Melting Pot

Melting pot

Body a day - #18: Pot-bellied

"You called me pot-bellied, huh? True, I was, but those days are over! If you are ever going to compare my belly with any household item again, it better be a friggin' washboard!" "I'm sorry, it was just a joke, please give me my body back."

"I don't think so, it's too cool being cool... Look how strong, athletic and agile I am now. I ain't going back, dweeb. But hey, you know how to properly exercise and maximise muscle gain. Just go do it again!"

Airing laundry

Body a day - #21: Electricity

Part 2 of Dirty Laundry #8

My friend looked desperately at me, whilst struggling against the ropes. I quickly knelt beside him and managed to remove the gag. ”He assaulted me!” he cried frantically as soon as I removed the gag, ”he took the mask and the suit!” ”Who was it?” I asked as I tried to untie him, it wasn’t easy as my hands were shaking and the knots were tight. ”I don’t know who he was, he wore a mask – a ski mask! He jumped at me, tasered me and tied me up! Then he just put on the mask, stuffed the suit in my bag and left...”

”But how did he know?” I asked rhetorically, I dared not think the thought, but our secret was no longer safe, whoever that assailant was… they had uncovered our secret. “What do we do?” my friend then asked. “What can we do?” I replied hopelessly, “nobody was supposed to know, it’s not exactly like we can report this to anyone, he left the house almost 20 minutes ago, I don’t think we’ll be able to catch him, especially when he has suit.”

My friend was in complete distress, but I didn’t know how to comfort him, nothing I could do nor say could make things better.

Months passed, and we still had no clue, who the guy in the mask was, nor what happened to him. My friend and I had decided to move to another town, we no longer felt safe in our old house, especially since we didn’t know how much that intruder knew. Did he know I was wearing a bodysuit too? Would he come after that too?

The uncertainty was certainly the worst, but then around spring I made a shocking discovery.

It was Matt! The name of my friend’s bodysuit, his persona. Matt was performing at a concert, the clip had apparently gone viral, and somehow ended up in my feed. I had to watch the clip several times, as well as check the linked social media profiles to be absolutely sure… And sure enough, it was the Matt suit alright. I went back through the history… On the very day back in November, when he attacked my friend, he was posting his first picture, wearing both the mask and the suit.

This new ’Matt’ had quite a history, incredibly active on social media from day one, and it seemed he had became a musician, he composed and sang songs, and apparently he had risen to fame in the short amount of time since he stole the suit. When I showed my friend, he completely lost it.

”That m**********r! On the day he stole it, he started wearing it!” he raged. “Well, he was already wearing the mask…” I replied quietly, the thought was sickening, but at least now we knew where the mask and the suit were.

The Matt-suit or Coltrane as this imposter apparently called himself was apparently a rising star in the music industry, having launched multiple hit singles in only a few months, gone viral and become very popular and adored. Again, it was sickening. But it also gave me an idea, if we could reclaim the suit and mask, then my friend could take the imposter’s life, fame and fortune for himself. My friend was obviously all-in, a spark had reignited within him. He was ready to reclaim what was his.

My friend was studying Coltrane’s music, videos, pictures and profiles intensively, I could feel a glowing dedication fuelled by a desire for revenge. Meanwhile I tried to think of a way to get to Coltrane, but it wasn’t easy, we had a vague idea of the area he lived in, thanks to his media. But I thought that the best opportunity we would get, would be at one of the many festivals and concerts Coltrane was scheduled to perform at during the spring and summer, if only we could get back stage.

It took some meticulous planning, I got in touch with an old high school acquaintance, who was working as a technician at one of the festivals Coltrane was supposed to perform at, they helped me become a volunteer back stage (which unfortunately meant I had to go without my facemask for a whole weekend). But if everything went right, I should be able to corner Coltrane and get the suit back, then let my friend take his place. It was risky, but it just might work.

For good measure I even began to studying electric wiring and installations, in case I needed a distraction, a power outage might be the most convenient distraction at a concert or festival.

The day for the concert at the festival arrived, and my friend and I were all set for hunting down the impersonator, and reclaim what he stole. My friend attended as a regular guest, while I helped out backstage, moving stuff about, fetching stuff, nothing too exciting, but at least I could put my bodysuit’s muscles to good use. I quickly managed to find the imposter’s caravan in the backstage district, I passed by as many times as possible, surveying the area, I even saw the imposter on a couple of occasions, seemingly enjoying himself, unaware of my presence and my plans. Turns out it was even easier, I hadn’t actually needed to study electrical installations, there was one thick long cable running to the imposter’s caravan. All I did was just pull it out, then knock on his door to hear, if he had any issues with his electricity.

