The following month was a bit uneventful in the beginning. I haven't heard much from my other contacts, and the security job was going smoothly still. Maybe a week or two after that crazy job, I noticed some weird changes. They were minor things, like my hair developing a different silky texture and my eyes looking a bit darker, but I assumed it could have been stress related. The thicker body hair was a little different though, and when chatting briefly with Sloane about what I've noticed, she said it could be part of aging. Love the constant reminders of growing old.

What really threw me off was the night I was coming home from the gym and felt sudden, excruciating pain throughout my whole body. It was so intense I couldn't speak, and the next thing I knew I was on the ground watching my arms fall apart and rebuild themselves, following my legs and torso and I became...a monster? The rain was getting so heavy outside that night I could barely make out my new form in the puddles scattered across the lawn. I felt no fear though, only rage, like my blood had turned to malice and was spreading in me like a fire. It felt like I was trapped for eternity as this new creature, my head was pounding and my vision grew blurry...and then it was dark. I woke up early morning with my mother beside me on our front lawn, shaking me as she sobbed. I told her I had too much to drink and blacked out, and she pressed no further questions. 

I don't fully understand what that was or why it happened but...I feel eager to do it again.

I had to call Sloane and tell her I was stuck at work, and that I would need more help with Saoirse upon returning. 

This, obviously, did not work. Spilled the beans and told her I was in the hospital, and she passed the phone to my mother who got to practice her fluent Italian by ripping me a new one over the line. It was honestly kind of refreshing to hear her yell again. Was worried the age would dull her down. 

Thankfully I got to go home recently, recovery didn't take as long as I thought it would, but no complaints there. Saoirse followed in her grandmother's footsteps and threw a full fit as soon as I walked through the door, and we hugged and cried. I cried for the first time in a long time. I think it was good for both of us.

Gonna take her out for ice cream in a bit, dedicating the whole week to spending time with her. I need to be less of a hero on the job. It's so easy to lose yourself and forget who needs you to be their hero elsewhere.