He was on all fours struggling to breath. Panic sensation had overtaken him as the realization of his lungs were filled with liquid.

Instantly, his body involuntarily disgorged the liquid out of his lungs.
Sharp gasps followed as though every inch of his body begged for air with his heart beating fast.

Shivers ran through him as he struggled to steady himself. He tried to take in his surroundings with his blurry vision but all he could see was glimpse of the floor as the bright light disoriented him.

He could hear a female voice saying "breathe! Take it easy" and another male voice saying "calm down! You will be fine just breathe."

He tried to calm down and regulate his breathing but failed to do so as soon as the memories started flooding back. He started reliving the moment as the sound of the explosion thundered through his ears and the bright light threatened to swallow him. He did not realize that he was grasping his head while his body cringed on the floor trying to protect itself. His mind was so focused on the memory of being tossed to the air then falling in the water below.

A weird cold tingling sensation followed as his breathing calmed down. He felt his muscles relaxing and his eyes closing. He knew he was losing consciousnesses again.

Terrence stood there in sheer amazement and awe as he observed what had happened to the naked man, now laying down in the empty tank motionless and out of unconsciousness.

It took him a while to talk to the other two who were kneeling down beside him.

Terrence's brain kept replaying what he just witnessed. He found it similar to a newborn trying to breath for the very first time except this was a man with a muscle toned body.

"Why have you sedated him?" Terrence asked while getting closer from the hatch.

"We don't want him to go into shock," Charlotte said then got up to grab something.

"Blythe's consciousness doesn't seem to realize that it is in a new body. His body is exhausted and needs rest. For now, I will let Blythe's consciousness sink in as it adjusts to the new sensation of Kyle's body," Jacob added as he observed the blood pressure and heart rate going back to normal.

Charlotte returned with a wheeled stretcher and a blanket.

"Help me put him on the stretcher," Jacob told Terrence while removing the electrodes from Kyle's chest.

As soon as Kyle's body was on the stretcher they navigated the stretcher to one of the makeshift rooms in the lab and transferred him to the medical bed.

"Charlotte start running some tests. Terrence and I will be returning Blythe's body back to the morgue" Jacob said while motioning to Terrence to follow him.

Jacob noticed Terrence hesitated to leave his reincarnated witness. "C'mon Terrence, it is going to take few hours for the sedative to leave his system."

Terrence only now noticed the look on Jacob's face, extreme relief as if a huge weight had been lifted from him. He looked brighter and younger.

Terrence had glanced at his wrist watch for the seventh time while sitting on one of the laboratory chairs with an armrest. He had refused to go home or rest upstairs at Jacob's house. Although he looked tired but he was astounded by the turn of events. So he had resigned himself to watching others do their job around the laboratory and glanced from time to time to the monitor ahead showing Kyle asleep.

... ... ...

Around 1 a.m. Kyle woke up, he blinked couple of  times to focus his vision. His head felt foggy and his body felt a bit numb.

He managed to take a quick glance around the makeshift room he was in before three people entered through the curtain divider across him.

"How you feeling?" Asked the man in the medical coat.

Kyle looked at him and studied the other two standing beside him and answered after few seconds.

"My head feels..." Kyle did not continue, he was shocked by his own voice.

The only person who is not wearing a medical coat leaned a little bit forward waiting for him to complete his sentence.

"You're in a new body," said the man in the medical coat, as if it was enough to answer all the questions going through Kyle's mind.

Kyle did not respond instead he looked at his body then looked back at them with a questioning expression mixed with panic. They could see his shallow breathing.

"You died! We transferred your consciousness to this body." The small woman in a medical coat added. She said it with a tone devoid of sympathy.

"Don't worry! You're in good hands. We won't harm you and will explain everything," the man in the medical coat hurriedly said. Concern was evident in his tone when he added, "I'm Professor Jacob, this is Charlotte my assistant and this is my good friend Terrence."

Kyle patiently listened in silence although several times he wanted to scream and run out of wherever they had kept him. It all sounded unreal like a bad dream but what he felt was real.

Still, how did they expect him to react after hearing them say that he died so they had to transfer his consciousness to this male body and the rest of his family died.

All three were seated a foot from the footboard of Kyle's bed on laboratory chairs with armrests. All waiting for him to say something in response to their detailed explanation. They all knew of this was overwhelming to take in, so they gave him as much time as he needed before they expected a response.

Kyle took a few minutes for himself after they had finished explaining everything. His head was swirling from all of the information and sick to his stomach. He thought to himself that there was no point in panicking more or to show that he was panicking, they would sedate him again just like what he remembered so he willed himself to calm down as a result sweat glistened on his forehead.

