Where am I?
Leaning on a large window, high ceiling, sterile environment.
This must be a hospital.
Yes, my doctor wants to operate on the tumor in my prostate even though it has spread to my colon. My hospital room is crowded with family and friends; here is my sister. Why are they here?
On the other side of the street, down below, a small group gathers around someone with an authoritative posture. Do I know him? He looks rough. Is the person next to him my cousin "E"? No, but where is "E"? What time is it? 4 p.m. She was supposed to be here to meet this guy, Boss.
"E" has never been reliable. I vaguely remember a meeting, a couple of days ago, and Boss telling "E" to be here at 4 p.m. sharp; otherwise, everyone in the hospital would pay. Why was I in that meeting? A gruesome scene flashes before my eyes and a chill runs down my spine. I want to open the window and tell him to wait for me to come down. But I know it’s pointless. Events are already unfolding.
I remember a couple of scenes from my dreams last night.
I am lying in bed besides a beautiful naked body with dark skin, covered in tattoos.
She is not truly in her body: her body is controlled by my uncle.
I feel terrible but can't help touching the body.
Should I tell everyone to leave the room and the hospital?
I am in our old house and my dad is in bed, sick with a flu.
I am wearing my sport gear to go out for a match and pretty excited.
I look at my dad, feel terrible, and change my plans.
Descending the stairs and entering the ground floor, I can see the empty lobby to my left and the glass door to the parking garage to my right. Nobody is around. Suddenly, the Boss's sound: get him and bring him here. I knock down a couple of them and run upstairs, hearing people on the first floor. They are methodically cleaning every floor up to us on the top.
When I enter my room, I am hyper ventilating, but manage to explain the situation. No one believes me. ``A mafia boss, who is called Boss? Are you high or completely freaked out of your mind?'' I plea with my sister, because I am most worried about her. She listens carefully. But I know she does not believe me.
I can hear the goons entering our floor. The most despicable ones look like two small children. They approach our room. I have heard so much skepticism that I start doubting myself. These are children and seem harmless, just let them in. And they are polite and jovial. But their cold eyes and the determination in their steps jolts me out of my stupor. I fiercely throw them out of the room. Everyone gasps and look at me in horror. I tell them again that these are ruthless criminals. But I see my sister opening the door for them. I am so disappointed that I leave the room.
I sit by the children and they calmly explain my situation without showing any emotions. ``We slap your face with open hand until you ask us to stop.'' It does not make any sense, and yet, as they get ready, terror washes over me. Suddenly, I realize that my room is quiet.
I run inside the room to be met by numerous brown chrysalises hanging from the ceiling. This is impossible, I think, I haven't been out of the room more than an hour. I open one and recognize my sister's dress. As I touch her hair I drop on the floor, completely hazed and paralyzed. A sound from the door brings me back. "A", an old friend from many years ago is entering the room. Is she working with Boss? But why? She tilts her head toward brown deformities and says something that I do not hear. She repeats, ``Do you want to eat with us?'' I cannot fathom what she is implying.
Suddenly, something in me let go.
A thought starts to crystallize in my mind, but then it drifts away, like a bubble on turbulent waters.