Where am I?
Urk! uff!
I can't move?,
oh my god!, please  someone help me!
There are two gray beings with large black, lifeless eyes. One on my left and one on my right.
They are dragging me through the woods in the middle of the night towards..
..is that a UFO?
I can feel my heart beating fast in my throat.
It's cold and somewhat misty in these woods.
Rays of light are shining between the trees everywhere as if they were rays of the sun.
This is exactly what Candice said she experienced, when I interviewed her!
They are dragging me inside!.
I want to scream, but I can't!
When I open my eyes again, I find myself lying on a metallic table, under a very intense, blinding light.
I can't move...and I see one.....alien! It's an alien! It takes a long needle from a nearby desk, moves over to me and lets it slowly sink into my stomach.
But it doesn't hurt at all?, it only feels cold, so very very cold.Then I hear a female voice say "she's having a nightmare."
Heh? Why would an alien say that?
Then things around me are becoming hazy.
"Come now. Wake up. Time to wake up."
Only moments later,
I wake up from unfamiliar sounds around me in an unfamiliar place, my hands still rubbing my stomach.
I open one eyelid and then the other. I was breathing heavily. The lighting in here is not too bright, thank god for that, as I feel a bit dizzy.
I seem to be lying on a hospital bed. I stretch my arms and legs, but for some reason can't. And while looking around, I say to no one in particular "uuuh huhh?....what happened? Where am I?"
"Ah!, finally, you're awake. Looks like you recently had a bad dream?"
!?
That reply startled me. I quickly turn my head be around in order to look at the source of the sound and see an unfamiliar nurse, but also the female police officer from earlier.
"Oh god..., that was a real nightmare alright." I said.
"It's a common side effect to what they gave you in the hospital. But you are safe here now, I promise. You are in the...eh um, another hospital. Don't you worry, all is fine." The nurse said. I don't trust that smile of hers though, it's only a professional smile I usually see.
"Officer...thank you for visiting me," I said, blinking my eyes, still half asleep.
"Ha ha, you're welcome, but this is more than just a visit though. We still need to talk, remember? Are you up for it?" the police officer said.
"Just give me a few minutes please to wake up. Hm? Huh? What? I can't get up?" I'm pulling and tearing with all my strength, but I can't move an inch.
Huh?
"Ho..stop it!. Yes, sorry about that. We had you restrained for safety reasons. You passed out earlier, remember?" the nurse said.
"I did? Yeah, I remember that. It kinda scared me, I thought I was having a stroke or something. Can I please have some cold water?"
The nurse gives me some water, really carefully so I won't choke in it.
*Gulp gulp*
" Hm Okay officer. If you can get me out of these restraints, I'll answer all of your questions."
The officer nods and the nurse then releases me from the restraints.
Finally~, I can't help it okay, I just felt agitated from being restrained. My heartbeat and breathing are slowly returning to normal now.
"You seem more relaxed now... Roland. Are you also feeling a bit better?" the officer asks. Her expression tells me that she's genuinely interested in my well-being. She brought a notebook and pen with her.
"No, not at all. I don't understand what's going on. I really need some answers too, you know? What am I even wearing? Wait huh?...nurse, why did you put a pillow on my chest? Am I hurt!??"
"Eh, no no. That's no pillow." She glances at the officer, then continues. "The doctor examined you when you arrived here..and.. well...those are normal for a woman. They are not implants, they are real," the nurse said matter-of-factly. She's a bit nervous, her fingers are continuously playing with a pen.
Am I that intimidating? Really? I don't think so? Am I?
"You mean....?" I stared down at my not-cushions and feel a bit awkward.
Ohhh...boy.
"Yes, you really, really are a woman, honey." The officer says gently and carefully, while touching my shoulder for a few seconds, trying to avoid upsetting me.
" But I'm most definitely not! Are you in on this too? Pranking me too? You're not funny! This isn't funny!" I said, feeling like I'm not taken seriously. Do they take me for a fool?
"Okay, okay!, easy now. Then just tell us YOUR side of the story. Maybe we can have another doctor examine you? People make mistakes, you know." She's really careful not to upset me. I read her name tag, she's officer Taylor.
"I'm sorry for lashing out at you.... Miss officer Taylor It's all just so frustrating and confusing. I was in the Chicago History Museum at 820 this morning, where I visited the Abraham Lincoln exhibit. I was supposed to interview an elderly lady there."
Officer Taylor writes down my replies and then asks "you work for The Unexplained Magazine Series', right?"
"Yes exactly! Have you read my articles?"
"Ahhh... Actually no, the nurse at the hospital told us actually."
"Ah, bummer..... Well it's definitely the truth." I said.
"Then what happened next?"
"The security guard there saw me touch a weird looking mirror and then I got electrocuted."
