The Transfiguratus Diem

1. Prologue

Prologue

Not even the world's smartest minds could pinpoint how, or why Transfiguratus Diem came about. Whereas everything else in the world evolved, Transfiguratus Diem just arrived, like an unannounced family member walking through the door and making themselves at home.

Fifteen years prior to our story was the first documented happening of the phenomenon that triggered the entire world into absolute standstill. Businesses halted and schools closed. Buses and trains were cancelled, and shops remained firmly shut. Television stations sent out static or re-runs as others showed emergency screens urging people to remain calm. Even the bustling Times Square fell silent as the lights from the screens finally turned dark.

Scholars started to write new history books and began new theories, for on that April 14th, anyone over the age of twenty one found themselves waking in the body of another. Be it the body of their wife, husband, ex-partner, their best friend, or a complete stranger. The only thing anyone knew for sure about that day, was that no child under the age of twenty one changed, at least not their bodies.

Children were too young to understand why their parents were suddenly cold towards them, or why a stranger held them tightly as their parents sat across the room from them. Parents who found themselves away from their children and in the body of another, were the only ones seen running through the empty streets. Only the lucky ones saw no difference between the way their parents acted, these ones free from the suffering of the aftermath. That year's divorce rates were the highest recorded in history.

For what occurred that day, was resolved within twenty four hours. People waking once more in their bodies whether they had intended to sleep or not, no matter the time zone.

It was as if the entire world blinked and then everything was fixed.

The humans of the world returned to their lives after the change, many fearing it to repeat despite the scientists insisting upon the opposite. Nevertheless, laws were put in place that remained for a year. Body modifications of any kind were deemed illegal, except for major life saving surgeries. Therapy became a fixed free part of the healthcare system, some jobs refusing to hire without a background health check from a licenced psychiatrist.

Many met up with those they had changed into, acquaintances turning to friendships, and often more. Marriages rates almost beat divorce rates in the months that followed, newlyweds insisting their spouses to be their soulmates.

The scientists, specialists, and government politicians insisted the whole thing to be a one off, or a hoax. But exactly one year later, it happened again, triggering the event to become a holiday.

The laws shifted once more. Any body modifications only on that day were deemed illegal, and anyone seen food shopping would receive their items for free. Many jobs were transferred to working from home, or body mates were trained for each other's jobs. Women's health was recognised a lot more and so were all those with unseen illnesses, ensuring their body mates to be free of pain for the changing.

Abortion laws were alternated to allow for any abortions in any state to continue, but any actions to plan or enact an abortion upon the changing day were deemed highly illegal. And anyone in the body of a pregnant individual found to be purposely harming the foetus, would receive life imprisonment. Men who found themselves labouring on the changing day were given mass amounts of therapy as well as time off after the trauma.

Anyone who traded places with that of a prison inmate were urged to make themselves known to police, and many would offer themselves to be locked up for the day. The only issues arose when the serial killers in the bodies of their soulmates, would find ways to escape or kill, leaving their body mates with the repercussions. This lead to the death penalty returning against many people's wishes, the threat remaining more as a warning to remain in line rather than a punishment.

Gay rights were supported and marriage fully legalised, thus ensuring more couples to adopt any children left in the hands of the state. This meant that more children had homes and families, and with the reduction of teenage pregnancies (many waiting for the change before having sex) the foster homes soon became empty.

The human population maintained a balance at nearly eight billion, and paved the way for a greener future in regards to less people spending time dating and seeking love. Also reduced were the amount of homeless people in the streets, couples uniting to share one house leaving many behind for those in need.

Tv stations around the world united and made way for a dedicated channel, the goal to keep families connected via shared messages and images sent in via various devices. Messages from all over the world were shared for free between loved ones that couldn't afford long distance charges. This ensured the day to be one of love, gratitude and support.

Upon another channel for the rest of the year remained a link to a live video feed of scientists as they discussed the phenomenon at length, some even suggesting the source of the change to be off world rather than physical.

On the thirteenth of April, the day before the change, the human race made a list. A list of their chores, their medication routines, their emergency contacts, or even their shopping lists. Some left notes for their soulmate to enjoy the day, or begged for them to do the task they most dreaded.

No matter how people saw it, or spent it, the three days in April from the thirteenth to the fifteenth were honoured. Politicians claiming it to be the most peaceful time of the year, with even wars stopping to celebrate the time.

Over the fifteen years since the first Transfiguratus Diem, many children grew up to be nay sayers and haters of the change. Their minds changing after experiencing their first change and seeing life from a new perspective. But some, never changed at all, their soulmates lost to fate before receiving the chance to meet. Many of these young people subject themselves to the same fate, or become what has been cruelly nicknamed "The Abandoned." The nickname coined after one politician outed his own mother as one of the few who did not experience the change.

Young people who feared the change, feared abandonment more. The thought of being destined to remain forever alone enveloping their very souls. The abandoned few became shunned in their own families and turned to drink, or worse to dull the pain. Many slept around, desperately hoping to trigger some form of connection.

No matter the hate or love surrounding the day, humans powered through. The mystery promising to remain a mystery until the last human became subject to the fate they usually ran from.