Get to the car, I tell her without looking back, and honk the horn for help. I feel her backing away while I take a fighting stance as these guys clearly don't want her to leave. I have done some Kung Fu when I was younger, much younger, and I really haven't kept it up. But the first guy who took a swing at me was out in less than 5 seconds. The next guy pulled a knife but I kicked him in the balls, hard, and he went down grabbing his crotch.

At that moment my car started making a lot of noise. Smart girl, must have pushed the panic button. And by the look on the two left overs they were indeed panicking. The leader said, get the girl and finish her, and for a brief second I glanced back, not seeing a sign of the girl. When I looked back a gun was pointed straight at my head and the guy pulled the trigger.

It's funny how people say that you can see your life played back in your last seconds. I didn't have that but I have to confess, life was going in slow motion. Not like what you see in The Matrix where they just dodge the bullet, but I had very clear, calm thoughts. I thought about my wife and two kids, how will they manage without me? At least I have a good life insurance. And my last thought was for the girl I just helped, I really hope she got away, or this would be so useless. And then I died...

I wouldn't say I opened my eyes, but I became suddenly aware of a being next to me and I suddenly had a vision of beauty, an angel with a dark skin in a pure white dress, still showing a lot of perfect skin. She smiled at me, her white teeth perfect between full red lips, patiently waiting for me to ask, where am I?

She chuckled, I have good and bad news. The bad news is, you died, a bullet straight through your brain. The good news is, we're recycling your soul and you'll be back soon on Earth. She gave me a few seconds to ponder on this. Is this heaven? Are you an angel? You look the part. She smiled her wonderful smile at that, saying, thanks for giving me this lovely shape, I really like it. But no, this is not heaven, nor hell, you're in let's say a very advanced computer centre, and I am an AI, an artificial intelligence, one of thousands currently active, shaped by your own desires, to make it as easy on you to understand what's going on.

When I didn't react she continued, as people pass away we basically recycle their soul and send that soul back to a newborn child. Depending on the usefulness of their previous life we try to get them in a new promising life, or if their acts were not so good they may end up in a more challenging life. Simply said, we rank every person on how well they lived their life and every new life is ranked based on future prospects. We may allow some of the previous life to remain with the soul and sometimes we add an extra bonus, or we really clean the soul before it's sent back and can even take qualities away. The ultimate goal is to improve the Earth population so at one point they can be part of the vast community out in the universe. We've been doing this for thousands of years, ever since we breathed life in mankind and separated them from animal life.

I looked at her in awe as in just over a minute she gave the answer to what billions of people ask themselves every day, is there more to life than just living?

Why are you telling me this, I added, if you're going to recycle me I probably won't remember any of this. True, she said, although we try to send a message with every recycled soul, with the goal to move life forward in a positive direction. Think about the Renaissance or the Industrial revolution when we sent many souls back with similar new ideas. But your case is different. She paused for a second, then continued, your last act in the world was one of pure goodness, you gave your life to save an unknown girl. And that does not go unnoticed. I pondered what she said, I had indeed not thought for a moment about myself, my last thought was for the girl. Did she make it? I mean, was my sacrifice worth it?

Yes, she answered, she got away and your killers were captured. She was at your funeral but she couldn't live with the thought she was responsible for the suffering that your family went through. And a few hours ago she took a handful of sleeping pills and she died peacefully. People won't find out until tomorrow when they will find her body in the back of an alley. We have processed her soul already and found a new life for her which will hopefully be less dramatic than her last life.