He was now in a seated position as his medical bed was propped to support his upper body.

He looked up at all three and took a deep breath, all three suddenly tensed.

"Let me summarize what you all said just to make sure I have not missed anything. First of all, I died and my family as well. Second, you transferred my consciousness to this body. Meaning to say me living as Blythe is no longer possible. I have to live as Kyle because I am Kyle. Third, I am the only witness. Last, I must say all of you sound crazy but I am in no situation to judge," Kyle said with a calm voice.

All three were shock by his response. They did not expect him to be so calm after all what he just heard from them. Even so, his conclusion and acceptance of his new identity was somewhat disappointing. He didn't seem to mind that he died or the rest of his family did too. And even managed to point out how ridiculous they sounded from their explanation.

Kyle saw their shocked expressions and understood that this was not what they had expected from him. "There is no point in making a scene, it will not change a thing. I can't mourn my family's death since I died with them and I don't see the point in mourning the dead. Everything I need to know about this new life that comes with this body I will know from you. The faster I adapt and come into terms the easier it will be for all of us." At that point, Kyle refused to show them how lost and lonely he felt. He refused to show them how weak and heartbroken he was, with the emptiness he felt inside himself. You are strangers that I don't trust who disregarded my rights, let alone show you how vulnerable I feel.

"Very well, I shall make something to eat for all of us, there will be plenty of time to do the tests," Charlotte said while standing to leave.

"Good idea!" Jacob said with still a shocked expression.

"Yes, that would be great after a long day," Terrence added with also a shocked expression.

Kyle waited for her to leave then started to move his legs to the side of the bed. Both looked confused and alerted.

"What are you doing?" asked Terrence with furrowed expression.

"Standing up. What does it look to you!" Kyle replied. I need to be alone!

"Where are you going? Jacob asked.

"You don't expect me to just sit here and stare at you both till she returns," Kyle replied with both his legs on the side of the bed.

"It's too soon for you to be moving around" said Jacob now with a furrowed looked.

"This body had been asleep since forever and I want to see myself," Kyle said while wiggling his feet and rotating his ankles.

Both men realized that Kyle had not seen himself yet.

"I will bring you a mirror" Jacob started to stand.

Kyle frowned looking down at what he wore a blue hospital gown. "I need to change to something else. I hate this!"

"Oh! let me get you some clothes," Jacob suggested then looked at Terrence.

"I will keep an eye on him," Terrence said.

"Don't worry I won't run," Kyle said.
I wish I could.

Kyle waited for Jacob to be out of site then proceeded to stand up. As his feet touched the floor he could feel the cold tiles beneath. He waited few seconds to adjust to the new sensation then put on his full weight while his left hand grabbed the side rails of the bed for support. He found Terrence standing near by ready to assist.

"How tall are you?" Kyle asked.

"5 feet, and 10 inches," Terrence replied.

"Then I must be around 6 feet," Kyle said.

"Probably," Terrence said looking up to Kyle.

Kyle's first few steps were like a toddler, his legs trembled to the unfamiliar task as he struggled to stay in balance. The numbness in his body made it harder to walk. It took him awhile to reach the far end of the makeshift room that he is in.

Terrence pulled the curtain aside and the rest of the laboratory became visible. Kyle stood motionless for a moment, looking at all the lab equipment that existed.

"Where are we?" Kyle asked. I feel like I am in a horror movie.

"Underneath Jacob's house," Terrence replied.

"This just adds to the insanity of the situation," Kyle blurted.

"Indeed," Terrence replied after a sigh.

Kyle started walking around. His steps were no longer in a state of totter but of a recovering patient. His legs somehow remembered how to walk and the numbness was almost gone.

What caught Kyle's attention was the tank in the middle of the laboratory.

"You were in it," Terrence said.

Kyle did not respond instead he looked intently to every detail he could see at the empty tank. You mean this body was in it. I was enjoying a family vacation and living my life.

"I see you found your incubator," Jacob said approaching with new change of clothes tucked in one arm and the other hand was holding a pair of sleepers.

Kyle turned to face Jacob. "Here are your clothes," Jacob said.

"Where is the bathroom?" Kyle asked.

"Over there," Jacob motioned to a door near the makeshift room that Kyle was.

Kyle locked the door behind him and hung his clothes on the hook behind the bathroom door.

He froze as soon as he saw his reflection through the mirror, he had to grab onto the washbasin for support as he felt his knees tremble.

He saw a stranger. Which he didn't recognized as himself. Not a hint of his old self existed. His eyes told him that Blythe was nowhere to be found but his mind knew otherwise. He understood earlier that his consciousness had been transferred but only now he saw and felt the full consequence of their action.

