I didn't know how I suddenly found myself standing in front of my old house—the one I once lived in. It looked exactly the same as I last saw it: with a meadow in front of it, painted in a pleasant cream color and topped with a red roof. I couldn't believe how I had gotten there, after all that time and everything that had happened. The longer I thought about how I had come here, the more I wondered whether I had jumped into the wrong body. I looked around and saw many people walking toward me. They all moved at a steady pace. Some I recognized immediately, others not at all. They walked around me without paying further attention. Among them were my girlfriend Chloe and my older sister Jessica. I especially longed to see Jessica—to visit her. I felt responsible for her condition and thought she was still in a coma. Struck by fear that she might hate me, I ran through the crowd toward my sister.
"Jessica!" I shouted in her direction, but even she kept walking as if hypnotized. I repeated her name several times, but she didn't respond. I bumped into more and more people as I tried to reach her. Strangely, they just kept moving and didn't stop. They kept pushing me forward, sometimes almost knocking me down. After several minutes, when I tried to get my bearings—she was suddenly gone. I stopped and looked around. The crowd pushed me about; sometimes they stepped on my foot, other times their shoulders knocked me down, and before long I fell to the ground. Then I asked myself the most important question of all: Why was I even here? I thought I had jumped back into Mia's body!
"We wanted this, Jack!" a familiar male voice said, reaching out his hand to me. I took it—and found myself facing my father. Beside him stood my mother. The crowd moved around us, but nobody touched us anymore. "Dad, Mom, I missed you," I said, stammering slightly as I stepped forward to hug them. I didn't start begging right away, but I knew this wasn't what I wanted. "We know that, Jack," my mother said. "And about Jessica—" I began to cry. "It's all my fault," I continued. My father lifted my face. I looked into his eyes. "None of this is your fault, my son! It was your destiny from the very beginning. If this event hadn't happened, the world would already be lost." I stopped crying as I thought about what he said. How could he know that?
I tore myself away from their hands. "Who are you—and what have you done with my parents?" I became angrier, unsure whether they were time travelers too. "Are you time travelers?" I demanded. I looked between the two people in front of me, who had my parents' bodies. Everything went silent except for the sound of footsteps in the background. They hesitated before replying. "Jack," my mother said, "we are travelers from the future—but we truly are your parents." Confused, I frowned. "In our past life, you were our son. But when the Third World War broke out, we lost you and Jessica," she said, hoping I would understand. "When we were given the chance to go back in time and inhabit our own bodies again, we couldn't refuse."
"Now you know, my son. If the explosion hadn't occurred, and if you hadn't become what you are now—" my father began, but I interrupted him: "—we would all already be dead." "I know it's hard, and it will remain hard," my mother said, "but we still believe in you. Don't worry, everything will be fine." Those were her last words before the light around us brightened. "It's time to go. We'll see each other again," my parents said as they disappeared.
Suddenly, I heard an inner voice calling my name. I couldn't open my eyes, but I already knew I was inside Mia's body. I looked ahead and saw the seats of the economy class cabin—it hit me I had missed something. Mia felt my presence in her mind as I came back and looked through her eyes. "Jack, I missed you. Where were you?" she asked telepathically, without moving her lips. I told her everything that had happened with Charles and his affairs, so she could finally tell me she had already known. She sensed I was confused—it was unusual to wake up two or three days after a jump. "I read everything online," she said. She hadn't known any of this. She had still hoped for love at first sight, which she never found with Charles. He had only used her for his own benefit, giving her nothing in return.
"And there's something I need to confess," Mia said—her mother, Elisa, had also learned about Charles. That confession worried me a bit. Family sanctions were never good. I didn't have to ask much more to find out myself. I flowed through her synapses, tracing the chemical exchanges within her brain. I checked every new memory she had formed and found the one she had automatically stored before the trip. It wasn't very stable, but good enough to access. I saw from Mia's perspective as Elisa approached her, asking what had happened with her ex-boyfriend. Mia had just seen the news, and the only word that escaped her was a curse. She hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden confrontation. "I don't know," she lied, raising her tone at the last word. Elisa immediately knew it was a lie—mothers always do. Mia's eyes alone told her that I had been sent to solve her problem.
