The sun wasn’t too bright, the clouds weren’t too grey. The temperature was just right for a mug of hot cocoa—which the young girl was now sipping with her mother’s help.

Darlynn: Drink up, dear.

Her mother gently urged. The exhaustion in her eyes was hard to miss as she let out a soft sigh. The cocoa was cooling fast, but Alexis didn’t seem to care. Her gaze drifted to the mug in her mother’s hand.

 

Alexis: I can’t even drink without my mom’s help. Thanks to me being a darn vegetable.

I hope Doctor Hanson’s found something to cure this.

Darlynn: Don’t say that. I’m your mother. I’m supposed to care for my child.

Setting the mug aside on the table, Darlynn moved closer to her daughter, who sulked quietly in her wheelchair.

Darlynn: If you’re a vegetable… just know that I’d still love you. From my head… To-ma-toes. Get it?

The young girl rolled her eyes at her mom, chuckling at her mother’s lame joke.

Alexis: Oh my god. Lame, mom.

But fine. I love you too. Tomato and all.

They shared a small laugh. After their little exchange, Darlynn resumed helping her daughter finish the cocoa, now lukewarm at best. Once done, she brought the mug to the kitchen, calling out as she rinsed it.

Darlynn: By the way, we’re leaving soon for your weekly check-up with Doctor Hanson, alright? We can’t miss it again like last week.

Alexis scoffed intentionally, shooting back:

Alexis: It wasn’t my fault we missed it. You were busy crying over P/S I Love You for the hundredth time alone in your room until it got dark.

Darlynn paused her washing, turned toward her daughter, and squinted.

Darlynn: You cried too.

Alexis: Once. The first time we watched it. Not… every week… like a heartbroken teenager.

Darlynn raised both hands in mock surrender.

Darlynn: Alright, alright! Guilty as charged. It’s my fault.Let’s just go before I decide to rewatch it again.

Alexis chuckled as her mother returned, now grabbing her coat from behind the door and wrapping a red scarf snugly around Alexis. It was a cold autumn day, after all.

Once bundled up, Darlynn wheeled Alexis out of the house, locked the door behind them, then carefully carried her daughter into the passenger seat. She folded the wheelchair and placed it into the car’s trunk. Then, they were off.

The ride to the hospital was quiet. Darlynn focused on the road. Alexis stared out the window, watching the vibrant blur of red, yellow, and orange leaves scatter in the breeze.

In the examination room, they waited patiently. Doctor Hanson soon entered. With practiced care, she helped Alexis onto the bed, laying her flat as Darlynn sat beside her. Without wasting a second, the doctor began her usual checks.
Half an hour passed.

 

Once finished, Darlynn moved Alexis back into her wheelchair.

Doctor Hanson: Her condition is stable, as usual. Well done.

She adjusted her stethoscope and glanced from the relieved mother to Alexis, who looked quietly withdrawn.

 

Doctor Hanson: Darlynn, may I have a moment with Alexis in private?

 Darlynn nodded and gently patted her daughter’s shoulder before stepping out. Once the door clicked shut, Dr. Hanson approached and sat at the side of the bed, facing Alexis.

Doctor Hanson: How are you really feeling, Alexis? You know you can talk to me. It’s not good to bottle everything up.

Alexis gave her a quick glance, then turned to stare out the window. A forced smile tugged at her lips.

Alexis: Cloudy. I feel... cloudy. Like I’m not too bright, not too dark. Just... unsure. Unsure of what to feel or think anymore.

She looked at the doctor, keeping that smile.

Alexis: I just… I really hope my life changes someday. Not just surviving in this wheelchair—but living. Feeling things. Experiencing things. Even the bad. As long as it’s real... as long as I’m alive.

Their eyes locked. Something shifted. A sudden flash of white filled the room followed by a loud clap of thunder that shook the walls. They broke eye contact, startled. Then, everything blurred. Dimmed. No sound. Just static.

Alexis tried to call out, but her voice caught in her throat. She couldn’t speak. Her head felt heavy. Her vision faded to black. And just then; A jolt. 

Like being yanked out of her own body. She gasped. This wasn’t her usual breathless episode. This was different. Her heart raced as she whispered prayers in her mind, trying to stay calm, then… Snap.

 Everything returned. The world slowly came back into focus. Still blurry. Her head pounding. She looked out the window. That was until she felt her lips moved on their own.

