"Zachary Evans, this court finds you guilty of attempted murder, liable to seven years in prison. As a first time offender, and because the victim survived your assault, you shall receive a reduced sentence. You are hereby sentenced to three years in prison." The gavel sounded and the sentence was sealed.
He blinked as he stared at the judge pronouncing the sentence. It all happened so fast. One minute he was proposing to his girlfriend in the city's hottest club, and the next he was arrested for shooting someone.
"This is bullshit! The evidence against me is falsified. I've never owned a gun in my life. That bastard attacked me and tried to rob me. I was only defending myself, and trying to avoid getting shot. The gun went off during our struggle."
"Mr Evans. Your sentence has been pronounced. Submit an appeal if you choose, but the evidence against you is clear. A gun registered in your name, with only your fingerprints on it after it was confiscated. If you were truly struggling for the gun during the time a shot was fired, wouldn't the other party's fingerprints be on it? And why would he try to rob you when he owns the club you went to? You didn't have anything of sufficient value on you that would justify a robbery, and you had been drinking with your friends."
"I only had one drink because I wanted to be sober for the proposal."
"That's not what the test says. Your alcohol level was significantly high and…"
"It's all a lie. I'm being framed. Why can't anyone see that? I can't even have access to a good lawyer because all my accounts were frozen. Does that not sound suspicious? A sudden arrest, and next my company is attacked for tax fraud at this crucial time so I won't have access to my money and defend myself properly." He said.
"That is a separate investigation that does not involve this court. Be grateful for your reduced sentence despite the evidence against you. If your tax fraud is included, that would have earned you up to a decade. The court is adjourned."
The gavel was snapped and Zachary was dragged away, and escorted to his new home. Prison.
"Do you still wish to take my body, Leon? You will be called by my name, and Leon will cease to exist. You will take my struggles, my pain, my memories."
After hearing this voice, Leoon realised he wasn't actually in a court room being sentenced to prison. He had actually been watching, though it had felt so real. This was the consequence he would have to deal with if he accepted. It was his last, and final warning. Did he really want to do this? This owner of this body seemed to have his own share of problems, was he really willing to take it instead of turning away and finding peace? Was his revenge worth it?
He only had to remember his last memory, of being killed and tossed away by the people he called family, and the answer was clear. Yes. It was worth it. He refused to let them go free. Even before his death, he had endured mistreatment from them, all just to fit into the family, and be loved.
"I accept. So be it. Live the life I am tired of living in my place, and I hope it brings you what you wish."
Leon felt a sharp pain, and everything became blank. When he opened his eyes next, he was at the top bunk in a prison cell. He sat up immediately.
"What the fuck? I thought the prison sentence was just a damn memory! Don't tell me I have to spend three years here?"
"Shut your trap, Zachary. It's too early to hear your annoying voice." A voice grumbled from the lower bunk.
"My name is…" He paused, and closed his mouth before he could say Leon.
Leon Hansen no longer existed. He was Zachary Evans now, and he better start getting used to it. His head throbbed, and slowly, the memories of his new bodies began to filter into his mind. Zachary Evans, now 28, was an orphan who left the foster care system at an early age due to several molestation attempts. He lived on the streets for a while till he was fortunate enough to be picked up by a foundation that catered to homeless teens.
He was able to go back to school, and since he was smart, he even won a college scholarship since the foundation's help only ended at high school level. While in college, he met friends, fell in love and even started his own company. By the time he graduated, he had made his first million. Just when it seemed his life was finally looking up, it all went to shit. Just one misunderstanding on the day he planned to propose to his girlfriend, Gaby, and he ended up here.
To make matters worse, none of his appeals ever worked. No one ever believed him when he said he was framed. The company he founded also went bankrupt due to allegations of tax fraud. A total lie. All his friends seemed to have deserted him, except Thomas and Hannah. They had gotten married shortly after he was sent to prison and visited a few times.
What shocked him the most was the fact that Gaby never came to visit him. Not even once. His best friend, Justin, whom he had hoped on, seemed to vanish. He repeatedly tried to ask Thomas or Hannah about them whenever he got a visit, but they had always changed the topic.
"What kind of shitty life have I put myself into?" He sighed, and the man at the lower bunk hit his mattress from below.
"I'm trying to sleep here. Not all of us can be so lucky to be released so early, I still got four years here."
"Early release?" He asked, since he hadn't yet accessed the rest of his memory.
"Have you forgotten that the rest of your sentence is no longer valid? You're being released for good behaviour. You only served a year and ten months of your three year sentence and you're being released today. Lucky bastard."
Hearing this, his face lit up.
"Zachary Evans, time to go." A guard called out, and he leaped down from the top bunk.
"You look so excited. Well, you better behave or you'll end up back here. Most convicts do after being released." The guard warned him as he was led to the room where he would be cleared.
"Never."
He swore he would never end up in prison again. He was lucky enough to take this body while it was being released. No way he would get stuck in prison again.