He hadn’t noticed anything, he admitted, then he tried to flick a switch, and saw that nothing happened. “Can you try some of the others?” I asked innocently, surprised he hadn’t recognised me, granted I had altered my looks a bit, “some of the others having issues said it was only some of the plugs, that weren’t working. The imposter went deeper into the caravan, I followed him and shut the door behind me. I pressed a rag covered in a sedative against his face, he struggled, and while he had my friend’s bodysuit’s muscles, I was able to overpower him with mine.

Triumphantly I began to undress him, a devilish satisfaction in finally getting revenge coursed through my body and mind. I chucked all the clothes in a pile, then began to pull off the sweaty bodysuit. Finding an edge at the neck, I managed to get my fingers under the facemask, so I could begin stripping him off my friend’s skin. It was as sweaty on the inside as the outside, and although it still stuck to the imposter at places, I managed to pull it off, revealing a skinny body beneath.

I pulled off the mask to reveal the culprit. It was just some guy, approximately 30 years old, short hair, pale and honestly very inconspicuous, I didn’t even know him, I recall maybe having seen him around town, where we used to live. But to think that this guy had been plotting against us was surprising. I tied him up, tight and thoroughly, then placed him in a cupboard.

I quickly pulled on the Matt-mask as well as the imposter’s clothes. It had been a long time since I’ve worn Matt’s face, my friend and I didn’t swap bodysuits as often as we used to. But I only had to play Matt/Coltrane for a few minutes. I texted my friend, telling him I was successful and to come to the back stage entrance, I’d then be able to let him in. To say my friend was happy to see me was an understatement, but to the security guard who let him in on my request, he was just a crazed fan, who finally got to meet his big idol. We went back to the trailer, where I showed him the unconscious thief in the cupboard. “We’ll need to find out, what we are going to do with him. He’s a threat to us,” I said coldly having pulled off the mask, as my friend with great satisfaction reclaimed his bodysuit. “We’ll figure something out,” my friend answered with an equal level of animosity, “let’s just keep him here, then smuggle him out later.”

“How do I look?” my friend asked me, having fully reclaimed the bodysuit, his lean, athletic build, his smooth, flawless skin, his confident, strong vibe. It was like falling in love all over again. He pulled me in towards his naked lean body, looking like this he had no problem not wearing clothes. As we held each other I smelled his neck, there was something strangely arousing about the new musk, the suit had absorbed from the other guy, not that I wasn’t plenty aroused already. “Now let’s get the face back where it belongs,” I said with a grin and handed him the mask. He grabbed it eagerly and pulled it over his head, that familiar face I had looked at every day for almost half a year was now replaced with another familiar face. He pushed the features into place, smoothed the edges around the neck. Matt was back!

“’Sup!” Matt said with a cocky grin. “Good to have you back, stud!” I said, pulling him towards me. “Hell yeah, I finally feel like myself again!” Matt replied with his reclaimed voice, his confidence had returned. “We better get you prepared for your concert, Coltrane, your fans are waiting for you.” I said with a laugh, Matt laughed as well. “Yeah, they are really in for a show, my big comeback!”

“Ha! Good one, but don’t forget you’re Coltrane now, just like you were this morning.” “Of course, I don’t think it’ll be any problem taking his place. I’ve done my homework,” Matt winked at me. “I can’t believe, I’m dating a rock star,” I joked, as I helped Matt/Coltrane dress in the imposter’s stage clothes. “I know,” Matt replied, zipping the leather jacket, completing the look.

“This wasn’t exactly, what we had planned for our future, but I’m sure, we can make it work. Use the next couple of years raking in some serious money and experience the glamour of the musician lifestyle.”

I don’t know how Matt/Coltrane did it, but he pulled off that performance like it was second nature, he sure had done the homework. I watched him from behind the scenes, he was even better than the imposter, and he seemed to be at home on the stage, celebrating our triumph in front of the oblivious crowd. The atmosphere was electric.

Becoming whole

Body a day - #28: Whole

This feel so right, I finally feel whole.

You lacked the brains, I lacked the brawn, but you were going places, I wasn't.

When I pressed my lips against yours, it wasn't a declaration of love, quite the contrary. You began to fade, while I became more real. I needed you to complete me.

