The Darkness Within - Part One

Part 1

Chapter 1:

16th of October, 2020.

1:39am.

It's late. Very late.

Sweat oozes from her skin as she strolls through the dark alleyway.

The trees nearby surround her like a duvet as she emerges from the underpassing bridge below. Crumpled leaves fall from the branches of the trees, their trunks brown from the bark.

She deliberately steps on a twig, enjoying the sound it makes as it immediately snaps, the quiet noise suddenly sounding loud among the darkness.

She's weird. Unusual.

The strong wind blows her hair as she suddenly wishes she tied it up this morning.

She's been wishing she had done a lot of things differently lately.

Too late now, she realises.

The foggy air causes mist to fill up her eyes.

She suddenly feels blind, unable to see.

Panic sweeps through her skin as she begins to quicken her once slow pace.

A vast blanket of white hangs heavy over the hills. It suffocates every building and every tree at their base, swallowing every distant object and vanishing around every corner.

She has arrived at the churchyard.

Looking to the side, she stares at the large white house, it's structure standing proud among the graveyard.

She's always wondered who lives there.

Following her finger among each gravestone, she finally comes to a rest at the foot of the gravestone she's been searching for.

It's fresher, newer than the others.

She stands in silence, feeling as though she's not rewarding enough to even speak at his presence. The freezing fog wraps her body like a blanket.

She stands still, as tears begin to spill down her pale face, blocking her vision of everything completely. The salty taste of her own tears have become too familiar to her lately.

Memories slowly start to flow back into her mind.

His smile. His laugh.

She's surrounded by the past.

She's surrounded by the present.

She's surrounded by everything.

Everything bad.

She doesn't even drop a flower.

Next time, she reminds herself.

During the process of wiping her teary eyes, she's suddenly alarmed by the flicker of light from the white house, as if it's suddenly flickering to life.

She freezes, her face suddenly matching the colour of the building itself.

This is the first time she's seen any movement from this house in years.

Ever since she killed her husband.

Chapter 2:

Immediately gripped by her rising fear, she struggles to emerge from the evocative cemetery.

Her eyes scan for movement nearby, only to be alarmed by the ecstatic glow of the lamp post shining boldly against the dark night.

She stumbles twice, using the arch of the wall as a grip for her body.

She's tired, clearly.

She rummages through her pocket, praying for some loose change for the taxi home.

"Can I order a cab to arrive at The Green-Wood Cemetery, as soon as possible?"

•

1:51am.

She's tipsy, so struggles to place the key inside the hole, in an attempt to enter her one room apartment. Her hands are shaking immensely.

Unable to recall how many drinks she's had tonight, she fights to place one foot in front of the other, as she struggles to make her way inside the hallway.

She switches on the light, bringing the invigorating apartment to life.

The furniture is rustic and dark, sprinkled liberally with cushions. Although, the cushions are dusty, giving off the impression that they haven't been touched in years.

It's cold.

Very cold.

The floor is a dark walnut, filled to the brim with grime and filth, smudges and stains of alcohol splodged here and there.

The apartment seems worn out; tired.

Poking underneath the eating table is a packet of beer, untouched.

There's a pile of laundry heaped up by the sink, clusters of maggots and lice biting at the rims of her insanitary clothes.

Even if she painted all the walls black, the atmosphere bordering her apartment couldn't become any darker.

The apartment is surrounded by furniture, so why does it feel so empty inside?

Although her apartment is uncomfortably large, she is instantly alarmed by the intoxicating smell of bleach arising from her kitchen nearby.

Startled, she emerges from the hallway, making her way towards her dining table.

Suddenly, her body begins to shake intensely, as she struggles to hold herself upright.

Vomit clogs in her throat as she swallows hard to keep it down.

What. The. Fuck.

Feeling as though the blood flowing through her veins have frozen, her fingertips begin to feel like ice, as she brings them to her face, screaming in immense shock, creating deafening cries through her lips.

Her eyes struggle to break away from the body of her best friend Oaklynn, lying across her dining table, her face as white as snow.

Her eyes are still, ever illuminating Fallon's soul.

They say the eyes of a human portray the window to their soul.

All Fallon can see is the pain, torment and agony.

She can see how every emotion swarming through Oaklynn's body has come together to form her final facial expression. Death.

It forms a picture of the mind that can be recognised in an instant, and comprehended so easily, in full depth.

She touches Oaklynn's pale hand, driven by the soft feel of her milky skin.

She smiles, squeezing her wrist with love.

Her eyes finally break free from Oaklynn's gaze, as they wander towards the pool of colourless bleach perched next to her body.

She picks up a glass filled with it, swirling the drink with her hand.

She sniffs it, pulls a face, then places the cup down.

She places the palm of her hand on Oaklynn's face, startled by her cold touch.

Leaning over, she whispers in her ear,

"I'll always love you"

She kisses her forehead one last time, wiping the dripping tears from her eyes, before walking out of the room.

She closes her bedroom door.

And begins to cry.

And cry.

And cry.

Chapter 3

Six hours earlier.

7.03pm.

"Cheers!" Their glasses click, slight doses of champagne spilling onto the hazel bar stools.

