EROS   Standing in the middle of the hall, people around me passed by like I didn't exist. I tried to call their attention, but no one responded. A nurse approached, raising her hands to get my attention. At last, someone finally recognized my presence—or I just thought so. I waved at her in response, the nurse smiled at me and moved forward. Until she passed through me. I looked back and saw her joining another nurse.   Was I dead?   Why couldn't people see me? Why was I invincible to them?   I strolled further in the hospital, trying to catch attention—hoping to find a person with a third eye. If I was indeed dead, I have to tell Perth or my

EROS   We heard a soft knock, then a creaking sound. Ara’s voice resonated in the room as she entered. She was carrying a wooden crate full of painting tools. After her, Port followed with bags of whatnot and had the canvases under his left arms.   “We’re back!” Ara placed the crate near the footboard then joined his lover.   Port smiled at me, looking awkward, walking with a weight on his side. “How are you?” he asked.   “Alive and cannot kick,” I said.   He angled the canvas on the wall, then placed the bags beside it. “I brought you colors,” he said.  

EROS   I was inside my room, lying on the bed, looking at the ceiling. It was a painted ceiling that resembled the night sky. There’s the gray scarred moon on the side, dead stars spangled around its entirety and a falling white comet at the center. It was one of my favorite works.   I always looked at it before going to sleep, and when I woke up, it would be the first thing I would see.    A knock was heard, and I rose as it opened. Port entered the room, hugging a pillow across his chest. He was wearing a pair of pajamas—it could be a gift from his besties. His eyes were glancing around the room, then finally met mine. Port was biting his lower lip as he moved toward the bed.  

EROS "I don't think Val was lying when he said he knew Port," Perth said, driving our way back to my unit. "Yeah. I agree. How did he know Port's name? They must've met before," "But, a month had passed; how could he remember everything vividly?" "He said that Port was wearing a weird outfit that day. Maybe the outfit was remarkable enough that it was worth remembering?" Perth nodded. My whole history was chaotic, and Port's past was more confusing. It was understandable to be in shambles to dig events twenty years ago, but Port's was a month-old tracking. In his case, it was always a dead end. 

EROS"Eros, are you listening?" Perth snapped in front of me. I looked at him, and he was displeased. My brain cells suddenly wired and brought me back to the present. They reminded me that Perth and I were alone in the living room. Ara and Port, we're out shopping. "I'm sorry. Where are we?" He crossed his arms against his chest, one leg forward tapping the floor. "Now. Tell me, what's bothering you?"I faked a laugh. "No. I think I need more sleep,"Perth sat beside me. From the corner of my eyes, I could see his judging look. I turned to him and stretched a smile. "You cannot lie to me, Cuevas," My shoulders dropped, protruding my mouth. Perth was a human lie detector, proven and tested by experts. He could always sense the best and worst of me. "I'll tell you later," I promised. "Repeat what you were speaking of