What is that? Turn back. It doesn’t look safe. I tried slamming on the brakes over and over again, but they were busted. The car kept moving faster and angrier. I screamed but I was muted by the sound of silence. Just as I was approaching impact I closed my eyes and blocked my face with my arms and hands.

I opened my eyes, there was nothing but stillness. Darkness. My heart felt like it could rip through my chest. I blinked once. Nothing. Blinked once more. I was now flat, laying down in an enclosed space. My heavy breaths dampened my face entirely too quickly. I tried to get up but my head impacted with an obstacle inches above me. My hands felt around for an opening, it felt like a wooden box. Like a coffin or a tomb. Panic struck my entire body. HELP! Striking against the walls I cried for help. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

Air filled my lungs as I gasped into an upright position. I looked around at my bedroom and found myself in a pool of sweat. My eyes wet from tears. It was just a dream. It was just a dream. I looked at the clock reading 7:13 and continued my gaze to the window. It’s dark. Shadows move across the room as cars pass outside. Confusion presents itself as I look to my right and left for Billy and Rachel who are nowhere to be found. I could hear the distant sound of the television coming from the living room. Something smells good. “Food!” I jumped up, put on my slippers, and headed straight into the living area. 

“Good evening friend!” said Billy, “I picked up your medication and some food. Thought you would be hungry by the time you got up.”

“You are way too good to me. I need to start dating women” I gushed while taking a seat at the kitchen island.

Billy slid a plate of gyro and rice towards me, along with my medication. “If only you weren’t so obsessed with all things male.” Billy picked up a cheese cigar roll and gestured it entering and exiting her mouth, her tongue pressing against the inside of her cheek.

“Oh my God!! You act like I’m some ‘dick sucking contest’ champion. I’ve only been with 2 guys!” We both laugh, my laughter more bashful than hers.

“So where is Rachel?” I ask.

“She went to work. She got a new job last week.” Billy answered. My mouth too full to speak, I hum and nod for her to keep going.

 “Yeah! Apparently, she’s a night auditor now and they pay well. It’s pretty cool. She works overnight at this hotel near Industry City.” continued Billy with a mouth full of food.

“That’s awesome! I’m so happy for her!”.

Billy’s face goes from a proud smile to a serious look as her eyes are fixed on the TV. I turn towards the television and there is news about human trafficking. A female survivor was able to escape and talked of the terrifying situations she encountered. The victim mentioned how some of the girls she met didn’t make it out. She described, with gory details, the things she witnessed.

With painful inflection, I said, “People are so disgusting. Why do these people exist?” I waved my arm towards the television. “I wish I could just round up all these psychopaths, tie them together, and run them off a cliff.”

Billy agreed with a nod and a crimson expression across her face, her eyes never leaving the screen.

When the news transitioned to advertisements, we continued to eat our food and fell into a more pleasant conversation.

I desperately need a shower. I go to my room and start to undress in front of the bathroom mirror. I catch a glimpse of myself and can’t help but stare at this person that I barely recognize. I look at the scars around my body from the accident. I run my hand down the scar along my hairline. The healing white scar contrasting against my dark auburn hair. This will be the one to stick around. Flashes from my accident pop into my head. My breath and heart rate begin to quicken. I try to control my breathing by counting to 10 over and over again in my head. I use my hands to make a subtle gesture of counting. ‘You’re fine. You’re still breathing. Nothing is blocking your airway” I say out loud while looking at my reflection staring back at me. After a few minutes, my breathing and heart rate slowly return to a normal rhythm. I let out a sigh of relief and then enter the shower. Once I grab the shampoo bottle, I get a jerk in my right hand and the bottle goes crashing down to the shower floor. Ugh.