Saito

*Saito*

I have sen crazy in the span on forty-three years. When you work as a therapist, nothing surprises you anymore. That was what I believed at first.

Now, I�m working on a rather complex case of my own: myself. Hard to explain, really. The events almost blend together in my head.

I remember last night. Thursday was my shortest day. I only had six patients that day. Most of the week was all the same to me. I only listen stoically take notes, and make suggestions. That�s it. Last night started out the same. Then, I gathered up my things and prepared to go home. I walked out to the lobby.

�Good night, Fukuda-san,� the receptionist said.

�Night Usagi,� I said back. Then, I headed out the door. I made it out to the parking lot and got into my car.

It kind of blurs up in my head from there. I remember driving home; that much is true. I was alone on the highway. I only had my headlights. I was going to pick up dinner, see my family, and go home.

Suddenly, my hands went numb. I thought I was imaging it at first. The feeling spread its way through my arms. My feet felt numb as well. I couldn�t understand what was going on. Was I having a stroke? My vision became blurry as I kept driving. I had to get off the road before I caused a wreck. But, I couldn�t see where to stop. I couldn�t even tell how fast I was going. I kept driving as if by instinct. I could feel my heart pounding up to my eardrums. Then, it all went black�

The next thing I remember was waking up in my wife�s bed in her house. I opened my eyes and looked around. I drove all the way here in that condition?

�Oh good, you�re awake,� I heard someone murmur. I looked up to see my wife standing at the doorway, staring at me. Her blue eyes were flooded with worry. I blinked at her in the dark.

�Misato?� I asked. �How did I get here?� Misato took a step into the room.

�You drove up here erratically,� she said. �I thought you were drunk at first.� I gave her an odd look.

�What? Why? You know I don�t drink.�

She shook her head. �You parked your car in the lawn. I rushed over to help you inside. You could barely walk and you were mumbling incoherently. I asked if you were sick, but you couldn�t answer clearly. I finally put you to bed. You even kept stumbling all over the place.� I took in her words slowly. All of that happened? Why did I know to come here first?

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in the back of left shoulder. I winced and gritted my teeth.

�Saito!� Misato exclaimed. �Saito, what�s wrong?�

�It burns!� I yelped.

�What burns?� my wife cried. I leapt out of bed and pushed past Misato.

�Saito!� I heard her cry. I ran straight to the bathroom. I turned my back to the mirror lifted up my shirt. My blood ran cold at what I be held. The number twenty-nine was still burning and fresh on my back. I could hear it sinking in deep to my veins. The hazy blue light drew me in.

A faint whisper brushed past my ear. �Next year on the Fire Festival, you will die,� I heard. Then, it all just stopped. The sounds, the pain, and glowing came to a grinding halt.

I have been studying myself under these conditions ever since.