body-less

CHAPTER II

[ THE VIBE: TWIST AND SHOUT (COVER) BY THE BEATLES ]

An explosion. Without a doubt, my car is no longer. Although, there weren't only pieces of my car flying around. There was also blood. And a great deal of body parts.

First, I become a bodiless being. Next, my car blows up and there's blood all over the place. I'll prioritize. Blood first. Me second.

I try to move from my position. I struggle to lift my invisible legs, and it reminds me of when babies first learn to walk. I yearn to go forward, and that dedication takes me there. I pretend my long legs are gracefully walking across the parking lot, even though I know I have absolutely nothing there.

I move my imaginary head left and right while scanning around the parking lot, as I search for anybody in sight - dead or alive. Alive is unlikely. Never mind, it's impossible. As gruesome as it sounds, I'm starting to doubt whether there even is a body based on how much blood and body parts there are scattered around.

Being without a body is like a real out-of-body experience. Whenever I make-believe something, it still feels like I'm actually doing it. If I envision myself wiggling my toes like I am right now, I can feel my toes moving around in my Converse, when they are clearly not.

I hover over towards the remains, then carefully scrutinize the scene. The car barely stands as the fire burns, showing no signs of stopping.

I go up to the car, testing out my "body-less powers." I picture myself lifting my finger to the roaring flames in an attempt to find out if I can feel pain or not. Though the fire keeps going strong, if not growing larger, I can't feel a thing. I guess that's good.

Redirecting my focus, I search for any sort of object that would seem suspicious, as if it weren't already burnt up. There are some body parts left, but it's impossible to find anything with the immense amount of blood - and it's not like an invisible person can pick things up and inspect them.

I don't think there's a body left. The only thing I know is there was, at least, a person in the car. Now, second on my list. Where did my body go? What happened to me? Last I remember, I went to bed late after cramming for my English test. I don't remember waking up at all, and definitely I don't remember losing my body.

Am I just dreaming? I hope I'm dreaming. I don't want to be some kind of spirit for the rest of my life. My human life was fine.

I quickly realize I should probably follow my doppelganger. This is a preternatural situation, and it is finally my chance to practice my detective work.

I remember, when I was younger, my mom used to say, "Can you solve the mystery, Mr. Drew?" At first, she called me Nancy Drew, then Mr. Nancy Drew, and finally, Mr. Drew. She could barely deliver the line due to her own laughter. The last time I heard her say that was four years ago.

Even though my birth certificate says I'm named Jack, the name Drew kind of stuck. I've always gone by it. I don't like talking about my mom too much, so nobody really knows my real name is Jack. Speaking about her just brings back too many memories I've worked oh-so-hard to push down in my brain. It's not like it matters - I don't think I'll ever go by my real name, anyways. Jack sounds boring. Basic.

I levitate towards the Walmart entrance, following the shrieking I hear from the building. Everybody is in a frenzy because of the explosion, and I can hear faint sirens coming from the street. I partially hope I can just fly through the window, so I, naturally, give it a go. I go at full speed to the window, and I run into it. Just like the birds who ram into windows. Thank God nobody can see me, or I'd be shielding my identity and darting away from Walmart as fast as I could. I guess bodiless beings can't go through walls like they can in the movies. Rapidly shaking my head to get rid of my dizziness, I make my way to the door. I'm able to piggy-back off of some shoppers who are keen on leaving.