Long Distance Great Shift 8: Sweden to Qatar

William’s heart fluttered with anticipation as he opened the email that had finally made its way to him. He had already gone through so much trouble to get to this point, whatever was written inside would seal his fate, possibly for the rest of his life. Taking a deep breath, he smoothed out his dress and started reading the message.

Mrs. Al-Thani, 

Regarding your appeal for return to Pre-Shift Country of Origin (PSCO), our committee has found insufficient evidence to convince us that you truly are William Karlsson, resident of Sweden. Seeing as sufficient documentation has not been claimed, you will be issued documentation matching your current status, that of Mariam Al-Thani. This will be our last communication with you. Please direct any further inquiries through your husband. 

Sincerely,

-Quatar Post-Shift Affairs Committee.

William sat down, a pit forming in his stomach. The Great Shift had placed him in the body of a Qatari housewife, and unable to locate any of his former documents, was facing a bureaucratic nightmare proving his original identity. Due to widespread fraud, the Qatari government had severely restricted the return process most countries initiated to sort out international Shift victims, issuing most claimants documentation for the body they landed in and closing the case. 

That appeal had been his last chance to return back to his old life, and his case having been closed, William was now firmly under the control of his new husband, and would need his permission now to travel or make any significant changes to his life. Malik, the man his new body had been married to, had made it clear that Shifted or not, he was maintaining a traditional relationship with his wife. He was a prominent businessman and had decided early on that the best thing to do for the economy was to return to normal roles as soon as possible. Whoever his wife pretended to be in the past made no difference to him, as long as she maintained her appearance and her duties as a housewife, he would give her relative freedom, while any deviation would be punished.

William was out of options. While his friends and family were carrying on with their lives in Sweden, he would be living out the life of a muslim woman, devoted housewife, and future mother in Qatar.