The sensation was overwhelming, a mixture of panic and confusion coursing through Edwin's mind. He could hardly recognize himself in the mirror across the room. The reflection staring back at him was that of a rotund, aging man with grizzled hair and a beard that seemed to have sprouted overnight. He could feel the suspenders digging into his flesh, the black elastic taut against his expanding belly, which jiggled with every hurried step he took.
“What have I done?” Edwin muttered, his voice deepening, the tone carrying an unexpected gravitas that felt foreign on his tongue. He clutched at his shirt, pulling it down in a futile attempt to regain some semblance of his former self. The world around him seemed different now, too; it was as though he was seeing everything through a brand new lens—one filled with an unshakeable sense of authority mingled with the daunting reality of his current state.
Yet amid the chaos of his transformation, a flicker of something else began to stir within him—an unfamiliar urge that gnawed at the back of his mind. With every step, a feeling of confidence bubbled up, and he found himself thinking about how he could command respect, how people might look up to him as an elder figure. It was strange, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once. He gripped onto these conflicting emotions, intrigued yet frightened by the prospect of embracing this new persona.
The Chronivac software still displayed a timer, counting down the remaining duration of his transformation, but Edwin was transfixed by his own reflection. The more he stared, the more he began to appreciate the weight of years etched into his features. Memory flashed through his mind—scenes from a life he hadn’t lived yet felt eerily familiar. He envisioned himself engaging in conversations with young adults, offering wisdom and advice, mentoring them through their own struggles.
“Wait…” he paused, a flicker of realization dawning on him. “Am I enjoying this?” The thought was exhilarating yet disconcerting. He had always chosen to view himself as a young adult yearning for independence and adventure, but now he was teetering on the edge of an identity previously foreign to him. Edwin rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, wrestling with the tumultuous waves of self-discovery the machine had thrust upon him.
“Okay, okay, think,” he told himself, mind racing as he desperately tried to recall the controls to change back. But the machine had locked his options—there was no chance of reversing the altercation just yet, not until the timer expired. For a moment, he closed his eyes, attempting to silence the internal chaos. He could feel the cool breeze filtering through the window, ruffling the fabric of his formal attire.
Suddenly, a wave of clarity washed over him. Maybe this was an opportunity—he could explore this newfound confidence, blend into the world of adulthood with all its complexities. Perhaps he could discover what it meant to be responsible, to guide others just as he was being thrust into a role he never asked for. With newfound determination, he took a deep breath, feeling his chest expand in tandem with his belly.
“I can do this,” Edwin murmured, deciding to embrace the adventure ahead, however unorthodox it had become. Still, he couldn’t shake the urgency of wanting to return to his young adult self. But for now, he would play the role, savoring the newfound power and complexity of being an adult, even if just for a year. As he adjusted the suspenders once more, the reality of his situation sank in. He would have a year to navigate this unexpected life change—who knew what kinds of experiences awaited him?
With newfound resolve, Edwin turned away from the mirror, stepping into the room he had once called his own, but now felt so far removed from. Ready or not, he would face the world as this older version of himself, a role to be perfected, and perhaps, just perhaps, he would grow to love it. After all, the Chronivac had given him an extraordinary power; it was time to see just how far he could take it.