8
HALLUCINATION
Derek’s Perspective


I wake up in a hospital. Someone was hanging over me. It was kind of creepy. I looked around and realized I was the one in the hospital bed. I stared up at the person looking down at me.
I asked, “Why am I in a hospital, and who are you?”
They responded, “You were in a coma. आप drank too much diet soda. आप passed out. आप kept screaming out, ‘CARTER! CARTER!’ and flailing your arms around. आप kept saying, ‘Why, Jesse, why?’ We had to put आप in a straightjacket so आप wouldn’t harm yourself या others.”
“Okay, but who are you?”
“I’m your mother, dear. Now take a bite out of these Spaghettios!”
“So was all of that a hallucination?!”
“I suppose so.”
“Where’s my girlfriend?!”
“Dear, you’ve been single for 10 years now.”
“Wait, how old am I then?”
“You’re 32, dear.”
“Wow, I’m a loser, aren’t I?”
“No comment. Anyways, I do believe that आप are ready to go home, yes?”
“I guess. One और question, though. Are आप a hallucination, too?”
She chuckled, “No, dear, I am not a hallucination. Let’s get आप back to my house.”
“Okay, mum. Let’s head home."