Although I have no eyes I felt tears form in my eyes. So it was all for nothing then? My sacrifice? She shook her head, it doesn't have to be, that's where you come in. Before I could reply she continued, her physical body has not died yet, we can breath new life in her, fill her up with a new soul. But it would look like she has a complete memory loss and it would not be fair to the new soul, as it doesn't get a chance to "grow" in the new body. I could sense her compassion for each soul that she processes, she wants the best future for all. You however, she continued, are different, your souls have touched, even if it was for a brief moment. We can add some more of her original soul that we saved to yours, so you will know enough of her memories to continue her life. You will live again in the body of the girl who's life you saved. And we will help you, give you some extra to make it easier on you and give you strengths that she never had. Will I lose my own memories? I mean will you wipe that part, I ask in fear. No, she smiles, your future is bright, as you will be part of a select group of people that will reincarnate while keeping the essence of their memories as well as their sense of being. Some will call it eternal life.

The more I think about it the more I realize what an opportunity I am given. I will die again yes, but continue life in a new body, although I will be a baby again and a teenager and... I smile and nod, yes, I think I can handle that. And I will use my knowledge to help people and improve life on Earth. She seems very happy and says, one more thing. Apart from what we give you, is there anything else that you would love to have as part of your being?  More knowledge? Charisma? Leadership?

I gave it a thought and look at her. I want some of that compassion that you display so well in the love for every soul you touch. Her cheeks actually color a bit when I say this, she's more than just an AI, she's clearly proud of her accomplishments and she appreciates my observations. So it will be, she simply states.

Then she gets in a hurry. Normally we have more time to chat but we'll do that the next time you die. Right now we need to proceed before your physical body dies. I will look forward seeing you again. And with that she gives me a hug and a kiss, which is a really weird sensation without a body, but I laugh and I say, thank you. And with that everything goes black...

When I open my eyes again it's a struggle and I have blurred vision. But when it clears I see again an angel's face. This time it's a blonde woman and the light behind her makes her curls shine like a halo. I see her worried expression but also relief. Welcome back, she says. You've been out for two days. I try to answer but my throat feels so dry. Water, is all I can manage and my voice sounds strange. But my angel grabs a glass and she helps me up a bit and holds the glass against my lips so I can sip from it. The first sip burns but the second cools it down. After a few more I feel better and I manage to say thanks. She smiles and puts the glass away. I try to stop her as I could drink more but then I see my hand on her arm. My skin is dark compared to her and my nails are short but definitely well taken care off and very female. It suddenly comes all back to me, I died and my soul was moved into this girl and I am her now. And I black out again.

Not sure how long I was out but when I wake up she's still there, as on guard for my life. I try to think if I know her and I find my two sets of memories perfectly merged, but neither from my old or new life I have a memory that includes her. Who are you, I finally ask, and my voice is stronger and I like the sound of it now. I'm Debbie, she says, I found you in that alley, I couldn't wake you up, and I called the ambulance. Something told me to stay with you and I have been here at your bed for the past two days. I have a daughter your age and I would never want her all alone like you were.

I smile and say thanks, I hope she never will be. If you want to talk about it just let me know, she says, but for now just relax, the doctor should come soon to check you out.

When the doctor comes he's not smiling and the nurse is frowning as well. They clearly don't like me. Without saying much they check me out and declare I should be good to leave tomorrow. But first I need to talk to a psychologist who will try to help me to straighten me out. It sounded a bit harsh the way they said it. Debbie senses it too, don't worry, she says, I'll stay with you if you want. I give her a thankful smile, she really is an angel. The doctor and nurse leave without saying a word and I ask, more to myself, why do they look so mad? Well, she hesitates, I think they're upset with the fact that you tried to kill yourself. An innocent man died a while ago to save your life and your actions made his sacrifice so meaningless.

It all came back to me again, but now from my new set of memories. The guilt when I was at his funeral when I saw his family crying. Then more attempts of rape in the orphanage, little boys waiting for a chance to get in my panties. One of the older and stronger boys sort of protected me but he wanted a sexual favor every now and then, not often and just a blowjob, but still, I was always worried to lose my virginity. I slept with a kitchen knife under my pillow, every moment scared for more violence directed at me. How many times I wished it was not him but me who had died. And finally, when my protector was on soccer camp for a week, I overheard a plan by a couple of the boys to capture me that night and all have a go with me. When I told the director he told me to suck it up and be glad I was still alive. And at that moment I realized there was no way out and I decided to leave that place and leave life. I had collected some sleeping pills over the past weeks as I had trouble sleeping. I went to the alley and took them all at once, for the first time in a long time I relaxed. Maybe my death would help other kids in the orphanage as no kid should live in fear like I did.

