The Switch

The Switch
by Carrie Moritz

*Author's Note:
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This story is a later chapter in my Character, Aliye's, life. Aliye is a very unique person, raised deaf in a time when deafness is considered along the same lines as being without intelligence. Aliye, however, is extremely intelligent, and has develloped some interesting ways to get around her disability. It is a good place to discover her and her uniqueness, as well as a look into a type of life most people don't experience. Please be on the lookout for the Beginning, which explains any unanswered questions you may have. In the meantime, enjoy.
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The switch happened so quickly that Aliye was not sure at first what had happened. She looked down at her hands, and realized they weren’t her own. Looking up, she saw her own face in front of her. It had an extremely puzzled look on it, and it too was looking at its hands. What in the world, she heard through the mind link. What is going on, Aliye?

I think, she thought back, that I just switched us. I think I’m in your body, while you’re in mine.

YOU did it? Tersa thought back, and Aliye nodded.

I’ve always known that there was a barrier in minds. Lately, when I’ve been exploring those barriers, I could feel it slip- kind of like I was pushing a cart. When I pushed it completely, I think that this is what happened.

Tersa broke eye contact and started looking around. Is it- it’s not- permanent, is it?

No, it's not. I can feel this link… to my body. I think I can switch us back at any time.

Could you do it now?

Aliye looked at Tersa. She could, and she wanted to. However, she couldn’t seem to concentrate. There was something in her mind that she couldn’t explain. It had been there since the switch. What is that? She asked Tersa, looking around. Everything looked strange through these eyes, but it was the concentration breaking that she couldn’t understand.

What is what? Asked Tersa. Aliye looked back at her. Why haven’t you switched us yet?

Aliye started to look around in panic. She could understand Tersa just fine, but what ever it was that was breaking the concentration made it difficult. She couldn’t think straight, and it was all in her head! Was she being attacked? Aliye covered her head, hearing Tersa’s thoughts inside. I can’t- you’re-

Tersa grabbed Aliye’s arm. Look at me, she said to Aliye. Look at me! What’s going on? What’s wrong? Tell me! Aliye looked at Tersa, pain in her eyes.

Can’t- I can’t- concentrate- there’s so much- make it go away!

Tersa looked over toward Tika. He was running toward them. He had just noticed the commotion, and thought his wife was in trouble.

“Tika, help her!” Tersa yelled. Tika came to a dead stop. Aliye was talking? Aliye screamed. It hurts, Tersa’s mind heard. Make it stop! Aliye went limp in Tersa’s arms. Tersa started to cry, realizing what had happened. “Tika, it’s me,” she said to him. “It’s Tersa- I’m in Aliye’s body- and I can’t hear a darn thing!”


Aliye awoke with a start and looked around. She was in the campsite, and Tersa- still in Aliye’s body- was cooking something over the fire. Aliye realized that her concentration was still being broken, but it wasn’t as awful. It seemed to her that it happened every time she took in and let out a breath. Aliye felt her head. There was something around it- cloth, and it was bound tightly. Had she hit her head? Nothing hurt. She was about to pull it off when Tersa noticed Aliye was awake. Standing, she walked over to Aliye and pointed to her head, then shook it. Aliye took her hand off the cloth. Tersa then pointed to her head again, and pointed to Aliye’s. Aliye formed the link between their minds.

What is going on? Aliye asked Tersa. Why is this thing around my head?

For protection, Tersa answered. I figured out what was wrong when you fainted. I’m in your body, and you’re in mine, right? Aliye nodded. Of course they were. Aliye had not yet switched them back. Well, when we switched, your lack of hearing didn’t go with you. You’re hearing sounds, and I can’t hear anything.

Sound? Aliye asked, confused. I can hear? This was hearing? It was awful! If this is hearing, then I never want to do it again!

But Aliye, hearing is a wonderful thing! I’m missing it so much. I can’t hear my baby cry, I can’t hear my husband talk to me, for Pete’s sake, I can’t even hear Ragnar play his music!

Well then give me a second, and I’ll get back into my own body!

Aliye was in a panic. She wanted to get back in her body, but her own breathing was interrupting her concentration. She couldn’t seem to do it. A tear ran down her cheek. I can’t do it, she thought to Tersa. I’m too- I can’t concentrate enough to do it. My breathing is so loud! I can’t stand it!

Tersa managed a small smile. She was ready to get back into her own body. This lack of sound was scary, and she couldn’t understand why Aliye wanted to get back in so bad. However, it was teaching Tersa so many things, and she felt Aliye needed to learn some things as well. Your breathing is loud because your head is wrapped up. When a hearing person covers their ears, their breathing is really loud. But when the wrap comes off, you won’t hear your breathing- you’ll hear other things, like birds, and people talking.

