I woke up before the sun had even thought about rising. The room was still dark, quiet in that heavy early morning way that almost felt fragile. For a moment I forgot where I was. I forgot that I was trapped in Elena’s body. I forgot that somewhere across town she was waking up in mine. Then the soft weight of her hair against my neck reminded me. Her small breaths. Her heartbeat that still felt too close to the surface.

Being in her skin felt like living inside a bruise.

I sat up slowly and ...