Debbie started crying when I poured my story over her. She hugged me and said, if you want I can adopt you, you would never have to go back to that orphanage. I suddenly realized that my AI angel had set this earthly angel in my path to save me and put me back on track. So I smiled and cried with her and said, thank you. At that moment two people entered the room, a man and a pretty girl, more or less my age. This is my husband Jack, Debbie said, and my daughter Helen. Hi Serena, the girl said and she gave me a warm hug. I sensed an honest spirit in her and hugged her back tightly. The man also gave me a hug but now I sensed untrustworthy and I kept a bit of distance. Never in my life I have been able to read people's being, was this perhaps female intuition? But then suddenly I knew what it was, it was a gift that I received in heaven, or whatever you want to call that computer center. 

Jack didn't really notice my apprehension. He said he had talked to the orphanage and as long as I was okay with it I could go home with them and the adoption would be a simple matter. I smiled and I simply said, yes, thank you. The love of these two women would help me and somehow I would manage with the man. The girl was excited to get a sister and she talked non stop of the things we would do together and school and band and sports and vacation. I just let her, happy to listen and enjoy the moment.

The next day, after signing a bunch of papers and talking to a shrink, I was released from the hospital. My new family took me home. They had collected my few possessions from the orphanage already. For the first week I would sleep in Helen's room while the spare room, which was more like a junk room, was being turned into my bedroom. First thing I did was a warm bath, I don't remember having had one for perhaps more than a year. Helen had the loveliest soaps and shampoos and I took my time, enjoying the feeling and smell of my skin which was both comforting and foreign. When I finally got out Helen came in to help me with my hair. She had a set of beautiful lingerie and it fit perfectly. Never had I worn such soft and sexy underwear. I let her pamper me and when she was done I looked very pretty and I felt good about myself. When I got out of her bathroom a nice summer dress was waiting on her bed. I cried out in pleasure, never had I owned such an attire. It's funny how my male persona has been buried deeply, allowing me to enjoy all this girly stuff to the fullest. 

All prettied up we went out for dinner and I learned a few things more. First, that my adoptive dad likes to take control. He suggests what food we should take and doesn't let up until we agree. Mom and Helen quickly give in, apparently used to this and not willing to fight it. I see so many things on the menu that I've never seen and that I like to try but in the end I give in as well. I also realize he's the only one with a drivers license, Helen has not even been allowed to get her temps. And mom hasn't driven since she got married. So if anyone needs to go anywhere he has to take us and we depend on him to be there when we need a ride. A bit weird but still better than the orphanage. He drank quite a bit over dinner and that should be another reason for someone else to drive. But somehow we made it back home safely.

That night Helen and I were getting ready for bed when we heard a scream and a loud noise of something falling in our parents room. Helen's face turned pale and I could both see the scare on her face as well as sensing it. What's going on, I asked, but she didn't reply, she just stared at the door and moved herself in front of me. Suddenly Jack appeared in the door, I don't have the guts yet to call him dad. He was clearly still under the influence of too much alcohol. Welcome to our home Serena, he said, there's only a few little rules that you need to know and you can stay with us forever. He dropped his pants right there in the doorway and stepped in the room, trying to get around Helen, with a fully erected dick. Helen tried to stop him, actually went on her knees, trying to take his member in her mouth, but he slapped her out of the way. Not you tonight, he growled, I've always wondered how well a black girl can suck cock and now I have my chance. I was terrified, I finally had found my safe place and now I was still going to be raped? I had no time to think and run, he was pushing me already down on my knees pushing his dick in my face. Suck it you bitch, he hissed, and better make me feel good. I opened my mouth and he pushed it in hard, making me gag. 

