Flash! (Patreon)

In a small, dusty room cluttered with boxes and old books, Jason twirled a strange vintage camera in his hands, one he had picked up at a garage sale from an enigmatic old man. The lens was scratched, and the body was adorned with intricate engravings resembling magical symbols.

— Listen, I’m telling you, this thing’s worth a fortune! — Jason exclaimed excitedly, holding the camera as if he’d already sold it for a million dollars. — Look at this engraving! It’s got to be some kind of rare collectible.

Mark, lounging on the couch, raised an eyebrow and gave his friend’s find a skeptical once-over.

— Yeah, right… A rarity. From a junk shop. Jason, it’s just old crap.

— Crap? — Jason smirked and pointed the lens at Mark. — Alright then, smile for me, Mr. Sarcasm!

— Don’t waste the film, man, — Mark protested, waving a hand dismissively, but he was too slow. Jason abruptly pressed the shutter.

Flash!

For a moment, the world was drowned in bright light before the room returned to its usual dim glow under the desk lamp. Mark blinked, rubbing his eyes.

— Hey! — he snapped. — A little warning next time! I wasn’t ready for my close-up!

Jason only chuckled, but then his expression froze.

— Uh… Mark, are your hair… longer?

— What? — Mark stepped toward the old mirror on the wall. His short haircut was gone, replaced by soft, shoulder-length chestnut locks. He shook his head, and the strands swayed gently, brushing against his neck.

— What did you do?! — Mark’s voice wavered as his hand instinctively reached for his new hairstyle.

— I… I just took a picture of you! — Jason stammered, staring at the camera in disbelief. — Maybe it’s, uh… an optical illusion?

— AN ILLUSION?! — Mark spun around, his eyes blazing. — Did you see this? This is not normal!

— Oh, come on, it’s kinda cool, don’t you think? — Jason raised the camera again, ignoring Mark’s protests. — Let’s test it one more time.

— Jason, no! — Mark started, but it was too late.

Flash!

This time, the changes were undeniable. Mark’s face grew smoother, his features refined and softer, and his lips became fuller and slightly pouty. He slowly sank back onto the couch, staring at his hands — now slender and more delicate.

— What… Jason, stop it! — His voice was a little higher now but still recognizable.

— Maybe if I take another shot, you’ll go back to normal? — Jason suggested, clearly not grasping the seriousness of the situation.

— Are you out of your mind?! — Mark shouted, trying to stand, but a strange weakness in his legs made him falter. — That camera is messing with my body!

— Alright, alright… but honestly, you don’t look… bad, — Jason said, though his tone wasn’t exactly reassuring.

— Are you serious right now?!

But Jason had already raised the camera again.

— Sorry, buddy, but this is for science.

Flash!

This time, the transformation was far more pronounced. Long lashes framed expressive eyes, and Mark’s figure took on unmistakably feminine curves. His waist slimmed, his hips rounded, and his oversized T-shirt now clung awkwardly to a newly developed chest.

Mark froze, feeling the soft fabric press differently against his skin. Even worse, the room itself seemed transformed: where once there had been piles of pizza boxes and empty bottles, now there were scented candles and a plush throw draped neatly over the couch.

— What… is happening? — Mark’s voice trembled, now carrying a soft, melodic tone with a faint rasp. He instinctively touched his throat, feeling the unfamiliar vibrations.

— This… This isn’t my voice! — Mark whispered, each word sounding unnervingly sweet and musical. His eyes widened as his hand darted to his throat, as if searching for an explanation.

— Mark, is that… you? — Jason asked, edging closer, though he was clearly trying to hide a grin. He raised the camera again, as if to confirm whether it really worked.

— Put that thing down! — Mark yelled, but instead of a commanding roar, his voice came out high-pitched and almost pouty. He clamped his mouth shut, horrified by how adorably indignant he sounded.

Jason squinted and adjusted the lens slightly. The moment the camera focused on Mark, something seemed to shift within him. His posture softened, his shoulders relaxed, and his lips curved into a subtle, coquettish smile.

