"I don't," I'm quick to say, wanting to reassure her (wanting to reassure myself). "Not for sure, at least, as far as I'm concerned. It's just these past few months, I've heard--"

But it's more than just hearing. I've smelled, too. Tasted New York air.

I find myself shaking my head, an old habit.

"It's like my senses have been playing tricks on me. Just now, I thought I was being followed, but there've been other instances... Times I've thought I was walking down a street in Manhattan, or-- Hearing an old enemy's voice. But I'm not afraid of those things, and all of the reports, the warnings... They say it's nightmares that are coming to life, and I'm not afraid of any of those things, Ellen, I swear to God."