And at that moment I suddenly realized I had to save this girl again, this girl that I was now myself, but still with the knowledge of a fully grown man. I opened my mouth wide and with all power I had in me I closed it with my teeth on his member. It felt like a sharp knife cutting through butter and in the next second my mouth was overflowing with blood. He screamed, grabbing his crotch, trying to stop the blood from gushing out of him. I pulled away, ran into the bathroom and spit everything I had in my mouth into the toilet. I saw what was left of his dick floating there and simply flushed the toilet. He was still screaming but fell on the ground, the loss of blood affecting his strength. I saw Helen, crawling back up, with a phone in her hand, calling 911 I assumed.

I was amazed how quickly the ambulance was there. The first medic, a light brown skinned woman, came in the room and saw Jack on the floor with all the blood in his crotch, though it seemed he somehow had stopped the bleeding. He was begging her to take him to the hospital. But she looked first at us, are you two okay? I had blood on my chin but I pointed at Helen who's cheek was bleeding from the force of his slap. She quickly started cleaning it but Helen said, Mom! And she pointed to the other bedroom. We all ran there, finding Mom unconscious on the floor, bleeding from her nose and ear. The medic started working on her, in the meantime asking, what happened? Helen sniffed, my dad, he forced his member in Serena's mouth. We only got her from the orphanage today and he went right after her. He has been doing it to me since I was four, she cried softly. But Serena bit the damn thing off, she finished, her eyes full of tears. I realized the fear that she must have felt for most of her life, not that much different from me, and I hugged her tight. At that moment Mom stirred. I tried to stop him, was the first thing she whispered. But he knocked me down. I could see the anger on the medic's face but she said sweetly to mom, don't worry miss, it's all over. And she cleaned the wounds carefully while trying to assess if there was a concussion.

Girls, she said to us, keep an eye on your dad and tell my colleague to strap him to the stretcher. While we left I heard her say, miss, I can help if you allow me to. But I don't know what came after that. The other medic was working on Jack and we told him to strap him tight. A few minutes later the first medic came back and the two of them carried the stretcher to the ambulance. I'll be back later to check after your mom, she promised, she's okay for now. When the ambulance disappeared we ran upstairs to find mom in a much better position on the bed. She was smiling, asking me specifically if I was okay. Sorry I couldn't protect you better, she said, I thought he was finally over it. It turns out the man has been doing this for twelve years now, threatening his wife that he would harm Helen and threatening Helen he would hurt her mom if either of them would deny him, or tell anybody. He would demand a blowjob from Helen but his wife had to endure much more, always trying to protect her daughter from any other harm. When she heard I bit off his dick and flushed it through the toilet she actually smiled. It seems now that I saved you, so that you could save us back. And in that simple sentence I knew was packed a lot of truth.

What happened to Jack, as I will call him from now on, was quite unexpected, but allow me to finish his part of the story first. There is a doctor in our hospital, specialized in gender reassignment surgery, and our medic convinced her this man should never hurt another woman again. Between the two of them they planned his conversion to womanhood, he lost his bit of penis that was left along with his balls and a vagina was formed in its place. They didn't stop there though, they applied breast implants and a booster regime of female hormones. Plus electrolysis on every part of his body but the top of his head. And permanent makeup to top things off. This all happened over the course of a few weeks while he was heavily sedated. And because he couldn't acknowledge any of the treatments our mom had to approve on his behalf. When he finally came by and realized what had happened he was arrested by the police for a slew of domestic violence offenses. The court case didn't last long. The judge was female as were most of the jurors. I was off the hook as I acted clearly in self defense, although it was frowned on that I flushed the part of the penis that I bit off. The medic and surgeon were found guilty of unethical behavior, but their punishment was more pro forma than anything else. Five hundred dollars fine and a week of community service. The fine was to be used for a new wardrobe for Jack. Both women made sure however that there were only skirts, dresses and high heels, not one pair of pants.