— What are you doing?! — Mark protested, though instead of shoving Jason away, his fingers unconsciously brushed through his hair. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he tilted his head ever so slightly to the side.

— Why are you posing? — Jason asked, barely holding back laughter.

Mark wanted to do something, anything, but every time Jason lifted the camera, his body seemed to betray him. He felt each muscle moving instinctively, striving to present itself perfectly, as if he was desperate to impress this damned camera.

— I… I can’t control this, Jason! It’s the camera! — Mark shouted, taking a nervous step away, but his legs instinctively positioned themselves like he was on the cover of a fashion magazine.

— This is kind of awesome, isn’t it? — Jason smirked and lifted the camera again.

Mark tried to object, but instead of an angry shout, his face lit up with an involuntary smile. His head tilted slightly, and his fingers traced the ends of his hair, as if showing off his new look.

— Jason, stop it! — His voice came out with an irritatingly flirty lilt.

— Alright, alright, just one last shot, — Jason muttered, pressing the button.

Flash!

Once more, the blinding light consumed the room, followed by that strange sensation, like his body was being molded by invisible hands. Mark squeezed his eyes shut, and when he opened them, he knew something had shifted even more. His hips had widened, his waist was even narrower, and his legs were now perched at an awkward angle atop high heels.

But the worst part was the outfit.

A lavender plaid skirt and matching top clung perfectly to his now shapely figure. A cardigan with dainty gold buttons draped elegantly over his shoulders.

— No, no, no… — Mark staggered backward, tripping over a plush rug that had replaced the dingy carpet.

The room was unrecognizable again: instead of the usual bachelor clutter, there was now an elegant tea set on the table, photos of happy memories on the walls, and a plush toy sitting primly on the couch.

— You look… absolutely perfect, — Jason murmured, almost breathless, as he studied his friend, who now looked like a model straight off a glossy magazine cover.

— Stop it! This isn’t perfect! This is… this is a disaster! — Mark turned sharply, his eyes falling on the mirror again. He stood frozen, staring at his reflection.

Mark was in shock, unable to tear his eyes away from the mirror. Staring back at him was a young woman with delicate features, flawless makeup, and a flirtatious squint. Everything inside him screamed that this wasn’t him, that it couldn’t possibly be real, but every time he tried to look away, something compelled him to linger on his reflection just a little longer.

— Caroline, are you ready to continue? — came Jason’s voice from behind him, familiar yet horribly wrong.

Mark turned around slowly.

— What did you just say? — he asked, though he’d heard it clearly enough.

Jason frowned.

— Caroline, what’s wrong? — He lowered the camera and stepped closer, looking genuinely concerned. — You know I just want to take a few more good shots! And you’re… well, you’re so photogenic it’d be a crime not to try this old camera on you.

Mark — now Caroline, judging by what Jason had just called him — stared at his friend in utter disbelief. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion. Just moments ago, he had been Mark, an ordinary guy in a T-shirt and sweatpants arguing with Jason about a pointless purchase. Now, his best friend was looking at him as if he’d always been Caroline, someone apparently expected to be ready for a photoshoot.

— Jason, do you even realize what’s happening?! — she blurted out, though her new voice came out as a sweet, slightly coquettish complaint. — You’re changing me! And now you don’t even recognize me?!

— What? — Jason chuckled, shaking his head. — What are you talking about? Of course I recognize you, Caroline. But you’re acting a little… jumpy today. Everything alright?

— Alright?! — Caroline felt her voice betray her again, sounding more like a pouty girl than the furious man she wanted to be. She threw her hand out toward the camera. — That thing ruined my life!

Jason looked at her in confusion before laughing, as if she’d just told a fantastic joke.

— Ruined your life? Caroline, you’re hilarious. It’s just a camera! You’re letting your imagination run wild. Now come on, give me a smile! — He lifted the camera before she could react.

— No! Don’t you dar—

Flash!

The light blinded her, but this time it felt… warm, as though something soft was wrapping around her from the inside. The sensations grew even stranger: the skirt that had previously only fit snugly now hugged her hips perfectly, accentuating her curves. The cardigan rested comfortably on her shoulders, and around her, the world shifted once more.

