Go into the gas station

You decide to go into the gas station and see what options present themselves. At this late hour, you aren’t surprised that it is nearly empty. A middle-aged, heavy-set woman is paying for her purchase, and the only other person is the guy working behind the counter. He looks to be college age. He looks Korean with golden skin, thick black hair and slender body. His name tag says “KIM — 1 Year of Service.”

You browse the selection of snacks while you try to decide what to do. As the customer walks out the door, Kim says, “Not to rush you, but we close in just a few minutes.”

You nod your acknowledgment and come up with your plan. You remember the way you were able to affect Jeff and Amy’s thinking back at the lab — how you made it so they couldn’t see you and then they forgot about you. If you could do something like that now, you might be able to get a tank full of gas and be on your way without any trouble.

You realize you have been staring at Kim as you have been thinking, and he apparently notices it, too. He returns your look, but it isn’t threatening — it’s a look you are all too familiar with because you have done it yourself so many times. You realize this guy finds you attractive, but you can also tell he’s probably closeted, very inexperienced, or very shy, because the color that fills his cheeks and the way he keeps glancing away broadcasts his nervousness. Even though this isn’t your real body, you can’t help but be flattered, and truthfully, you find him kind of cute, too. You’re pretty sure TC wouldn’t have any interests in him, though. Every indication is that TC is as straight as they come.

Surpressing any sexual thoughts that are trying to rise to the surface, you focus your mind on the clerk and think, “Turn on the gas pump and let me fill up for free.” You feel a rise in power, but almost as soon as it starts, it stops.

Kim blinks a couple of times uncertainly, and then notices just how intently you are staring at him. “You ok, buddy? Are you gonna buy anything? I’ve gotta close up here.”

What the heck? Nothing! You try again, trying to focus very hard, and this time you don’t even feel the start of a power surge.

The clerk turns even redder and apparently misunderstands your interest. “So, you go to State, huh?” he says, reading the words of your college on your t-shirt. “What brings you out here?”

Rather than be turned on by this, you are fighting off panic. Something is definitely wrong, and although you don’t understand much about these powers, you know enough to know that they aren’t working the way they were just a few hours ago. You are going to have to get to Hotstetter right away.

Drawing upon the power and procedure you know so very well, you refocus on Kim to take over his body. You will do what it takes to get the gas for the car, return to TC’s body, and get the hell out of there. You focus your attention, and think, “Switch!”

You open your eyes and see Kim, looking at you with growing alarm.

Fuck. Now the body jacking isn’t working! Are you going to be trapped in TC’s body forever? As much as you love his muscles and overall package, you don’t want to lose your own body, and what’s going to happen to it if you can’t get back?

The panic inside you must be starting to show on your face, because you see rising alarm on the clerk’s face as he takes a step back and puts his hand under the counter as if he’s reaching for a gun or getting ready to push an alarm.