Those can’t be good things! I need to get back- I need- I- Tersa, help me. I’m so scared. Aliye started to sob, and Tersa enveloped Aliye in her arms. The sobs started silently, then became louder. Aliye’s thoughts ran through Tersa’s head, fragmented pieces and questions. Tersa was getting scared for Aliye. Would this experience ruin her? Aliye’s mind screamed at Tersa to make the sound stop- even her crying had sound, and it was driving her into more sobs. Tersa could only rock her, and try to speak soothing words to Aliye’s mind. Tika came over holding the baby, and sat near the two with a worried look on his face. Ragnar, just coming into the site, sat his pack down. It was obvious that Tika had just explained to him what happened. He looked at the two women and shook his head, but he had the same look on his face that Tika had. However, he sat next to Tersa and put his hand on Aliye’s head.

This is Aliye? He mouthed to Tersa, and she nodded. He traced his fingers through the hair showing through the turban. Aliye looked up at Ragnar, still crying.

“She’s confused,” Tersa said quietly to Ragnar. He looked at her, surprised to hear words coming out of Aliye’s body. However, it was Tersa’s intonation that came through. “She hears all this stuff, but her mind can’t decipher it, and she can’t concentrate enough to switch back. I’m scared for her, but I think that if she switches now, she’ll never learn from it- she’ll be too scared to ever switch again.” Ragnar kissed Aliye’s cheek. I love you, he mouthed to her. Please, calm down.

“She’s too scared to calm down, she says. There’s so much bombarding her mind.” Ragnar stood.

“I have an idea,” he said. He took his harmonica out of his pouch. He instructed Tersa to unwrap the turban, and as he did so, Aliye started to hyperventilate. She looked at Ragnar with a pained look on her face. He began to play, softly, but loud enough to be heard over the hard breaths Aliye was taking. The music was soothing and slow, like a mother’s lullaby. Aliye’s breathing slowed, and she watched Ragnar, entranced. He continued to play, suggesting serenity.

Tersa helped Aliye sit up. Aliye still watched Ragnar as her breathing returned to normal. He played his harmonica for about fifteen minutes, until he was sure Aliye was completely calm.

No one talked for fifteen more minutes. Even Tersa heard nothing from Aliye’s thoughts. I think she’s calmed down, Tersa mouthed to Ragnar. He nodded.

“She wants me to ask you for more,” Tersa said to him quietly. Aliye looked at Tersa. What is that? Aliye asked. Tersa looked at Aliye with a puzzled look on her face, then realized what Aliye was asking about.

That is speech, Tersa answered. Aliye furrowed her forehead. Something was at the base of her memory; something she hadn’t remembered for a long time. She had known speech before. However, before she could fully recall, Ragnar’s harmonica interrupted her thoughts and the memory slipped away. It upset her that she could not remember- sound was entirely too invasive, she decided, but there was something about Ragnar’s music which made up for that. She listened to him play. It had sounded shrill and fuzzy before, even if it was comforting. But now, the music was attaining clarity. Aliye could tell there were differences in the music, much like there were differences in the way mind links worked with different people. As she listened to the music she got an idea and manifested a power, one that let her see the music being played. She had done this with Ragnar before, and noticed how the waves made by the music moved up and down. Now, as she watched and listened at the same time, she noticed the waves moved with the music. If the wave was high, the harmonica was more shrill, and if the wave was low, the music was deep. She knew it was usually the low waves that she could feel in her body, but she could never feel the waves from Ragnar’s harmonica.

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When Aliye awoke it was completely dark. She hadn’t realized that she fell asleep while Ragnar played, but it was obvious that plenty of time had passed. Tika and Tersa were lying near the campfire, which had all but gone out. Ragnar was sitting nearby, looking out at the trees. He had a sheet of parchment and ink in his hand. Aliye figured he was probably writing to his mother, as he usually did. However, Aliye’s attention became fixed on a sound nearby. She was curious about it. Ragnar did not seem worried, so it must not be bad. Yet it was nothing like Ragnar’s music, and Aliye found her nose wrinkling. Aliye stood and started to move around. As she walked toward Tika, the noise seemed worse. She put her ear near his mouth. It was incredibly terrible here, and Aliye remembered something Tersa had told her. Was this a snore? Aliye raised her head and looked at Tersa. It was so strange to look at herself, lying there. She looked hard at the features. Aliye had seen herself in looking glasses before, but this was different.

