{"id":645,"date":"2026-08-17T17:27:56","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T17:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=645"},"modified":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T22:12:54","slug":"the-body-he-borrowed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=645","title":{"rendered":"The Body He Borrowed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tales from the Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Moral Dilemma:<\/strong> If temporarily becoming someone stronger, healthier, more attractive, or more socially accepted gives you access to a life you could never otherwise experience, is using that escape an act of freedom\u2014or can relief become dangerous when returning to yourself begins to feel like punishment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell hated mirrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not dramatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He didn&#8217;t cover them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Didn&#8217;t smash them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He simply learned where not to look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shop windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Polished metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other people&#8217;s eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was sixteen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Very thin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His shoulders curved forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One leg was slightly shorter than the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His skin broke out badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His voice cracked at exactly the moments voices should not crack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None of these things were catastrophic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, at sixteen, they felt like a coordinated military campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell&#8217;s best friend was Orin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin was beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was inconvenient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Broad shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perfect teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hair that apparently had signed a private agreement with the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People looked when Orin entered rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then looked again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell had once watched a waitress forget what she was carrying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin didn&#8217;t notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This made it worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re lucky,\u201d Pell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin looked up from his sandwich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAbout?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell gestured at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy shirt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour entire situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The advertisement appeared three weeks later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>BE SOMEONE ELSE.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ONE DAY.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>NO PERMANENT CHANGES.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>SAFE. PRIVATE. REVERSIBLE.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IDENTITY EXCHANGE \u2014 RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS WANTED.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell tore the poster down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because he disapproved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because he wanted the address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena explained the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe transfer sensory and motor control.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn normal language.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou wake up in another participant&#8217;s body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey wake up in yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell&#8217;s enthusiasm decreased slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey get mine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI thought maybe mine would just&#8230; wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBodies don&#8217;t wait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCould mine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHave you tested?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Participants were matched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Same age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similar health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One day only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strict supervision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No dangerous activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No sex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No financial transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No contacting people who knew the other participant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell nodded through everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWho do I get?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat sentence is exactly why the ethics board hates this project.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His match was Hale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seventeen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Athlete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Muscular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clear skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stared at his photograph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The universe had become unsubtle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked at Pell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell watched disappointment flicker across his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gone immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They shook hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy are you doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy are <em>you<\/em> doing this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMoney.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Participants were paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell had forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exchange took six minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell woke up tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was the first thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The room had changed dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He stood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His knees didn&#8217;t ache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His back straightened naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He walked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Balanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena shouted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNO RUNNING.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell ran faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For twenty-four hours, Pell lived inside Hale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He ate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Food tasted the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Disappointing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He climbed stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He went outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People looked at him differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was not imagination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A woman smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A man stepped aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two boys who would normally have ignored Pell nodded at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A shopkeeper called him \u201csir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell bought nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Financial rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But he wandered for hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Existing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He found a mirror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No flinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No strategic angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No avoiding his own eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale&#8217;s face smiled back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That sound contained more grief than he expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then he returned to the laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale was waiting in Pell&#8217;s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked furious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour hip hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell&#8217;s joy collapsed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour right hip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou didn&#8217;t mention that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt isn&#8217;t bad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt hurts every step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell became defensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI walk every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale pointed at Pell&#8217;s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;re slouching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour back hurts when I don&#8217;t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYour skin hurts too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou get headaches.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou didn&#8217;t put that on the questionnaire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey asked about serious conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is serious when you&#8217;re inside it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell became angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not at Hale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because Hale had learned in one day what everyone else seemed incapable of understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The body Pell hated was not merely ugly to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was tiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They exchanged back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell woke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ache.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His own hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He started crying immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena knelt beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAre you in pain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was technically false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But not the pain she meant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next morning was worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell had known other bodies existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Obviously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had not known what they felt like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now he did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Walking inside himself felt like returning to a badly maintained house after staying in a palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything irritated him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His leg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He hated things he had never hated before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He returned to the laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI&#8217;ll pay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou paid me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStill no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena folded her hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cParticipants cannot repeat within six months.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPsychological effects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed bitterly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSuch as?