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I was in a fun house, surrounded by mirrors that were playing tricks on me. Mirrors that showed me my new truth.
“Turned eighteen last month,” she informed me. “You’re a senior in high school. We’re going to get you walking independently well before you have to walk across the stage.”
I heard the smile in her words, but I still didn’t open my eyes.
“Is everything okay, Dex?”
No. I’m losing my mind. Everything feels familiar, but I’m living a stranger’s life.
I felt like I was having déjà vu.
Do I know this life? Or am I crazy?
The elevator came to a halt, and I opened my eyes as the doors parted.
“Here we go,” Sessie said, not mentioning my momentary silence.
If only it were that easy for me to forget the cacophony of thoughts inside my head.
When they put the mask over my mouth and I descended into a medically-induced sleep, I prayed I’d wake up knowing myself again—knowing I wouldn’t.
* * *
Not everyoneyou meet in this life is meant to stay.
The words echoed through my mind as I slid back into consciousness. I blinked, taking in the bright fluorescent lights of the hospital. At least this time when I woke up, I knew where I was.
No such luck on who I was, though.
“Oh, you’re awake.” Sessie checked my vitals, asking me if I was in any pain.
The throbbing in my leg was annoying, and taking a deep breath was uncomfortable, but I shook my head. I looked down at my leg, seeing it was inside some sort of contraption. Before I could ask her what it was, she started talking again.
“Well then, you can have visitors, mister. You’ll be required to be on your feet later, when the physical therapist comes in. We’ve got to test out that new knee—with crutches, of course. For now, we have it in the continuous passive motion machine to make sure no scar tissue builds up. There are some folks sitting in the waiting room for you, but your aunt hasn’t come in yet. Would you like them to wait until she gets here? It might be easier, with you not remembering and all. What do you think?”
It wasn’t her fault, but she’d unloaded so much information in such a short span of time that I couldn’t keep up.
I tried to sit up, wincing as pain radiated through me.
Sessie fussed over me, placing pillows behind my lower back and easing the bed upright.
I ran a hand through my bedraggled hair, itching to look at my reflection again.
“Is it bothering you? Your hair?” she asked, her tone softer, her eyes warmer.
I nodded, and she stepped into the bathroom, emerging with a rubber band in her hand and triumph in her eyes.
“Let me pull it back.” She made quick work of it, tucking the shorter strands around my face behind my ear. She leaned back and said, “There you go, handsome. All better.” She walked to the door and then turned back to ask, “Want them to wait, Dex?”
“Who’s out there?” I wiped my clammy palms on the crisp white sheets. I didn’t know why I asked. It wasn’t like I’d know who they were anyway.
“Not sure. I think it’s best they wait until your aunt gets here. She shouldn’t be long.” She paused, her hand on the doorknob. “And I’m clocking out, but don’t you worry. Carla’s my replacement, and she’ll be good to ya.” She winked then stepped out, closing the door behind her.
I sat there for a few minutes, not liking the blank thoughts in my head. I didn’t have much to think back on. Only the mystery girl I had to find, sooner rather than later.
But first, I had to get comfortable being in Dexter’s body. I had to be normal. So, I turned over, looking for something to fill the time and emptiness. I found the remote and clicked the red button. The volume was low but as the screen appeared, I knew I was watching the news.
The man on the screen looked into the camera, his lips downcast as he reported. I turned up the volume.
