JASMINE
My eyes widened. My heart thumps hard, frantic. Fear wants to become a movement. I can't help it. I look toward the ceiling again, toward the invisible presence, as if it might suddenly turn into someone I can confront.
(You were just talking to me this second!) I let out a bit of frustration and anger.
(Deep questions may trigger interference.) Cold slides through my veins.
What? But no matter what the system was supposed to be helping me this sudden Interference isn't normal.
So something else is in the space with me, something that notices, monitors, and reacts when I get close to the truth.
I went still at the realization that my breath goes shallow. The hospital room feels colder, the lights too bright in a way that makes my skin feel exposed.
Unless someone else is involved.
I stare forward, mind racing in overlapping circles, hidden forces, manipulated systems, people behaving like puppets.
