Jigsaw

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I can't believe you're doing this, Max. You're an idiot. This is dangerous.

Nevertheless, I continue to walk through the pine trees, heading towards the red dot on my screen that is my destination. And trailing behind me is a big fat pink tail, scraping on the undergrowth.

After waking up from fainting, (I checked my newfound... attachment remained. They did, and I gasped in shock again.) I read the message again. And again. And again. I must've read it a thousand times before getting up, snagging a jacket and leaving in search for the red dot.

All the while, I stare at the tail, only occasionally looking at where I'm meant to be heading.

The tail is whopping in size and long in length, and I can't get passed that. It's got to be at least a metre and a half, maybe closer to two. It's also moderately hairy. And it's seems unable to do anything. It just droops, catching painfully on twigs and rocks.

As I go, the tail is pricked by a pine needle. I yelp and seize it. I freeze. It feels so weird to touch, because I can feel it. When I come in contact with it, it registers in my brain as my own skin, my own flesh. Mine.

It's the same with my rat ears. If they're brushed by a branch or a moth, they twitch. They literally flicker, disliking the touch. Something in my mind makes me do it without realising. It's weird.

After a while of walking and fretting so much I think my teeth may just start falling out, I have to come to terms with the question.

What is wrong with me? What happened? Why do I have rat ears and a tail, and why do they register within me as normal body parts?

How did they come?

I try to focus, but it's impossibly difficult because I don't want to face the questions. But I must.

First thought: the pain is gone. The suffering in my back has ceased, same as my head.

Then I realise; the tail, the ears, they're coming out of the hurting parts. The bump I had; the tail's replaced it. And the two painful places on my head? Now big furry ears.

Oh my. Was I growing extra limbs this past week? Hell. I was, wasn't I?

'Yes, likely,' I hear. But not out there, in here. Inside my cranium I hear a voice. And at the same time, my fuzzy ears pick up snapping twigs, just behind me.

I jump and spin in what feels like the direction of the... the mailing?

And there's Niss.

"Niss?" I say. But that doesn't feel right. 'Niss?'

What did I just do? Did I just send my own... mailing?

'Yes, me,' yup, it's Niss. It has to be. 'I am me.'

'Are you...' Once again, mailing it with my mind. How do I know how to do that? How is it possible to do? 'Are we talking to each other?'

'Can't you hear me?' she asks.

My eyebrows burrow towards each other. Her logic is painfully conclusive.

'How is it possible?' Is all I can think to say, as it's clearly obvious where communicating telepathically.

Heck. What are we Star Trek characters now?

'You rat now,' she says matter-of-factly.

I have no idea what to say, so I turn in the shrubbery and walk on.

Silence follows, except of course for the insects my ludicrous hearing can catch.