Mom is in Japan. We sit next to Nao, her face seems
quite clear, I make out all her features and her short hair is the same. Though
it seems like we are getting ready to eat, Mom demands we take Nao to a really
nice restaurant. My head turns, do my eyes open? Mom is gone. Nao is gone. It
is just me. Where did they go? It was so pleasant to have them both here. I am
in bed and the room is warm and comfortable, much better than last night when I
fell asleep to The Beautiful and the
Damned. My heart is going, something is happening but I am not sure what it
is. The movement must be caused by a car, a reckless driver must have woken me
up, I live so close to the street. If that’s so, why do I feel like this? The
world around grows angry. I feel regret. I’m supposed to have the radio on all
the time but I used the outlet for the keyboard. I should have a bag ready. Do
I wait here for something to fall on me and snap me out of this fear? Seek shelter, get under something,
quick! Don’t let the world’s wrath envelope you!
But I know I won’t make it out of the room. I get out of
bed and quickly metamorphose into the cobra I have always been. On the floor
and in a matter of seconds I am under the bed, but part of my snake tail hangs
outside. I can’t get it in no matter how hard I try. I pray to Mother Nature: You
mustn’t be so angry. Everything will be fine.
How long? I can’t tell. It seems like time stopped. Is
she done or is she just contemplating, reflecting over how to show her force once
again? We know you are strong. Please refrain from being so ostentatious. But I
am at your mercy.
I am human again and wondering how I will get out
from this shelter, much too small for my limbs. I finally crawl out and look
out the window. No one is outside. I go back to bed. Any sound makes me think
it is she again, angry again or just wanting to play. She plays so rough. Mayuko
calls. If it happens again you have to go outside, she says. Nao writes. Be
ready, if it gets worse we have to evacuate to a shelter.
A sound. It’s just my alarm. I managed to sleep three
more hours.
