A Walking Contradiction

The night air was chilly, the wind biting at my exposed bones. I huddled in the alleyway, looking for any form of shelter. That's when I spotted it - a donation bin, filled with clothes.

My heart racing, I stepped forward and peered inside. The bin was packed with garments of all shapes and sizes, piled haphazardly on top of each other.

I rummaged through the pile, my bony fingers searching for something that would fit my skeletal frame. The easiest thing to find was a button-up shirt.

Finally, I found a pair of pants that looked like they might work. They were black, and made of a thick material that would help keep me warm.

I pulled them on, but they kept sliding down my bony hips. I tried to tie the belt I found tighter, but it was no use. That's when I spotted a pair of suspenders, hanging off the edge of the bin.

I grabbed them eagerly and fastened them to my pants. They held up surprisingly well, considering I had no flesh to hold them in place.

Next, I searched for a coat to hide my bony figure. I found a long trench coat, made of heavy wool material. It was a little big on me, but I managed to wrap it around myself tightly.

The coat would keep me warm and also cover up my skeleton. I then turned my head, searching for something to cover my empty eye sockets.

A large hat caught my eye, and I pulled it down over my head. It looked like a cross between a fedora and one of those really large hats that guys in the 1920s wore.

I then wrapped a scarf around my face, leaving only my empty eye sockets exposed.

Once my disguise was complete, I stepped out of the alley and merged with the humans. My heart was pounding, and I was constantly worried about being discovered.

But as I walked, I realized that nobody seemed to notice me. I was just another face in the crowd, and that thought filled me with relief.

As I wandered the streets, I couldn't help but wonder how I could still feel the cold wind on my bones and see the world around me, despite not having any nerves or flesh.

It was all so strange and inexplicable, but I couldn't dwell on it for too long. I had to keep moving, keep blending in, and avoid drawing attention to myself.

The clothes I found in the donation bin were a godsend. Not only did they help me keep a lower profile, but they also provided some warmth and protection against the elements.

The coat, in particular, was a blessing as it hid my oddly skinny frame. I knew I couldn't go on like this forever, but it was a start.

As I walked, I noticed people giving me curious glances, but thankfully no one seemed to suspect anything.

The hat and scarf did a good job of covering my face, although it did make it difficult to breathe sometimes. But it was a small price to pay to avoid being detected.

I still couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of confusion. How could I still feel hungry, see, and hear even though I didn't have the organs to make those things possible?

It was as if I was a walking contradiction, a paradox that shouldn't exist.

I made the decision to go to the police. As I walked into the police department, my heart was racing. I knew that if anyone discovered my true identity, it would be the end of me.

When the officer asked me what I wanted, I blurted out that I wanted to report a murder.

Unfortunately, the officer gave me a peculiar look. Then he pulled a microphone out of his desk drawer and indicated that I should speak into it. "Hello?" It was all I could think to say.

He moved his finger indicating that I should continue to speak. After a while, I heard a ding and the officer pulled something out of what I assume was a computer. He demonstrated that I should take off the back and stick it to my forehead.

I did as he asked, and after a moment, I realized I could now read, write, and speak a new language. It must be their language.

"Hello, can you understand me?" I asked. I always kept my eyes hidden, but the officer didn't seem to care.

"Hello, now that we can communicate, tell me why you're here.

"I came today to report a murder."

The officer looked at me skeptically and asked me who had been murdered. That's when I said it - "Me."

I dramatically removed my disguise, expecting fear and shock from the officer. But instead, I was met with surprise, followed by laughter and eye-rolling.

The others in the station had the same reaction. No one was shocked some found my dramatic display annoying, and only a few found it amusing. I was shocked because next I was completely ignored.

The officer sighed in exasperation and asked me "Why do Skaltans always make these jokes? It's not even that funny."

"Skaltans?" I asked, confused.

"Oh, are you a new reborn?"

The officer cleared his throat before speaking. "Skaltans are what we call those who have passed away and then come back to life. It's a strange phenomenon that has puzzled humans for centuries."

I raised a non-existent eyebrow in confusion. "Come back to life? But how is that possible? I don't have any nerves, flesh, or organs how can you call this alive?"

The officer nodded thoughtfully. "It's a mystery to us too. But somehow, after decomposition, Skaltans like yourself wake up again.

Most of them choose to leave Earth and go wherever the Skaltans now reside. We don't know where that is, only the Skaltans know.

In the near future, I'm sure a Skaltan will get in touch with you."

I was still processing this information when the officer began taking down my information.

"Do you know when you lived?" the officer asked.

"The early twenty-first century," I said without thinking.

"Do you remember anything about that time period?"

I thought for a moment, trying to recall any memories. "I remember... cases. I was a detective, I solved crimes."

The officer's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A detective? That's fascinating. Can you tell me more about your work?"

I hesitated, unsure of what to share. "Well, I investigated various crimes. Murder, theft, fraud. I had a partner... I think."

The officer nodded, scribbling down notes. "Interesting. And do you have any idea how long ago the twenty-first century was?"

I shook my skull, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm afraid not. It's all a bit fuzzy."

The officer gave a small smile. "That's okay. Earth has been through several dark periods where history was lost.

But we've managed to rebuild and thrive. Technology has improved, and humans have spread throughout the galaxy, discovering new worlds and alien species."

I was amazed by the officer's words. "New worlds? Alien species? That's incredible. I can't even imagine what that's like."

The officer chuckled. "It's quite the adventure, let me tell you. But we'll have to get you caught up on everything gradually. For now, let's focus on getting you settled in and registered. You're going to need a name."

I cocked my head, curious. "A name?"

The officer nodded. "Yes, so we don't keep calling you 'the skeleton.' How about 'Bonesy Skel'?"

I couldn't help but feel a bit amused by the cheesy name. "Bonesy Skel? Sure, why not."

"Nice to meet you Bonesy, I'm officer David Rosten," the officer offered his hand and after looking at it for a moment, I extended my boney hand and shook his hands.

I was surprised that I could feel not only the warmth of his hand, but also the strength in the handshake, and then I noticed I could feel the strength of my handshake as well. It was a familiar feeling. It made me feel alive.

After shaking hands, Officer Rosten continued to work on registering me, I couldn't help but marvel at how much the world had changed since I was last conscious. It was a lot to take in, but I was excited to learn more about this new world and what adventures it held.