Seanday Break: Ring of Deception

I'm taking a break for a while, but just to entertain you I'm reposting some of my favourite stories -- I hope you enjoy them as well.

Sean.

---

Smiling to yourself you remember the day exactly when you discovered the ring, the quiet run down curio shop in one of the back streets of Alvin, the glint in the sellers eye as he warned you about it ancient powers and the unbelieving sneer of a smile you shot back to him.

It was quite a shock when you triggered the ring for the first time - by accident. Joshua your younger brother by just a year was really annoying you mouthing off, giving you shit. You grabbed him by the throat pinning him against the wall, an action that activated the ring.

You blinked, frozen; just for a split second you glanced at the ring, it was glowing - yellow, orange and then a deep red which started to encompass your hand.

The glow travelled down your arm and started to envelope Joshua as well, it seemed like minutes but in reality it was a blink of the eye. It flashed a brilliant red and when you were able to focus again, it dawned on you that it was your own face your were staring into.
Joshua's glazed eyes blinked and refocused, but he said nothing. Releasing your grip you looked at your hand, the ring had returned to normal but the thick stubby fingers were not your own.

Glancing at your reflection in the window you only saw Joshua's face staring back, the short hair, strong angular jawline and cool blue eyes. You rub your knuckles into your forehead as a needle stabbing pain speared your brain, suddenly all of Joshua's memories bloom inside your own, right up to the point you grabbed him by the throat.

You look at the transformed Joshua, waving your hand in front of the face he's now wearing, his eyes flutter and he responds, "What boss?" It was your voice.

You look at him quizzically, "You still don't get it do you?" he quips.

"it's the ring creates this deception, a reflection; me into you, you into me. The real Joshua hidden below the surface of this illusion you see before you and knows nothing of what's going on. You as the owner of the ring are my master, I can do nothing but follow your orders." He explains.

"Punch yourself." You tell him.

He responds immediately with a punch to his face, with such force his head hits the wall. You're shocked, it wasn't a fake punch; his nose was bleeding.

"What next boss?"

You think for a moment, "So do you know all about me as well?"

"Yeah - I am you!"

Deep inside Joshua's mind, you tumble around some ideas and stumble upon a memory; a date, a damn HOT date - the dick you're now wearing hardens and a sly grin peels across your face.

Looking down at your clothes you quickly realise you need a change, "Swap clothes."

"Sure thing." Came an obedient reply.

Within minutes you've swapped clothes and you're mother wouldn't see a difference.

Pulling up close to your facsimile, looking him in the eye; with an outreached finger you stab him in the chest - "Just be me! You understand?"

"Boss, you have nothing to worry about - I've been doing these swaps for a hundred years or more, I'm just at old as the ring itself I suppose." He blinks a couple of times and pushes you away, "What the fuck are you doing Josh," He wipes his bloody nose. "What the FUCK!"

You take a step back as he raises a fist and lunges towards you, he throws a punch and you flinch, but his large fist stops just before it makes contact.

He looks at you and then laughs putting his arm around your shoulder, "See, if I can fool you I think I can fool anyone, right?"

With a gulp you have to agree.

"When you want to swap back let me know boss, just give me a call"

You leave looking like your brother, realising you've only just scratched the surface of the many possibilities of the ring...