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell found another clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less reputable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No six-month rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He borrowed money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Second exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Different body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fourth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell became a tourist of other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He learned bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One was stronger than Hale but had terrible eyesight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One was beautiful and lived with constant stomach pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One was short and astonishingly fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One had a scar across the face Pell initially disliked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By evening he loved it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It made strangers curious rather than dismissive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell began understanding that every body contained invisible weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But he still preferred almost all of them to his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His mother noticed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou&#8217;ve been gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWork.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou don&#8217;t have a job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cResearch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is somehow more concerning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin noticed too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou hate being here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell looked around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They were sitting beside the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI mean here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin pointed at Pell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell became angry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou wouldn&#8217;t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Orin nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cProbably not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That made Pell angrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Six months later, the original research program contacted him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you regret participating?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWould you do it again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apparently this answer was common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy both?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause I learned something true.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat some things actually are easier for other people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI used to think maybe I was weak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes I&#8217;m carrying more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd the regret?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell looked at his hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI learned what it feels like to put the weight down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doctor Sena leaned back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs knowing that bad?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI started treating my own body like it was the weight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That sentence changed the research program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ethics boards love sentences after damage has made them obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stopped exchanging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because he suddenly loved himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He went to a physician about his hip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Actually went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turned out one shoe needed a lift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Small thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Changed his walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Physical therapy helped his back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Medication improved his skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Headaches had a treatable cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell became furious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou mean some of this was fixable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The physician shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou never asked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell considered this an unacceptable defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was also true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other things didn&#8217;t change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His face remained his face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His build remained narrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His voice remained slightly strange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He learned clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strength training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Posture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not to become Hale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make Pell&#8217;s body work better for Pell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction took years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then Hale visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They had not spoken since the experiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale was twenty-three now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still handsome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less athletic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He walked with a cane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell stared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHorse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBad horse?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cExcellent horse. Poor decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They drank coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think about your body sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell nearly choked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is a disturbing sentence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale looked at his cane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter the accident, everyone kept telling me how lucky I was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWere you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI hated hearing it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell understood immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPeople meant I could&#8217;ve died.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut what I heard was: you&#8217;re not allowed to be angry about what you lost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hale looked at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat day in your body helped.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI knew bodies could be difficult without being ruined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell became quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years later, Pell worked with Doctor Sena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not as a scientist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a participant adviser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The identity exchange still existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For medical training mostly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Physicians spent hours experiencing simulations of conditions their patients lived with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some therapeutic uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strict limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell insisted on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A young participant once asked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIs it wrong that I want another body?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell answered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShouldn&#8217;t I accept myself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can accept something and still want parts of it changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen why can&#8217;t I exchange?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor a day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The participant frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhy only a day?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell smiled sadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBecause borrowing another life can teach you something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He looked toward the exchange room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLiving there long enough can also teach you that your own life is where you&#8217;re being sent back to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The participant looked frightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat if I hate coming back?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen we take that seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDo you make me love myself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell laughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe help you figure out what hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He counted on his fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat can change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat can&#8217;t.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat you&#8217;re assuming about other people&#8217;s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd whether escape is showing you a possibility or becoming the only place you feel allowed to exist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The participant looked at Pell&#8217;s uneven stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDid you ever get the body you wanted?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell thought about Hale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mirrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The strange freedom of being looked at differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDoes that bother you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThen what changed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pell looked down at himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still narrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scar on one hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shoe lift hidden beneath the right heel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His body had become less like an enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not because he discovered it was secretly perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It wasn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because perfection had stopped being the requirement for belonging to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI stopped treating this one like the waiting room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That evening Pell walked home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His hip hurt a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rain began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He passed a shop window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His reflection moved beside him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most of his life, Pell would have looked away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This time he didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He did not stop to admire himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did not declare himself beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Did not perform gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He simply saw the man in the glass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And kept walking with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If temporarily becoming someone stronger, healthier, more attractive, or more socially accepted gives you access to a life you could never otherwise experience, is using that escape an act of freedom\u2014or can relief become dangerous when returning to yourself begins to feel like punishment? Pell hated mirrors. Not dramatically. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tales-from-the-universe"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Body He Borrowed - Depth Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/depthguide.com\/?p=645\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Body He Borrowed - Depth Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tales from the Universe Moral Dilemma: If temporarily becoming someone stronger, healthier, more attractive, or more socially accepted gives you access to a life you could never otherwise experience, is using that escape an act of freedom\u2014or can relief become dangerous when returning to yourself begins to feel like punishment? Pell hated mirrors. Not dramatically. 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