A Twist of Fate: Short's Unexpected Journey through Identity and Memories

Six-year-old Short was nervous but excited. Despite the butterflies fluttering in his belly, he was thrilled his mother had given him permission to walk through the mall alone. Holding tightly onto his mom's allowance, he was eager to spend it on something special. Venturing through the bustling mall, Short frowned. Unfamiliar sights and scents surrounded him. It was a lot different without his mom at his side. A distinctive smell that wasn't quite bad, but wasn't quite appealing either, drew him to a shoe store. Short had always loved shoes, and with money burning a hole in his pocket, he thought it would be fun to try some on. At the same time, a 35-year-old woman named Tamara was also in the same store. Tamara, with her brown hair neatly tied up in a bun and brown eyes shielded behind sunglasses perched on her forehead, was completely engrossed in selecting the perfect thong sandals. Dressed in a black tank top, short shorts, and a black baseball cap, she neatly placed her purse on the bench next to her, her flip flops tossed carelessly on the floor. As he began to walk again, Short confessed quietly to himself, "I kinda miss mommy right now." Just as he finished his sentence, his small form collided with Tamara, who had stepped into his path. Her sunglasses were now covering her eyes. Nervousness made the edges of his vision go black, and he became dizzy. Soon, Short opened his eyes and immediately noticed he seemed taller. Pulling off the sunglasses, he glanced downwards. His attire changed to a black tank top and short shorts. A purse hung awkwardly off his shoulder, and he was now wearing Tamara's thong sandals. His little body was not so little anymore but better suited for a grown woman. With surprise, he covered his mouth, his words muffled by his hand. "What? Am I big? Am I grown up?" Leaning on a bench for support, Short managed to get out of the store, leaving without paying for the sandals. He felt disoriented amongst the shoppers, unable to concentrate on his surroundings. His hands felt surprisingly small and soft, and there was a strange heaviness on his chest. Catching his reflection in a store mirror, Short was shocked to see Tamara's reflection staring back. This, however, was Tamara with Short's innocent, childlike expression. As the day turned into night, Short found himself walking along a dark alley, the chill of the night affecting him differently now, his arms and legs feeling funny under the cool air. He let out a loud sob, yelling in his new mature female voice, "I'm sorry mommy for being such a meanie sometimes! I'm sorry grandma! I'm sorry puppy! I'm sorry sister! I'm gonna miss you all so much!" Fear overwhelmed him, crying out, "It's so dark and scary! The monsters are gonna get me!" just as a loud crash echoed in the alleyway, causing Short to jump and shake. He poorly attempted to shake off his fear, sitting down on the cold ground, even as it seeped into his new feminine form. Realizing he still had the sandals on, he hastily removed them, his sobs deepening. "I wish I knew what to do," Short whimpered. As his tears continued to flow, his memories started to morph and twist. Scenes from a life he'd never lived started flashing through his mind, month by month, year by year, him but not him, him but Tamara. He cried out, trying in vain to hold on to his memories of being Short. As daylight broke, Short woke up as Tamara, feeling confused. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up in the ally, glancing around. "Whoa! I must be dreaming. Probably had a little too much to drink. Time to pinch myself awake," she decided before pinching herself, but to no avail. Tamara quickly got up onto her bare feet, filled with sudden dread. Spotting her neglected purse and sandals, she quickly put them on, hurrying out of the unfamiliar alley as another loud crash sounded in the distance. "What the fuck is going on? I don't even remember buying these sandals or leaving the mall. How did I end up here? Jesus Christ, Tamara Lily, what is wrong with you? You're supposed to be a 35-year-old woman. How could you be so careless and end up passed out in a damn alleyway?" she hissed at herself, walking as fast as she could to get back to her car, not realizing that for a brief moment in time, she'd lived life as six-year-old Short.