The apartment transformed yet again. Gone were the neutral beige walls and plain, uninspired decor. In their place were vibrant details: a large vase of dried flowers in the corner, and on the table next to a charming tea set lay a magazine titled, “How to Match Your Outfits: Tips for the Modern Girl!”

— Goddamn it, Jason! — Caroline darted to the mirror, but once again, her reflection betrayed her. That same flirtatious smile played on her lips, and she couldn’t help but adjust her hair, tilting her head slightly, almost as if testing how she looked from a better angle. — What did you do this time?!

— Haha, what a shot! Did you see how you look? — Jason practically beamed with excitement. — It’s magic. I’m telling you! This camera isn’t just taking pictures. It’s… it’s bringing out your true self, don’t you see?

— My true self?! — Caroline nearly choked on the words, whipping around to face him. She noticed that Jason still had the camera at the ready. — If you point that thing at me one more time, I swear—

But before she could finish, Jason raised the camera again. Whatever she’d intended to say evaporated instantly. Instead, her lips curved into another charming smile, and her hands instinctively rested on her waist, as though she were consciously posing for the next shot.

— That’s it, that’s it! — Jason exclaimed joyfully. — You’re just made for this.

— Jason… — Caroline’s voice was soft now, almost pleading. — Stop. Please. You don’t even understand what you’re doing!

Flash!

Once again, the room was bathed in blinding light, but before Caroline could process what had changed this time, a sharp ringing broke the silence. She spun around, searching for the source, and her eyes landed on a dainty pink phone with a decorative butterfly on its case — an object that clearly didn’t belong in her old life.

— Nice phone, — Jason remarked, taking a step back with the camera still in hand.

— Shut up, it’s not my phone! — Caroline snapped, though her voice sounded more like a teasing quip than the furious growl she’d intended. She grabbed the handset, hoping it might distract Jason from taking another picture.

— Hello? — she said, her voice trembling, still clinging to the hope that this was all some bizarre misunderstanding.

— Caroline, is that you? — came a stern male voice from the other end. — Where are you? You’re supposed to be meeting with a client right now, and I can’t reach your work phone!

Caroline froze. The voice was painfully familiar, but… this couldn’t be real.

— Uncle Frank? — she asked cautiously, feeling a chill creep into her chest.

— Uncle? — The man scoffed. — Caroline, is this some kind of joke? We’re coworkers, not family. Just a reminder, you’re my secretary, not my niece.

— What? — She almost dropped the phone, instinctively clutching her hand to her chest, as if trying to hold on to some semblance of sanity.

— Stop stalling! — the impatient voice snapped. — If you’re not in the office in 15 minutes, you’ll regret it!

Caroline stood rooted to the spot, feeling as though the ground was falling away beneath her. It wasn’t just her body anymore — her entire life had been turned upside down.

— I… — She stammered, trying to form a coherent response, but the line went dead with a decisive click.

She slowly lowered the phone, her trembling fingers struggling to stay steady.

— Trouble at work? — Jason, who had been watching with a mix of curiosity and concern, now looked slightly worried. — Hey, Caroline, why are you so stressed? — Jason stepped closer, his tone softer than usual. — If you need to get somewhere, I could give you a ride.

She spun around sharply, glaring at him in disbelief.

— A ride? — she repeated, trying desperately to sound firm, but her voice came out as an indignant coo. — You don’t even have a car!

— Well, I could… you know, figure something out, — Jason grinned sheepishly, then glanced away. — I don’t always think things through, okay?

— God, Jason, are you even listening to yourself?! — Caroline threw up her hands, only to feel her body instinctively fall into a graceful, slightly dramatic pose. She grabbed her head in frustration. — I can’t think straight because of that stupid camera! And now I… I have to go to work! My boss—damn it, why do I think my uncle is my boss?! And what the hell kind of job is this anyway?! Ugh!