"Really? How bizarre. Continue please." Officer Taylor keeps making notes as I continue, also scribbling something, but I can't understand what it is. I choose to ignore it.
"Well, then the mirror fell on top of me, pushing me to the floor and only seconds later I was standing in the middle of the road of Times Square! And you already know the rest, officer. You were there."
"Okay, thank you for explaining." Officer Taylor and the nurse exchange glances with each other.
"Oh c'mon!. I am not crazy! It only sounds crazy! But I really am not!" I said, fearing where this is going to end badly for me.
"Well... Roland...let me be honest with you. You do realize that your story is a bit...'improbable', don't you agree?"
Office Taylor carefully said.
"Well..I know it SOUNDS strange even. But I'm really telling you the truth here!."
"I know I know, I don't doubt that. But still until we figure this out, we are asking you to stay here for a bit. Alright?
It should only be a matter of hours or maybe a day or so. Can you do that for me? While you relax here, we will thoroughly investigate the matter for you."
"Sure, I can do that. But can you please stop convincing me that I'm a woman please? I would have realized that decades ago if that were true. It's not funny anymore and also it's really annoying!" There, I said it. Now they know that they really have to stop this prank. It already took too much time, so stop it already.
"Officer, I think it's best if you leave us now. We will keep you informed about...'his'...progress."
"Of course." Officer Taylor pats my shoulder, then says "hang in there Roland, we'll keep in touch" and leaves the room, closing the door behind her.
The nurse and I are alone in the room now. A few minutes pass in absolute silence. We're just staring at each other..and my weird dress. Awkward. Then the nurse finally finds the courage to continue.
" Ahem Roland, my name is Mary. Nice to meet you."
"Eh um, yeah nice to meet you too Mary. And thanks for properly addressing me."
"No problem Roland!. But May I ask you something? Something that might be shocking to you?"
"Eh...I was already shocked today so, in more ways than one. But a bit more won't matter, right?" It never hurts to throw in some humor here and there.
Maybe I can get some more information out of this one. How can I convince her to admit to this prank.
It's already annoying enough and not funny anymore.
"Ha ha!, yes, you're right. Maybe you won't believe me, but it's actually quite simple. People have been confusing you for a woman because of how you look!.
Listen, you and I know that you really are a guy, but just to understand other people's point of view, could you please have a look in the mirror over there?"
"Really? How can you possibly mistake me for a woman? Jeez Okay, this dress thing sure, but that's not mine!, but..ah whatever.
Sure sure, show me the mirror, but! I'm not touching any mirror again! Ever!"
"Sure, nobody is asking you to do that. Just have a look. I will be right behind you."
I stand up from the bed and slowly walk towards a full length standing mirror positioned against the wall near a barred window.
!?
Then I finally understand why they believe that I'm a woman.
"Oh my god! What the bloody fuck is that? What IS that?!!" I shouted really loud, my mouth agape.
"Calm down Roland!, or I will have to sedate you." She seems serious in her threat.
"What!? Look at that! It's obviously a fake mirror! It's fake!" I said, while pointing at the mirror as if I discovered something hideous hiding in the shadows.
It's pointing back at me too, that insolent creature! Eeek!
"No Roland, that's just a plain, simple mirror!. Look outside the window, you can see your reflection. Not very clear, but still your real reflection!." Mary said.
I look outside and see a similar but more transparent appearance, reflecting in the glass. Huh? What is this place?
I return to the mirror and study my reflection, I tilted my head, then look at the backside of the mirror. Yes, this really looks like an ordinary mirror, nothing strange about it.
It's as flat as a coin, there are definitely no electronics in there. But so was the mirror in the museum, and that one was able to show pictures.
So I'm not convinced!.
I again focus on my reflection. I see a rather pretty young woman with disheveled long hair. Why haven't I noticed that before?
I touch the hair, and I feel that it's really there.
Her bright blue eyes are looking tired, she has obviously been crying. But what's more unsettling are the two fluffy animal ears on her head!.
Even more strange, there are no ears where they should be!. I feel that spot on my sides, and there really aren't any ears.
How is that even possible?? Did they cut them off?? Oh my god....
The face looks normal, except for the fact that it definitely is a young woman's face.
She can't be much older than eighteen years. She's wearing a strange kind of dress.
Something that seems to be a hybrid of a dark blue Japanese kimono and robes that monks would be proud to wear in their Shrines or Temples.
A white ribbon keeps everything together in place, it looks dignified somehow. But also...so strange...
"Mary...., what the hell is that?..... Is that 'thing' really me??"
"Yes Roland." She said "That really is you. The doctor thought it was best to have you wear those clothes until you were ready to change into something more...casual. Now you understand why people mistook you for a woman, Do you understand now?"
