I’ve never died.

 Most people can say that. If you’re saying that, there’s a high chance that you’re alive, and thus, the statement proves true. If not, you’re no longer alive, and that statement is incorrect. Unless, of course, you’re like me.

To correct myself - I have died, numerous times. Not in the traditional way, though. Because you see, I return to the world of the living. Usually seconds after my death, sometimes minutes. It depends on the extent of the injury. I’ve got no pulse. No brain activity. It should be impossible for me to be even alive right now, yet here I am. I’ve lived hundreds upon thousands of years. Never met someone with my condition. Had the desire to, at first. 

I don’t really anymore. 

It’s funny. I see normal people, talking about immortality occasionally. They question it, the question of “would you take it if it existed?” And every time, I roll my eyes. Immortality isn’t something you’re given, or something you take, which some people - a surprising amount - think, or at least word it that way.

You’re born with it, from what I can tell. And you live your life, unknowing of your ‘gift’, up until you “die.” And back when I was born, people didn’t really make it to adulthood that often. I was perhaps a teenager when I found out about my curse. The dogs got to me, literally. Imagine the people who sent me to die, their shock when I began to move again. Spitting out blood, slowly healing before their very eyes. Stuff like that’s probably seen as a legend today. After all, there isn’t much proof you can find of an immortal woman, surviving being mauled by dogs. With no infections, no other problems, no scars. That’s another thing too. Whenever I die - I have no scars, no visual reminder of my death. Only the memories chase me.

Pain is another thing. I’m not immune to the thing that’s pain. I still receive signals from my brain that tell me, “ouch, this hurts!” The pain never goes. It never gets better. I maybe, just maybe adjust to it, but that’s just about it. Even healing isn’t painless. I only deal with the pain.

I sometimes wonder what if I didn’t have the ability to feel pain. Would things be any different? Probably not. My people in the past would view me as unnatural, either way. A witch, a demon, a deity? It depended on the century, the civilization that was looking at me. I was lucky enough to stay out of the brunt of the Witch Trials. Undoubtedly I’d probably be able to survive them, but I can’t imagine what type of hurt I’d need to go through. Just a few hangings were enough for me. Being burnt alive wasn’t fun, either. Drowning - honestly, I’m surprised I’m not extremely afraid of water. Maybe it’s the knowledge that I won’t die down in those cold depths. Maybe not.

I sometimes think, why me? Out of everyone it could’ve been, I was the one born with this ability. This weight I carry. There has to be a reason. I watched my family members grow old before my eyes, most of them passing before their time came. I watched people who were my descendants die. I never had children, I just never saw the purpose in it. 

I also haven’t changed much in terms of how I look, age wise. I definitely don’t ‘look my age.’ I’m not quite sure on how old I am - to keep count would be hard - I’m just old. And yet, I look like I’m twenty. I make sure to mask myself as such. I think it’s important that people don’t know who I am, especially in the current world. I’m not sure if it would be like the movies, with the government wanting to experiment on me or something. Maybe. I don’t think I’m willing to put up with experiments, either.

In the modern world, what do I do? I think back to my past. I taught, for a while. Not often. I also made things. Never invented anything, just made. Usually for other people. I became a doctor at one point. My knowledge of medicine back then would probably not be up to modern standards, though. I fought. Many times. Women weren’t allowed to fight in a lot of wars. I went under different identities. I’ve forgotten most of them, the only ones clear in my mind were the few from the past century. 

I don’t even remember who I was when I was born.

Who am I now?

I’m a 24 year old woman. My name is Valerie Piche. I live in Gordes, located in France. Currently, I am unemployed, though I may have a job opportunity sooner or later. I live alone, with no pets, no kids, no husband or wife. I was born in Lyon, with no siblings. My parents no longer live in Lyon because they are deceased, having died about 4 years ago. I have previous work experience with part time jobs when I was younger, and a soldier when I was older, with the details of my dischargement being kept under covers. I speak multiple languages, including English, French, and Persian.

That is who I currently am, and will be for some time. I am Valerie Piche, just an average civilian. Nothing more, nothing less.