Jack was found guilty on all accounts however and he would spend the next thirty years in prison with no chance at parole. The judge actually showed some kindness and suggested he officially would have his gender changed so she could send him to a female prison. But he blatantly refused, he was a man no matter what he looked like and not some stupid woman. So he ended up in a high security prison and in no time he was claimed by the biggest crook there as his personal possession. He was forced into every sexual act that you can think off, perhaps worse than he ever acted towards his wife and daughter. At some point he must have realized that his only way out was acknowledging that he was a woman so he could be transferred to a female prison. He secretly submitted all the paperwork and one day he officially became known as Jaclyn. But when they found out in the prison that he was to be transferred his/her "owner" was so upset that he allowed a gang rape to take place. It was pure horror for Jaclyn and she died that day from internal bleedings. No one claimed her body and she was buried on the prison graveyard with a simple stone reading "Here lies Jaclyn, she found justice".

Ok, so much about Jack or Jaclyn. Back to me and my new family where love and compassion was now the common theme. Cleaning out the junk room took much longer now and soon I moved from the mattress on the floor into the bed next to Helen. First it was for support during the tough times we were dealing with, but it turned into closer contact, sleeping body against body like a set of spoons. And then one night she nibbled on my nipple and soon I was eating her pussy. From then on our love for each other was more than sisterly and some toys were added in our sexual plays. Neither of us had any interest in boys, both our pasts had made sure of that.

Marla the medic came over on a regular base, first to make sure Mom was okay and keep us updated on Jack's progress into womanhood. Somehow her strong appearance helped the three of us to cope with the loss of a man in the house. She was so handy if things needed fixing and besides that she was a wonderful cook. Mom and her spent more and more time together and eventually went on dates. She stayed over at nights and finally moved in. From the sounds coming from their bedroom it was clear they had added a few toys of their own. She taught Helen and me how to drive and got Mom into the groove as well. And soon we all had our licenses. Mom would drop off Marla at work as she had long shifts, while she went to her newfound job, which she seemed to enjoy tremendously. Helen and I shared the use of the old family car.

I finally had a way now to visit my old family. One afternoon after school I dropped Helen off at home and drove to the house that I had lived in for so many years. I would have about an hour before the kids would come off the bus. I rang the doorbell wearing my still favorite summer dress and when my former wife Laura opened the door she recognized me immediately. As the girl whose life was saved by her hero husband that is. She was not unsympathetic to me, although she had heard of my suicide attempt. I had thought things over about how I would bring the news to her and used the suicide and her Christian beliefs to explain that her husband had gone to heaven and was sent back by an angel to finish this girl's life after she died. Pretty close to the truth but without the computer centers and soul recycling. Of course she didn't believe me but I had so many examples that only she and I knew that she at some point simply accepted. I could sense her happiness suddenly that her hell was finally over. We hugged for a long time and then started making plans. We decided to keep things a secret between us for now. I would become a babysitter for the kids and that way I had a legitimate reason to spend time with them. She hadn't gone out since I died but now she could get back in the dating scene while her kids were taken care of. I was fine with that, I still loved her but I was closer in age to the kids then to her. And I could tell she needed someone.

When the kids came off the bus it was heaven. They loved the idea of getting their own babysitter and I sensed in both of them that they liked me. I played with them for a long time, still remembering the things they liked, so I acted on that. I found that in this body I was pretty good in soccer, something I was clueless about when I was still their dad. Both the boy and girl were in soccer teams and it would be easier now for Laura to get them both to their practices and games. I worried a bit about transportation though as I'm sharing a car with Helen, but Laura had a simple solution. You can take your own car, I don't need it. I've taken it on the road every now and then but the engine is acting weird, you may have a look at that. Now that was some statement, in my old life I was an engineer and I knew my car inside out. But that skill apparently didn't stick to my soul, it must be part of how the brain is wired. We laughed about it as I was always upset with her that she couldn't understand a simple combustion engine and now I was clueless myself. I'll get it fixed, don't worry, Laura said. Financially she seemed to do okay, but it wasn't great. The life insurance paid out, but she was careful taking too much out per month, so it would last longer. I suggested she could find a job. If she put the kids on the bus in the morning then I could be there when they got off, since high school finished an hour earlier. I would get them through homework and practices until she'd get home. Maybe I could even start dinner.

