“Why?” And then, considering the moment of hardened flesh and terror. “Are you an evil ghost? What’s the term again… are you a poltergeist?”

         No. And then she smiles, her face splitting into two for a second before morphing back into that uncertain one. No, I don’t think so.

         “Then why are you trying to kick me out?”

         Don’t want to share.

         “Not much to share.”

         It is enough for me.

         I look around the apartment, inhaling deeply. Maybe there’s mold in the walls that’s unaccounted for. Maybe it’s speeding up my fast trip to peeling at invisible yellow wallpaper and a really tight jacket with too many buckles. 

         “How old is this place?” I mean, I know it was a bargain for the housing agreement, but I didn’t exactly feel the space was ancient, you know?

         Wasn’t always here. She gestures with her flickering hand to the structure. Was a space with trees once. Flowers as far as the eye could see. 

         I look her over. The flowing dress. The long hair that’s beautiful, but probably requires enough maintenance to require, I don’t know, servants or something.

         “What do you remember then?” 

         She smiles.

         I remember the moon. Her smile vanishes. And pain.