"I want to make one thing clear," Elisa said seriously, perhaps even a bit angry. "Jack has been through a lot and lost much in his life. He needs time to grow. Please give him that time—don't take advantage of him. Otherwise, I'll have to take him away from you," she warned her daughter, who had no idea that she couldn't just pluck me from a body. Realizing she had misused me made Mia feel guilty after her mother left. Still, she sensed I hadn't vanished. I could now feel her affection for me so strongly that I could inhabit her body anytime without resistance. She had learned that I wasn't to be used for personal gain. Perhaps I should have told her that myself.
The family was on their way to a long-promised wedding in Spain, where they would meet the eldest son, David, and his fiancée Vivian. They were still flying over the Atlantic but would land within the next ten minutes. Mia told me about the wedding. She had imagined it vividly and followed Vivian on social media. From her subconscious thoughts, I could sense she didn't like Vivian—something about her seemed off. Certainly, Vivian was beautiful, well-paid, and living comfortably with David, but to Mia, something felt wrong. "It's strange to say I don't like her—but she's really odd," she admitted, recounting several incidents where Vivian mysteriously disappeared and reappeared later. No one else ever noticed—only Mia. That was suspicious. "After all, they're supposed to spend the rest of their lives together."
Mia's neurons sparkled with an idea, and I had enough strength to intercept it. An image of Vivian appeared before me. Her features were even and finely drawn, her fair skin softly glowing. Her eyes, large and alert, were set deep enough to give her gaze a quiet intensity. Her hair, a soft, light blonde, fell in flowing waves over her shoulders as if it had captured the light itself. Her lips were full but natural—shaped for a smile that lingered uncertainly.
"No!" I told Mia repeatedly. "I won't take over her body or interfere in their relationship." Mia knew as well as I did that David had taken years to find a true partner—to destroy that now would be monstrous. Everyone has secrets, and if I exposed them, it wouldn't just ruin David's and Vivian's lives—it would also destroy Elise's. "But Jack, please—you'd be doing me a huge favor," she begged, until I reminded her of her mother's warning. "Do you really want to destroy another life?" I asked her morally. Hesitantly she said, "No, but—" I cut her off. "No buts. You must accept it, no matter what his marriage is like." Deep down, though, I knew I needed to verify her suspicions myself. I would "try" not to interfere—and hoped this time, at least, I could relax.
The seatbelt light blinked red as the captain prepared for landing. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Barcelona. The current temperature is 33 degrees Celsius. Please remain seated until the plane has come to a complete stop." I felt the aircraft shaking as it descended. The landing gear extended, then touched the ground. The vibration spread through the plane. As soon as we landed, people unbuckled and stood up.
While the plane taxied to the gate, Joe excitedly asked Mia questions she didn't care about—whether she was happy to see her brother, what she'd do first in Barcelona, if she'd go out with her sisters. Mia knew exactly what she wanted without me whispering in her mind: "I'm only thinking about the beach, the sun, and a deck chair!" Her father, with blue eyes and an oval face, didn't quite know how to respond. At least he got along well with David, whom he was eager to see again. On the other side, Elise chatted with her two daughters throughout the flight.
Once the plane docked and the passengers streamed out, the Wenford family went through passport control. The officer scanned their passports, looked at them coldly, and handed them back. While waiting at baggage claim, the youngest daughter had to use the restroom, so Joe went with her. The other two daughters followed, leaving only Elise and me to wait for the luggage. That's when I couldn't resist—I took over Mia's body effortlessly, as if it had always belonged to me. She didn't resist, and no one noticed that I was the one in control. I turned to Elise and thanked her for protecting me. "Jack—you're back!" she said, astonished. "Missed me?" I grinned.
