Why me?

Part 17

"I-... I'm here because... Because I need your help", Alice managed to say and she slowly got up from the sitting position she was in, feeling the pain rise in her legs.

"I must say, you look much like a girl that has visited me, say, twenty years ago. Actually, you're the only one that's done that ever since she did so she's kind of still fresh up here", he patted his head and it rolled off his shoulders again.

"She was my mother".

"Was?"

"Well... My parents died in a car crash not long ago. But I  haven't the time for talking much. I need you to help me beat that crazy man up there and save the people he intended on killing. And save myself".

"Oh. The crazy one is up again, isn't he? Well that's no surprise. Why do you think I could help you with that?", the head kept talking in a corner as the body aimlessly circled the room.

"I've read my mother's diary and I know the cost".

"The cost?"

"To give you my body so you could perform what you need to... That astral projection and... Well... I'm sure you can still do it".

"So you're ready to take another's body to continue living?"

"If that is what it takes to save all those innocent people, then yes. Of course. I mean, my mom could do it, why couldn't I?"

"Well... It's just... You can't continue living long after you take that body. Maybe ten years... Tops".

"Well then how did my mother live on for more than twenty years?" The head stayed silent for a couple of seconds and the body picked it up and placed it on it's hip.

"The thing is... She didn't. Your real mother died after she gave birth to you. The woman you've been living with, the one that you called mom? Yeah, that's just another woman your father picked".

Alice's mouth dropped. "Wh-... How can you know that?", she asked, her voice shaking.

"Because your real mother's spirit came to visit me when she detached from her body. She told me all about you... The poor woman had a feeling she would be replaced soon enough. And she was".

"I don't believe you", Alice said, feeling her eyes fill up with unstoppable tears.

"Listen, you don't have to. But have you ever thought about how come you didn't share a single characteristic with the woman that raised you? How can she have black hair and greenish eyes when you have red hair and black eyes?"

Alice suddenly remembered all the times she was wondering how she was so different from everyone in her family with just a nose that looked like her father's, everything else was completely different... But... She can't have lived with a woman that is not her real mother this whole time!

"Still processing?"

Alice nodded.

And felt as if she were about to faint.

"Um... Can you please just help me? Teach me anything I need to know about astral projection?"

"Sure thing. If you're anything like your mother, I'm sure you'll learn it soon. Just be aware that if anyone stabs you in the body that is not yours, your soul will inevitably go to hell. You'll suffer like never before, like you can't even imagine. So beware".

Alice nodded.

"Right. But what if I don't take another's body?"

"Your soul will aimlessly wander here until the end of time". Billy made a dramatic pause before he continued. "Any other question?" Alice nodded again.

"What do I do when I take the body?"

"You run. Run as fast as you can. Run for your life out of here, out of this village, just go".

"Let's do this".