She stomped her foot, a sharp click of her heel echoing in the room, and felt a surge of reluctant certainty that her boss was right — she had to be at that meeting. She shot Jason a final glance, her eyes catching on the camera. Acting on impulse, she snatched it up and hurled it against the wall.

The camera hit with a loud crash, shattering into pieces that clattered to the floor. Jason’s face went pale, a mix of shock and dismay contorting his features.

— You… you just broke it! — he exclaimed, taking a step toward the broken device. — Do you even realize what you’ve done? That was an antique! A magical antique!

Caroline, breathing heavily, glared at him with fiery eyes.

— What I’ve done? Are you kidding me?! — she shouted, though her new melodic voice sounded more like an indignant outburst than the rage she intended. — That thing ruined my life! Did you see what it’s done to me? And now I’ve got a job… a job I don’t even understand, but I have to be there in 15 minutes!

Jason, still in shock, dropped to his knees and began sifting through the pieces.

— But… but what if it could’ve fixed everything? — he murmured, barely brushing his fingers against one of the fragments.

— Jason! — Caroline snapped, slapping his shoulder. — How do you not get it? That thing doesn’t fix anything. It changes everything!

Jason looked up at her, confusion etched into his face as he held the broken pieces in his hands.

— Caroline, why are you so worked up? You’ve always been this hot-headed, but I just wanted to take a few cool shots. — He gestured toward the wrecked camera on the floor. — Why’d you have to do that? That camera was… you know, special.

Caroline felt her head spin.

— Jason, you… You’re completely insane! What do you mean, “always”? I’m Mark! — She jabbed a finger into her chest, but froze as her hand touched the soft fabric of her cardigan and… something else beneath it. — Or… I was Mark. And this is all your fault!

Jason snorted, keeping his eyes on her, full of genuine bewilderment.

— Mark? — He chuckled, then stopped when he saw her serious expression. — Hey, come on, you’re joking, right? I know you’ve got a weird sense of humor. But you… Caroline, just look at yourself! Mark? Really? You’re Gilbert’s secretary… I mean, Mr. Bryson’s. And honestly, the best secretary I’ve ever known.

— Secretary? — Caroline narrowed her eyes, a mix of anger and fear in her gaze. — I’m not a secretary, Jason! I’m a guy. Or… I was a guy before you started messing with that cursed camera!

Jason frowned.

— Caroline, are you alri—

— No, I’m not alright! And I need to get to work! Get out, I can’t leave you here alone! — she snapped, rushing toward the front door on her heels. The sharp clack of her high heels echoed on the floor as she moved. Her steps were quick but graceful — her legs instinctively aligned into perfect lines, as if she’d spent her entire life in modeling school. Each step was accompanied by a rhythmic tapping of her heels, and her skirt swayed gently around her hips, adding an unsettling elegance even to her panic.

She cast one last glance at Jason, who was still sitting on the floor surrounded by camera fragments, clearly at a loss. Her heart pounded wildly, but her body moved with unsettling confidence, as if it instinctively knew how to handle its new form.

— I’m late! — she called over her shoulder, slipping out the door. As she closed it behind her, she locked it decisively, her heels clicking briskly against the concrete floor as she strode away. The sound echoed through the hall, irritating her further with every sharp click.

Jason, still wearing his innocent expression, quickly caught up with her.

— Caroline, wait, I can help! You know, drive you, support you, be the reliable friend who’s always there. — His tone was almost cheerful, as if all of this was just some elaborate joke to him.

— Just go home! — she snapped, lifting her chin and deliberately quickening her pace. Her heels clacked louder against the asphalt as Jason trailed behind, undeterred.

— Fine, but you look stunning! Just saying—if you ever need more photos… or maybe a date, let me know!

Caroline rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushing bright red. The mix of humiliation and anger was tempered by an unsettling confidence growing in the back of her mind. A part of her couldn’t shake the feeling that she really did look… amazing.

— Don’t call me! — she shouted, slamming the lobby door in Jason’s face. He only chuckled softly to himself.

"She’ll never love me," Jason thought, lowering his gaze and leaning against the wall.