"Where have you been all this time?" she asked. "You'd been gone for days, and I was worried." I calmed her and told her about the dream with my parents and the familiar faces I'd seen. "Interesting," she said thoughtfully. She wanted to know more, and I told her everything. It truly felt like a dream—seeing people who had once meant everything to someone. So focused, she even forgot to grab her luggage. When someone reminded her, she hurried to fetch the suitcases. I helped her. When the rest of the family returned, we all went to their pre-booked taxi bound for the villa near the beach. I felt the cold wind blow beneath my skirt. In the car, I let Mia regain control of her body and enjoyed the vacation through her eyes.
I loved her body, loved women, and felt deeply aroused in them. I felt the sway of her chest, let it guide me. And yet, I knew I was a man—a man who someday wanted to marry a woman. But until then, I would have time. Time to use my abilities. Time to explore women. I could only love them.
"And you really found this on Airbnb?" Joe asked Elise, who could only nod in agreement. She was proud to have found such an offer for that price. Elise glanced at her phone. "He should be here any minute." It didn't take even five minutes before a man appeared—the owner of the house. He had warm, dark eyes and an open smile that instantly inspired trust. His skin carried the shade of summer, and in his relaxed posture there was a calm joy for life. He was slim—but not skinny—and undeniably handsome.
"Buen día, amigos!" he greeted us cheerfully.
"Good day," Joe said first, shaking his hand, followed by Elise. Then he stepped toward us and clapped his hands together, not like a landlord welcoming tenants but more like a friend. "Are you ready to enjoy your vacation?" he asked in broken English. He beckoned us inside, and we stepped through the doorway, amazed that Elise had found such a place. Chloe was already running around. "I love it here!" she shouted. The others couldn't help admiring what their mother had discovered. Sophia laughed after a while, but Isla's mouth stayed open. We all thought about how we'd spend the holidays—enduring the heat, relaxing, and finding new bearings. We wandered off, hardly hearing the instructions the Spanish host was giving our parents.
The rooms were large and spacious. The villa stood near the sea. Elise and Joe went through the rooms, making notes of what needed to be done and when—otherwise they might be charged extra. We, however, were free to start unpacking. Chloe lay sprawled on the sofa near a huge television with additional speakers for the ultimate sound. Her small body barely moved. Her neat blond hair hung over the edge of the couch, and her long face with blue eyes was fixed on the Spanish cartoon.
Sophia and Isla stood in the large bathroom, admiring the luxurious space. When Mia came closer, she could already hear them discussing how they would take turns using it—and especially the built-in water jets. "I think I'll be the first to try this," Isla said, touching the small nozzles. Sophia wondered what her sister had found until they noticed Mia standing nearby. Bent over the bathtub, they looked at her like hyenas protecting their prey. They clearly weren't ready to share. Mia stepped aside, wanting to explore the rest of the house. From her eyes, I had quite a view of her sisters—tight denim shorts, different-sized tops, and the kind of figure any man would notice. Not that I wanted to think dirty thoughts, but the image had already formed in my mind.
When Mia entered the enormous kitchen—with its marble counter and elegant dining table surrounded by high-end chairs—the others were called together. Joe shouted for everyone to come to the entrance. Within minutes, they all appeared, impatient to be left alone at last.
"We've sorted everything out," Elise said. "But Pablo wants to say something!" she added.
"Sí, sí," he began. "Please don't break anything. I already talked to your parents about that. Keep the rooms tidy before leaving. You have free internet here—the password is with Joe. And what else?" He frowned, thinking. "Ah yes, don't leave your laundry behind. I don't want to find it after you're gone," he added, and we all nodded. He handed keys to Joe and Elise, hoping to get them back later. We thanked him, and soon we were alone again with our parents.
"Now we have to divide the rooms," Elise said, prompting a quiet shock among the siblings. Despite all the space, some bedrooms had to be shared. Looking at her daughters, Elise assigned the pairs. "Isla, you'll be fine with your little sister." Isla wanted to protest, but Joe cut her off, explaining that Chloe could manage herself and wouldn't cause trouble. Isla swallowed her frustration in silence. "Sophia and Mia in another room—and that's that," Elise said brightly.
