Joe was confused for most of his life. He didn’t know how to win new friends - he tried doing what others did. He didn’t know how to act around people he liked. He began training martial arts so he could become a better version of himself. Well, at least that is what he told himself.

His best friends were Bill and Neil. They complimented one another nicely.

Bill was extremely shy most of his life. Hе spent most of his days at home. His only friends were Joe and Neil, for whom he knew all his life.

Neil was Bill’s best friend from childhood. They were together since fifth grade. They always hung out together and had sleepovers. Once they even travelled abroad together and split up from the school group for the whole day – they had more fun this way than with the other students.

In high school they met Joe. Neil was the more sociable one and he introduced Bill to him. Joe liked Bill but he did everything he could to not be like him. He wanted to be accepted. He wanted to be acknowledged by everyone. Bill was nothing like that. He only wanted to be in peace.

Joe secretly envied Neil. He was never ashamed of anything. He didn’t care what others thought of him and still proudly declared what he was interested in, and he was accepted because of it. He loved his life.

Joe wanted to release some steam off. He just competed in a martial arts tournament. He finished third place. He felt bad about it – he always demanded the best out of him. Despite the ovations of his acquaintances and friends, he felt ashamed. He has always been a perfectionist in everything he took up. Joe thought that a little trip with his two closest friends will make him cool down. He wanted to be more like them - have some peace of mind and accept himself no matter what is going on.

Joe was driving with Bill next to him. Neil was on the back seat. Bill looked out the window and felt empty. He actually disliked change. Neil was telling them something that happened last week in college. It was their second year. Despite the laughs Bill didn’t glance away from the window. He saw how the trees and

other cars disappeared in the distance. He seemed so depressed. Neil had a theory that Bill actually disliked his life. That he didn’t like being shy all the time. That he actually wanted to talk to more people and expand. Neil thought that this trip would be perfect for him as well.

Soon it became dark.

The trio of friends finally reached their destination. They put up tents and lit a campfire. They ate and talked about what was going on in their lives.

Neil was trying to open up Bill. And soon he succeeded.

Joe and Neil learned stuff about him that they didn’t even know.

Bill opened up about how he wanted to be more dominant and lead a life that he desired, not one dictated by his family, something that resulted in his shyness and closeness from the world and other people.

After couple of hours of talking Joe noticed some strange looking mushrooms after he went to take a piss.

He picked them up and showed them to his friends.

He wanted to be more free and spontaneous. He felt as if he took one of the mushrooms it would be his ticket out of responsibility, at least for this one night. Neil decided to take one as well, so he has a change in lifestyle. He was tired of doing everything safe and comfortable. All of his hobbies involved only himself and no one else. For Bill this was a chance to take charge. He wouldn’t be shy and frightened, he wanted to unleash his true personality, tired of doing what others told him and what everyone needed of him.

Joe ate one of the mushrooms first. He felt nothing, in fact the mushrooms was tasteless. He felt a little weird after couple of moments. Neil and Bill waited to see what would happen, they were afraid that the mushrooms way do harm to them and they wanted to be sure. Soon Joe felt how his emotions make a shift. He felt how his drive changes.

After a while Joe changed. Neil and Bill looked terrified at first. Joe noticed how his body has changed. He explored his body. He had become a woman. At first he was extremely shocked, but in seconds he remembered why he came here…

he wanted to be free from responsibility, and his core DNA changed, he felt that this was a sign. Bill and Neil quickly consumed a mushroom each, without saying a single word after witnessing Joe’s transformation. Bill enlarged and took the form of a Bog Troll, while Neil became a Wookie.

Their forms represented their desires. They wanted freedom. The mushrooms also silenced their minds. The constant voice in their heads, the judging, the projections, the beliefs, the hopes… all silenced. They were in this moment and they lived it… truly lived it.

It wasn’t long before they indulged themselves in a passionate lovemaking. They didn’t care for how it may look to others, they didn’t think at all. They just did what came natural. Bill was dominant while Neil was doing something he never thought he ever would do, especially like this!

Joe felt free of all responsibility. He let himself free. He let his two best friends be with him in a way he didn’t thought of until this night. Their lovemaking felt so… poetic. Soon the fire went out, Bill and Neil fell asleep. Joe did too, not letting a single thought enter his mind.

The sun rose, and Joe woke up, noticing that they were back in their human forms… he also noticed that he had a baby bump on his stomach….

(To be continued)