The vow

George's eyes fluttered open as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains. For a moment, he lay still, disoriented by the unfamiliar sensations flooding his enhanced senses. The soft rustle of leaves outside, the distant hum of traffic, even the gentle creaking of the house settling – all of it seemed amplified, overwhelming.

With a groan, he pushed himself up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The cool floor beneath his feet grounded him, a small comfort in the sea of change that had become his life. He padded to the bathroom, his reflection in the mirror still a shock. The face that stared back at him was his, yet not quite. His skin was paler, his eyes holding a new intensity that both thrilled and unnerved him.