No smoke without fire

A different type of freak

*Priya*

I believe in instinct, something I keep hidden from my doctors, for they would undoubtedly think it a reason to raise my med dose. It wouldn't necessarily make a difference, since I mostly forget to take them, and in the remaining occasions I kind of deliberately ignore taking them. Be so kind to keep that to yourself, will you?  Anyway, instinct, that little tingling in the belly or the ominous scratching at the back of your skull,  like an extra layer of receptors. You better listen, and right now they all screamed at me, trying to drag me away from that man. I heard a growl from behind, and if you ever doubted why I am sent to asylums every now and then, the fact it's sound was welcome gives you a good enough hint. But Claire looked at me with expectations and a goofy smile and I forced myself.

Stepping into the frame of the lights was like forcing yourself to leave the blanket on winter morning. Pretending you have energy and a will won't make it happen. Avoiding his touch I stepped to Claire's side, looping my arms around her elbow, mumbling a quasi-polite jumble of introduction. Darn, she was so hung up on his new boss, that I bet she forgot why I am here.

With a sigh I prepared myself for a night of awkward conversation and since I have nothing better to do, I took a good look at Mr Frenya. Nothing like a good enumeration to start a night, right?

I can't say I don't understand Claire's fawning over him, he must be somewhere between 30 and 40, he already left behind the teenage insecurities and artlessness, but retained all the strength and power of prime physics. His white hair floated in silky strands around his head, but not a strand of beard touched his smooth skin. Slight wrinkles teased the corner of his eyes and pale lips, a sign of someone easy to find amusement in life. The most disquieting about him was his opalescent milk white eyes, blindly staring out into the world. Something swirled in their depth and I snatched my gaze away. I hate when emptiness stares back at me.