The Identity Crisis Device

    By Jack Brown

    The Identity Crisis Device cover image

    22 May, 2024

    a boy sitting at a desk with lots of books and papers on it, with a camera in his hand, Alexander Jansson, arts and crafts movement, a character portrait, promotional image

    Tom was an ordinary teenager with an extraordinary curiosity for the unknown. One afternoon, while sifting through his grandfather's old boxes, he found a strange-looking device.

    a young man sitting at a desk with a book and a pen in his hand and a lot of books on the wall, David Budd, private press, a poster, promotional image

    Intrigued, Tom turned the device on. Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of light and Tom felt a wave of dizziness. As he regained his composure, he realized something had changed.

    a man standing in front of a mirror in a bedroom with a lamp on the side of the bed, Derold Page, aestheticism, a character portrait, promotional image

    Looking into the mirror, Tom was shocked. He was no longer a 16-year-old boy but a Nigerian man in his mid-30s. He had become a dilf, and his preferences had also changed.

    a man in a shiny shirt standing in a bedroom with a bed and a mirror on the wall behind him, Derold Page, afrofuturism, a character portrait, silver

    He found himself attracted to white boys, a feeling that was foreign and confusing to him. The device had not just changed his appearance but had also altered his identity.

    a man sitting at a desk surrounded by electronics and other items in a room with many clocks and other items, Derold Page, afrofuturism, a stock photo, promotional image

    Panicking, Tom realized he needed to reverse the change. He didn't want to forget who he was. He began to work with the device, trying different combinations, hoping for a breakthrough.

    Painting your imagination...

    Days turned into nights, and nights into days. Tom was running out of time. With each passing day, his memories as a teenager were fading, replaced by the new persona's memories.

    a man sitting at a desk with a book and a computer in front of him and a lamp on the side, Derold Page, afrofuturism, a character portrait, promotional image

    In the midst of despair, Tom had an epiphany. He realized the device reacted to his emotional state. It was not just a physical transformation device but also an emotional one.

    a man in a gym looking at his cell phone while wearing a pair of sunglasses and a belt around his waist, Bruce Onobrakpeya, afrofuturism, a character portrait, promotional image

    With newfound hope, Tom gathered his thoughts, focusing on his true self. The device responded, its lights flickering in sync with his heartbeat. Suddenly, there was another blinding flash.

    a young man sitting at a desk with a book in front of him and a lamp on the side, Armin Hansen, private press, a character portrait, movie still

    As the light subsided, Tom found himself back in his teenage body. His memories were intact, and his identity crisis was finally over. The device had changed him back.

    a boy is standing in a room full of books and papers on the floor and a window is open, Armin Hansen, hyperrealism, a character portrait, promotional image

    Exhausted but relieved, Tom turned off the device, promising never to meddle with it again. He had learned a valuable lesson about identity and the importance of accepting oneself.

    a boy sitting at a desk with a box of items in front of him and a phone in the other hand, Eden Box, private press, a character portrait, promotional image

    Tom locked the device away, putting it back into his grandfather's old boxes. His curiosity had led him on an unexpected journey, but he was glad to be himself again.

    a young man sitting on a bed writing in a book next to a lamp and a cell phone on a table, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), magical realism, a character portrait, promotional image

    As he lay in bed that night, Tom couldn't help but marvel at the strange adventure. He had traveled through identities, only to find his way back home - to himself.

    The Identity Crisis Device

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