What If Just...

7 Vivian

Sitting in a taxi, I'm overcome by a series of doubts.

All the bars are located on the outskirts of the city, in the most troubled area, which adjoins the world of the Shadows.

Those who have nothing to lose usually come there. Hopeless people, who try to drown out their pain with alcohol and get even more pain in return, are usually taken away from here.

I think I'm just like them. 'The daughter given up on by everyone.' I'll probably never forget these words.

I don't like the taste of alcohol, I can drink wine or champagne with rare exception for some big occasions, but today I intend to try something stronger. Something that helps to forget.

I didn't give the driver a specific address, I just told him to take me to a place where one could have a drink.

Of course, he was extremely surprised and even tried to dissuade me from a rash act. But I have made a decision (that's getting weaker and weaker as I approach my destination).

In the car, I force myself to finish a sandwich - I know one shouldn't drink alcohol on an empty stomach.

Upon arrival, I thank the driver and wave off his offer to take me home again.

It's already dark outside.
I look around, getting acquainted with the new environment.

There are quite a lot of people standing outside, talking and smoking. I hardly see any girls or women, mostly just men.

Perhaps the situation inside is a little different.
I want to go to a bar where there are fewer people, but in any case I will have to cross the crowd.

I take a step forward in the direction of the bars. Passing by the first company, I try not to look at the people standing there - I pretend to look in the other direction.

Barely past the bar, I hear an exaggeratedly loud male voice.
"You don't have to turn away. Who's looking at you?!" then there is a chorus of laughter.

I keep walking forward, pretending I didn't notice the snide comment.

The further I go, the worse the lighting.
I'd better study the area on the map in the app in advance, but common sense has left me long ago, it remains now to reap the fruits of uncommon recklessness.

Suddenly I catch myself thinking I hear someone else's footsteps behind me, quite heavy.

It's a man. Or even several ones.

A suffocating fear seizes my heart. They're obviously coming for me...
There is no one else around; trees ahead indicate either a park or a little forest.

Having gained determination and strength, I quickly start running in the hope that I'll be able to hide among the trees.

They run after me, shout something and laugh.
Even though I can't distinguish the words, I get they are still quite close.
Obviously, they aren't straining much in the chase yet, having fun watching the victim.

It's becoming more and more difficult to run - there are more and more obstacles under my feet -  roots, branches and fallen trunks.

I stumble and fall several times, but I quickly get up and run on, without shaking the soil and leaves off my clothes and body.

My face is mercilessly beaten by tree branches. 

Trying to clear a path in front of me, I keep grabbing something prickly, stinging, slimy from time to time.
It's better not to imagine what my hands, feet and face will look like later.