Chapter 7: MEETING ALEX
Back at the hospital, the air was thick with tension. Evan, still in Sara's body, watched as Jaxon spoke to the nurse at the door. As Jaxon prepared to leave, he gave Evan a reassuring smile.
"I'll see you both soon. I hope I get to see more of Sara too," Jaxon said warmly.
Adison's expression darkened slightly, clearly not pleased by Jaxon's words. He stood silently, his eyes narrowing as he watched Jaxon leave the room. Once Jaxon was out of sight, Adison turned to Evan, his voice low and tense. "What was that about?"
Evan tried to keep his tone calm. "Jaxon was just being supportive. He's trying to help."
"I hope you don't see Jaxon anymore. And if you have to come to the hospital, you should stay away from him."
Evan felt a surge of anger mixed with frustration. "Take it easy, Adison. Jaxon is just trying to help. It's okay to know people and have them around."
Adison's jaw tightened. "I don't trust him. He seems too interested in you. I don't want him around."
Evan crossed his arms, his tone firm. "Jaxon is my friend. I need his support right now. You can't expect me to just cut him off."
Adison's eyes flashed with irritation. "I'm only looking out for you, Sara. I don't want anyone getting too close."
Evan's patience wore thin. As a boy who also had a girlfriend, he couldn't take Adison's possessiveness and overbearing nature easily. Maintaining this charade was becoming increasingly difficult. "Adison, you need to understand that Jaxon is not a threat. He's my friend, and I need him. Please, try to see things from my perspective."
Adison took a step closer, his voice lowering. "I'm just trying to protect you. But if you insist on seeing Jaxon, be careful. I won't tolerate anything that puts you at risk."
Evan sighed, feeling the weight of Adison's possessiveness, his frustration bubbling under the surface. "I appreciate your concern, but I need space to figure things out. Trust me."
The nurse, sensing the tension, quickly finished her tasks and exited the room. Evan felt a mixture of relief and apprehension, knowing that they needed to tread carefully around Adison.
---
Next day, Jaxon and Alex made their way to Sara's house, their faces a mix of determination and apprehension. Alex, eager to delve into the mysterious case, had agreed to pose as a detective to avoid raising any suspicion. They reached the front door, and Jaxon hesitated for a moment before knocking.
The door swung open, and Sara's mother, Mrs. Thompson, appeared, her eyes widening in surprise. "Jaxon! What are you doing here? And who is this?"
Jaxon smiled reassuringly. "Hello, Mrs. Thompson. This is my friend Alex. He's a detective. We need to talk to Sara about the accident."
Mrs. Thompson's brow furrowed with concern. "A detective? What's this about?"
Alex stepped forward, his expression serious. "Ma'am, we're conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. We believe it may be linked to some unusual occurrences, and we need to ask Sara a few questions to gather more information."
Mr. Thompson joined them at the door, looking skeptical. "Unusual occurrences? What kind of investigation is this?"
Jaxon quickly intervened. "It's all part of the inquiry, sir. We just need a few minutes with Sara to clarify some details. It won't take long."
Mrs. Thompson glanced at her husband, then back at Jaxon and Alex. "Alright, come in. But please, be quick. Sara's been through a lot."
They entered the house, the air thick with tension. Jaxon and Alex followed Mrs. Thompson to the living room, where Sara's father and her fiancé Adison were seated. Evan, still in Sara's body, looked up with a mix of surprise and relief.
Adison stood up, his protective instincts kicking in. "What's going on here? Why are you bringing a detective into our home?"
Alex maintained his composure. "We're here to ask Sara a few questions about the accident. It's important for our investigation. We appreciate your cooperation."
Adison eyed Alex warily. "What kind of questions?"
Evan, sensing the rising tension, intervened. "It's okay, Adison. Let them ask their questions. It might help us understand what happened."
Mrs. Thompson nodded, her worry evident. "Alright, but make it quick. Sara needs rest."
Alex took a seat, pulling out his notebook. "Thank you for your understanding. Sara, could you please tell us everything you remember about the day of the accident?"
Evan took a deep breath, trying to recall the details. "I...I remember driving home. It was late, and the road was empty. Suddenly, there was a bright light, and I lost control of the car. The next thing I knew, I was here in the hospital."
Alex nodded, scribbling notes. "Did you notice anything unusual before the accident? Any strange noises or lights?"
Evan shook his head. "No, it was just a normal night. Everything happened so fast."
Jaxon chimed in, trying to keep the conversation flowing naturally. "Sara, do you remember anything about the time leading up to the accident? Any unusual dreams or feelings?"
