Illusions

The walk to Nene’s home was a mix of her excitement, a complaint about the cold, and me, stuck in a state of confusion. She’d found me on the floor just a few feet away from the log I’d sat on, and she’d awoken me with multiple queries, and jokes at my expense. I heard her voice, but at the same time, I heard nothing, just noise. Then, it occurred to me that my ears were still there, since I was still be able to hear. Minutes of Nene’s rambling had begun to irk me. In whispers, I said

“ Didn’t you hear his voice? Why didn’t you come? ”

Yet, I got no response, just stories, laughter, and multiple questions on why I’d decided to not get into the water with her. And as my frustration built up, I screamed,

“WHY DIDN’T YOU COME?!!!!!”

Then, I had her full attention. We’d both stopped in the middle of the road, both trapped in semi-darkness. This time, the sound of crickets surrounded us. Looking at me, she was puzzled,

“How do you mean? I’m sure nothing happened to you. You’re fine. So, why are the shout?”

To that, I realized that I’d been the only one who saw him, and felt him. Was it all in my head. An illusion?

“Why are you lost? Did something really happen?”

Laughing, I spoke, voice shaky,

“Don’t bother, it’s all in my head.”

This time, she looked at me, not that she could see much, but she saw, and she said,

“I don’t think nothing happened. Be honest, what happened? You’re too much of a clean freak to lay on the floor. Sand at that. So, talk, what happened?”

Again, I laughed, and shaking my head, walked on. We didn’t speak, silence filled the space between us, and fear filled my head. What had happened? Had I run mad? Were my mother’s genes suddenly acting up? Was I really going to end up like her sister?