Shifting Path

Chapter 1 - A Wager

How tragic can life be, whether you are poor or rich, old or young, famous or not? Death sees us equally with no exception.

Time flies so fast and technology is.

Thanks to the people who put so much effort to take medical sciences to a new level, somehow, they manage to gain something but it's still not enough. How can I say these things? Because I am one of the witnesses.

My name is Johann Lockwoods and I'm a famous actor. Of course, I'm handsome. I am so talented that I can sing while dancing. I know that others can do that, but here's a twist. I am handsome, they are not. I am always chased by girls. Here's an advice about girls, you cannot court her if she is chasing you already. Always remember that. I'm filthy rich. I can buy everything! Except for life and that sucks! I want to live more! I love this world! It feels like I own everything. I have money, I have fame, I have girls. Almost everything.

But one event changed my life. It was a car accident. Now, I will soon pass away. I can't accept this! My life is too good so I can't afford to die! Who will take care of my riches? All my time and effort were invested in it. What about my girls? I can't cuddle with them if I'm a dead corpse!

The doctor enters my room and starts speaking:

"Hey, you got only 5 days to live. Have you done your testament? Your last will perhaps."

My manager speaks with no sympathy and continues:

"I can't earn tons of dollars without you! Can't you think of that? You must live by any means!"

"I agree with you, but in this industry, whether we hate it or not, fame won't last long."

"Who cares about that? As long you live, we can earn money. We need you! You can't afford to die, but you're here right now, dying... If you WERE just careful."

"Hey! Who wants an accident anyway? No one wants that, except if you have a deathwish which I don't. How WAS I supposed to know? It's an accident! Firstly, it wasn't my fault! The car was so fast and crashed on me. How COULD I HAVE avoided that?"

"I guess you should think why this is your fault."

And the manager leaves the room with the sound of a bang as he closes the door.

--I can't accept this! There must be a way somehow! Ok, calm down Johann. We still have 5 days.

I relax and think. While thinking, the doctor enters my room.

"How do you do? Feeling well?"

"How can you be so dense doc? I know my fate."

"My bad, well, at least I have good news and bad news for you."

"Really? Then let me hear it. It may change my fate. Maybe I can escape death!"

"Yes, indeed. But there's only a small chance. We were supposed to launch this operation years ago but some things got out of the hand."

"What do you mean doc?"

"We failed the operation. The operation was supposed to revive a dead person: we thought that we had already enough knowledge to execute the operation but...."

"But?"

"Everything was set, we forgot the basics. We can't take back the soul. The heart is functioning, and everything is on set, the body is not moving. It is like in a state of coma."

"Now then, why you are resuming this operation?"

"Look at me. I have 2 glasses here. One is filled with water and one is empty. Here's the problem, let's say the glass filled with water is leaking. Now, what should we do to be able the water stop spilling from the glass?"

"Transfer the water to the empty glass?"

"Exactly! In other words, we will transfer a soul from a broken vessel to a stable vessel. That's the good news."

"Sounds a good plan. How about the bad news?"

"We did this operation, but we failed. The success rate is very low. This operation is titled as 'Shifting Path.' If you're willing to do this operation, please sign here."

Right now, this is my only hope to save everything I got. I'm desperate! I can't die!

"So who is the vessel where my soul will be transferred?"

"Here, his name is George Tanaka, 24 years old and a system engineer."

"He's still young. What will happen if I sign this?"

"First we will contact his relatives and his girlfriend because they want us to preserve his body."

"His girlfriend? I wonder what she looks like."

"Well, she seems different. She's conservative. It will be tough for you."

"What are you saying? What girl can I not conquer? Those are easy-peasy for me. Haha!"

"Don't talk yet. We haven't done the operation."

"If I survive, I'll add her to my collection."

"I'll take note of that."

The doctor leaves my room and somehow the operation was discussed by the doctor took my worry a little.

"Will I survive?"

Only 2 days left, and before the operation will start. My body and my voice grow weaker and weaker. The doctor enters my room again.

"I got some bad news for you. His girlfriend won't sign for the operation."

"What?! Can't she see that I'm dying here. I got only 2 days left! Desperate times calls for desperate measure. Forge her signature."

"Are you sure of doing that?"

"Yes! I'm sure. I'll deal with that afterwards. Take my phone and call the person named 'Sato.' He's the one who forges my signature for my papers. I'm sure he can forge that girl's signature."

"Ok, sure. Now then, I'll be going."

"Thanks."

The day of my death has come and the operation will start soon. Five percent chance? I'm still anxious. I'll do anything to survive.