Mia and Sophia exchanged glances. Her dark brown hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, parted slightly to one side in an effortlessly natural way. The dark, sporty blouse emphasized her slim figure; the midnight-blue top paired with casual jeans gave her a relaxed, confident look. Subtle accessories and a simple watch added a quiet elegance to her style. She entered the room.
Each family member carried their suitcase upstairs. Once Mia and Sophia reached their room, Sophia started complaining about friends waiting for her. "You know how well I get along with her, and now we have to talk and plan everything…" she kept ranting. It was unbearable to listen to her dramatics.
Their room was simple: a large window in the center, two beds placed along the side walls, and a small desk with a chair before the window. As Sophia compared it to her friends' rooms back home, Mia ignored her and focused on unpacking, wondering if her suitcase would fit under the bed. Sophia opened the window. Outside, faint noises from the street mixed with the soft hum of the sea. It brought back memories—of childhood, playing on the beach. Was I four years old? No, five. My parents had taken me to Florida. I could almost feel the hot yellow sand beneath my feet, the tickling, the running, the dive into the water.
Mia wanted to go to the beach alone and laid out her bikini on the bed. I wanted to come with her. Sophia finished unpacking, shoved her suitcase under the bed, and lingered by her phone. She glanced briefly at her sister, distracted. When she looked up again, "Do you need something, Mia?" she asked, annoyed. As Mia snapped from her daze and said no, I jumped into her body.
It took only a moment to take control. She was scrolling through social media, frustrated about being stuck with her family instead of partying in Ibiza. Once I had full control, I felt the posture of her body, the weight, her long nails, the way her hair brushed my shoulders. I turned off the phone, stood up, and approached Mia—she was already naked. I embraced her, my hands tracing her body.
"Sophia?" she asked, confused at first, then understanding.
"I love you," I whispered, not letting go. "Your body feels so soft, so gentle," I said, running Sophia's fingers along her skin. Goosebumps rose, and she trembled—but she liked feeling wanted.
She pulled away for a moment, turned to me, and met my eyes. They glowed like summer light. Her smile melted me. "You didn't say anything?" she teased softly. "I know," I said, still looking into her eyes. We leaned closer until the world faded. For one heartbeat, nothing existed but our hands and closeness. Our lips met—cautiously at first, then with rising hunger. Her fingers dug into my shirt; her breath mingled with mine, warm and sweet as ripe fruit.
I felt her heartbeat racing against my chest. Every thought dissolved until only desire remained. Her skin seemed to burn under my touch as my hands found her back—gentle, searching, driven by an inner storm. We lost ourselves in the rhythm of that moment, in every breath, every trembling sound. Everything blurred—light, air, and time—into one single touch that said what words never could.
Just as our lips met again, footsteps echoed in the hallway. A creak—then a voice, familiar and entirely out of place.
"Are you two up there?"
We froze. Her eyes met mine—first confused, then frightened. She jumped back, cheeks flushed. The door opened slightly, and Joe peeked in. "Just wanted to ask if you're settling in all right?"
A moment of silence—and then we both laughed softly, nervously, hearts pounding. The spell had broken—or maybe only paused. "Everything's great so far," Mia answered quickly. I nodded in agreement. Their father looked between us, hopefully unaware of what had just happened. "Good, then enjoy your time here," he said with a smile and closed the door.
Mia exhaled in relief. "I can't believe it," she ran her hands through her hair. "I just kissed my own sister!" She couldn't believe it, though part of her liked it. "I'm still me," I said quietly. "But in my sister's body." The realization hit hard—I shouldn't have done that. Mia saw my regret. "I'm sor—" I began, but she interrupted me. "It's not your fault," she said, looking away. "I seduced you." Then she wondered why I had taken her sister's body. "I wanted to spend time with you, at the beach," I admitted honestly. "Well, in that case, let's go!," she said quickly, eager to forget what had happened.