A Bloody Smile In The Dark

Tell your friends to sharpen their teeth, there's a few quid to be made

Damn is this airport huge. I feel like a freaking ant crossing the desert. If they even do that.

Still. Watching all these people go about their way seemingly having all under control is such a fantastic view. It's a beautiful sunny morning and you can just tell you're in Miami. Pretty much all the building's walls are made of glass and the palm trees are clearly visible from every angle. It's warm, although perfectly tolerable. There's a faint smell of coffee waving around and i can't help but getting lost in the pretend-freedom and perfect coordination.

"Passport and ID, please" - Almost forgot. I have to go through customs and pass the immigration gates first. It ain't going to be easy trying to look like i have nothing to hide, with this foolish anxiety rising in me.

"Come with me, ms" - No Please this time. I mustn't look convincing....

They're taking me into custody making me spend the next years of my life in some Floridian jail. Or even worse they're deporting me back immediately. I've wasted a ton of money for nothing. Jesus Christ...or whom for her.

"What are you here for and how long are you planning to stay?" - play it cool V, play it cool.

"I'm here as an understudy for the weekend. I'm planning to leave on Wednesday. I'd like to take a day or so to have a quick tour of the city by myself as well" - I'm looking like an idiot for sure. It's taken me an eternity to find the papers Dr. Woodward has mailed me. She said they're supposed to grant me access without a problem, but you never know.

Also, i had to print them out in a not so legal way back at the train station in Milan, distracting the old man away from his newsstand with an imaginary scuffle a few feet from us. I didn't have the guts to look back to see the look on his face when he came back, but i didn't hear him yell or anything so he may not have noticed what i did.

Desperate times call for desperate measures? All i know is my blood pressure dropped drastically as soon as i hopped on the train. I was drifting along the railways before it had even started moving.

Anyways. This guard is...massive. And i mean it in the most appreciative way. His suit is so tight he looks about to burst out of it and his mug as he's reading my plea for temporary acceptance is the best poker face i've seen in a while. Add the gun and..ugh. Am i undergoing a mighty case of uniform charm right before my eyes? Bless.

"I'm going to perform some background check on you and i'll let you know. You can wait on those chairs over there" - Okay. Won't be a problem. Not much for him to verify either. I'm 20 and the most exciting experience i've had wasn't exactly of the thrilling type.

The grass is beginning to show from underneath the snow, the air is nicely chill and there is no sign of clouds on the horizon. My shorts are spectacular and my feet aren't hurting despite all the miles we've walked thus far. Not to mention my classmates haven't pushed me off a cliff or tied my shoes to a tree yet. Life is good.

Wait...is that a steep mountain i see? A very steep one?

"Alright everybody! Now you're all going to pick a partner real quick so we can join that shepherd up there! It's going to be exciting! Let's get ready to climb!"

Hold on. Climb? No.

"Come on Vero! Look at your friends! They're all doing great! Pick your head up and walk faster!"

Yeah a word. That's it. I'll die here. I'm drenched in sweat, my backpack is heavier than my mother's tits and the older guys are making fun of me. To think i was glad a minute ago...

"You'll cherish this memory forever! In a few years, you'll smile looking back at what you've done today!"

This Gatorade tastes awful and i'm feeling more and more blue with each minute.

"We are one and the same now"

Talking to my bottle is all i have left. Nobody's paying attention to me. I could roll off this peak and no one would notice.

"Uh oh!"

Fuck. This is not what i wanted to happen to have someone realize i'm still here!

"You've done it again, Vero! How come you can't do anything without vomiting all over yourself?! Now we'll have to delay the fun to fix it!"

Maybe exciting isn't really the word to describe it, but it was certainly the most that's ever happened to me all in a day's work. A scraped knee, a twisted ankle, a broken arm, a freshly blue-dyed shirt and at least three super pissed educators: the bulletin of the event. Not bad. Fifteen years and no other feat has managed to top it. Eh...

"You're good to go. Keep in mind that if we catch you extending your working stay for longer than you've claimed, we'll make sure you never step foot on this country again. You understand?"

"Oh loud and clear, sir" - I always followed the rules and i wasn't going to mess up this time. Not here. Plus that veiny hand on the holster sure is doing its job...

Oh what am i saying; let me get out of here before i start hallucinating.

Thankfully, finding the cab was shockingly easy.

"Gorgeous day to be alive, ain't it ma'am?" - Oh may your heart be filled with joy till your last breath.

"It sure looks like it, yes."

It didn't take long to get to the hotel and i want to thank not only god but also jesus for this, because my head could hardly take it anymore.

The gentleman driver waited for me to go inside before taking off, smiling at me. Sweet.

As expected, the place is insane. The vast entrance is complete with an enormous carpet with their logo on it and tons of paintings all over cute mustard yellow walls. Tall silver lamps are on every corner and the front desk is immediately on the right with two security guards at its sides.

I feel so out of place here...i thought i was going to stay at some bed and breakfast or something... Not that i'm complaining.

"Good morning and welcome to the Dove Star! I'm Christine, how may i help you?" - I've never seen teeth so bright my whole life, i swear.

"Hi, I'm Verena. There should be a room booked for me by a certain Dr. Woodward, please?" - His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy..I haven't eaten mom's spaghetti in a long time but you get it.

"Room 259, 7th floor. Do you need help with the luggage?"

"No thanks, i'll be fine. Have a blessed day" - Let me break out an actual smile for this lady, she deserves it.

"Same to you, ms!" - I would sell my soul for that set of fangs...if i had to snatch that soul from someone else.

Are these diamonds? Random jewels? On an elevator? Seriously? 'mericans...

Here we go; this is the room. "You'll be my mate for a few days. Behold yourself"