Page 4 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“Yes. However, I know how her story is supposed to go, but something keeps getting in the way. The world is in a loop, one that restarts every time she dies.” Darkness flitted through his golden eyes, briefly dimming his gaze. “It’s not supposed to be that way. I’ve searched for a soul to place there again to change things, but the last time I did that, I transported it to the wrong body and made everything worse.”
“Oh, dear. I guess you aren’t as all-knowing as the church says you are.”
“Even perfect beings make mistakes sometimes.” He sniffed. “As a woman, you should know that.”
Smooth.
“Thankfully, that soul’s memory is reset every time the world is, so they have no recollection of their previous cycles in that world.”
“But they remember their past life?”
“If you mean their original life, then yes, I believe they do. Their time in this world merely resets to the point in which they entered it.”
“This sounds like a whacky fantasy novel.”
“Truth is stranger than fiction,” he said blithely. “Even myths are rooted in reality.”
“See,nowyou sound like the God I know.” I nodded slowly. “What of this dying soul? This isn’t some horror event where she’s going to try to take back her body, is it?”
“Ah, no. Her soul is tired after repeating the cycle so many times, and this time, she’s dying sooner than she ever should have. I’ve been trying to replace it, but nobody who will fit has ever shown up at the same time. Until… You. You, Allie, are the only fit.”
I blinked at him. “Me?”
“Her body is the same age as yours was, and you hold the same values as her soul did when it was first born, which makes you a perfect candidate. In fact, your soul may be more perfect for this body than hers ever was.”
“Wait, does that mean her soul has changed? How is that possible?”
“The world may reset, but souls grow weary, and hers is the weariest of them all. She doesn’t remember the reset cycles, but her soul has some spiritual recollection and has darkened with time. If it continues, I will not be able to bring her home to rest. I must rectify my mistake before it’s too late.”
Wow.
Souls were a complicated business.
“In fact, her world might even be one that you’re familiar with. I believe one of the cycles was recorded at some point in your world.”
“Whoa. Like in a book? Did I read it?”
“I don’t know.”
“What’s the title?”
“I don’t know that, either. I’m not the universe’s librarian. Don’t you think I have enough to do around here?” He huffed, throwing his arms out. “Anyway, we’re running out of time. Her soul is fading. If you take her place, she will not enter the Fountain of Reincarnation and will instead find eternal peace here with me.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What’s the catch?”
God looked at me innocently. “Whatever do you mean?”
“The catch. I know there’s no way I’m getting thrown into another universe that’s going to be happy-go-lucky, not if this poor girl keeps dying too soon. What if I die in her shoes? I’m on the fence about a second life, never mind reliving someone else’s over and over again!”
“Oh. Hm. I suppose you’re right.”
“And if I do this, I’m actually doing you a favour since I’m taking her place, which means you can let her soul find peace. What doIget out of this?”
God paused, then bobbed his head gently. “You are correct. I would like her soul to find peace, and you would be doing me a favour. If I give you something to help you, will you do it?”
“Help me with what? And what are you going to give me?”
“That I cannot tell you.” This time, he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Allie, but I am already interfering greatly to correct my actions. The gift I will bestow upon you will help you set this world to rights.”
