragements, it was still a hard pill to swallow.

At least, Claire supports me... I thought, glancing at her.

I too didn't want to get separated from her. If I really had to take another person's life as my own, I prefered it to be one that'd allow me to stay close to her.

"Can you... Can you promise me we'll stay together?" She asked while looking me in the eyes.

I smiled and went to pat her head. "I promise. We'll always be together, I'd never abandon my cute little sister."

Being with Claire always helped me relax and feel better.

She blushed slightly but smiled back. "Thank you..."

As we were approaching our flat, I recalled that I needed to warn my boss about not coming tonight. I quickly sent him a text, pretexting some personal issues and apologising.

Maybe I should see him and quit tomorrow. Is there a point in continuing working now that I was condemned to lose my identity sooner or later...? I wondered while staring at the screen, depression coming back.

"Ed?"

"Sorry, just got lost in thought."

"What were you thinking about?" Claire asked.

I sighed. "I was just wondering what to do moving forward. I should probably quit this job since I won't be able to stay myself for a lot longer."

Claire stayed silent, seemingly thinking about something for a moment, before speaking again. "Maybe... Maybe you could join me in the police?"

"Huh?"

"You could... become an officer? We'd be together, and you could help people like you've always wanted?"

What she said was quite tempting, I had to admit. I already had planned to use my abilities to do good, becoming a police officer would greatly help with this goal. I'd have access to more information about crime activities and an easier way to deal with those... Our city wasn't massive, but it still had its fair share of trouble. If I had to borrow another person's life, a police officer seemed like an ideal fit.

I smiled and relaxed, looking at her. "It's a good idea, I think it's what I'm going to do next."

"Will you need help?"

"Possibly. Do you have anyone particular in mind I could potentially become?" I asked.

"N-not really. I'd... I'd need more time to think about it properly."

I knew that Claire wasn't close to most of her colleagues. There's one she's been on good terms with, Allistair, if I remembered his name correctly. He's helped her deal with some annoying guys who were hitting on her, apparently.

"Okay, no hurries." I replied. "We both need a good night of rest before thinking about this more deeply, anyway."

"Y-yeah."

We reached my flat soon after. I dropped my clothes and picked clean ones so that I'd have an easier time removing Laura tomorrow without needing to get back here.

"Well, I'll be back tomorrow afternoon." I said once I was ready. "I'll text you."

Claire smiled. "Alright. And have fun at college tomorrow."

"Thanks, I'll try. Don't stay up too late, okay?"

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, Mom."

Being called Mom while I was currently a woman felt different. Laura did want to become a mother someday.

I glanced down, observing her body that I borrowed. Can I... get pregnant and give birth?

"What's wrong, Ed?"

"You calling me Mom... It made me wonder if I could possibly become one with these abilities... I am technically a woman, currently..."

She seemed surprised, she probably didn't think about it either. "You could get pregnant?"

"I... feel like I could... but I'd need to ask Dahlia." I hesitantly replied. "I'll ask her tomorrow."

"You made me curious now..."

I chuckled. "It is a weird situation I found myself in, I suppose it's normal. Anyway, see you tomorrow."

"See you."

I left the flat and let Laura's memories guide me towards the student dorms she stayed at, pondering more about what Claire and I just discussed on the way. I had a lot to think about after everything that happened today.