I know this place.

I've been here before.

Sitting at this table

looking out this window.

The chair is uncomfortable.

Too small.

Why am I here?

Again.

Someone I need to see.

Everything seems familiar.

Yet I don't remember anything.

There's a faint buzzing

in my head.

Memories are fighting their way to the

surface of my overcrowded mind.

Pushing past useless thoughts.

Broken dreams.

Long-dead hopes.

So many locked doors.

So many dead ends.

Why can't I remember?

There are children sitting on a bed.

Looking at me with blind eyes.

Their lips aren't moving

yet I know they are talking.

What's that, you say?

I can't hear you!

Speak up!

Don't mumble!

Only buzzing

in my head.

There is another chair

across from me.

Is someone coming for tea?

Light footsteps on the

wooden floor.

Barely audible.

I wait.

Close your eyes,  and count to 10!

says a vaguely familiar voice.

Where have I heard that voice

before?

Who are you?

You knew me a long time ago.

But we lost touch.

Sometimes I can feel you

close to me.

Stirring something inside.

Sadness?

One day, you just weren't there.

But it was so subtle, it took

me a while to sense your absence.

Oh, I've missed you so much!

But now, here you are.

Sitting across from me.

So small.

Where did you go?

I was never the same again.

Without you.

I was happy before.

Now, there is only

cold reality.

I can no longer cry

Time Out!

Or lie on the grass

laughing.

Until my sides hurt.

There is no more

Run Sheep Run!

Mother May I?

Never again.

You took all of that with you.

Simon Says

don't look back.

I know you're not going

to stay long.

But now, here, in this room

Sitting at this table

I can look at you

and feel

what it was like.

Because when I see you,

I remember me.

And how it was

to be Innocent.