Left Handed

6

Do you believe in aliens? Well, I guess you do, since you're an alien in my thoughts and in my imagination and if we don't believe in ourselves, who's supposed to believe us?

Wow. That's a weird way to start this story. Go Tracy, the philosopher!

I had a visit last night. Visit? Visitation is a better word. Someone came to my room and... more on that later.

It all started in my dream. I stood on a slice of pineapple pizza, floating over a giant bowl of yoghurt.

Who am I kidding? No one wants to hear someone else's dreams.

I woke up because I was cold which turned out to be because my blanket had been pulled off the bed. I opened my eyes to a blue light that permeated the room. Over me towered a person with a mask on and flowing robes. His eyes were cold and alien and at the time I could not place the source of my discomfort. In retrospect it definitely was the complete lack of white in them. They were all black or at least hued very dark. He had dark skin and blonde hair. Oh yeah. I guess he was a man but I couldn't tell you why.

That's all I saw. He moved his hand over my face, not touching it, and I passed out.

When I came to I knew something was off again. Not the blue light: it had dawned and bright yellow light flooded my room. I looked for the German but he wasn't in his cot.

Then I noticed which arm I was propped up on. Then I whooped.

The stump was gone and instead my whole arm, I all it's glory, was in its place. I moved my index finger. I stretched out my whole hand. I made a fist. It all worked.

I moved my hand over the smooth skin and marveled at this miracle. I thought I was dreaming and there wasn't even pizza.

I pinched my arm and that's when shit went freaky. I felt the pinch but I didn't feel the pain. I knew that if I continued to pinch harder and harder or if I took a needle and punctured my skin, I'd get an alert to my brain from the area. Like that animalistic pain/panic reaction was off. But what do I know?

Perhaps I was dreaming. I pinched my other arm and this time I felt the pain. Huh. Not asleep then.

I was about to do some more very scientific tests the nature of which I can't reveal here when I heard approaching footsteps.

I whipped my hand and arm under the blanket and out of sight. I was beginning to have a hunch.

The door swung open and the nurse arrived.

"Good news," he announced. "We are ready to fit you with your prosthetic arm and then, after some training, you will be able to go home." He smiled. I wanted to punch that smile.

Instead I said, "I'm so tired. Can I rest for a few hours and we do it then?"

He agreed and left.

I knew I had to get out of here. Whatever happened with the blue light dude at night had something to do with my arm and I watched enough movies to know not to alert authority until I was absolutely sure what was going on.

I gathered my things, squeezed everything into my bag. I changed out of the hospital clothes into the clothes my mom had brought. Then I went to the bathroom.

What a mess. I looked like a homeless person. I brushed my hair and applied a bit of mascara and eye liner. That would have to do for now.

The corridor was empty. I heard some groaning off in some rooms but that's it.

I went towards the same emergency exit I had used for my roof adventure. The door was locked. Great.

I turned around and walked toward the elevator which unfortunately was right opposite the nurses' station. That same chipper nurse of new prosthetics chatted to a girl his age. It seemed like they were flirting but hey, this is Spain.

I made myself small and walked out the elevator door. He didn't turn around. I pushed the button and waited.

"Tracy?" the nurse asked. "Where are you going? I thought you wanted to sleep."

These are the moments that define us. The times we are tested against the flame and steel of the world. We stand and we fight for our freedom.

Needless to say, I ran. In retrospect I have no idea why that nurse pursued me but he did. I wasn't a criminal. Well... I did crash a car but I was the only one hurt. Surly I wasn't under arrest. Nevertheless, after me he ran.

Unfortunately I chose the same emergency exit door that was locked. Maybe if I ran and rammed it I could break the lock.

I neared the door, jumped and bounced right off. I lay on the floor and groaned. Then I saw my pursuer and jumped to my feet.

I had an idea. Let's see if my arm theory was right. I slapped the middle of the door with the open palm of my left hand. The door banged open, disconnected from its hinges and fell to the floor.

Yay.

I looked back to see if the nurse saw. Oh yes. He did see: he looked scared. I raised my fist menacingly and he turned and ran.

I left the hospital and found the first cafe with an Internet connection and that's where I still am.

I ordered a coffee and then checked my account balance. Right. I'm still totally broke. I will have to be careful with my spending.

I have to get home though. Soon the nurse will call the police and before they knock on the door at home, I want to be there to smooth things over.

Also, my mom will panick.

Also, what the fuck is up with that arm?