I sucked everything that is you, right out of your mouth; Your strength, your confidence, your courage, your charisma, your looks – everything, until I had drained it all, and what remained crumbled to dust.

Your sculpted body will change my life, our lives. With your body shaping me, I’ll be taking your name as my own, as well as your clothes and all your other belongings.

For what it's worth I am sorry, but this world eats nice guys like me for breakfast, it's survival of the fittest, with your body and my mind I can get really far.

I am finally whole.

Seen after class

It was Friday at 15:40, end of the day – the students poured from the room into the hallways, passing by Jamie, the captain of the swimming team, who waited patiently outside.

“Hey Jamie!” “Wassup Jamie?” some of the students shouted as they passed by him, already out of earshot before Jamie could answer. He just stood and smiled, waiting for the classroom to be completely empty.

“Hello Jamie”, Mr. Larson replied, “please come in,” he gesticulated as Jamie entered the now-empty classroom.

As soon as Jamie slammed the door shut behind him, he quickly, but quietly locked the door.

“Hi Larson”, Jamie said softly with a smirk, Larson reciprocated the look. The student and professor leaned in on each other, then their lips met in a kiss. Their romance intensified, they embraced and held each other tightly, their puffer jackets creaking loudly, as they ran their hands all over each other.

Still with their arms wrapped around each other, Jamie looked insatiably into the professor’s eyes and asked: “Are you ready for our trip?”

“Absolutely,” Larson answered playfully, “the car is packed and waiting.”

”Say… before we go… Do you wanna swap?” Jamie asked with a grin, placing his hand on Larson’s stubble.

”Swap?” Larson repeated and after a moment of thought he continued, “sure.” He reached for the door making sure it was completely locked, before he unzipped the puffer jacket, he’d just put on.

Jamie did the same. They then took off their shirts, trying their best not to get carried away, as they both showcased their tight and trimmed torsos.

---

Harry had always fantasized about dating Jamie, the captain of the swimming team, whereas his boyfriend David had always found the slightly more mature Mr. Larson very attractive. And when the two had discovered a way to become someone else, they leapt at it, deciding it would be satisfying to become the people, who their partner desired the most… at least desired on a physical level.

Harry had slithered into Larson to fulfil David’s desire, and David had slithered into Jamie to fulfil his. They had taken over their lives, but had adapted to their new identities, finding it oddly easy to step into the roles of professor and elite athlete respectively. To them it was little more than a theatrical performance, but they enjoyed every bit of it.

---

Their skins stretched and contorted in unnatural ways until their upper bodies had completed separated from what was hiding beneath.

With an almost unreal *schlorp* the skins of the two men came off. Harry and David, while soaked in sweat, smiled to each other, it seemed like an eternity since, they had actually seen their true selves.

The two nobodies exchanged the lifeless torsos of Jamie and Mr. Larson, then began pulling on their new identities, pushing their heads up through the necks and forcing their arms into the vacant skins’.

Once settled with their new torsos, all the features in place. Harry ran a finger up Jamie’s muscular arm and up his neck to his face, which he now was all in possession of.

”Nice,” he said with Jamie’s voice, “very nice.”

There was definitely something thrilling about being the guy you wanted to date, rather than having someone else be him. It was obvious that David was in agreement, caressing Larson’s more mature body.

”Wanna swap bottoms too?” the new Jamie asked.

”Nah, that can wait,” said the new Larson, who were pulling on his shirt again. “Besides… isn’t it an arousing thought to be… you know… by yourself, so to speak?”

Jamie grinned, his lower half was still Mr. Larson’s, so he definitely got what David/Larson was thinking of.

“Alright then, but we’ll have to get to that, once we get to the hotel,” the new Jamie said as he pulled on Jamie’s t-shirt and jacket, zipping it up.

“See you out front in 5 minutes,” the new Jamie said with a wink and left the room.

Walking through the hallways was definitely different being a star athlete, compared to being a professor, the other jocks waving and shouting at him, passing him hi-fives and compliments as he made his way to the parking lot, where ‘Mr. Larson’ would pick him up for an unforgettable weekend. And as he walked, he began to wonder… Would people notice, that he was wearing Larson’s jeans?

Secrets

Body a day - #27: Closet

This is an excerpt from a longer story I'm writing, but haven't finished yet. I will probably be able to finish it in the new year.

“Damien, we need to talk,” said my father, his tone was very serious, and the whole ‘we need to talk’ wasn’t something I had ever heard him saying before. Dad sat down on my bed and looked at me with a stern face, “Damien, I know you stole it from the hospital.”

