The Typical Insanity

L E T ' S G O F O R A W A L K

My room doesn't feel like it's mine anymore. It's only been maybe a week since I've laid in my own bed but there isn't any familiarity in sitting under the cheap sheets. It's embarrassing but I think I prefer the ugly couch. Gah, what has my life come to? I'm at a point where a girl has just left the room to get groceries while I sit in a bed lusting for an ugly-ass couch.

Just as soon as Clementine had left the room, another lady entered. Hey look, it's Lauren-little-Asian-woman! Wait, what? "What're you doing in here?"

She's laughing at me like I just made the joke of the day. That's not the appropriate way to answer a question, the appropriate way would be to give an actual answer.

"Sometimes you really act like a crackpot, Nemo."

"I'm not sure I understand, what's going on? Why aren't you with Clem?"

"Don't bring that up again, just because I'm spending a little more time with you instead of her doesn't mean I'm not her friend anymore. Okay, so I brought a copy of the files you asked for and I talked to that guy I told you about earlier and he said he'd be willing to work with us as long-"

"Wait wait, listen, I have no idea what you're saying."

Okay at least now she's confused too.

"I'm talking about the plans we made yesterday, Neil. You told me to get you the blueprints and security mappings of the Corporate Silver building so that we cou-"

"I didn't say anything yesterday!" I'm standing up because I feel like all this is suddenly too much. "What day is it today?"

"It's Monday, I think it's the 10th, why?"

"Why? Because the first time I met you was at the start of November. I, I think I'm going to go outside for a while. Where's Nadia?"

"Oh, you mean that weird dog? Yeah, Kramer got him a cage because the mutt wouldn't stop barking at us and Clementine wouldn't let us get rid of him."

"Nadia is a trained GIRL puppy, you idiot! You don't put her in a cage!"

I storm out the room and make contact with a pair of miserable mismatched eyes sitting in a cramped cage under the TV. I quickly make my way towards her and fumble with the rusty lock.

"Nemo! Is something wrong? What the hell are you doing?!"

"C'mere, Nadia, let's go for a walk." This might've actually been the first time she's actually ever been excited to see me. I carry her in my arms, discomfort on both our sides, and grab my hoodie and a random knit hat from the ugly couch before heading out the door. After getting out of the elevator, I realised that it was raining heavily. When did it start to rain? I feel a little bad for bringing Nadia out in the cold weather but I feel like she seems happy enough to be outside. I zip up my hoodie and tuck Nadia inside.

It feels like we've been walking for barely an hour but I've somehow managed to get us to a part of downtown Manhattan that I'd never seen before. I should've turned back and tried to go home to straighten things out but I didn't want to. The pup and I were soaking wet but I don't think we cared that much.

"How are you, Nemo?"

"I'm fine, Fictional Nadia, but you already knew that because you guys are my head and thoughts."

"I'm not fictional as such, I'm real to you, aren't I? And I didn't know you were fine. If you were, there wouldn't be a hurricane inside your head, Nemo."

"It doesn't feel like a hurricane, Nadia." Nadia the mutt looks up at the mention of her name and I scratch the back of her ear.

"Think what you may but this hurricane's chasing us all underground."