Business of Exchange by Sean Mitchell

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New Years Eve again, I thought to myself as I took the subway home. Glancing at my reflection in the window--Matt Brubaker, you've come a long way.
The boss had been running me ragged over the past couple of days and I'd been getting home later each time. I'd not had a chance to think about going out to celebrate, but then I didn't really need to.
I was a shape shifter, and could be anything or anyone I wanted to be real quick. I'd figured out the trick in high school, I was bullied by one kid in particular. Not the biggest guy there, but bigger than me and I guess it made him feel big to have someone smaller than him to push around.
He'd cornered me in the corridor, and I made a break for it, I could hear his heavy footsteps behind me as chased after me. I ducked into a classroom looking for somewhere to hide. Towards the far end of the room was a filing cabinet, squat grey steel one. I crouched next to it pushing up close to its cold hard surface and closed my eyes.
I could hear the door open and close, and steps getting closer. "I'm going to find you, and then I'm going to beat the shit out of you--just for running away," his voice taunted.
He was close, and I held my breath. Footsteps passed me, and I gasped expecting a beating, but they passed me by. "Little motherfucker, he's given me the slip," I heard him mutter before leaving.
Opening my eyes I was shocked to see the reflection in the windows opposite. There wasn't the single filing cabinet I remembered, but two identical ones. Wait, where was my reflection?
As I stood up, the reflection of the second cabinet changed into me. Out of pure fear, I'd somehow camouflaged myself as the cabinet.
In the following weeks and months I'd perfected my gift and was able to change into anything I could see or touch and I mean completely! Needless to say, one of the schools alphas had a word with the jerk that was bullying me, shook him up so much that he never troubled me again.
---
That was a while back, and I'd used my gift a lot for a couple of years after that. My parents had broken up, and I'd decided to go my own way, going from town to town looking like a new person each time. Get a shop job here, labourer there; I would just use a shape that would be perfect for the job.
I was working on a farm as a casual labourer: cash in hand, which worked well for me. I'd found John on the same train as I left the last town. He was a big guy, and I thought he'd be useful in this farming district. When he finally dropped off to sleep, I grabbed his rucksack and his luggage from the end of the carriage and found the restroom. I went through the bag and found his wallet, ID, mobile phone. I didn't want to leave him without anything, so I took the ID, and put the rest back in rucksack to be found.
I pulled off my clothes and shifted silently into John's form, putting his ID in my own wallet.

I pulled off my clothes and shifted silently into John's form, putting his ID in my own wallet

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From his luggage, I pulled on a vest, shirt and jeans. Because I was a perfect copy I knew John Moss was a mechanic, and a hard worker all of which would be helpful getting another job.
The train stopped at the next town, and I got off with a new identity: again.
But I getting bored and I felt I needed to put down some roots. That's when I stumbled across Matt on the way to work; it looked like he'd been hit by a car while out jogging.
I checked neck, he was still warm, but there was no pulse. He was only wearing shorts and a vest, in his pocket a key to a local motel. I tussled with the thought of taking on a dead man's identity; it would certainly be a way out of this continual running from town to town.
Picking up Matt, I put him across my shoulder: he was heavy, but John was a strong man. I pushed my way through some thick bushes and dropped Matt to the ground. He looked strong and fit. Thick back hair with sharp tight cut, expressive thick eyebrows and a trimmed moustache and goatee. He had the look of an Italian or Latino decent.
Pulling off his workout gear I admired his physique, broad shoulders, thick heavy pecs and lean stomach. My decision was made, and I shifted into his form. After shucking John's clothes, I pulled on Matt's kit.
I felt guilt and sadness washed through me, Matt was married with a kid on the way. That's when I decided to set down my roots; take over for Matt. I dug a grave and laid Matt to rest, a prayer, and a promise to look after his family just as he would.
Jogging back to the motel, I felt I had a new direction in life--a purpose. That was three years ago.
---
It's still New Years Eve, the rest of the family are out; only because I had no idea when I was finishing work today. Now my schedule was free, and I needed a break. I hadn't shifted my form since I found Matt all that time ago.
Arriving back at the apartment block at around 10pm, I bumped into my neighbour's son outside--beer in hand. He staggered into my arms apologising with a slur. "You're starting early Daniel," I joked holding him steady.

 "You're starting early Daniel," I joked holding him steady

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