43She painfully began to inspect herself, to find to her surprise, that the body she was in wasn't hers. For one thing, the body was longer, and was of a different skin colour. She was also naked. Her chest was flat, and the thing below her waist was that of a male.
It was really freaky. Was she dreaming? But no, it all seemed too real.
Laura woke with a start. She found herself in the safety of her bedroom, and in her proper body. What a relief, Laura thought to herself. But still, it all felt so strange. It all had seemed so real.
On that thought, Laura sleepily pulled herself out of bed. She had to get going, or she'd be late for school. She hurriedly went through her morning routine, and went out the door.
School was the same as usual, just a bit more boring due to the fact that her best friend wasn't there. Or did that make it more interesting, now that she spent most of her time at school thinking about where he was? Laura really wasn't sure.
That night, was still the same old drag. Parents asked her how her day was; she gave the generic "Fine", and then hurriedly retreated to the comfort of her bed room.
It was that night, while lying on her bed that she flashed back over and over again to the dream from the morning. What had it been all about? Was there a meaning behind it?
Suddenly, her computer turned on and began to boot itself up. Once fully loaded, it opened into the word processor, and then began words began to appear on the page.
Hello, Laura, are you there? It's Gloria. Have you gotten anything new?
Laura leapt on of her bed. Even though stunned, she managed to type back:
Yes I'm here. No I don't think I have anything yet. How did you get into my computer? Laura typed hastily.
I have my ways, Gloria began. How could you not have gotten anything? You should have gotten at least one by now, knowing Damien. Have you witnessed anything unusual recently, it might be a sign.
Laura thought hard, and then she remembered the dream.
I had a dream this morning that I was in a cell, and in a man's body. It seemed really real. That's all I can think of, Laura typed.
More like a boy's body. Damien must have done a switch, but I didn't know that he could do that yet. Hmm, can you describe the cell? Gloria replied.
Once again, Laura was forced to think hard. Could she really remember the details of the cell?
It was made out of stone, and it was cold. That's all I really can remember, I'm sorry, Laura typed back, after some time.
Its ok, I wouldn't expect you too. Do you remember anything of your or his condition? Gloria wrote back.
I remember pain and feelings of fear, and claustrophobia, Laura replied. It was then the thought struck her. If she had been in Damien's body, then that meant it was he whom she saw naked. She recoiled at the thought, and she knew she'd never look at him the same again.
Gloria didn't respond to Laura's last comment. Laura realized that she was still probably taking it all in. She also had a feeling that Gloria had some idea where Damien was now, even though Laura's description had been vague at most. Finally, after some time, Gloria replied:
Meet me where I met you last time I saw you. ASAP. No time to spare.
Laura was shocked. It was eleven o clock at night, how could she expect her to go out that late. But Laura knew she needed to do it, for Damien's sake.
Be right there, she typed, sighing, and did another "Damien" and climbed out her bedroom window.
She half walked, half ran to the meeting place. Once she arrived, she saw the stout figure of Gloria waiting for her.
Upon hearing Laura's approached, she turned around, and said "Follow me, I'll explain when we get there" and walked away. Laura feeling compelled to do so, followed Gloria into the distance.