Taking Johnathan for a Ride

Underground Mutant Community - Wyoming

Finlay lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling of his room in the underground mutant haven. The dim lighting and constant hum of machinery in the background did little to alleviate his boredom. The nurses had checked on him, as usual, ensuring he was stable and comfortable. But now he was alone again, with nothing to do but think.

His mind wandered back to the tour he had taken, recalling the fascinating sights and interesting people he had encountered. The training areas, the hydroponic gardens, the library—it was all so intriguing. He couldn't help but feel a growing urge to explore more of this hidden community. But he knew he needed permission and supervision, something he was tired of waiting for.

An idea began to form in his mind. What if he could transform into someone else? Someone who had the freedom to roam around? Johnathan Mayberry, with his medium-length wavy black hair, blue eyes, and fit but skinny frame, seemed like the perfect choice. He decided to give it a try.

Finlay sat up and focused, picturing Johnathan in his mind. He felt his body start to shift, his features changing. But as he looked in the mirror, he saw that he had only managed to grow his hair out to shoulder length, and his eyes had turned a strange shade of purple.

"Come on, Finlay, you can do this," he muttered to himself.

He tried again, concentrating harder. This time, his hair turned black and wavy, but his face still looked mostly like his own, just with a heavier stubble. Frustrated, he shook his head and gave it another shot. He could feel his body stretching, his bones rearranging themselves.

When he looked in the mirror again, he saw Johnathan's face staring back at him—mostly. The nose was a bit off, and one eyebrow was distinctly higher than the other.

"Close enough," he sighed.

But he wasn't satisfied. He wanted to get it just right. After a few more attempts, each one slightly better than the last, he finally nailed it. He stood there, staring at his reflection, which now perfectly matched Johnathan's tall, lanky frame, and stubbled face.

Finlay grinned, but then he realized he was still wearing his hospital gown, now comically small on Johnathan's larger frame. The gown barely reached his thighs and was stretched tight across his chest and shoulders. He moved to the center of the room, trying to get the hang of walking with Johnathan's longer legs. Each step felt like a new challenge, his limbs moving in unfamiliar ways.

"Hi, I'm Johnathan Mayberry," he said aloud, practicing the man's voice. “I need a smoke.” He cleared his throat. “I am so cool and tough.” He nailed the sound, but his mannerisms were all wrong. He stood too stiffly, his gestures exaggerated and awkward.

He spent a few minutes in front of the mirror, mimicking Johnathan's mannerisms as best as he could remember. "Alright, Johnathan, let's go explore," he said to his reflection, trying to add the right amount of nonchalance to his tone.

Feeling as ready as he could be, Finlay opened the door and stepped into the hallway. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. As he walked, he practiced Johnathan's casual stride, though it came off more like a wobbly saunter. The too-small hospital gown made every movement feel even more ridiculous, riding up and stretching uncomfortably with each step.

A nurse passed by without paying much attention, "Mr. Mayberry," she acknowledged, not noticing anything amiss due to her distractions. Finlay nodded back, attempting a confident smile but managing more of a grimace.

"Alright, here we go," he whispered to himself, trying to keep the excitement and nervousness at bay. The thought of getting caught sent a shiver down his spine, but the thrill of adventure was too tempting to resist. Besides, he reasoned, what could go wrong?

As he continued down the hall, he couldn't help but chuckle at the awkwardness of it all. "This is going to be interesting," he muttered, already imagining the mishaps that lay ahead. The tight hospital gown, his unfamiliar body, and his less-than-perfect impersonation of Johnathan promised a comedy of errors in his upcoming adventure.