CHAPTER ONE

I heard them. I want to tell them that, I want to tell them...I hear them. I hear you loud and clear. I’d rather not slip the shiny tube into my pocket, but...if you insist. And later on, I don’t think it’s food. It doesn’t have the right texture. And then later, when you’re telling me the God - your God - made my stomach hurt like that, I didn’t believe you. But I nodded.

Why can’t I see you? It feels like I should. You say it’s because of my eyes. Because of the Eye Sickness that hits many, me included.

When you told me that I could swallow the plum pit whole, I believed you. And it didn’t hurt one bit.

You’re so different. I’m glad you’re my friends.

If only I didn’t have the Eye Sickness that hits many, me included.