An alternative appearance

“There's no way I'm...” you struggle with the words, “wearing her.” You set Katie down and fold your arms. It's disturbing enough that Jimmy is inside your girlfriend, but you're not ready to make the jump into someone else's life.

“Dude! Come on, at least try it! Think of the fun we could have!” Jessica's pretty face is twisted into Jimmy's smirk.

“No way!” you stress. Then, as always when it comes to his ideas, you cave in. “Look, if I'm going to try it, I'd rather do it on someone older. I don't want to be my girlfriend's sister; it'd be weird.” You look at her deflated face, and shiver at the thought of what you've done. You're about to list even further objections when you hear the door open downstairs.

“Girls, I'm home!” You look at each other. Jessica's mom. Panic rushes down your spine: what if she came upstairs? Jimmy – or, as he appears, Jessica - grins mischievously, eyes sparkling with intent.

“You were saying?” Your eyes widen.

“No way dude...” you hiss, but before you can protest Jimmy acts.

“We're up here, mom!” Jessica's voice rings out. You hear the footsteps coming up the stairs. Time seems to slow down; you glance at the skin on the floor, enmeshed in a pile of clothes. Quickly you grab it and throw it inside Katie's bed, pulling the cover over it. Jessica's body watches with amusement, and levels the pen toward the door as the handle turns.

“Jessica? What are you doing in Katie's...” Mrs Hunt never finishes the question. You watch as her hollow skin drops to the floor.

“Jimmy! You can't keep doing that to everyone!” you protest. Jessica's voice chimes with its usual, delightful laughter.

“Sure I can, dude. You just shoot them again and they're back to normal. Now come on – you said you wanted to be someone older, and the sooner you are dressed, the sooner we can restore your 'daughter'.”

Five minutes later and you're in the bathroom, fastening a light blue blouse and staring at the familiar face in the mirror from a completely alien angle – through its eyes. Jessica's mom has a little weight around her thighs and stomach, and wrinkles are beginning to form beside her eyes, but she's still attractive; if anything, her mature curves only enhance her appearance. Her brown hair – a trait Katie but not Jessica inherited – is cut short in a tidy bob, locks drifting down tightly to frame her cheeks. You smile, and watch as her excited smile bursts out across her lips. You laugh, and hear her laugh trickle out of your mouth. You flick her hair, and watch as the bob shifts back and forth.

You lean forward, checking her makeup and lipstick, raising a finely manicured hand to check her ruby red nails; everything has remained in place – the disguise is perfect. You are Jessica's mom – a picture of respectability. You slip her faux-pearl necklace around your neck, thread her wedding ring onto your finger and pin her earrings in place.

“What did I tell you?” Jimmy, or rather Jessica, asks from the doorway, 'your' handbag in hand. “I told you it's a rush.”

“This is incredible,” you say, unable to take your eyes away from the mirror as the woman in front of you replicates your expressions. “At first the idea was horrific. But dude, this is amazing.”

Jessica nods. “I told you! This, I think you'll find, is yours, 'mom'. Car keys, wallet – she's got at least two hundred in cash – and, of course, the driving license of one Denise Frances Hunt. Wow, you don't look bad for someone pushing 40.”

You take the bag from Jimmy and slip it over your arm, trying to impersonate Mrs Hunt as best you can.

“Thank you, 'dear'. So, what now?”

“Well, first things first, we need to revive Katie; your husband could be home at any minute, and he might get freaked out if his daughter is a pile of skin in her bed. Don't worry – she won't remember what happened. But after that it's up to you. We could prank her a bit, or we could go out and have some fun, find some new people to become; playing Jessica was fun for a while, but I'm keen to take this up a level. And you have a car now.”