The room was white and empty. He wasn't sure how this could be a therapist's office. It felt more like a psych ward.
The woman crossed her legs. Her clothes were immaculately pressed.
"So..."
"Tell me about yourself."
He finally finished tearing off the hangnail he had been working on. It came halfway down his finger.
A small droplet of blood ran down his hand. The woman didn't seem to notice. Or care.
"Well, I've been having these fantasies.."
The woman sat up in her chair.
"Yes, fantasies. Tell me."
"Well, they're less like fantasies. More like nightmares."
"Could they be both?"
He squirmed at the question. He was here for resolution. Not more questions.
"I suppose so.."
He stopped.
"No, nightmares. They're only like nightmares."
"What happens in these nightmares?"
Another droplet of blood trickled down his hand.
"Well, I'm walking down a hallway. It's slightly cramped, but at the same time, it seems infinite. The walls are--"
"Is there a smell?"
"A smell? No. Well..I guess maybe. Now that I think about it. Maybe it smells like mold. Like something's rotting. But faint."
"Okay, go on."
"Well the walls are cracked and peeling and have a greenish hue - like they've been infected with something. And on the walls are these picture frames. They're crooked."
"How is your relationship with your mother?"
He stared blankly.
"Fine."
"Mr. Romondo -"
"It's Romono."
"Mr. Romono, I believe you may be suffering from Cotard's syndrome."
He remained motionless.
"I don't. I don't even know what that is."
"It's actually rather unimportant. What is important is that we get you help. Of the most serious kind."
"Serious?"
"Yes, would you please be so kind as to step into the hallway?"
"The hallway? But I just told you.."
"Mr. Romondo, this is not the same hallway of your nightmares. I assure you."
She opened the door and ushered him out. The door slammed behind him.
The walls were green and rotting. A cockroach scuttled out of a crack. He turned around to open the door he came from. Locked.
He jiggled the knob.
"Please let me back in."
He banged furiously.
"MISS, PLEASE LET ME BACK IN RIGHT NOW. YOU TOLD ME-"
A light from behind the door turned off. He looked back down the long winding hallway.
He shuddered and started walking.