It wasn't all that simple, mainly because of my own fault if you could call it that. One afternoon I walked by the soccer field where the girls team was practicing and a ball landed right in front of me. Rather than kicking it back I dribbled it into the field and passed nine girls and the keeper at full speed. No one could stop me and suddenly I found myself on the team. So now I had my own practices and games to deal with, but I also learned a lot that I passed on to my own kids. Luckily Helen was there to help me when there were conflicts and for a while life was very good for us. Laura found a job and it was tough on her switching from a stay at home mom, but the funny thing is, now that she was no longer backing up her husband, her true potential came out. She got multiple promotions and was now a manager and I could sense she would make it higher up even.

One afternoon I was in a fast food restaurant with the kids. They were having fun in the play area when a man appeared at my table. Hi Serena, he said, do you mind if I sit down? I looked in his eyes and sensed he could be trusted, I've been getting quite good at using this gift from above. So I nodded and asked him how he knew my name. I've kept an eye on you for the past couple of months, he said, it looks like you've settled nicely in you new life and still kept in touch with your old life as well, nodding at the kids. I was shocked, how did this man know? He simply said, you're one of us now, welcome to the club of immortals. We tend to keep in touch with each other, even have meetings every now and then. I'm actually here to invite you for an upcoming get together in about six months. We typically chat about projects we're working on to better life on earth and help each other where possible. We're the oldest secret society in the world if you like. It will be my honor to introduce you to the rest as our newest member. I hadn't said a word but my brain worked at top speed. It made sense, perfect sense. My AI angel hadn't had time enough to explain, next time you die she had said. But a group of people that reincarnate every time they die while retaining their memories must have built up a tremendous amount of knowledge over time. And I was now part of that group. I smiled. It'll be my honor, I simply said.

The man left, after leaving his number with me. Call me, any time you need help, day or night. His name was Gabriel, like the angel he had said with a smile. He also gave me a lottery ticket. This may help you develop any plans you may have. I gave the ticket to Laura and I wasn't surprised when it had the winning numbers. The angels are still watching out for me, I explained to her. She used some of the money to fix up the house and car and set away enough money for the kids to pay for college. But then she put around ten million away in a new foundation with the goal to improve the lives of orphans and she put me in charge as the director of the foundation, young as I was.

I approached it as a school project, so that I could explain the amount of time I spent on it. I basically took over my old orphanage and got rid of all personnel that I didn't trust. And also in hiring my heavenly gift did not let me down. My goal was simple, no kid would have to go through a life of fear like I had. Strict separation of boys and girls during off times. And rules for respect and compassion during all interactions. Girls at every age had to follow Kung Fu classes in the gym that I got updated, while the boys concentrated on Tai Chi. I also created soccer teams with just our kids and had them participate in leagues and tournaments, allowing the kids a sense of pride for where they came from that they never had before. Placement in foster homes and adoptions were on the rise, but the kids kept their links to the orphanage through the sports participation, allowing us to evaluate the quality of the homes they were placed in.

Throughout the country orphanages reorganized themselves and started following our model. I was often asked to take a seat in their board, allowing my input in the hiring process. High school was over in no time and business colleges were lining up to sign me up with a full scholarship. I chose one that specialized in leadership for non profit organizations and was even asked to teach in classes for personnel evaluations. By now I had developed a science in addition to the intuition allowing others to make similar decisions. No matter what however, compassion was rule number one, you can't go wrong with that.