Hi everyone!
My name is Alex and I am here to tell you my story, an unbelievable tale that even I, still sometimes, find hard to believe.
I am in my twenties. I am biologically male but I am a woman by heart. Because I live in a country where it is not widely accepted, I kept it to myself and my best friend Casey (pronounced as KAY-see), who was in the same boat as me, but the other way around (she is biologically female but a man by heart).
I hope this is clear right from the start so I'm saying it now, I'm not up for debate since this is how we felt. Some call it gender dysphoria or whatsoever. But for Casey and me, it felt too literal. We often felt like we were born in the wrong body. Sometimes we even joke around that maybe, our souls were swapped because we were neighbors and even born on the same day in the same hospital room.
Moreover, Casey and I were pretending to date each other so people would stop pairing us up to people we would never be interested in. The people who knew us and our neighbors in our village believed we are fated for each other not knowing we could never go beyond our friendship
Due to the pandemic, I was laid off from my corporate job due to the uncertain times. I'm sure some of you must have experienced it as well.
I really hated my boss at first but I realized after some time that it was a blessing in disguise.
After all, because I was laid off, once the regulations allowed, I went home to my hometown in the province where the expenses are much less compared to the city.
Of course, Casey was with me too since we were from the same village and she was laid off as well.
This was where it all began.
Due to the lockdowns, I had nothing much to do anyway so I helped my grandparents on the farm.
I had a good build since I maintained my perfect image and went to the gym whenever I could. Due to this, I was able to help out a lot on the farm and realized that though difficult and laborious, farming was so rewarding.
As for Casey, she also helped out on their farm, but she was usually tasked with preparing food for her family and their workers. But in fact, her favorite part was weeding tall grasses and shrubs using a sharp machete, since to her, she said it felt like she was swinging a sword for battle and she loved it.
Since we found what we do more meaningful than our previous overly exhausting jobs that always had bosses power tripping, we decided to stay in our village even when the regulations were eased and businesses were finding more workers again.
Months and years passed by in a flash.
I had learned a lot about farming and our farm was quite a success especially since people suddenly grew to buy more directly from farms since the pandemic and people became more conscious of what they ate.
It was peaceful and satisfying for us. But time truly has a way of taking us by surprise when we expect it the least.
One day, Casey and I met at a newly built cafe to push true with one of our pretend dates. Yes, we still continue to pretend like we are dating and people are even talking us into getting married soon, so we were in quite a pickle every time the topic was brought up.
We chose a table outside where there was no one else so we could talk freely.
I was just about to take a sip of my coffee when a child suddenly got out of a store on the other side of the road and ran across the road without checking for any cars first.
"There's a car coming!"
I screamed in a panic when I saw one coming. The driver likely did not expect the child either since it was too sudden.
I sprung up and ran to get the child. Everything was suddenly in slow motion but I somehow knew that I wouldn't make it due to my speed.
Casey, who had always been more agile than me, quickly went past me and grabbed the child, and rolled over the road.
I thought everything was finally alright but when I looked at the other side of the road, there was another car coming.
It was hit by the car that almost ran over the child Casey saved and the car was thrown over and spinning in Casey and the child's direction.
"Casey! Move out of the road! There's one more!" I screamed as I ran to her side as fast as I could.
"I can't," Casey mouthed as she tried to get up and run again, but fell on one knee. She hugged the child protectively, shielding the child with her body as she tried to move.
I realized why when I saw she was bleeding. A lot. She was injured from the first car.
'Sh*t!!! Please let me reach them!!!'
I cursed and prayed as I did my best to reach them.
I did and carried them both and continued to get out of the road. But from the side of my eyes, I saw the car still spinning.
I somehow knew it would reach us.
I looked at Casey and our eyes met. She clearly knew as well when she saw the spinning car.
With all the years we knew each other, without words, we had a silent agreement.
Saving the child was our priority.
Casey was already injured and this might worsen her injuries but she was up for it with the determined look in her eyes and how tightly she held the child.
As for me, we both knew I might not make it.
But it was better than all of us dying. It was why we made our decisions quickly in the second our eyes locked.
We nodded at each other and Casey held onto the child tightly and protectively.
I knew this was crazy, but I jumped and threw them as far away as I could from the road to the grassy space beside the store, hoping they landed safely on the part with the thickest grass.
Then, I felt it.
A strong heavy blow hitting my body and breaking my bones.
There was an excruciating pain and I did not recognize the scream that came from me, and when it stopped, my body went numb.
There were screams all around us as I felt my body rapidly going cold.
I knew it must be from losing a lot of blood. And from how fast it was, I already knew I was a goner.