May 2019

The sun cast a glare of light on Maria's face. At this, the girl's eyes fluttered open.

A dream?

She groaned and pushed a pillow on her face, wishing she had more time to sleep. 

"She tried to peel my face off with a butcher knife."

"Huh?" Maria sat up and found herself facing a grey wall. She looked down and saw she was wearing a white hospital gown. Her arms were bound in some kind of strange white fabric.

A straitjacket? What on Earth?

"She said she'd love to place it on her bedroom wall because I look so much like my older brother."

She searched the room and found the origin of the voice. It came from a small television erected in the corner of the wall.

A woman was being interviewed. She looked similar to Michael.

"Janet?"

Janet shook her head as she said the last words which concluded the interview. "It's terrifying how people can worship normal people like us. I tell you that girl is obsessed. Obsessed."

Suddenly, the cell door opened and a woman wearing a lab coat entered.

"Kathy! You must get me out! I landed in the wrong place. I was supposed to save Michael," cried Maria.

Kathy chuckled. "What are you talking about?"

Maria's smile faded. "Don't you remember? My mission?"

"On it again, aren't we, Maria?" 

"I don't understand."

Kathy kneeled in front of Maria. Her heart ached for the woman's condition every day. She took Maria's arms and slowly removed the straitjacket.

"Why do you keep forgetting, Maria? Michael's dead. He's dead and he will never return."

Maria shook her head. "No! You're lying! I'm going to save him whether you like it or not."

"Why are you so obsessed with this man? He's just any other celebrity who comes and goes. It's no doubt his death was tragic but why the obsession? I will never understand. Won't you like to move on and start a family of your own? Maria, you've been stuck here for twenty years!"

Maria shook her head even more. "No! I will do whatever it takes even if the whole Universe turns against me."

Then suddenly, Michael was standing behind the doctor, emotionless. He wore a simply red polo-shirt and a pair of black pants. 

Maria's eyes lit up at the sight of him. "There he is standing behind you! Every day he pleads for my help. He knows I'm the only one who can save him. Turn around and see for yourself!"

Kathy grumbled and proceeded to leave the cell. "You'll receive an increase in your medication after today's breakfast."

Michael took a seat beside Maria and stared blankly at the wall.

"Don't worry, Michael. They're confused. I'll find us a way out."

"You almost killed my sister, you know," he said through clenched teeth.

"Oh, Mikey. It was an accident. I promise it won't happen again."

Maria reached out to twirl Michael's curls in her hands but he shifted away. 

"Oh, come on. I'm sorry. Please, forgive me. Pleeaaa---"

"Let me go, Maria."

Maria recoiled, shocked. "Are you mad?"

"I'm the one who should be asking that question."

"No, Michael! As long as we are together we'll be happy. No one will be able to hurt us."

Maria embraced Michael and pulled him tightly against her chest. The nurses began to gather and watch outside. Of course, the sight was nothing new. But they will never get used to such disturbing sceneries from Maria's cell on a daily basis. How she would speak into thin air and stroke the empty space before her. At times they would wonder if she really is delusional or is actually seeing the King of Pop's ghost.

Maria began to hum as she drew small circles on Michael's back.

"You're mine, Michael. We belong to each other," she whispered. 

Kathy returned with a tray of food in her hands but she was taken aback at the sight of Maria stroking air above her chest. The doctor witnessed more monstrosities from other patients than this one but it would hurt to see your friend slipping into madness day by day.

"Oh, my sweet Maria."

Maria could feel a wetness in her arms. It was nothing extraordinary. Michael was only shedding a few tears, that's all. Tears of happiness.

"I love you, Michael. I love you."