Urban legend in the flesh

"Have you ever felt like there was some sort of an outside influence messing up with you and your life?"

Fay's question, despite the girl posing it in her usual, soothing voice… shook me. 

Shook me to the core, because of how much it struck home, without actually raising any particular memories or observations in my mind. 

It felt as if her realization was the most obvious in the world, something I should've long since noticed myself… But in spite of this inner feeling, I couldn't bring out a single memory that would back up such a claim. 

"I don't think I'm qualified to answer this," I admitted after giving the topic some thought. "Even if there indeed is some sort of outside influence…" I took some time to clarify my thoughts and my own stance on the matter. "Even if someone or something is influencing my life, it wouldn't make the rookie mistake of allowing me to notice it."