I once knew of a girl, a rather strange girl whom possessed an even rather stranger ability. Well at least, I like to think it was an ability. Science although, would often just refer to it as a condition. But she on the other hand, likes to think of it as one thing and one thing only - a curse. The girl's name is Dorothy and perhaps, just perhaps, it might do you a world of good to listen to this little story of hers...
The first time i ever met with Dorothy was at some college party I attended with my friend. Sadly, it was also the last time i would get to ever see her again... ha!.. don't get ahead of yourself, we just never got to meet again, that's all :)
Ahh... I recall it like it was yesterday: There I was sitting on the sofa being introverted as I often am at parties and just watching the activities go by. The whole room reeked of cigar, sex, and alcohol and frankly, I was getting really irritated staying there - I really just wanted to leave! My head was spinning and I felt as if I would throw up but then, just then, my eyes met this particular girl whom sat alone in the corner. Just for a second, I gazed upon her and her eyes returned the favor. Oh... it felt as though there was some sort of radiant attraction between us both but alas, it was all in my head. For the countenance she wore accompanied by the brief yet somewhat ill mannered remark spoke otherwise...
"What? What do you want?...Stop looking at me!" she spoke harshly before living the room.
Surprised I was- truly I was- for this strange girl did not strike me as one whom would recline to such rude mannerisms- to such uncleanly gestures. Ha!...I fairly chucked at the whole thing but regardless of the entire ordeal, it did not at all aggravate me.
"Good riddings" I mumbled "You think I came to this party looking for a wife or something? Ha!..." I continued mumbling to myself.
Moments passed as the music in the party grew louder and more disturbing. And shortly after moments of not being able to tolerate the sound, I decided it was time for me to leave. But before I left, i informed my friend that I was going to leave. I came downstairs were the party's music could be faintly heard through the ceilings and approached steadily for the door. But as I reached for the door, I heard the noise of a bolt and saw the knob turning before I felt a huge slam on my face. Someone had slammed the door on my face from outside and it was that same ill mannered girl...
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were there!" she exclaimed.
"What the?... God! It's you again?" I grumbled.
"Yeah... I'm so sorry" she replied.
Now, this is were things got a little weird.... As she tried to help me with my bleeding nose, I noticed her face started to squirm a little bit, then she reached for her own nose and yelled:
"Ow!.. Arghh that hurts".
At first, I wasn't sure if she was just playing or mocking me until she really started distressing and holding her nose in pain. I was so astonished that I had to remark with:
"What the fuck are you doing?.. What's going on?..."
"Uh... it's nothing never mind. How's your nose?" She replied faintly.
"Nothing?? What do you mean nothing? I was the one hit with the door but here you are crying about your nose like you're the victim here!"
"I said it was nothing! Just drop it!" Her voice raised as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Hmm... here's that rudeness again. Fine...whatever, don't tell me. See if I care..." I said as I brushed passed her and opened the door but yet again I was met with another unfortunate incident.
There, standing right in front of the door, was Malcolm - the party host's cat. It was a black cat with dark blue eyes that resembled that of a demon's. And every time I gazed upon it, my blood ran cold. Then, without warning, the cat leaped from the floor and started attacking me. Oh, how I tried desperately to set myself free from this gruesome cat as it's claws dug and scratch through my very skin as if it were some common ball of yarn.
Now you might think that Dorothy would obviously be inclined to help me after seeing the terror that I was in, but no... she began dancing. Yes!... dancing. But not the regular type of dance that requires music. No!... it was the dance of mortal terror. Every time I screamed in pain, Dorothy would also scream as well.
And anywhere this feline would scratch me she would simply hold out that part of her body and scream in pain. This we did for a few minutes before our screams were heard by the people partying upstairs and before they rescued us.
Immediately the cat was removed from my body, the first thing I said was to Dorothy : "We need to talk..."
Hours must've passed as we laid on the grass of that house's backyard, under the moonlight, simply talking about what had just happened back in the house. Hmm... the things she told me were actually quite hard to conceive. It didn't really make sense to me. It felt almost impossible honestly. But that's what it was. That's what she had. Call it whatever you may: a gift, a curse, or a disease but she had that condition- she could feel everything.
"So were you like born this way?" I asked her.
"Yeah... pretty much." she answered while staring at the night sky.
"Can it be cured or something?.." I asked again
"No, I'm pretty sure it's a for life thing" she replied.
"Oh..." I spoke in a low voice."But, it's not that bad if you think about it though. I mean it could be quite useful in some certain biological areas and yes I am referring to..." I smirked.
"Hmm..." she lightly chuckled. "You don't know that's why? You think it's so cool because you have no fucking clue! You have no idea of the how hard it is! How hard this curse is!" she exclaimed slowly becoming tensed up.
" I can't even look at people anymore without freaking out! That's why you see me wearing glasses all the time. I fear that I will hurt myself!" she raved.
"Arghh!!!! I feel everything and it's killing me slowly! I felt the brutal pain of Dominic when he had that accident, I felt the pain of Lisa when she cut her finger that time at wood shop, I even felt the pain of Officer chandler when he got shot on the arm! And these are only the little ones!!" she hastily exclaimed as he fell to the floor. I then went to embrace her.
" I just don't want to feel these pains again. I just don't want to feel anything again." she lamented.
"Hahh...At least I could feel the soft caress on my lips when Brad and Chanel kissed at the party tonight. Ha!... we all knew they were going to get together at some point. Did you see it too? Did you feel it too? I did. Ah...I just wish I could feel something like that for real. Just once, at least it'll be a little consolation for all this agony...." she muttered.
I didn't know what to say again. I was speechless. "Could she have gone through all this. Was it real? Or is she just crazy and melodramatic?..." this I thought while still embracing her.
Then, a car pulled up, it was her sister and she had to go. But as she approached the car I called out to her one last time:
" Hey Dorothy!" I yelled.
She turned back and watched me place a gentle touch on my lips with my two fingers. A warm, subtle caress on my lips. And her's. Dorothy then smiled.
I didn't know this girl...but I know she could feel the touch.
Ahh.... I'm actually very glad you made it to the end of this story. Dorothy's story I like to think of it.
Now even though this entire piece might just be work of fiction, I urge you to realize that the disease, the curse, or the condition mentioned in the story is NOT. The character Dorothy actually suffers from a rare real life condition known as Mirror touch synesthesia.
According to Wikipedia: Mirror-touch synesthesia is a rare condition which causes individuals to experience a similar sensation in the same part or opposite part of the body (such as touch) that another person feels. For example, if someone with this condition were to observe someone touching their cheek, they would feel the same sensation on their own cheek.
Thanks for reading and keep exploring!