Help! Chapter 8 (Patreon)

Jeremy took a few deep breaths and slowly calmed down. Her chest literally hurt from the strain she was putting on her heart, and it slowed down as she calmed down. She had been a quarterback too long and in too many tight situations to let something like this get to her, and she applied a bit of logic to the situation.

Fact One: Sylvia had tricked her into erasing the sigil that initiated the swap. Jeremy had played right into Sylvia’s hands and done the exact thing she shouldn’t have done.

Fact Two: She was now stuck in Sylvia’s much older body. Already she could notice differences; from the pain in her neck, feet, legs, hips, and what the hell was going on inside her mouth? She tongued a very sore spot where a piece of wire dug into the side of her mouth and winced.

So, what was the goal? Did she want to make short yardage, or risk a long pass? Did she want to take a more defensive position, or was it time to go on the offense?

Jeremy considered her options.

A: She could go to her home and talk to Mom. This was instinctual, but Sylvia would know that and would probably have some kind of trap.

B: She could seek out Guru Venkman and get more advice. Granted, he’d been dead wrong about erasing the sigil, but aside from Sylvia, Guru was the most knowledgeable person Jeremy knew in the mystic arts.

C: Jeremy could go to Sylvia’s home and regroup. She was tired, hungry, and strangely in need of a shower. She could picture Sylvia’s small living room, bathroom, and kitchen area and she ached to pour herself a glass of wine, take a shower, fix a little dinner, and relax in front of the fire. She could also read a bit more of...

Jeremy shook her head. Wow, that was strange, it was like Sylvia’s habits, thoughts, feelings, and emotions had flooded through her briefly. That was dangerous, he definitely didn’t want to lose herself inside of this body and actually become Sylvia. She needed to get a grip, remember who she was, and stay on track.

But what was the opposing team currently planning?

Jeremy tapped a long nail on the bottom of her lip. Hmmm.

Bethany was upset and knew everything that had happened to her. Jeremy figured Sylvia must have some kind of mind magic in order to have Bethany forget everything, or she’d be a source of anxiety for the new Jeremy. Regardless, ‘Jeremy’ would need to take care of Bethany somehow before going home. Which meant, Mom was free of Jeremy right now, and perhaps ‘Sylvia’ could get there before he came home.

The plan decided, the new Sylvia stood up, smoothed her skirt, patted her hair, and gathered her keys and purse to head out into the faculty parking lot.

The day was brisk and cold. Jeremy knew Sylvia drove a black Mercedes to work each day; it had been something of an icon on campus. It felt strange digging her keys out of her purse, and putting them in the lock of the Mercedes—

Just like she owned it.

Jeremy shivered and sat at the steering wheel. The seat was adjusted perfectly for him and he put the keys in the ignition, gave the accelerator two pumps of gas, then turned the engine over. The old gal sputtered to life on the second try, and he pulled out of the lot and onto the street.

He passed by the football field on his way, and he couldn’t help but look to his right. ‘Jeremy’ of course wasn’t out there, and she sighed as she thought about the missed practice. They had three games left in the regular season and without the real Jeremy at the helm of the team, they didn’t stand a chance against Delco High. He’d watched tapes of the team and coach had put together a strategy book just for that team.

Shaking her head, she tried to put the team, practice, coach, and everything from Baxter High behind her. She had to focus on what was really important.

Getting her body back.

***

After arriving at the house, Jeremy decided it would be better to knock on the door. Her Mother would definitely not recognize her in Sylvia’s body and to prevent a terrible misunderstanding she rang the doorbell.

It felt both strange and comforting to be home. She was happy and nervous to see her mother come to the door through the window.

“Yes?” Cynthia said after opening it.

“Um...” Jeremy stammered. “Mom! It’s...well, it’s me! Jeremy!”

Cynthia blinked. “I’m sorry, you must be conf—”

“Remember how I told you I saw myself as Mrs. Manchester? Well...she did something and now I’m stuck in her body! Mom, it’s me!”

She looked a bit confused, then realization flooded her face. “Oh, my God, Jeremy, is that really you?”

“Yes, Mom, can I come in? I don’t know how much time I have before she comes here.”

“Yes, yes, of course!”

Jeremy followed her into the living area. “Do you think Guru Venkman can switch me back? I mean, look at me, mom!”

“I told you, you shouldn’t have confronted her alone!” Cynthia’s voice rose. “I mean, what if we can’t get your body back, Jeremy?”

“I don’t know, Mom!” Jeremy said, feeling himself starting to cry. He hadn’t cried since he’d been a little kid, but here he was losing control of his emotions. Cynthia took Jeremy into her arms, holding her.

“We’ll figure a way out of this, darling,” Cynthia said. “When...well, when your body gets home, we’ll confront her.”

Jeremy wiped her eyes. “Him, Mom, him. We’ll confront him.”

Cynthia started to cry then too. “Yes, him. There has to be something we can do!”

From the front entryway, a deep male voice said: “Sadly, there isn’t.”

Jeremy looked up to see Sylvia standing there, wearing his body.

“Give my son back his body, you bitch!”

“Jeremy, if you don’t wish for your mother to be a light fixture for the next fifty years, I suggest you calm her down.”

“Mom, no!” Jeremy said. He grabbed her by the shoulders. “She can really do that.”

Cynthia looked up at the person wearing her son’s body and her lips trembled with rage. “What have you done you bitch!”

Sylvia smiled. “Let’s all go into the living room and talk,” he said.

“We have much to talk about.”