June 2018

heels like the fire in the hearts of the passionate. I could feel the urge tearing at the back of my skin, dying for
its only chance at escape. The slight tinge of guilt sat quietly, waiting for its chance to speak. I was not going
to back down, though I may regret my choices, I would regret not making them more.
Most women choose the little black dress as prime real estate for a night on the town. I prefer the little
gold one. Then again, attention is one thing I do expect tonight. Nothing thrills me more than having all the
eyes on me when I walk in the room. It’s not to be smug, believe me. It is more of a confidence builder. It gets
me ready for a night full of flirting, dancing, and parading around town. “Get ready world because here I
come.” With that, I shut the front door, jump into the waiting ride service, and am off to downtown. The city is
always full of life.
Ah, 5280UC, the most important gathering spot in the whole city. Only the most prominent people are
here, can’t even get in without paying the $500 cover, but, like I said, tonight is my night and I will splurge till
my heart is content. I’m at the bar, having a strong IPA straight from the tap when this man walks up to me.
He’s the kind of guy that screams trouble, looks too normal, too much like the person on the tip of your
tongue, the name just out of reach, but he is charming and I’m not looking for forever. How bad could it be to
play along? At least for a little bit.
After a few drinks, he invites me over and yes, I go because I want what I want tonight. It is my breakfree,
get-out-of-the-mold, reckless kind of night. I don’t get them often, so when I do, I make sure they’re extraordinary.
Inside, he grabs me another drink. Perfect. I must have had too many because I was feeling a bit
funny, like really, really drunk after the last one.
I guess I passed out for a bit because when I came to my arms were hurting. I try to look at them, but
my shoulders are being pulled toward my ears as if they were holding my dangling body in a dark room. I hear
him chuckle, “I’m glad you’re awake, this is never any fun if I don’t see your pain.” He is walking toward me,
I can hear the small but powerful vibrations from the wood planks being hit beneath his feet. Confident, he has
done this more than once. Enough to be completely comfortable and in control. He doesn’t even appear out of
his mind. “I’m sure you have many questions, I’ll answer three before the inevitable.”
“What is inevitable?”
“Your death. Two more.”
16