My life with Carla seemed adequate for now, because we were low on money we both took jobs in town. Carla worried about my conversing with others, but I needed to be among people. I took a part-time job at the hospital working the night shift in the housekeeping department. It wasn’t a dream job, but it was legitimate, no more stealing or tricks. All it ever brought me was trouble.

Over these last few months since my recovery there was no signs of any other beings inhabiting my body. Not even Josie seemed to cloud my thoughts. I knew she was my mother, but I couldn’t bring myself to call her that.

My days were spent hiding from the sun. One day a coworker of mine asked me to go shopping with her. I had to decline, so no one had to see me in my glasses. I felt like a space alien in them. I hoped to find someone who could help end this affliction, but I dared not see a doctor. They asked too many questions, and there was not a lie convincing enough to fool a doctor. Carla kept telling me to be patient, but I had lost too much in my life already. Two years of my life had gone to madness.

One minute, I was in my favorite coffee shop celebrating my fourteenth birthday, and the next I’m sixteen and the only memories I had since then were ones of death and misery. I thought about my father for the first time in years. If he were alive it didn’t matter. He was gone, regardless of the circumstances, and I didn’t his return anytime soon.

My work schedule included the weekends. Three nights a week was all I could handle. Being seen by others made me nervous. Carla seemed more concerned about it than I did. She was doing her best to deal with her situation, but she continued with the old argument of me contacting my uncle.

“All of our problems would be solved if you just talk to him.”

Time and again I refused, just like I refused to see a shrink about my past problems. In truth, I didn’t know who I was, and the dangers of revealing my secrets were still there. If I told anyone of my true nature, one of two things could happen.