Perfectly Broken

Chapter 8

"You work miracles even when we're apart," he said, smiling. "and now, we'll never have to be." 

-Mana Sol, The Lady Out of Time

After breakfast was finished, it was time to revisit reality. Jake was nervous to tell her what he had to do while he was gone. Not of her judgment; he knew by now that none would come. He only worried about upsetting her. She knew he fretted over his well-being, and in this case, the concern was justified. He decided to start with the primary details and allow her to ask questions, which he would answer in full.

"Alina, I need to update you. Some things will need to change, and I would like us to decide together what to do."

She nodded. "We'll work it out, no matter what it is. You're not going to run off without me, are you? I don't care how much caffeine I have to drink, I want to go with you."

"I should not ever have to run after this," Jake explained. "I did something I was very reluctant to do because it is highly illegal and unethical. Aaron gave me his identity willingly, but this involved assigning my identity to a deceased person whose body has not been claimed. While I was away, I had to wait for someone to die who closely resembled me and then pay for this person to switch identities with me. They are now going to be known posthumously as a cyber-terrorist; as who the authorities believe me to be. And it matters not that they were innocent, or that I did not commit the crimes I was accused of. This person had no choice. I took it away from him."

"That must be really hard for you," Alina replied. "Because you are a good, kind, person who would never hurt someone intentionally. I'm not going to tell you that your feelings about it aren't valid. They absolutely are. But I'll do whatever I can to help you find a way to deal with them."

"Thank you, Alina. But there is more."

"Go ahead."

"I cannot use the name Jake any longer. Even when we're alone, it would be better if you do not call me Jake."

"Should I call you Aaron, then?" Alina asked, sensing that was not the correct answer either.

"Well, that is what we must discuss. If we stay here in Duskwood, in this house, then I must be Aaron Dalton. However, I should change my appearance so that I less closely resemble the man who died in my place."

"He didn't die in your place, though, did he? He was already dead."

"As far as I know, yes."

Alina eyed him for signs of being disconcerted. She brushed her hand against his cheek, and his eyes closed at her touch. She leaned in and placed a light kiss on his forehead. "I can help you dye your hair, and cut it. Would that be enough?"

"It would. But then I will have to get an updated ID. The problem is that Aaron was a veteran, and his information is in multiple government databases. There will be photos and medical and service records that will differ from mine. I have done minimal work to assert myself as Aaron Dalton. But that meant getting medical care on the fringe, and hoping that nobody would discover I was an impostor. If I want to have a normal life under the name Aaron, I will first have to access all of his files and alter them. There is significant risk involved in this process."

"What is the alternative?"

"We sell this house and start over together elsewhere with new identities. I would also have to give up his pension, but that is alright. If I get clean paperwork, I can also get a job."