A new snore caused Aliye to look back at Tika. She remembered Tersa stuffing cloth in his mouth before, and wondered if that stopped it. She found one of Tika’s shirts in his pack and shoved it in his mouth. The snoring stopped, but Aliye heard something else immediately. She looked around and saw Ragnar. He was looking at her with an enormous smile. Aliye knew her smiles sometimes produced sounds, especially at something funny. Ragnar was laughing at her! He covered his mouth, and Aliye heard the sound again, although not as loud this time.

“That was cute,” he said to her, trying not to wake Tika. She looked at him and cocked her head. It was too dark to read his lips. She pointed to her head, then to his, and established a mind link.

What did you say? She asked. She moved closer and sat next to him.

I said that was cute. Ragnar smiled. His eyes moved around her face, studying it. Tersa looks so different from you, but now- it’s just weird.

That I’m Tersa? She asked, and he nodded. I could change us back now, and she could wake up in her own body.

But?

But now, I’m starting to discover new things. Your music- the waves are the same as what you’re playing. Tika snores, and I don’t like that sound very much. That sound you made- was it a laugh? Ragnar nodded. That laugh was interesting. Right now, I hear something else, but I don’t know what it is. I don’t remember hearing it earlier.

Those are crickets. They make that sound the most at night. There’re other nighttime sounds as well, but the crickets are the loudest tonight.

Crickets- can you say that out loud, like you said I was cute?

Sure. “Cricket.” Aliye studied his mouth as he said it. She asked him to say it again, and he did so.

How do you do that? She asked. He showed her how to make the sounds, and she tried her best to mimic him. He smiled at her attempts and encouraged her.

Let’s try a new one, he said, after she had nearly accomplished “cricket.” “Ragnar.” My name. Aliye watched as he said it again. She was able to form the name after only a few tries, and although her speech sounded muffled and child-like, Ragnar was ecstatic. He had never hoped to hear Aliye talk, and here she was- learning to speak! Ragnar wondered about the effect it was having on Aliye. He doubted she would abandon her body, but he also doubted that she would want to continue to be deafened. She had been working her whole life to reach this point. The reason she had developed her powers was so she could talk to others, and with this power, she was becoming unlimited. Ragnar forced himself to concentrate on the words Aliye was producing. It was not up to him what Aliye did with this new power.

She made progress on a few more words, pronouncing each with difficulty. Aliye was thankful for the mind link. She had never realized how different her internal speech sounded. Each word before had had a particular shape on the mouth, as well. Now she could hear the differences between the shapes. There were sounds in speech she had never seen, and there were sounds that looked the same but sounded different. Aliye was amazed. She had never understood the world in this way before.

She looked over her shoulder at Tersa. The woman slept peacefully, her baby in a basket next to her. If Aliye was learning this much about sound, how much was Tersa missing? Aliye knew only too well the world she lived in. It was peaceful, but confusing. Many things were never explained. When Aliye could not form the mind link, everything was a guessing game, and expression was not an option. She furrowed her forehead. There was so much more left to learn. She understood now how little she knew. Aliye knew her place was in her own body; she could still feel the pull toward it. But after this experience, how could she go back?

A loud sound made her jump. She looked around frantically as Ragnar put his hand on her shoulder. What is that? She asked. The sound continued.

The baby is crying, Ragnar answered her. He stood and started to walk over to the basket. Tika sat up suddenly and looked around, a confused look on his face. He pulled the cloth out of his mouth, looked at it, then crawled over to the baby. Tersa did not move. It was then that Aliye realized why she must go back. It was not fair to Tersa to keep her from the things she knew, and to end up relying on everyone like Aliye did. Aliye looked at Tika. He was holding the baby, rocking it. He said something Aliye could not understand. It was too dark to see his lips. With one hand, he motioned for her to come near him. You must feed the baby, Ragnar said to her. Aliye pointed to herself and shook her head. That was Tersa’s job, not her own.

Lying down next to Tersa, Aliye made her final decision. She closed her eyes, allowing the pull from her body to overtake her. When she opened them again, she was where Tersa had been. She looked over her shoulder. Tersa was back in her own body. Hearing the baby cry, she was blinking groggily and attempting to sit up. Aliye felt normal again, although very tired.

Aliye? She heard Ragnar say. She looked over at him.

I switched back, she told him. He nodded. Tersa was now moving toward Tika, looking very sleepy. It occurred to Aliye that Tersa didn’t realize she’d been switched. Wondering how long it would take, Aliye watched as Tersa began to feed the baby. Tersa looked up. A look of surprise danced across her face, followed by relief. Thank you, she mouthed to Aliye. Aliye shrugged. She stood, walked over to her bedroll, and fell asleep as soon as she lay down.