Till new bodies do us part

Today is April 31, 2096, also known as Body Swap Day. Every year on April 31, people can participate in a huge event to swap bodies with someone else. They basically transfer your mind into another body, and your body becomes a vessel for this person’s mind. That way, you can experience a new body and try something different. I always thought this event was stupid and didn’t want to join, but now I have to.

It's been five years since I was infected with the Vampire virus. From the name, you can probably guess what this virus does: it makes you drink human blood. However, you don’t gain vampire perks like immortality, super strength, or quick healing. You don’t even have sharp fangs, so if you want to bite someone to drink blood directly from the vein, it is pretty much impossible, or at least very difficult.

Getting blood is very hard because you can’t just steal it from a hospital. It looks easy in movies, but in real life, it's almost impossible because of security systems. You also can’t bite someone and chomp out a piece of flesh because you'd leave your DNA everywhere. Doing that would require killing them and then hiding the body. And hiding many bodies is unthinkable, especially in the city.

The easiest way to get blood is probably to stun or sedate someone and then draw it with a syringe, but you need to be careful. Also, watch out for attacking cyborgs or robots, because you can't sedate them, and they might expose you.

If the police find out you're infected, they'll just kill you, so you have to hide it. Hiding it is very difficult for some people because the urge for blood is extremely strong, and you can’t think straight. Infected people usually go rogue and are quickly killed.

The only reason I haven’t gone rogue yet is that I understand how the virus works. I discovered that taking a few sips of blood every four hours keeps the blood lust manageable. I also began practicing breathing exercises and meditation to gain control of my mind.

I know so much about the virus because I was one of the scientists developing it. It was meant to be used as a weapon in a war, but somehow it escaped from the lab. Because of this leak, the development of the virus was banned, and we started developing a cure. However, there is no cure and probably never will be.

I actually got infected while working on the cure. Soon, I had to quit my job because employees were tested for the Vampire virus, and I couldn’t risk getting caught. From that point on, I started focusing on developing a substance that could suppress the virus for at least a few hours. Last month, I finally succeeded.

So now I can participate in Body Swap Day without fear of being caught because participants are tested for the Vampire virus. Although the virus affects the mind, the infection stays in the body, so swapping bodies with someone else can eliminate it. That’s why I want to participate this year. I will have a new body, and I won’t give it back. The person who ends up in my body will be my last victim because he or she will likely go rogue and then let themselves be killed.

“Are you ready for this?” I asked my fiancée, Rose, when we were standing in front of the building where the body swap was taking place. My fiancée is infected too, and we’re doing this together. I actually met her thanks to this virus. When I first saw her, she was gnawing on a man and drinking his blood. I know it sounds weird to say, but it was love at first sight. I helped her to get rid of the body, and then I started teaching her my methods for handling the virus.

“I hope so,” she answered hesitantly, and she took my hand. “Are you really sure about the escape plan?” she asked nervously.

“Yes, I am.” I was confident about the escape plan; I had been working on it for a very long time. First, we need to remove the microchip because everyone involved in this event is tagged. I know exactly where the chip is kept and how to remove it carefully without anyone noticing. Second, we go to the docks, and we leave the country in an old-fashioned way, on a cargo ship. And third, we start living together somewhere else. Easy enough.

“Would you love me even if I were in the body of an old lady?” she asked doubtfully. “I would love you even if you were in the body of an old man,” I reassured her, and I really meant it. I would love her no matter what. We have been through a lot together, and it has made our love even stronger. She looked at me like she didn’t believe me. “I really would, I would love you even if you became a snake or spider, or even a fly! But I am not sure if you would get a small wedding dress like that,” I said, and she started laughing.

“I will go first, and I will wait for you here by that banner, okay?” I said, pointing to the banner advertising a flying air purifier. Rose nodded and hugged me tightly. I kissed her on the forehead and stepped into the building.

***

“This isn’t that bad,” I said to myself while looking at my new body in the mirror. My mind has been put in the body of a man in his fifties, so he is only ten years older than me. He, or better said, I look somewhat handsome, and I am in good shape. To be honest, I am more than satisfied with this body.

“Here is the info card about the body, and please return the body tomorrow at the same time,” said one of the employees while giving me the card with basic info. I thanked him and left the building. The whole process went smoothly and successfully, and no one was suspicious of me.

I was waiting outside by the banner and started reading the information on the card. It listed basic details like age, height, and weight, followed by health issues, bad habits, and skills. This body is pretty much perfect; there are no health problems, and the only bad habit is occasionally drinking alcohol. Additionally, the previous owner was good at working out and at martial arts, so now I am kind of looking forward to testing it.

“Steve?” I heard a man’s, or better said, a boy’s voice behind my back. I turned around quickly, and I saw a teenage boy looking sheepishly at me. He was so young, he was about eighteen years old. “Rose?” I asked hesitantly, and she nodded. “This boy has my body. I have just killed an eighteen-year-old boy.” This young boy was my Rose after all.

***

Today is May 16, and we finally made it to Europe. We haven’t heard any news about our kidnapping of bodies; it's probably because the previous owners are dead now, and no one is actually searching for them.

I adapted quickly to my new body, but Rose, on the other hand, seems depressed all the time. The change of gender and age was really tough for her. Honestly, it feels a little strange for me, too. Since the swap, we've kissed only once, and it felt weird; it was kind of like kissing a stranger, but I believe that with time, it will get better.

When we hold hands, people often give us judgmental looks. It’s a little uncomfortable, but I don’t care what others think. The important thing is that I can be with Rose without the virus.

***

Today is May 31, and we have settled in Vigo, a beautiful city in Spain. I think this might be our new home, at least for now. Rose seems a little happier with her new body. I saw her laughing several times, so that’s progress.

We stopped holding hands in public because we didn’t want to attract attention. We came up with a story that Rose is my son, and his mother, my wife, died. People treat us better that way.

We haven’t slept together since the swap, and honestly, I don’t even want to. We also haven’t kissed for at least two weeks because it still feels wrong. I think we just need more time.

***

Today is June 30, and we're still living in Vigo. Rose has fully accepted her new body and seems happy now. She actually made some new friends her own age here, so I did the same.

We haven’t been close for a long time; we don’t even hug anymore. We're drifting apart, and I don’t know what to do. Honestly, I'm not even sure if I want to do anything about it.

I started questioning my feelings for Rose. I'm not sure if I still love her. I met a nice woman and felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I didn’t ask her out even though I really wanted to. I just can’t do that to Rose.

***

Today is August 18, and we are still in Vigo. I don’t love Rose anymore. We have become strangers to each other. We hardly talk, and when we do, we just argue.

I am thinking about leaving Vigo, but I am not sure if I can. Swapping bodies was my idea, and Rose didn’t want to do it from the beginning. I made her do it, so I just can’t leave her. It's my fault; I’ve ruined our relationship.

***

Today is September 29, and I’ve just left Vigo. I am on my way to Italy now because I think another country might be better for a fresh start.

I broke up with Rose, but I couldn’t do it in person, so I left her a letter. I know it was a pretty cruel move, but I wasn’t brave enough to face her. I know I am responsible for ruining her life and our relationship. The guilt is unbearable as it is; I just didn’t want to see her reaction because I couldn’t handle it.

I know I don’t deserve her forgiveness, but I believe she’ll be okay and happy without me. Maybe someday, she will eventually forgive me for that. I also hope that someday I can forgive myself and find happiness again.