THE PRICE OF inHERitance

Storm Within

He didn't know how long he cried, but eventually, the tears slowed, and exhaustion took over. His body ached with the emotional toll, and he felt completely drained. As he lay there in the dark, one thought kept echoing in his mind:

*What have they done to me?*

---

The next morning, Ellie woke up to find Lizzie sitting at the edge of his bed. She was holding a cup of coffee, her expression soft and concerned.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice gentle.

Ellie rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the grogginess. "Like I've been hit by a truck."

Lizzie smiled faintly. "You cried yourself to sleep last night, didn't you?"

Ellie didn't bother denying it. "Yeah."

Lizzie nodded, setting the coffee on the nightstand. "I'm not going to pretend to understand everything you're going through. But I do know one thing—you're not alone in this. I'm here. Always."

Ellie managed a small smile. "I know, Liz. Thanks."

Lizzie reached out and ruffled his hair, a playful gesture she used to do when they were younger. "Come on, let's get some breakfast. Maybe things will feel a little less terrible after some pancakes."

---

As the days passed, Ellie found himself struggling more and more with the changes. His emotions were constantly on edge, and the physical differences in his body were becoming impossible to ignore. His breasts were now a prominent part of his figure, and the soft curve of his hips seemed to stand out with every step he took. Every movement, every glance in the mirror, reminded him that he was no longer who he once was.

But it wasn't just the physical changes. The hormones were affecting him mentally, too. He found himself crying more easily, getting frustrated over little things that wouldn't have bothered him before. His moods were all over the place, swinging from anger to sadness to confusion.

And then there were the new sensations. His skin was more sensitive, every touch feeling more intense. The emotional rollercoaster was exhausting, and Ellie found himself retreating into his room more often than not, unable to deal with the outside world.

---

One evening, after another exhausting day of trying to come to terms with everything, Ellie sat in front of the mirror in his room, staring at his reflection. His once-short hair was now shoulder-length, framing his softening face. His chest, now undeniably feminine, strained against the tank top he was wearing.

He reached up, running his fingers through his hair, and let out a sigh. He hated this. He hated all of it. But what could he do? There was no going back now. This was his life.

Just then, Lizzie knocked on the door and entered, carrying a bag.

"Hey," she said, her voice light. "I thought you could use a little pick-me-up."

Ellie raised an eyebrow. "What's in the bag?"

Lizzie grinned and pulled out a pint of ice cream and a couple of spoons. "Comfort food."

Ellie couldn't help but smile. "You know me too well."

Lizzie sat down next to him, handing him a spoon. "I've got your back, Ellie. No matter what."

As they dug into the ice cream, a brief moment of normalcy settled between them. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Ellie felt like maybe—just maybe—he wasn't completely lost. He still had Lizzie. And that was something.

---

But deep down, Ellie knew the hardest part was still to come. The realization that his life would never be the same. That he would have to face a world that saw him as someone entirely different. A world that wouldn't understand, and maybe never would.

For now, though, all he could do was take it one day at a time. And hope that somehow, some way, he could find a way to live with the person he had become.