I flinched… He knew, how long had he known?… “Why did you do it?” he asked, there was an undeniable disappointment in his voice.

I decided there was no point in lying, I might as well be honest.

“I’ve been using it on my classmates.”

“Why?!” my father said clearly shocked, “they are your friends, why would you do that?”

My father’s words really stung, though he probably wasn’t aware of how much they did, having had my secret exposed was mortifying enough, my voice began trembling as I answered.

“Friends?!” I said trying to hide being upset, “They were never my friends.”

My father’s face changed from shock to concern, which made me feel a bit better. It seemed like he understood somewhat.

“I thought things were going much better socially, you were popular, you were spending more time with them, going to all the parties – even coming home late at night.”

“It was all just a facade, so that I could get away with it… Earn their trust and not to arouse any suspicion.”

My father said nothing, he just looked at me with something I assumed was sympathy, so I continued my rant.

“To them I was merely an asset, I was useful. I only got all that attention, because I was the first in my class with a license, I could drive them places, be it drive-ins, the city or home after they had drunk their brains out. I was their chauffeur, their designated driver, that’s all. I’m not saying I was being excluded or bullied or anything, but I’m just not like them… And despite all the attention I’ve gotten, it still doesn’t change that I don’t see them as friends, they are just my classmates, they are acquaintances if you would prefer a different term…”

My father remained silent, he clearly was going through some strong emotions too, struggling to put them into words. I hadn’t seen him like that before, it almost felt like, he thought he had failed as a father for not noticing my discontentment sooner.

“I see,” was the first thing my father said after a long pause, it took him some time before he continued, “how did you do it? I don’t suppose they volunteered for it.” “I put something in their drinks,” I admitted, saying it out loud made me feel very ashamed.

“That’s very irresponsible, do you have any idea how dangerous that is?!” my father said angrily.

“I know, but you have taught me of how to dose sleeping pills, and I only gave them a very small dose, I never hurt any of them, I just needed them to be passed out long enough for me to…”

I hesitated, I probably shouldn’t go into more detail, I think he got the picture; “and none of them suffered any side effects.”

“You couldn’t have known that, you can’t just-”

“I know, I know, it was wrong and I’m sorry, but what’s done is done.”

“And what did you do with them?”

I went over to my closet and opened it, then I pulled out the three skinsuits, placing them all on the bed for my father to see. He was breath-taken and shocked as he looked at the display.

“You made three?”

I nodded.

“Have you- have you worn them?” “Not really, no, a few times at home, but not for long, I couldn’t risk you or mom walking in on me. And it’s not exactly like I can go outside wearing them, I’d risk running into someone, who knows them, or even worse – run into one of them. But I really wish I could have… tried to be someone else, if only briefly.”

My father seemed lost in thought, then he resolutely got up and looked straight at me, “then pack your bags, you and I are going on a little road trip.” I couldn’t believe his reaction, it was relief.

Wanted!

Body a day - #23: Want

Stefan had been on the run for three days, he was wanted, and it was beginning to tear on him - always being on guard, always keep moving, always trying to stay three moves ahead. When he received a phone call from his companion, Filip, he began to feel hopeful. After a few minutes of talking, Filip asked him; ”do you trust me?”

- “Yes,” Stefan replied tonelessly.

- “Okay, then meet me at the old brickworks tomorrow morning. Until then, keep a low profile.”

- “What do you think I’ve been doing?” Stefan snarled only to discover that Filip already hung up. The old brickworks was located several towns over, but Stefan knew where it was, it closed years ago, the buildings and ground abandoned and falling into disrepair. A good hiding spot, if a tad obvious. Nevertheless he needed to make his way there, unseen.

It was a cold night, but Stefan survived, he just had to wait till daybreak, then hopefully Filip would come to his aid. As dawn broke, Stefan began to scout from his hiding spot every now and then, he just needed Filip to turn up. He wouldn’t risk calling him again, all he could do was wait.

In the distance Stefan heard an engine or possibly two approaching the quiet grounds. Then the noise disappeared, he assumed that was Filip, who had come to his rescue. From his cover Stefan tried to scout to see, who had come to this dump. But it wasn’t Filip.

