Kill Switch by Penelope Douglas

It had a haunting, sad vibe, and my heart started thumping
harder even before I entered.
She twirled around the floor, her head and arms all playing
a part as her feet moved, creeping with the song, like someone
possessed or lost in a dream. My throat swelled as I inched off
to the side, in the shadows, not taking my eyes off her.
The chorus chanted, the drums like a pulse, and I watched
her hair fly, and the muscles in her legs flex through her tight,
black leggings. Slits cut across the back of her long-sleeve
pink shirt, her sports bra and skin visible in the moonlight
streaming in through the windows.
But I blinked
And the world was gone
The voice sang, the music coursing through her as if it
were coming from her body, every movement perfectly timed.
I scaled my eyes down her face and form as she spun and
leaped, wishing I could be the air around her and feel her
move.
My chest ached so badly it hurt to breathe.
There was no one in the world like her.
The music ended, and silence fell in the house as she fell
back on her feet, breathing hard. She stayed there, unmoving
and quiet.
And finally, her voice pierced the air. “Are you here?”
I didn’t say anything.
“Were you watching?” she asked softly.
I wanted to bring her into my chest and just feel her relax,
easing her mind and making her feel safe.
But she’d smell the smoke still on me, which I didn’t hold
back on tonight on purpose. I didn’t want to be tempted to
come see her.