"Yeah...I guess so....." I looked down at my bare feet. Didn't I have slippers earlier? Then I look at her.
"But clearly,.... somebody is pranking me! I know it! How can I possibly change from a man to whatever that thing there is, in only a matter of hours? And what about the ears? Are they real? No way! I can't believe it!"
"Well Roland, according to the doctors, those ears are really attached to your head. They are probably implants, though.
Probably Advanced ones. I don't know for sure how you can hear me through those, but at least it works."
"No way!. I can only think of one thing. Some kind of body suit. It fits so close that it just LOOKS like I am one of these..whatever that's supposed to be."
"Well, maybe. But for now just try and relax, okay?"
"How can I? I want out of this suit! Can't you cut me out of this or something?"
"I will discuss it with the doctor. Perhaps this is just some advanced kind of body paint or animatronics. Maybe someone really is messing with you for sure."
"Ah, THANK YOU!. Thank you for believing what I said!. Finally there is some hope for me."
Mary smiled and then left me for a few minutes. When she returned, she gave me some warm, comfortable plush indoor slippers. I don't feel that I should comment on the fact that they look like rabbits. But They're comfy though.
"Ahh~, that's much better. Thanks Mary!" My feet are now comfortably warm~.
"My pleasure. Maybe...."
Then a sound from the intercom in the hallway interrupts Millie. "Doctor Woodman, examination room 1. Doctor Woodman to examination room 1."
I shake my head to refocus on current matters and look at Mary. But before I can ask, she continues.
"Maybe this is the right time to tell you that you have another part on your body that you can't see in the mirror," Mary says, while grimacing.
"Excuse me what? There's more?!" It can't be THAT bad, can it? She's really scaring me.
"Your...bodysuit or whatever it is....comes with a....tail." She points at my lower back.
"Ah c'mon!. Don't take me for a fool!. Where is it then!?" I look around, turn around, but then realize it's better to just use the mirror for that. But there's no tail to be found anywhere.
"Ehh...it's currently folded on your back so nobody can see it. After your initial examination we returned it to the same state we found it in when you were brought in here."
"Okaaaaaay...now you're really scaring me, Mary. Be honest with me...this is no ordinary hospital, or is it?"
I don't buy the tail-part. I don't see it, I don't feel it, so I ignore it.
"Eh, no Roland. You are in the Tranquility Peaks Psychiatric Institution."
"WHAT? You mean that I am in the looney bin?!" I put one hand on my forehead, showing my exasperation.
"Hey! I resent that. We work really really hard around here to actually help people you know!" Wow, she really looks pissed oops.
"Ah sorry. But... Am I really?"
She returns to a smile and lowers her voice again.
"Yes you are. Let's say you didn't make a "normal" impression on the medical staff in the hospital here. They just wanted you to be safe, alright?"
"Okay Yeah, I can see that. But still..."
"Don't worry!. Nobody's going to harm you, contrary to popular television series nowadays. We really take good care of our guests around here."
"You are not going to put me on medications are you, are you?" I said meekly
" No!, Well Not before we exactly know what's going on here, so no." She shakes her head. She seems sincere.
I Feel kinda relief
I facepalmed and then shook my head. What a day. Now I look like a woman and they put me HERE of all places.
What next?
Again the intercom "Doctor Heinz to isolation room 2. Doctor Heinz to isolation room 2."
Oh god. I am going to be here for a while, I just know it!.
"Roland, please don't worry. Things are going to be fine, believe me." She pats my shoulder.
"I hope so. Ah!?..uh oh..., I-I need to use the toilet." I grimace and look her straight into her eyes.
"Oh....that's going to be....interesting. Think you need some help?"
"No!...I'm old enough to go by myself, thank you very much." I shook my head. Just the thought of it. I'm man enough to go by myself thank you very much, I don't need help like a kid.
"No, I mean... well nevermind. The toilet is behind that door over there."
I walk towards the toilet and close the door behind me. It smells like they cleaned it with some chemical stuff. Alcohol maybe? Whatever. Finally I'm alone. I take a deep breath and immediately cough because I already forgotten about the smell. Then I try to get out of this...dress or whatever it is I'm wearing.
There's no zipper and the ribbon seems decorative only. Crap. I just pull the entire thing off in one go, all the way over my head. So, there's your place, on the floor, get used to it! Haha!
"Thump."
With a small thud, Something fell to the floor. I look down and can see what looks like a tail??. The fluffy tail is no longer constrained by the dress and falls down from my back to touch the floor. It only barely touches the floor, though. It's silvery-white like the rest of my hair.
Well what do you know, I Guess Mary was right after all, this does at least LOOK like a tail. It's an obvious fake though yeah yeah, it's a fake.
Then I inspect my body in a nearby mirror. I seem to be wearing some sort of weird looking bra and panties.
