Submerge

D I S C O N N E C T I O N

The night had woven its inky fingers around the city, cloaking me in its embrace of desolation. I had left behind my home, my family, and the safety of familiarity. Driven by an overwhelming need to escape the turmoil within me, I found myself wandering the dimly lit streets, each step heavy with the weight of my emotions.

My phone had become a lifeless brick in my pocket, its battery drained from the barrage of calls and messages from Nathan and my mom. Their worry and concern only deepened my sense of isolation. My eyes were red and puffy from the tears I had shed, my cheeks still damp with the evidence of my vulnerability.

I walked aimlessly, the cityscape blurring into a hazy backdrop for my spiraling thoughts. The therapy session's raw revelations gnawed at me, and the memories of that tragic night with my sister clawed their way back to the forefront of my mind. I felt suffocated by guilt, and the despair that had taken root seemed insurmountable.

As I trudged on, a sudden burst of light tore through the darkness, its brilliance cutting through the heavy shroud that surrounded me. An expensive sports car whizzed by, its sleek design and roaring engine an incongruous sight in the quiet night. The car came to a halt a short distance ahead, and I instinctively turned to face it, curiosity mingling with caution.

The driver's side door opened, revealing a man who seemed to exude charisma and confidence. His dark hair was slicked back, and he wore a tailored suit that hinted at affluence. His sharp eyes met mine, and he gave me a knowing smile, as if he could see through the facade I had carefully constructed.

"Hey there," he called out, his voice smooth and inviting. "You look like you could use some company."

I regarded him warily, my guard still up despite the charm he projected. Who was this stranger, and why did he seem so interested in my state of mind?

He stepped out of the car with an easy grace, the car's engine purring softly in the background. He extended a hand toward me, his smile widening. "The name's Marco. I've got a feeling we could help each other out."

I hesitated for a moment, my instincts warning me to be cautious. But the allure of his words, the promise of companionship in the midst of my loneliness, tugged at something deep within me.

With a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, I tentatively shook his hand. "Mason," I introduced myself, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Nice to meet you, Mason," Marco said with a glint in his eye. "You know, I've got something that might take the edge off. A little something that could make tonight a bit more interesting."

My heart raced at his words, a mixture of fear and intrigue coursing through my veins. What was he offering? And why did it seem like he could read the turmoil within me?

Sensing my internal struggle, Marco leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I've got another pill, just like the one from the party. Trust me, it's a game-changer. And guess what? I'm headed to a small gathering at a friend's place. A private affair, you could say. You're more than welcome to join."

His words hung in the air, a tempting offer that seemed to beckon me with the promise of escape. The remnants of the Oxytone's effects still lingered, a reminder of the brief respite it had granted me.

A part of me screamed to turn away, to run from this stranger and the darkness that seemed to follow him. But another part of me, wounded and seeking relief, found itself drawn to the allure of another pill and the prospect of a fleeting distraction from the pain.

I looked into Marco's eyes, uncertainty warring with the allure of his offer. In that moment, I stood at a crossroads, my choice poised to reshape my path in ways I couldn't yet comprehend.