Liz sat across from Bell in Vivica's spacious living room, her mind already racing through a hundred possibilities. After the confession, there was no more disbelief, only the need for answers.
"So, if you're Bell in Vivica's body," Liz began, leaning forward, "Where is your real body? Have you thought about that?"
Bell paused, guilt flickering across her face. "I've tried not to think about it… but it's been haunting me. I don't know where my real body is. I've been too overwhelmed by everything, learning to be Vivica and trying not to mess up her life."
Liz frowned, resting her chin on her hand. "We have to figure it out. You can't just ignore that part of yourself. Do you remember anything from the accident? Anything that could help us figure out where you were taken or what happened after?"
Bell sighed, shaking her head. "Not really. I remember the crash, the pain… and then nothing. I just woke up as Vivica. I don't even know where it happened exactly."
"We'll have to retrace your steps. Do you know if there were any news reports about your accident? Were there witnesses? Police reports?" Liz asked, her mind ticking off possible avenues to explore.
Bell hesitated before answering. "I've been avoiding looking into it, Liz. Part of me was scared… that maybe my body is gone, or worse, in a coma. And what if there's no way back to it?"
"That's a possibility," Liz said carefully, "But we won't know until we look. First, we need to figure out where the accident happened. I'll do some digging, check local police reports, and see if your name comes up. Once we have that, we'll find out what happened to your body."
Bell nodded, the weight of her past life pressing heavily on her. "It's strange… to think my body might still be out there somewhere, disconnected from me. But I can't live in this limbo forever."
Liz's voice softened. "We'll find the answers. I'll help you, no matter what."
Liz wasted no time after the conversation. She left for her home promising to help her in searching. The next day, she made a few phone calls, starting with hospitals in the area where Bell had lived before. She also began researching accident reports from the night Bell's life had changed. After hours of searching, she found something.
"Bell, I think I found something," Liz said over the phone, her voice urgent. "There was an accident report from the same night you mentioned. It's from a few states away. A woman matching your description was found and taken to a local hospital. She's been in a coma ever since… under the name 'Bell Skye'."
Bell froze, her stomach twisting into knots. "So… I'm still alive? But in a coma?"
Liz nodded, though Bell couldn't see her through the phone. "Yes. Your body is still out there. We need to go see it."
With the revelation that her body was in a hospital across state lines, Bell felt the mix of dread and hope swell within her. It was time to face the truth about her old self. Liz was right. They had to visit the hospital to see her real body—no matter how painful it might be.
As they prepared for the journey, Bell felt a sinking feeling in her chest. If her body was still in a coma, could she ever return to it? Or was she destined to live as Vivica forever?
Bell paced the hallway, her bag slung over her shoulder, the weight of the upcoming journey heavy on her heart. She glanced at Liz, who was standing near the door, her fingers lightly drumming against her thigh, clearly ready to get on the road. Today was supposed to be the day they finally visited the hospital and saw Bell's real body. Anxiety clawed at Bell's insides, but there was also a small flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they'd get answers.
As they were about to step out, Lisa's hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. "Vivica!" Lisa's voice cut through the silence, making Bell and Liz stop dead in their tracks.
Bell turned, her brows furrowed. "What is it?"
Lisa approached, phone in hand, her expression strained. "There's a problem. I just got off the phone with one of the investors for the upcoming event."
"Investors?" Bell's heart sank, dread slowly replacing the nervous excitement she'd felt just moments ago.
"Yes. It's bad," Lisa sighed, rubbing her temple as she continued. "They're threatening to pull their sponsorship if you don't meet with them. They're demanding a face-to-face discussion. They said if you don't show, they're walking."
Bell's stomach dropped, the gravity of Vivica's responsibilities crashing down on her. She exchanged a quick glance with Liz, who had gone stiff beside her.
"Can't you handle it? Or tell them to wait a day?" Bell asked, a hint of desperation creeping into her voice.
Lisa shook her head, her expression grim. "I already tried. They were adamant. This event is huge, Vivica. If they pull out, it could destroy the entire thing. And with your recent reappearance in the spotlight, you can't afford that kind of hit to your reputation."
Liz's expression tightened, and she rubbed the back of her neck. "Looks like our trip will have to wait."
"No," Bell muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "We need to go to there… I need to see…"
"I know," Liz interrupted softly, her gaze sympathetic. "But you can't ignore this. If these investors leave, Vivica's entire career could be on the line. That means your new life will be at risk too."
Bell clenched her fists, feeling the walls of her two lives closing in on her. Every part of her screamed to abandon the investors and run to the hospital to confront the truth about her real body. But the weight of Vivica's world tugged at her, reminding her that she couldn't just throw this life away either.
A long silence hung between them, broken only by the sound of Bell's frustrated exhale. "Fine," she said finally, her voice sharp. "We'll meet the investors, but after that, I'm going to there. I can't keep putting this off."
Lisa relaxed slightly, the tension in her shoulders easing. "Thank you. I'll arrange everything with the investors. The meeting is in an hour. It shouldn't take too long."
Liz gave Bell a supportive pat on the back. "We'll get through this, Bell. One thing at a time."
Bell nodded, though her heart was heavy. As Lisa turned to make the necessary arrangements, Bell walked back inside the house, the hope she had earlier now buried under layers of obligation. She could almost feel Vivica's life chaining her in place, holding her back from the one thing she wanted—to understand what happened to her real self.
Inside, Lisa led Bell to her room where a fresh change of clothes had already been laid out. She stared at the ensemble, her mind clouded with frustration. "I can't keep living like this," Bell muttered under her breath as she stared into the mirror, seeing Vivica's reflection instead of her own.
She dressed quickly, pushing down the gnawing feeling of anxiety. "Just one more thing to handle," she whispered to herself, trying to shake off the guilt of postponing the hospital visit yet again.
Downstairs, Liz waited by the door. "You okay?" she asked, her voice soft with concern.
"I'm fine," Bell lied, forcing a small smile. "I just hate that this keeps getting in the way."
Liz gave a half-smile. "We'll get to go soon. Just take care of this first."
As Bell and Liz walked toward the door, Bell's mind raced, torn between two worlds. She was starting to realize that living as Vivica was not as temporary as she had initially thought. And as she prepared to meet with the investors, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that her life as Bell was slipping further out of her grasp.