It was a police officer, and he was looking directly at Stefan. Stefan froze, he couldn’t move, he realised that Filip had betrayed him, handed him over to the police. The police officer approached him, Stefan got up not breaking eye-contact. Now was the ’fight-or-flight’-moment, but before even considering his options, the officer stood only a few meters from him and had taken off his helmet, and with a firm voice he said: “You are under arrest, we have the area surrounded. You might as well come along willingly.” This was the end.

The police officer then burst into laughter, and Stefan was as confused as he was dumbstruck. “Stefan, it’s me, Filip,” the officer laughed at Stefan’s shocked face. “Filip? But how-” before Stefan could finish the sentence, the officer raised his hand to his head. With the hand he pushed his forehead backwards causing the officer’s face to distort as his mouth widened grotesquely as another head emerged from the gaping maw.

”It really is you?!” Stefan exclaimed, he was astonished, seeing him here, in a genuine police uniform and what appeared to be an ultra-realistic mask flopping around his neck.

“Sure is,” Filip grinned, enjoying the look of utter disbelief on Stefan’s face, “but when I’m wearing this, I go by the name of Officer Marcel Kowalski.”

“I have a colleague, who is very eager to meet you, waiting outside,” Filip continued, smirking and winked as they walked towards the road.

“You got a disguise for me too?” Stefan asked, believing he had guessed what Filip meant with that remark.

“Of course, I told you to trust me, I originally thought of giving you Kowalski here, but then I decided to make another for you.”

Make another? Stefan wondered.

“It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later. Right now we got to go back to the station,” Filip said and pulled Kowalski’s face back over his own, bringing the officer back to life.

“The station!?” Stefan exclaimed.

“Calm down, nobody is going to recognise you, not when you’re Officer Tomasz Kubik,” ‘Kowalski’ explained with his authoritative voice. Once outside the brickworks, ‘Kowalski’ pointed towards two police motorcycles parked by the road.

There was another police officer, or at least something, that used to be one. Tomasz Kubik laid across his motorcycle like a deflated balloon, his head seemingly squashed under the weight of the helmet. Stefan looked from Kowalski to the skinned man on the motorcycle with undeniable fascination.

- “So you want me to become a cop?”

- “For the time being... You know you want this.”

Stefan couldn’t deny he was excited, actually very eager.

”I think he’s about your size, he's going to look good on you,” said Filip, pulling off the ex-officer’s helmet and holding up the amorphous head for Stefan to see. It was just a lifeless mask now, with empty eye-sockets and floppy facial features. Together they began to undress the officer, then Stefan dragged him into the bushes and began pulling on the skin. It was warm and squishy inside, but still very tight. Slowly and steadily, Stefan managed to wiggle into Kubik’s body. As Stefan’s body fitted into the officer’s body, he could feel the suit bind to his skin, becoming alive again. “I’m done,” Stefan called out from the bushes, when he had successfully pulled on the entirety of Kubik’s skin, but the head.

Filip/Kowalski nodded satisfyingly; “go on then, put on the face.” Stefan grabbed the edges of Kubik’s mouth around his neck, then with one final stretch, he let Kubik’s face swallow him, pushing the face into place, before opening his eyes, for the first time seeing the world as Officer Tomasz Kubik.

- “I could get used to this,” Stefan said with his new and unfamiliar voice.

- “Good, then it wasn’t a complete waste of time then. Let’s get you back in your uniform, Tomasz.”

‘Kowalski’ threw some of Kubik’s clothes to his friend, then he walked over to the pile of Stefan’s discarded clothes, emptying the pockets, folding them neatly, before igniting them with a lighter. Stefan saw his old clothes and life burn, but he didn’t care, he wanted this more.

With great enthusiasm Stefan began to pull on Kubik’s uniform, he couldn’t believe how much he wanted this. He pulled on Kubik’s leather pants, threw on his thick police leather jacket, and stepped into the officer's heavy motorcycle boots and secured his belt around his waist. It was a perfect fit. Stefan was now Officer Tomasz Kubik and Filip, Officer Marcel Kowalski.

Kowalski disposed of the remains of the burnt clothes, whilst the new Kubik admired his face on his motorcycle’s side-view mirror. He certainly looked good in uniform. Kowalski returned and the two leather-clad ’officers’ mounted their bikes.

”Remember, we are law-abiding citizens for the time being.” said 'officer Kowalski' jokingly.

”Actually we are law-enforcing citizens,” 'officer Kubik' replied with a devilish grin.

Hiding right under the police’s nose might be his best option for now, it might even be fun, but one thing was for sure, Stefan didn’t mind having ’police on his back’ for the time being.