Vincent became quite skilled at figuring out when he could leave his room without being bothered by Ian. He had been trapped in this villa for a week, and there was no way that he could ever hope to escape. Guards watched him at all times, even following him around when he ventured throughout the villa.

It was overwhelming for him to be watched and trailed so much. He was used to having his space and privacy when needed in the monastery. Now, he felt like a prisoner in a world that he didn’t recognize. The clothes in “his” closet were weird and were far too flashy for his taste. He even found what appeared to be a piece of underwear with no covering at the back but instead a string that would go right through the middle of the buttocks. The thought of a man wearing that with his bare behind on full display was just…

He shuddered at the thought as he waited by the bedroom door, listening closely as he heard Ian’s voice downstairs. So far, he managed to avoid Ian for the most part, hiding away in his room until Ian left the house for whatever suspicious acts he performed at work. He believed that Ian was one of those dangerous mobsters or something. He had the attitude and sense of authority like one.

Even if Ian was right about him being some other man, why would he date someone as terrible and dangerous as Ian? It didn’t help that Ian was a sinning homosexual either. He just didn’t understand how these people convinced others to like them. Were people that naive and godless?

Once Vincent heard the front door close, he opened the door to his room and poked his head out, seeing one of the usual guards standing a few feet away with his back to him. He didn’t know what the guard’s name was, but he trailed Vincent the most and didn’t seem as cold and stony as the other guards.

The guard suddenly raised up what Vincent learned was a cell phone. On the screen was a video of a person. They were speaking as the guard listened and nodded. Then, the guard spoke, and the person responded. 

What kind of sorcery was this?

 Vincent paused at the doorway, watching the guard speak to the video. It was like the video was happening in real time like a phone call. He could hardly wrap his mind around something like that. Then again, he had encountered plenty of weird things in the past week. He finally came to accept that he wasn’t in 1935, even if that wasn’t biologically possible.

Perhaps, he was in another man’s body in the future, but what was God’s reasoning for that? Was he meant to change this sinner’s nature and rescue him from the blasphemous environment that Ian forced him into? This had to be a quest given to him by God, which meant that he had to save this poor man. Maybe he would be returned to his own body afterward. 

At least Vincent had a goal in mind. He didn’t feel as lost as before, even if his mind was constantly struck with confusion. People expected him to be a person that he didn’t even know, but he would do whatever God asked of him. He stepped out of the room fully, capturing the guard’s attention.

“I’ll talk to you later. Eton is out of his room,” the guard said before shutting the phone off and turning to Vincent. “Do you need anything, sir?”

Vincent wrinkled his nose up at the title. He didn’t like being called “sir” like he was some person to be worshipped. Only God deserved to be worshipped. It was another reason why Ian left a bad taste in his mouth. The man acted like he was God in this house, and everyone fell to his feet. Vincent wasn’t about to do the same thing or be treated the same way.

“Don’t call me that,” he said before crossing his arms over his chest. He managed to find a blue button-down shirt that wasn’t too tight or flashy. The man that this body belonged to liked to show himself off. “What’s your name?”

“It’s Josh,” the guard replied. He had a few inches on Vincent in height, towering tall with a muscular body under black tactical gear. His head was shaved, and his eyes were stark blue against his fair skin.

“What was that thing on your phone? The video,” Vincent questioned him, unable to help his curiosity. If he was going to save this man, he needed to know about the environment that he was in. What if God had them switch bodies? His face paled at the thought of Eton being in his body back at the monastery. He would commit all sorts of sins as Vincent, possibly getting him kicked out. He needed to hurry up and figure this out.

“FaceTime. It’s a two-way video call,” Josh said, looking slightly confused.

Vincent was used to getting that look. People were just as confused by him as he was confused about the world around him. He prayed for strength and guidance every single night, hoping that he could find the power to see this through.

“Okay,” he murmured, massaging his temple. “Like a phone call?”

“Yeah, but with video. We can watch and talk to each other,” Josh explained.

Vincent blinked a few times, feeling lost all over again. He was tired of feeling so confused all the time. Nothing around him made sense, but it was so normal to everyone else. He felt his head ache, forcing him to lean against the wall and grimace.

Josh stepped closer to Vincent.

“Are you okay?” he asked, seeming genuinely concerned.

Vincent looked up at Josh, feeling himself loosen up slightly. At least Josh wasn’t too intimidating. Maybe he could help Vincent out at some point.

“Just overwhelmed,” Vincent said.

“Why don’t I run you a bath? It’s the best way to relax,” Josh suggested with a polite smile.

Vincent stared at him for a few seconds, wondering if this was a trick in any way. He couldn’t exactly trust anyone from this time, but he had a good feeling about Josh.

“That would be nice,” he replied with a subtle nod.

Josh led Vincent into a large bathroom with a clawfoot tub. He turned on the hot water, letting it steadily fill up the tub.

“Call me if you need anything. Try to relax. I can’t imagine how confused you are about everything,” he said in a soft voice that didn’t match the toughness of his body and outfit.

“Thank you, Josh,” Vincent said, giving him a grateful look. Maybe God meant for Josh to be of help or a guide to him through this. He had to believe that this was meant to happen for some reason. It gave him hope, and he needed that as much as he needed his faith.

“Of course,” Josh replied, slightly bowing his head to Vincent before leaving the bathroom.

Vincent knew that Josh was waiting outside, but he supposed that Josh had to do his job. He hadn’t seen Ian angry yet, but he had a feeling that wasn’t an enjoyable thing to experience. He had an attitude that he suppressed around Vincent because he thought they were lovers. Vincent was determined to get Eton far away from Ian and to a church that could help him overcome his sinning nature.

He pulled off his clothes, pausing in front of the bathroom mirror to look at the body that he was in. His fingertips lightly grazed over his hairless, toned chest. He hadn’t been so in shape in a while, but Eton was obviously at least a decade younger than Vincent. Meanwhile, Ian was older than Vincent. What was he doing with such a young man like Eton? It screamed manipulative.

Vincent got settled into the bath, resting the back of his head against the edge of the tub. The hot water felt good on his skin, making his muscles relax slightly. He breathed in deeply through his nose, deciding to take the moment to pray.

“I would never question you, Lord. If I could have some guidance to help me through this quest that you have trusted me with, I promise that I will fulfill your wishes and remain true to you. I believe the soul belonging to this body is in desperate need of your love and forgiveness. Wherever he is, please show him the true path that he is meant to walk,” Vincent murmured as he kept his eyes closed, hoping that God was listening to him right now.

God put him on Earth for a reason. He thought that being a priest and guiding others toward God was his purpose for being here, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe he was meant to personally guide a single person. Regardless of his purpose, he hoped that he fulfilled it. With that thought in mind, he sank deeper into the tub and enjoyed what felt like a moment of peace.