Struggling to shift
A Story Every Day in 2024 Dec 12th ?/366
When you've been able to assume whatever form you've wanted for as long as you can remember, it's very unsettling to discover that your power to shapeshift is waning. It's not the sort of thing you can reboot either: shut down, leave it for a minute and then power up. You can either do it or you can't.
I first noticed that I was struggling to shift when I had had to transform suddenly into a cactus and hadn't been able to change back. I had been following a man who his wife thought was cheating on her. He was actually not a cheater at all but a serial killer, burying his victims in the desert. I was almost rumbled by him but managed to transform into a saguaro just in time.
However, transforming back took a lot of effort. It's a prickly subject, pun intended and oh, how my arms ached!
But eventually, I resumed my original form: regular Joe, although my name is Darren. Nothing outstanding about me: in fact, I blend into society well with my unassuming air, average height and off-the-peg fashion sense.
I'm a private detective, by the way. Just in case you wondered why I was doing favours for married ladies. I wasn't: I get paid to snoop.
Back to the problem. It is a problem. I'm scared, if I'm honest. This is me, the essence of me. I don't know who I am if I can't shapeshift. I certainly won't be able to do my job as well although as the best P.I. in Vegas, I've earned my fair amount of cash and there's a lot of paranoid people out there, let me tell you.
But it's not the job. It's the ability. Losing that will make me, well, someone else and I don't want to be someone else. You could argue I'm always someone else - the irony is not lost on me - but it's the transforming that's at the heart of me; not the others I become.
I have a decision to make: I can continue to shapeshift and risk getting stuck as something hateful, or choose a form forever.
I don't know what to do.
***
366 words
What would you do?
The inspiration for this was taken from:
About the Creator
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Comments (13)
Loved the premise of this engaging story.
What a great story, Rachel! Pretty creepy image, but such a wonderful premise with a lot of promise for the new character.
And you’ve introduced me to another character I’m totally enthralled with! This was a such a good read and the premise is just brilliant!
Give it up. Reinvent myself. Turns out, I’m an old poop! Great story, Rachel!
I'm not sure how you think of these ideas and come up with these amazing stories, but this was brill.
That which is malleable may, with time and exposure, harden. Perhaps he should be named Clay. 😂 This is an intriguing tale and I’d love to read about some of Darren’s exploits. Very nicely written with a sympathetic protagonist.
Loved this quirky tale!🌵 Like the prospect of being stuck with a hideous facial expression if the wind changed, I’d definitely give up shape shifting to avoid the alternative 😵💫🤪😩
Oh my. What a dilemma. I mean, I would experiment a little perhaps with whether mamalian forms were any easier or anything. But probably, ultimately, I'd have to give it up. Imagine being a conscious cactus.
Oooo, a shape shifting detective, that's so cool! What would I do? Tbh, I have no idea, lol
You have handled this premise with dexterity, and Darren quickly wins our sympathy, given the miserable situation he is facing. Deftly done!
A shape-shifting detective! What will he be up to? I suggest he becomes a camel next! Creative, as always, Rachel.
Woaah, What a fascinating dilemma! A shapeshifter losing their essence feels so poignant—like an artist losing their craft. The mix of humor (cactus pun, nice touch!) and genuine existential fear makes Darren incredibly relatable. Choosing a forever form or risking permanent transformation? Talk about a high-stakes identity crisis! This story leaves me hooked.
Such a creative concept and oddly relatable character. I'm glad I'm a solid and don't have to make that choice ... although ... I wish I had occasion to make that choice ....