Variants Present

Author’s note: This isnt a continuation of either of the stories I wrote about alternate pasts. But its along the same theme ...

I fell into a deep sleep, and dreamed.

I found myself standing at a strange kind of crossroads in the middle of space. In every direction there were paths, going left, right, even up and down, far too many paths for me to count.

I stood helplessly for a moment, unable to decide what to do.

Then a figure faded into existence beside me, and I turned to watch it become more solid. It was cloaked and hooded in such a way I could be sure of no features, but when it touched my hand I shuddered involuntarily.

But despite my discomfort, I let the creature take my hand, and it pointed to one of the many paths, which lit up from within.

A moment later, a woman appeared, standing on the path that was lit, and she looked at me for a long moment before she spoke.

She might have been pretty once, but it was clear she had lived a hard life - signs of bruises on her face, and far more care and worry lines as well.

Finally, she spoke.

“I’m you, in case you’re wondering. I’m the you you might have been if you had been born female.”

“But what happened to you, to us? You look ...”

“As a child, you watched your mother get into an abusive relationship. Well, I followed in Mommy’s footsteps a little too closely. And I cant leave, in case you’re wondering, because I have kids to think about, just like she did.”

I started weeping.

The creature beside me said, “You were wondering if your life wouldnt have been easier if you had been born a girl. This would have been your fate, would you trade what you have for it?”

“N....No.”

The woman faded, and the creature pointed to another path.

Moments later, a man was standing on that path. If I hadn’t been sure that he was some variation of me, I wouldn’t have guessed it. He was muscular, and had several tattoos on each arm, and he was wearing a prison jumpsuit.

“Yeah, you fairy. I’m you. I’m the you you would have been if you hadnt been trans. “

“So why are you ... me ... us... why are you in jail?”

“Murder. Remember that fight you had with your stepdad? Without the moderating influence of Dorothy, I killed him.”

“Oh, God...”

“They tried me as an adult, and well, here I am. Needless to say, being in prison changed me. I got tired fast of being on the bottom, and so I started working out. Now, nobody messes with me.”

I didnt know what to say, I just sank slowly to my knees.

My companion said, “Yes, this is what your fate would have been. Do you need to see more?”

I shook my head, and shakingly said, “Thank you for showing me. I guess I have more to be grateful of than I knew. I always thought being trans was a handicap, a curse, or a burden. I ... I never dreamed it was the best possible outcome. “

The paths faded, and then my companion did as well, and I woke to find my pillow stained with tears.

“I guess I better start being more grateful, then.” I said, and slid off the bed to get down on my knees ......

End.