Evan hesitated, knowing he had to be careful. "I...I did have some strange dreams. But I didn't think much of them at the time."
Adison, still skeptical, folded his arms. "Dreams? What kind of investigation is this?"
Alex kept his tone calm and professional. "Dreams can sometimes provide valuable clues in cases involving unusual occurrences. We're just trying to gather all possible information."
Mrs. Thompson glanced at Evan, her concern growing. "Sara, is there anything else you remember? Anything at all?"
Evan shook his head. "No, that's all I remember. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful."
Alex closed his notebook, sensing that they had gathered enough for now. "Thank you, Sara. Your information is very valuable. We'll continue our investigation and keep you updated."
Mr. Thompson, still looking skeptical, nodded. "Alright, but please, keep us informed. We just want to understand what happened to our daughter."
As they got up to leave, Jaxon gave Evan a reassuring look. "We'll figure this out. Hang in there."
They made their way out of the living room, and Jaxon suggested, "Can we speak to Sara privately for a few more minutes?"
Mrs. Thompson looked hesitant but nodded. "Alright, but not too long."
Jaxon, Alex, and Evan moved to a quiet corner of the house where they could talk privately. Once they were sure no one could hear them, Alex leaned in, his expression serious. "Okay, now we can talk freely."
Evan felt a sense of relief. "Thanks for coming, Alex. We really need your help."
Alex nodded. "No problem. I need more details about this soul exchange and what you've experienced so far. Tell me everything you haven't mentioned in front of your family."
Evan took a deep breath and began recounting the events in more detail, explaining the unusual sensations and dreams leading up to the accident. He also described the strange sense of disconnection and the feeling that something was off during the days following the accident.
Alex listened intently, his notebook open as he jotted down key points. "This is fascinating. The concept of balance and harmony you mentioned earlier is crucial. Many paranormal events hinge on these principles. We need to find a way to restore the balance that was disrupted."
Jaxon looked hopeful. "Do you think it's possible?"
Alex nodded slowly. "It's possible, but it will require careful research and possibly some rituals or practices to realign the energies. I'll dig into my resources and see what I can find."
Evan felt a surge of hope. "Thank you, Alex. Knowing we have a direction to go in makes a huge difference."
Alex smiled. "We'll figure this out together. I'll start my research right away and keep you both updated."
Evan and Jaxon exchanged relieved glances. With Alex on their side, they were one step closer to uncovering the secrets and finding a way to restore their souls.
Alex then asked, "Evan, have you experienced any other unusual sensations since the accident? Any feelings of being watched or unexpected physical symptoms?"
Evan thought for a moment, then nodded. "Actually, yes. I've had this persistent feeling that someone or something is watching me. And sometimes, I get these sudden chills, like there's a presence nearby."
Alex jotted down more notes. "Interesting. These could be signs of a spiritual disturbance. We'll need to look into this further."
Jaxon looked at Evan with concern. "Have you noticed any patterns with these sensations? Certain times of day or locations?"
Evan shrugged. "Not really. It seems to happen randomly. But it's definitely unsettling."
Alex nodded thoughtfully. "We'll need to consider all possibilities. This might be connected to the accident in ways we haven't yet understood."
Just then, a door creaked open, and Mrs. Thompson peeked in. "Is everything alright in here?"
Jaxon quickly reassured her. "Yes, Mrs. Thompson. We're just wrapping up."
Mrs. Thompson nodded, but her worry was evident. "Alright. Please remember, Sara needs her rest."
As she left, Alex turned back to Evan. "I'll need to do some research on similar cases and possible remedies. It might take some time, but I'll keep you updated on any progress."
Evan nodded. "Thanks, Alex. We really appreciate your help."
Jaxon added, "And if there's anything we can do to assist, just let us know."
Alex smiled. "Of course. We'll need to work together on this."
As they stood up to leave, Jaxon gave Evan a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We'll get through this. Stay strong."
Evan smiled, feeling a renewed sense of hope. "I will. Thank you."
As they walked towards the front door, Adison appeared again, his expression guarded. "Are you done with your questions?"
Alex nodded. "Yes, we're finished for now. We'll be in touch if we need any more information."
Adison's eyes narrowed slightly. "I hope so. Sara needs her rest."
Jaxon, sensing the tension, spoke up. "We'll be careful, Adison. We're just trying to help."
Adison's gaze lingered on Jaxon, his expression unreadable. "I hope you are."
As they stepped outside, Jaxon turned to Alex. "Thanks again for doing this. I know it's a lot to ask."
Alex nodded. "No problem. This case is intriguing, and I'm committed to finding answers."