Upgraded

Man it is a hot day even late in the afternoon. The woods along the road don’t offer much relief either. Not sure how many miles I’ve gone but it feels like I’ve been walking along this deserted road for hours since my car broke down. Darn cell phone won’t work out here. I hope I find someone to help me before too long.

A few minutes more walking and I see two motorcycles pulled off the road up ahead. Nice bikes – what I’ve heard called “rice burners” or “crotch rockets”. I would run to see but I don’t think my body could take the strain right now. I hope whoever it is will offer some help. They’re my only resource right now so I don’t have any other option.

“Hi. My name is Ron. Sorry to intrude but my car broke down and I was wondering if you might be able to help me.” I approach the young guy sitting in the clearing. He gets up and comes to me with his hand extended. I must look quite the mess from my long walk.

“Hey Ron. I’m Doug. Relax for a bit. I can get you something to drink and you can sit out of the sun for a while.” He gestures to coolers with drinks and food. “Help yourself. My friend and I are on a vacation trek. My buddy Dylan is around here somewhere.”

The food and drink help me feel better. I would love to stay longer but I really do need to get back on the road. I was on my way to Maine for a meeting on Monday when my car quit. I guess Doug notices my anxiousness. “It’s too late today to do anything with your car and you’ve probably found out there isn’t any cell reception out here so I don’t know how much help we can be other than to offer you a ride when we leave in the morning. We can take you to the town we passed about ten miles back.” I’m not real keen on riding on the back of a motorcycle but do I have a choice?

“I’ve never ridden on a bike before.”

“Not to worry. You’ll be fine.” As he finishes talking I find I am feeling weak and lightheaded. There is a pain in my chest and I can feel myself starting to fall to the ground. Odd but I seem to still be standing and I can see around me. My body is lying on the ground like I am sleeping. I’m not in my body anymore! I feel so light that I think the least breeze could blow me away. Doug looks very worried and is trying CPR on my body. Suddenly there is a strong pulling sensation compelling me to another clearing. Lying there sleeping is a young man dressed in leather racing gear. He must be Doug’s friend. I can sense myself shifting to the same position as the young man and being pushed so I am lying on top of him. He is much bigger and taller than I am. I don’t know how but I am being drawn into his body. I can feel the warmth of flesh enveloping me as I pass through his leathers and I seem to be growing as I complete my migration into his body. Everything is going black.

I open my eyes to find I am lying on my back. That was a strange dream. Doug is standing over me. I must have blacked out. “You’re finally awake Dylan.” Doug reaches down to help me to my feet. Wait a minute – did he just call me Dylan? I’m still groggy. I must have heard him wrong. I feel really odd as I try to stand up, heavier somehow. Finally I am up and I begin to look around just to get my bearings back. Man it sure is hot and I feel…. I look at myself. Holy… I am dressed all in leather racing gear, just like the kid that was lying… no, things like this don’t happen… yet here I am feeling youthful vigor and power, standing taller than Doug now. I’m in the body of the young man. Dylan - Doug called me. What do I do now? I’m in a panic.

“Relax Dylan. Breathe deep and clear your head. You need to get fully awake.” We go back to the other clearing where I see my old body lying on the ground. “Ron there came looking for help while you were taking a nap. I guess he had a heart attack from all the heat and walking he did so we need to get the authorities out here. You okay? You look a little pale.”

So I died? How did I wind up in Dylan’s body? His memories are starting to come to me. He wasn’t feeling too well when they pulled off the road for a break. He came to the clearing to be by himself for a bit and fell asleep. His memories stop after that. Poor kid. He must have died just prior to my arrival. Somehow when I died I was drawn to him and became him. So I guess it wasn’t a dream after all.

I am remembering more of Dylan’s life. He is on holiday from Wigan taking a trek with his friend that he met when Doug visited England last year. He comes from a wealthy family, is very smart, and has a promising future in the financial industry. He loves to play rugby as a hobby, among other ventures.

“I’m okay Doug.” I answer, hearing my voice for the first time. I have a very youthful timbre and a distinct English accent. “I was tired and needed a nap.” I say but it actually comes out as “I was knackered and wanted a bit of kip.” I’m still me but I have Dylan’s memories and mannerisms along with his body. Imagine a 57 year old guy in the body of a 21 year old. This is just too weird.

“Why don’t you undo your gear and get some air. Get something to eat and drink as well.” Doug is watching out for me like an older brother. “When you feel better the two of us can go to that town we went through earlier so we can get help out here to take care of Ron’s body.” I undo the top part of my leathers and let them hang at my waist. This body is well-built and taken care of - definitely a major upgrade from my old body. No wonder the suit feels so tight on me.

I am feeling much better after getting food into me. It’s starting to get dark so we set our tents up for the night. Doug and I move my old body to one of the tents to keep it safe after which we leave to find help. What a rush to gear up and mount my bike! I have no problem riding the hot machine that is between my legs as we backtrack to the town. The cops and paramedics follow us back and take the body after determining Ron had indeed had a heart attack. I need to get a good night’s sleep after all that has happened today.

In the morning I put on a vest and pants I find in my kit. I’ll put my leathers on after we grab breakfast. We will be heading to town to fill out a formal report about Ron. I may never know how or why I became Dylan but I think I am definitely going to enjoy being the hunky young Brit. Cheers.