This is insane! How could this be happening? He silently asked himself as his breaths became more and more shallow.

He closed his eyes and told himself to calm down! What is the worst that could happen? Death!! Oh, wait I have died once already. Perhaps waking up to this nightmare! And finding out that the rest of my family is gone with my old self and I have to start a new life in a new body. OH! MY GOSH, A NEW BODY!!.

Kyle opened his eyes to the realization that he used to be in a female body but now he is in a male body, this is the worst thing that could ever happen!

Kyle looked down to his crotch area. This is freaking awkward situation I'm in.

He untied the ribbons of his hospital gown and then let the gown drop to the floor.

He stayed still for a few seconds then thought to himself Oh gosh! There is a thing dangling between my legs. Kyle took a deep breath then shifted his weight, Oh great it wiggles. He took another deep breath while he ran his fingers through his hair.

He stared for awhile at his own dick as it was a foreign object. He observed that it was huge, at least I am lucky down there! Oh, what the hell am I saying. I must be losing my mind.

He reached for it then let it go the same instant. His hands were curled to fists. He felt he was touching somebody else's body but the brief sensation told him otherwise, This must be a sick joke from the universe. Clearly from female to male will make anyone have some lose ends up here. He hurriedly put on his boxers and sweatpants then noticed his eight pack abs. Ok, this I can accept, he glanced to the rest of his upper body. It was well built as if he went to the gym regularly, Not bad!.

Kyle put on his grey T-shirt then examined his face once more. He realized that this body had a handsome face with a masculine jawline and thin lips.

His eyes were amber with a golden-yellowish tint. And his lashes were long black and thick which emphasized his eyes more. He had a shiny, thick, black hair and a pale complexion. I need some sunlight, Kyle did a mental note.

If I was a girl I would totally fall for these looks. I guess this means this body is lady-killer. He fell silent for a moment. I was a girl.

He remembered his blue eyes, still staring at his reflection. Then the memories started flooding back.

He took few more deep breath before going out. Keep your cool, the worst had already happened, Kyle told himself. He could not calm himself as tears ran across his face.

He had to sit down on the toilet while he silently sobbed for a few minutes. He felt defeated as all of the strength he had put on a fake mask of acceptance in front of those strangers, now slipped away. The ache in his heart was unbearable. Oh God! My mom died, she's gone. Now trembling with the full realization of losing the only person that he cared about. I'm alone! I'm not me, I died but I am alive. Looking down at his hands Kyle never felt so confused as he did at that moment. He was terrified of everything that had been going on.

I'm still Blythe?! He questioned himself, he felt trap in somebody else's body. I want my old body back! But I died, my body, my female body! Kyle wished he stayed dead. This is too much for me, he took a deep breath as he closed his eyes to calm himself. Why this body? Why couldn't it be a female body? Why me of all the people in this freaking world?! How could they expect me to accept this. How could I live as a man??? I-I'm...what am I?

Kyle opened his eyes and stood up, he stared at his complexion once again. He saw his wet unfamiliar face, he saw how sad and empty he was. He tried looking for Blythe, but all what he saw was a man's face, a stranger.

Anger, frustration, sadness and the sense of helplessness, these feelings threatened to overwhelm him. He wanted to give up and scream all of it out, but somehow a part of him, a part of Blythe refused to do so. Don't you ever show them how helpless you feel, how sad you feel...

He listened to the familiar voice he heard inside his head. Blythe or what remained of her was fighting to stay strong and calm. She never was the type to cry or show her emotions to others, and she never planned in doing it now. Her feelings were always kept to herself, she seldom shared them.

With the voice that Kyle heard he realized that his old self, Blythe was somehow inside him and is him. I'm still me, only in a different body, but I am still me..., he kept repeating to himself then he finally said, I am me but not Blythe. Blythe is just a name! Like Kyle is just a name, but I'm still me. This is just a new body. This went on for a couple of times.

After taking a deep breath he said, I'm me, I'm Kyle. I used to be called Blythe but now I'm Kyle. It's just a name, I'm still me with a new body. With that Kyle was somehow emotionally settled, he shoved the rest of his emotions inside him. He refused to show those strangers his vulnerability and what he considered a private thing only to be out when his alone.

He washed his face, he took several deep breaths before stepping out and put on the mask he wore in front of them. He did not trust them.

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Author's notes:

That was one long chapter! If you managed to read it all with no breaks then I gotta tell you dear reader. You might be getting addicted to the story 😉.

It is a very difficult topic to tackle, a female consciousness in a male body! What are your thoughts? Feel free to share them. How would you feel if you woke up in a male body?

Sorry for the late upload of this chapter, I had a cold for couple of days.

Pls feel free to comment your thoughts about Kyle.

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