SHARED HALLUCINATION

  Artwork by Jean Delville           My black motorcycle boots scuffed against the pavement as I rushed up the street. After tossing and  turning most of the night, I hadn't woken up early as planned. Instead, I'd hauled ass to shower and apply  war paint to make the noon appointment Lars had set. At least he'd chosen a nearby café, which was a  small blessing. Catching my reflection in a storefront window, I smiled. In my heavy, black coat, and the  black, hand-me-down dress from Stephanie that fit me to a tee, paired with black tights which hid my  scraped knees, I looked kind of old school tough. But, I didn't feel tough. No amount of fashion or war  paint would dislodge the knot of anxiety firmly embedded within my stomach.      Lars was all smiles and full of Dutch charm when he arrived with Haiden in tow. He kissed me on both  cheeks, while Haiden glowered. Without giving Haiden a second glance, I suggested we grab at table in  the café as it was lunchtime and wou

   Artwork by Felicien Rops        A small herd of rock-and-roll guys in leather jackets with either longish or spiky hair were splayed  across the black couches in the otherwise blood red living room, all of who were engrossed in some sports  game on the giant screen television. I knew I should have recognized some of them, but I'd been out of the  loop for so long I had no idea who they were. I hardly recognized our host he'd changed so much from the  last time I'd seen him and was covered in tattoos, along with heavy, silver jewelry, but the long, messy,  dark brown hair which hung to his waist, and the dark, mischievous eyes were still the same. He'd aged  well considering his rather notorious life-style,      CJ got up when he saw Stephanie, giving her a hug. “Well, well, well... so glad you made it,” he said.  He appraised me from head to toe. ”Now, who's your friend?”      Stephanie made the introductions. I held out my hand.      “No, no, no...” he pushed it