It takes me a second to realize the panties are somehow tail-ormade for my tail. That made me grin for a second.
But only for a second, because when I discovered how to free the tail, so that I could take off the panties... but then I realized something after I take it off.
"WTF!? they even did THAT to me!?" I said out loud.
I couldn't wait anymore! as I was about to explode and I immediately sat down to pee. It was a strange experience for me, but it worked. How the hell did they even do this to me? I have no choice but wait for the doctors to get me out of this suit.
So after this weird experience, I put on my panties and the dress and washed my hands. I was able to somehow put the tail back to its hiding place, after examining it for a minute. Then I headed back to Mary.
"Are you alright? I heard you cursing in there..?" Mary said, while looking understandably worried.
"Ah, yes, they went full on out with me if you understand my point." I said unamused
"Ah....that's...unsettling really."
"Yes, it sure is."
"Roland.....how about you go relax for a while? Maybe join the other people in the common room, while I check with the doctors to get you out of that thing urgently."
"Sure, thanks Mary, you are the best!."
"Ah ha ha, thanks Roland, just doing my job."
"I know, but still!. Nice to finally have someone who believe me. I've been through too much today already."
"You're welcome." She smiled
She guides me to the common room and leaves me be.
The rather large common room, as they call it, is equipped with a dozen modestly sized round wooden tables with vase of flowers and comfortable looking chairs. There are even some sofas where people are chatting, probably families of the "guests" here.
And TV on the wall
In the corner of the room a huge television is just decorating the wall, because it's currently off. Probably broken.
Some people, older than I am, are sitting at a large rectangular table in the middle of the room, doing some handicrafts with playdough. Others are drawing.
I admit that I feel a bit uncomfortable here, but well in the end they are just kind people. Nothing scary about them. In a way, just weird but I'm happy to see for myself that they really are taken care of properly and respectfully.
The atmosphere here is a nice one. People are laughing and everyone seems to enjoying their stay.
I decided to watch outside for a while, so I can gather my thoughts. I sit down in a comfortable looking chair which seems to be placed there for exactly that reason. It really is a comfy chair! Oh god~, what a day. Is this really happening to me, or is this just a dream? I hope it is the latter.
"Doctor Reed, examination room 2, Doctor Reed, examination room 2."
Nope not dreaming...but those intercom messages are driving me mad!
Even the garden is really well taken care of. The grass is short and it looks a healthy green everywhere. Some trees are planted here and there to give that relaxing summer feeling, even though we are freezing here in December. I'm slowly getting sleepy, feeling a bit more relaxed when I suddenly notice my stomach rumbling.
I ignore this feeling for now and for some odd reason, I'm imagining myself running through the gardens, dressed as Napoleon, being chased by two nurses who can't capture me. That puts a smile on my face heh, until I see someone's reflection in the window. It's Mary.
"Hi Roland, I brought you a little snack. Are you interested?"
I turn around to look at her.
"Of course! I'm starving, thanks Mary! And yeah, I know it's just your job but thank you."
She winks and smiles, then gives me a glass of water and a vegetable soup. Meh, not what I wanted, but I take whatever I can. Still, it tastes kinda good. Could use more salt though. Mary leaves me alone so I can enjoy this soup. What time is it anyways? You would think that they have a clock in a common room, but they kinda don't.
After my unexpected little snack, if you can really call it that, I look around and see one man walking around with a plush bear. Awww....tell me what you want, but he looks really happy, cuddling the bear. Then someone walks over to me, a woman who might be in her sixties, gray hair, obviously also a guest here. She has a baby doll in her arms.
"Pretty kitty!," she says, which resets my mind into emergency mode. I was able to forget my circumstances for a while, but I am back to reality again. But this lady can't do anything about that. Let's play along, she seems nice.
"You think so? Do you want to touch the ears?" I said smiling again.
"Ah! Can I really, miss?"
"Of course you can!, but gently please." I smile warmly at her.
She then drops the baby doll to the floor, reaching for my ears. Ouch, poor baby.
She then pets me like a cat, but I have no intention of clawing at her, unlike some cats did to me a long time ago. Hm? Did my ears just twitch? Nah, can't be, must be my imagination yep.
"Thank you, miss!." She smiles the warmest smile I've ever seen ohh~, then turns around and intends to leave me be.
"Anytime. Ah, don't forget your baby!" I smile and she picks up the baby doll and leaves me alone. Truly, her smile is priceless yep.
I then hear her say to the others "I petted a pretty kitty!"
Oh god oh no, don't tell me they all want to pet me now...
But my fears were unfounded as one of the others gave me a plushie.
They must think that I need one, bless him. I wish everyone had their hearts in the right place.
Well, it's nice and fluffy and helps somewhat, but I would rather be somewhere else entirely. But it's the thought that counts..