Amnesia

The black strands of my hair fall onto my face, tickling my skin. I look down at the velvety cushions of the red couch and stare at my feet. To the left of me, a man with the face of time speaks. He stares at me with his round brown eyes, and though his lips move I can't quite make out what he's saying. My only response to his voice is nothing but a simple grunt and he continues to scribble down words into that little notebook of his. Why am I even here? It won't help me any for a man to tell me what my problems are. I stand up, deciding that I can't take it anymore and face Mr. Piyone.

"Good talk, sir, but I think I should be going now."

    I turn towards the door and quicken the pace of my steps. Just as I reach the exit the man calls to me, stopping me in my place.

    "Ms. Bulak," he pauses. "I believe you're forgetting something."

    Once again I retrace my steps and fall back down, onto the couch. Sitting upright this time, I gaze into his eyes and wait for him to continue. After some time, silence still remains. I sigh. He sighs. We both sigh.

    "What do you want, Mr. Piyone?"

    He grunts a little and a strange coughing sound emerges from his throat. Sticking his hand out, I simply nod and understand. Following the usual routine, I reach into the back pocket of my ripped denim jeans where my agenda book is held, and I give it to him. He scribbles down the times for our next appointment and I roll my eyes. Why does he always do this? I've already told him everything about my dream. What more does he need to know? He sticks his hand back out to me, and I pull out a twenty from my wallet to pay him for his service.

    "That's all I have today mister. You can keep the change."

    I smirk at him, knowing that as always, I don't pay him enough for there to even be any change. After all, I don't have very much money to begin with. Mr. Piyone thanks me anyway and smiles with that classic, wrinkled grin of his as I walk out of his office. In the parking lot I head straight for my dented Volvo and rest my hand on the hood of the rusty car. I sit inside and slam the door as the black paint chips begin to fall off. From there, I put the key into the ignition and the engine turns to life.

    In my apartment, I lock the door and shut the blinds. Day after day, I get the strange feeling that I am being followed. A tingling sensation travels throughout my body and to the tips of my fingers. After a moment or two, I decide that I am alone, so I go upstairs and think about everything that had happened that day... I think about the dream that I have been having since then, and I think about the night of the incident. What was the man doing so late at night? Why didn't he want me there? My brain begins to hurt as I think of what is now just a vague memory and I return to reality.

Just outside my bedroom window, I see the shadow of a tall figure, standing in the middle of the street. It's almost dark; what would anyone be doing at this time? Especially in front of my house... Carefully placing each step, I back up to the foot of my bed and sit down. Why is that man just standing there? What does he want? I glance back out the window and see that he has disappeared from the spot. Shivers run down my spine. Ya know, it's probably just nerves. I'm paranoid is all. Maybe he was just going for a walk.

    My throat begins to feel dry so I take a sip from the water glass sitting on my bedside table. After about a minute, I start to feel drowsy and my eye lids begin to droop. The realization of how tired I am hits me like a ton of bricks. This doesn't feel right to me. I don't feel well... Falling back onto my bed, I close my eyes, unable to keep them open, and go to sleep.

*****
    The dim lights of the narrow hall flicker. The floor seems to be slanted. In fact, the whole building does. My hand glides across the cold steel walls, balancing myself, until I reach the dead end. I turn in the opposite direction, trying to find my way out from the place that the strange figure brought me to. I pause for a moment to catch my breath. Just to the right of me, quick-paced footsteps echo in the distance. I go as fast as my feet can carry me, though it feels as if I am going no where. After some time, I finally reach a set of large steel doors that lead outside. I push through them as the darkness of night engulfs me in my wondering. I use nothing but the light of the moon and stars to keep up with the mysterious man. With him, he carries a box which clatters and clanks with every step. Silently, I follow at a short distance behind, watching to see was he does next.