Preface

Quantum Filaments, here afterward referred to as QUFITs instantly transfer characteristics between two individuals. First recorded in 2015 they recur annually. A previously unknown phenomenon they first appeared on October 31st in Denver, Colorado, United States at approximately 1610 hours local time. Just days ahead of the annual Leonid meteor showers, many amateur astronomers mistakenly claimed they were only part of a highly active cycle of meteor showers or the intense Aurora Borealis. For several days many governments around the world thought it better to allow that explanation to persist rather than admit this was a phenomenon that was unknown to current science and whose impact could not be predicted. The QUFITs were visible as they crossed the upper atmosphere and interacted with the earth's magnetosphere. After passing through those strata, they were no longer visible to the naked eye, nor any scanning technology up to that time. Because they were no longer visible the public mostly considered it a beautiful "light show".

Within about 12 hours the first victims began to self-identify. As the symptoms were of a type never seen by modern science they were initially treated as pranks or evidence of mental instability. It rapidlDue to some of the physical symptoms being presented, it rapidly became evident nce we then knew it had just taken a giant step into the unknown.

even years have passed since the first QUFITs rained down on earth. There have been modest gains in detecting the filaments but next to nothing on how they make these changes. Mostly we have a collection of observations that give some guidance.

The Filaments usually fall for about 72 hours beginning near the end of October or early November. At a distance, they appear as specks of multicolored light but when near enough individual strands can be seen. The lengths vary from approximately 5 meters to 25 kilometers. The vast majority of filaments are under 10 meters.

Humans are the only known life forms impacted by the QUFITs. Persons changed by an annual QUFIT fall appear to be wholly immune to any subsequent falls. The transference between individuals can be either physical or mental. The number of changes visited upon a person has ranged from one to eighteen individual "swaps".

Physical changes can be major or minor. Some persons have had their entire bodies swapped or in some cases just body parts. In the case of individual parts, there is always a modification that supports the transfer. The first documentation of this was a situation where two women’s lower halves were changed. The women were of differing heights and weights. When swapped, the leg length, etc. changed to be proportionate on the shorter woman’s body. However, the legs still retained the general girth in the buttocks, thighs, etc. The women now had the other’s lower bodies but proportioned up or down to their original sizes.

Physical changes tend to accompany a slight corresponding mental adjustment. The most frequently noted example is related to earrings. A man had his ears, including large hoop earrings, swapped with this sister. He was unaware until a family member pointed out he had pierced ears. The victim should have felt the extra weight immediately, but it was as if the transfer included the expectation of this feeling. Upon being told of the change the man could immediately recognize the change and acknowledged it was new to him.

Many mental changes have a similar impact on the victims. The swap is seldom noticed until pointed out. Examples are of teens suddenly knowing advanced mathematics but never having learned them. Relationship perception works this way too. There was a report where two coworkers had their knowledge of their wives swapped. The mental change was not readily apparent didn't recognize their own wives as they now were expecting someone that looked and acted like their coworker's wife. Using family photos, discussions with close family and friends the men were able to realize what had happened to them. However, after approximately a year both marriages ended in divorce.

Time off is given to everyone during the "annual fall" but this year the fall started early and caught the world unprepared.

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"Danny, can you zip me up? Veronica Nicastro asked.

"Sure thing," Danny told his wife. Danny and Veronica were the first of their friends to start getting married. But after four years the weddings were started to come one after the other. As their friends ages closed in on 30, they were deciding to settle down, especially their women friends. The men thought they could wait an extra year or two.

Some paired up with other friends, others were marrying partners that were outside Danny and Veronica's friend group.

"What time to we have to be there?"

"The invitation said to arrive by 7, so I guess three hours."

"It's only n hour and a half drive."

"We'll leave in about a half an hour. We've never been to that area, we might get lost or there might be traffic or something. If we get there too early, we don't have to go in. We'll listen to music or 'play' with our phones. I'm sure we'll think of something."

"OK, I'll get dressed now."

"I'll be ready to go when I finish my makeup and a couple other things. Say 45 minutes."

"I'm ready," Veronica announced.

"Me too."

They exited their apartment and then the building to walk to their car. It was parked a few blocks away. It would take a while until they could get a space in the building parking garage. Spaces only opened up when the residents moved. No one knew how long it would take.

As Veronica walked in her three-inch heels she wondered if she should have worn sneakers to travel to the car.

"Look a shooting star!" Danny said.

"Where?"

"Over there." Danny pointed.

Veronica could see them now. "How beautiful!"

"Yeah, but not as beautiful as you."

"You're so sweet."

The couple kissed. A few seconds, they returned to their walk.

"Ow!" Veronica yelled. She took a misstep in her heels.

"What happened?" Danny asked. Bet, he knew immediately when he turned around. He thought he saw Veronica wearing his clothes.

"Why am I wearing heels? What why am I wearing your clothes?" Veronica saw her dress, stockings and heels as she looked down her legs. She believed she was wearing Danny's apparel. The QUFIT swapped Danny and Veronica's fashion sense. She believed she wore male apparel all her life and Danny wore the dresses and skirts.

Danny looked at the tailored suit he was wearing and felt out of place. He didn't feel as out of place as Veronica.