Anna took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. She had to think rationally. There had to be a way to fix this, to get her body back. But first, she needed to talk to Jack alone.
Steeling herself, Anna made her way back downstairs. The scene in the kitchen was surreal - her parents fussing over "Anna", while Jack effortlessly played the part of their daughter.
"Um, can I talk to... Anna... for a minute?" she asked, her deep voice still jarring to her ears, "Alone?"
Her parents looked confused for a moment before her father nodded. "Of course, Jack. Take all the time you need."
As her parents left the room, Anna locked eyes with Jack. It was disconcerting to see her own face looking back at her with an expression of smug satisfaction.
“Why are you doing this, Jack?” Anna crossed her arms, “Why would you want to be me?”
Jack smirked, an expression that looked alien on Anna's familiar features, "Why wouldn't I want to be you, sis? You've always had it so easy. Mom and Dad's favorite, straight-A student, popular at school. Meanwhile, I'm the screw-up, the disappointment."
Anna felt a surge of anger, "That's not true! You have no idea—"
He stood up, smoothing down the skirt of Anna's dress.
"Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea," Jack interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "And now, I finally have the chance to experience it all for myself."
Anna clenched her fists, trying to control her rising anger, "This isn't right, Jack! Since when did you even want to be a girl?"
Jack's expression softened slightly, revealing a flicker of vulnerability, “I didn’t. I mean, I never really thought about it until I accidentally possessed you. Then, while I’ve been in your body, your emotions, your memories... They’ve started infecting me.”
Anna's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean 'infecting' you?"
Jack sighed, absentmindedly twirling a strand of Anna's long hair around his finger, "It's hard to explain. At first, I was just pretending to be you, acting the part. But over time, I started feeling... comfortable. Like, your feelings and the feelings of your memories - they've become a part of me now."
Anna felt a chill run down her spine, "So you're saying you've... what? Absorbed my identity?"
"No, not like that," Jack replied, shaking his head, "I'm still me, but it's like... I've gained a whole new perspective. I understand you better now, Anna. I feel what you feel."
Anna felt a mix of confusion and anger swirling inside her, "That doesn't give you the right to steal my life, Jack! We need to switch back. Now."
Jack's expression hardened, a determined look coming over Anna's familiar features. "I can't do that, Anna. Not yet. I need more time in your body, to fully understand... to figure things out."
"Figure what out?" Anna demanded.
Jack hesitated, looking conflicted, "If I want this to be permanent…”
Comments
Post a Comment