SHARED HALLUCINATION

          Standing in the immaculate white bathroom the next morning, I carefully pried my sweater from the  wounds on my arms. I'd been so out of it, I'd fallen asleep in my clothes. Getting the wool unstuck was no  easy task and I bled like a stuck pig. Stuffing wads of toilet paper on the sores, I prayed I wouldn't bleed  all over the alabaster walls and carpet.      The shower shocked some sense into me, and the hot water stung like the seven fires of hell. I almost  welcomed the pain, as it was the first real shower I'd seen in weeks. While scrubbing the mats out of my  hair, I glanced down at the forest growing on my legs, and decided such a momentous undertaking could  wait – they'd have to stay hairy until another day.      After drying off, I went in search of a robe. Hidden deep within the closet of the guest room was a pale  pink satin one. Pretty, but not exactly me, but it would h...

   Artwork by Felicien Rops        Mateo's family home was about an hour away from Tabby's fortress and was situated in an aldea I had  never been to before. The house was constructed of stone, plaster, and heavy, wooden beams, and like a lot  of the old, Spanish homes, which had not been rehabbed it took some getting used to. There was constant  chill inside which permeated, requiring kerosene heaters at night. Next to the cattle fields in front of the  place was a cute Shetland pony who whinnied at me each time I passed by his paddock.      There were five houses in the tiny village, all from the 15th century, two of which were occupied, one  by myself, and the other by an older gentleman, who ate his breakfast outside no matter what the weather.  He was friendly, but spoke no English, so our conversations were limited. I asked Mateo about him one  day and he informed me the reason his neighbor lived in s...

   Artwork by Felicien Rops        We didn't speak during the cab ride to the airport. Nor did we speak all through the security or when  boarding the plane. Once in flight, I dozed off, only waking to answer the call of nature. When I came  back from the toilets, Haiden was spread across the whole row of seats.      “Do you want me to move to another seat?” I asked.      Startling awake, he grabbed his coat and magazines, giving me the finger while moving to an empty  seat a couple of rows ahead.       Whatever , I thought. It didn't matter if it was a plane, train, or automobile, something would inevitably  set him off when we traveled. He would either panic, or throw a tantrum, and I knew from experience it  was better to leave him alone.      Over the loudspeaker came the announcement for our arrival to Valencia in fifteen minutes. Sitting  down, I clicked my ...