“Okay,” the officer said, her voice soft. “Let’s go over this one more time.” I sat in a chair in a solid white room with a table in front of me, on which a glass of water was placed. There was a large mirror on the opposite wall. I knew I was being watched. I sat there, recalling the moment my life changed forever.

                “I’ve already told you everything,” I said with a sigh.

                “Just once more,” the officer said, leaning against the wall. “I want to make sure we have it correct.”

                I took a deep breath, recalling the incident. “It all started,” I began, my voice low, “when I was waiting for the bus.” The officer nodded, her head leaning forward as she listened closely.

                “Okay, keep going.”

                “As I sat there at the bus stop, I looked to the left of me, and there was this odd-looking man beside me. He was barefoot, with these strange-looking feet. He was bald, and his face almost looked deformed. Based on his expression, I have no idea where he came from.”         

                I took the glass of water in front of me, sipping it before I continued.

                “He was holding what looked like a walkie-talkie. It was yellow, for some reason. He kept talking into it. He was using a call sign.”

                “And what was that call sign?” The officer asked. I had told her many times already, but I continued my recollection.

                “Baby Bird.”

                “Okay, and what did this Baby Bird say into their walkie-talkie?” she asked, taking a seat in front of me.

                “He was calling Milwaukee. Which is ridiculous because there’s no way it would reach that far. But he turned to me and started talking about the most bizarre things. He told me he is from a place called Albertane. I’ve never even heard of that place before. Anyway, he kept talking and said that the people there only use 10% of their minds. I asked him ‘What about the other 90%?’ He just shook his head and laughed. He said they just run around in their underwear, and they are hairy. No shaving allowed.”

                The officer shuffled through a notebook, looking at notes scribbled down. “It says here Albertane isn’t a real place.

                “Well, ask him then,” I exclaimed.

                “But I’m asking you,” the officer asked quietly. I started breathing quickly, my heart pounding as I recalled the encounter.

                “Maybe I’m hallucinating, I don’t know.” I called out.

                “It’s ok, relax,” the officer said calmly. “Just tell me the rest.”

                “You wouldn’t believe me,” I said with a scoff. “Oh, did I mention this guy was half naked too? He was in his underwear.”

                “I see,” the officer said, eying me curiously.

                “So instead of waiting for the bus, he gets up and says hes going to walk to Milwaukee, or maybe Albertane, I can’t recall. But I was sitting there, feeling insane as what I had seen from this big toed bald man.” I run my hand over my head, smooth skin feeling good on my fingertips.

                “Ok, we are going to help you back to your room, okay,” The officer said calmly. “Nurse, please help Mr. Albertane back to his room.”

                A woman entered the room and nodded. “Yes, doctor.” As she escorts me out, I look at the mirror and I see the same man from the bus stop walking out of a room with a nurse. I guess it was a window, not a mirror.

                I sat on my bed, staring at the wall, thinking about Milwaukee. In my hand, I hear the familiar buzzing, my yellow walkie-talkie chirping on and off. I know it’s Mars calling me, coming to get me. Coming to take me home. Away from this place. Someday. Maybe, even today. Soon.