Four days had passed since the crimson moon woke him in Jace Liebert's body. Jake had adapted faster than he thought possible. The small apartment on Crimson Lane in Cherwood Borough already felt familiar—the creak of floorboards, the faint hiss of steam pipes, the way the gas lamp sputtered if you turned the valve too hard.
Mornings followed a simple routine: quick wash from the basin, bread with thin jam, then the short walk to work. He had Jace's habits memorized, and strangely, they had started to feel like his own.
He was shyer now. Back home Jake had been outgoing—chatty with classmates, quick with jokes. Here his voice came out softer, his eyes dropped more easily, and he hesitated before speaking.
It wasn't just pretending; Jace's timid nature had merged with him. He caught himself blushing at compliments, fidgeting with his sleeves when people looked too long. It annoyed him sometimes, but it also helped him blend in.
The school was called Willow Lane Elementary, a modest two-story building on a quiet side street in Cherwood Borough, close to the Tussock River.
Sponsored by the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, it had a small brass plaque with their emblem near the door. The Church ran these schools to teach basic literacy and knowledge to children of clerks, shopkeepers, and lower-middle-class families.
Jake taught three hours each morning, from eight to eleven—general knowledge and reading in Loenese. The first day had been awkward. The twenty or so children (ages six to ten) stared expectantly, and his shyness made him stammer. He fumbled names and felt his face burn when a girl asked why he sounded "funny."
But Jace's talent surfaced quickly.
He spoke slowly, drew simple pictures on the chalkboard, asked thoughtful questions. The kids warmed to him fast. By day four the lessons flowed easily. He was surprised a timid person like Jace—now him—could teach so well.
The pay was 12 soli a week, given in a small envelope every Friday by the headmistress, Mrs. Harrow. It wasn't much, but combined with his other jobs, it covered rent food and living expanses.
After classes, he walked twenty minutes to Cherwood Public Library.
The sturdy stone building sat on a corner near the main road, with tall windows and shelves reaching the ceiling. It was state-run but received donations from the Church of Knowledge and Wisdom.
His afternoon job was bookkeeping: tracking borrowed books, late returns, sorting new arrivals. Another 18 soli a week, paid monthly. The quiet work suited his current personality perfectly.
With his two jobs he earned about 30 soli- which was about 1 and half pound, not bad for a 16 year old right?.
Today, as he left the school gate and started down the cobbled street, he spotted Nathan leaning against a lamppost.
Nathan was nineteen, tanned, with short black hair and an easy grin. He wore a linen shirt with an open vest, sleeves rolled up, looking effortlessly casual. Charismatic and well-connected, he knew dock foremen, party organizers, factory owners. If you needed quick cash—like waitering at rich people's parties—you went to him. He'd gotten Jace several gigs over the past year.
"Hey, Jace!" Nathan called, pushing off the post and slinging an arm around Jake's shoulders.
"Nathan," Jake replied, managing a small smile. His voice stayed quiet despite himself.
Nathan laughed and ruffled his hair. "Still look like you're about to run every time someone talks to you. When are you getting a girlfriend, eh? Plenty of girls at those parties would love a polite boy like you. You're sixteen and a half—old enough!"
Jake felt the flush rise, Jace's timidity taking over. "I'm still too young for that," he muttered, half-laughing. "Got enough with school and the library."
Nathan snorted. "Too young? Half the lads your age are already sneaking around. Anyway, got something in two weeks—big party in Hillston Borough. Fancy crowd, good tips. I'll let you know when it's confirmed. You in?"
"Yeah," Jake nodded. "Thanks."
They walked the rest of the way together. Nathan talked about dock gossip and a new steam engine he'd seen. Jake listened, adding a word here and there. When they reached the library steps, Nathan clapped him on the back.
"See you soon, little scholar. Don't bury yourself in books forever."
With a wave, he sauntered off. Jake pushed open the heavy door and stepped into the cool quiet of the shelves.