Light trickled through the window and softly lit the inside of the house. The door opened gently and Molly gazed out upon the sunrise. At the tender age of 2,400 years old, Molly was still transfixed by the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets of the world. She had grown up in the new world and had not known the old one. Although she had heard stories and knew the history like the back of her hand, she never felt that she could connect with the old world. She concluded that was a good thing as she wasn’t sure that she wanted to.

As she watched the sunrise turn to a blazing yellow, she remembered turning 100 years old. Her body was old and weak she remembered vividly going to the appointment to pick out a husk. She remembered experiencing life in her new body for the first time. It was extraordinary.

Everyone was very young back then and many of her friends had already turned 100 or were going to soon. They celebrated, perhaps a bit too much, and although the first 24 hours in her new body were long forgotten, the feeling of pure joy and happiness had remained.

That body hadn’t been her favourite. Her current body was a gem, as she called it. Shaped to perfection with long, brown, flowing hair; and eyes that stared deep into her own soul. She loved this one.

It was scary sometimes, getting a new body. It was something different to get use to. Each time Molly had it done, which was over 20 times by this point, she found herself exhausted for at least 3 days afterwards as her body clock had changed. She found herself recognizing everyone for their mannerisms and gestures rather than their looks (which would be impossible if you tried). Choosing a body was a long process with lots of paperwork; typically beginning with seeing a wide selection of fully developed husks; then choosing one that would be ideal for you; followed by a long talk with the doctor discussing everything from the anatomical differences between the husk you have chosen and your current husk, to assessing if your consciousness is able to be transferred into the new husk; then final checks are performed just before the operation.

In the bright sunlight Molly wondered what it would be like to be a man. She hadn't tried it, or thought to try it. Yet.

She loved the new world. It was full of life and laughter, all the hatred from the old world gone, and everything being carefully controlled by the high council.

This was freedom, as much as the council would allow. With true freedom comes the right to do almost anything, talk about almost anything and have equal rights between all people. Goodness knows that they are a bad idea.

Due to World War 3 and the decline of the old world, the new world had no religion. With the help of science Molly was over 2,000 years old and proud of it. Religion and its' ideologies were primitive, ill informed and could be twisted so that horrific acts could take place.

The sun had fully risen now and Molly stayed a while longer. She looked out over the lush grass filled fields and beyond her cattle to see the outline of Barbeth, the grand city. She took a deep breath and smiled before leaving her house and going to the stables.

“Hello Fern,” She spoke softly to the black mare as she entered the stable. “You look like you need a ride today. Wouldn’t that be nice?” She stroked Fern’s main and looked the mare straight in the eyes. Fern whinnied and stepped back. Molly laughed. She got Fern’s bridle, saddle and blanket before carefully placing them on Fern and fixing them in place.

“There we are,” Molly’s voice was gentle like the breeze and it soothed Fern. She led Fern out of the stable and into the brightly lit day. Ferns’ hooves clattered over the cobbles before she stepped onto the soft grass. Molly mounted Fern and they began riding out into the fields. They rode onto the top of the hill as sunlight broke through the trees above them, casting them in sunlight and shadow as Molly spurred Fern on into a canter through the meadow. They soon came to a stream and Molly dismounted Fern. She strode through the lavender at the steams edge towards a small waterfall. She collapsed suddenly into the grass due to a sharp, sudden pain in her side.

In Barbeth New World Hospital an alarm sounded. A member of staff rushed to the sound, like it was a telephone, and with the press of a button they tracked the signal back to Husk 634234-HJM.