Doctor Hanson: Whew. That was one hell of a thunder. Looks like it’s going to pour. You should head home and rest. See you next week?

The voice wasn’t hers.

But it was.

Alexis: Why do I sound like the Doctor? Why does it feel like I said that? Why is my point of view… higher?

Then, it hit her. She could feel her whole body.

Her whole body.

Alexis: Wait, what? I’ve never been able to feel past my neck. So why… now?

Her body— no, Doctor Hanson’s body, turned to face the girl in the wheelchair.

Alexis: WHAT. THE. HECK. Why am I looking at myself like I just got folded like laundry?? And ew, it’s giving ragdoll vibes and I am not having it.

There she was. Her real body. Slumped in the wheelchair, asleep, mouth slightly open. The doctor chuckled softly and adjusted her posture.

 

Doctor Hanson: Can’t believe she fell asleep. And here I thought the thunder would’ve woken someone up.

Doctor Hanson muttered lowly to herself, chuckling.

Alexis: WHAT IS HAPPENING. Did my brain finally snap?? Am I actually losing it??

Panic flooded her thoughts. But somehow, the doctor’s body moved naturally as if her new vessel. She, Doctor Hanson, stood up and wheeled Alexis’ real body out of the room. At the door, Darlynn was waiting.

Doctor Hanson: Darlynn? Looks like Alexis fell asleep.

Must’ve been the meds kicking in.

Darlynn: Oh, this girl! I thought the thunder would’ve startled her! What a sleepyhead!

They both laughed. The doctor stepped aside so Darlynn could take over.

Doctor Hanson: Do have a safe trip home. The weather’s getting worse. And don’t forget next week’s appointment.

Darlynn: Thanks, Flo. I promise nothing’s getting in the way this time, haha.

 

Finally recalling everything that had happened earlier and confirming that she is indeed in the Doctor Flo's body, she started forming her own theory.

Alexis: I was alone with Doc, I wished for my life to be different, thunder struck, everything went black… and now I’m inside her body. Like a parasite. Living someone else’s life, experiencing their moments. Hmm. That sounds plausible... As if! How is this even possible?? My soul leaving my body and hijacking someone else’s?? This is mad. I blame the meds. I must be hallucinating

Outside, the rain poured heavily as Alexis remained within Doctor Hanson. She did her best to live in the moment.

Doctor Hanson, as it turned out, was an impressively hardworking woman. She treated every patient with calm and care, tackled issues swiftly, and spoke respectfully to her peers, even though she clearly outranked many of them.

Hours passed. Eventually, it was time to leave for the day.

Doctor Hanson: See you all tomorrow! Take care, and don’t stress too much!

Nurse 1: See you, Doc! Don’t worry about us, we got this!

Nurse 2: Yeah, just get some rest, Doc. You deserve it!

She smiled and waved goodbye cheerfully before walking out to her car. As she approached the vehicle, she reached into her handbag, pulled out her phone, and speed-dialed someone named Nathaniel.

Alexis: Nathaniel? Who’s that? Her boyfriend? But I thought she was recently divorced… Could be someone new. Or… someone else…

She placed the phone to her ear, listening to the dial tone. As it rang, she climbed into her car and tossed her belongings into the passenger seat. A few beeps later, the call connected.

Nathaniel: What?

The voice on the other end snapped, rude and cold.

Alexis: Excuse me?? Who the hell even—

Doctor Hanson: Hi… A-are you done with football practice? Do you… need a ride h-home?

Alexis froze in shock.

Alexis: She’s stuttering? She sounds nervous with this guy… Who is he…

Nathaniel: I was done a while ago, woman. You don’t even know my schedule.

Doctor Hanson: I-I’m sorry, Nathan… I’ll try to remember next time. I got off work early today. Do you want anything for dinner? I can cook for us.

Nathaniel: You? Cook? I’d rather eat hotdogs off the street than suffer through your trash “motherly” cooking. But whatever. Pick me up. I’m at Winston’s. Ten minutes or I’m calling a cab.

He hung up without another word.

The doctor quickly put her phone away, started the car, and pulled out of the parking lot.

Alexis: What… the hell did I just hear? Is that… her son?? How dare he talk to her like that??

Alexis fumed silently as the car sped down the road practically flying until it stopped near a street corner, where a tall, broad-shouldered teenager stood waiting.

Arms crossed.

Scowl deep.

Nathaniel.

To be continued -