"You got some on my dress, you idiot!"

Fallon rolls her eyes, rubbing harshly at the brown splodge on her rose dress with her wrist.

The bar feels eerie, as usual.

"Simple mistake, sorry!" Divine slightly chuckles, taking the smallest sips of her espresso martini, almost as if she's trying to cherish the taste.

Fallon assumes she most likely was.

It's the type of thing she would do.

"Wow, your drink matches your skin" Oaklynn notices, staring deeply at the dark espresso, which blends immensely with the milky brown complexion of Divine's body. "I love it"

"You're drunk" April rolls her eyes. "How many drinks have you had tonight?" She laughs, swirling her untouched Bellini Prosecco in her glass using the tip of her fingers.

"I'm not. I'm perfectly fine" Oaklynn quips, although her eyes are weary, as they wander hastily around the room. "Yes, I'm alright"

"Are you sure?" Fallon holds her arm.

"Don't touch me!" Oaklynn snaps, as Fallon instantly withdraws her hand, slightly alarmed. Weird.

Oaklynn takes hold of her wine glass, taking another swing of her cocktail. "I don't deserve your love, or your friendship. Not after what I have done" Her sleepy eyes take hold of Fallon's, portraying a hint of guilt through her weary gaze.

Fallon's quick to notice these things.

She believes that every movement, every inch of the human body has a meaning to it.

Every inch.

"I was seeing Damari" Oaklynn blurts.

Fallon's body begins to quiver eminently, as she struggles to contain her disbelief, anger boiling vastly through her skin.

"Come on, Oaklynn. You've had too much to drink. You don't mean half the things you're saying" Divine takes hold of Oaklynn's shoulder, but she shoves her palm away.

"It's true!" She cries. "It's true. Don't you remember that summer? I think it was five years ago - no it might be six. Yes, I remember now. Summer of twenty-fourteen. Two thousand and fourteen, I mean. A year before he-

"Yes, yes I remember that year" Fallon cuts in sharply, his memory alone causing agony to rip through her skin, burning her insides out.

"Okay, let's just leave it here, shall we?" April raises her glass in the air. "Let's cheers to a good night, and start to head home"

"Amen to that!" Divine clinks her glass.

Fallon gulps the remaining of her Vodka Martini down her throat, and begins to raise from her bar stool. Her hands are shaking immensely with anger, so she shoves them in her pocket.

Oaklynn struggles to stand, instantly gripping the corner of the bar island to help her stand upright. Divine rushes over, clenching her hips to help her walk straight.

"Fallon, I'm sorry" She attempts to apologise, although her words come out in a slur.

"I've already forgotten about it" Fallon smiles, although there's a hint of rage in her eyes.

Fallon's smart.

She already suspected that her husband was seeing someone.

Although, she never believed it could be Oaklynn.

Life is always full of surprises.

•

"Are you sure you two will be alright sharing a cab together? Divine and I will catch the next one. There's not enough space in this one"

Fallon grins. "We'll be alright"

"Give me a call so I know you both arrive at Fallon's safely, yeh?" April smiles, blowing them kisses before closing the taxi door shut.

Unaware that she's leaving Oaklynn alone to take a ride with the devil.

With an evil darkness.

•

Fallon unlocks the door to her apartment, helping Oaklynn walk into the hallway.

She pulls up a seat, telling her to sit down.

"Fallon, I know I messed up. I'm so sorry"

Oaklynn begins to cry. "I know what I did was wrong. I can't tell you how bad I've been feeling for years. All those lies and secrets. It's been bottled up for so long. I just had to tell you"

"Honestly babes, it's fine. I'm over it"

Although, Fallon faces the opposite direction as she speaks, her eyes glowing in wrath.

Opening a kitchen cupboard, she brings out a bottle of bleach, and a clean glass.

"That was many years ago. There's no point letting it bother me now. You get me?" She asks Oaklynn, as she casually twists open the cap, and pours the colourless liquid in the glass.

"Yes, exactly. That was ages ago. Although, I do feel bad. And that pain will stay with me forever"

Oaklynn wipes her tears with the palm of her hand. "I haven't had the courage to tell you this for so long, because I was so scared of how you'd react" She shoves a chunk of blonde hair behind her ear. "I always knew you weren't good with secrets. And lies"

"I don't think anyone is, to be honest"

Fallon turns around, and begins to chug pools of bleach on Oaklynn's body. She screams, standing up.

"Fallon, what the fuck are you doing?"

"What do you mean?" Fallon's face glows with innocence. "Take a seat, I don't think you're feeling too well. You're drunk. Do you want some water?" She holds Oaklynn's shoulder, pressuring her to sit back down. She does so. “I-I don’t understand- why am I wet? What are you doing-

"Here" She grabs the glass of bleach sitting on the counter. "This will make you feel better"

Oaklynn sniffs it, instantly startled by it's pungent odor. "What is it?" She’s confused.

"Water, of course. What do you think it is, bleach or something?" Fallon slightly chuckles. "Do you not trust me, your best friend?"

Truth. It's important.

"No, of course not. Of course I trust you. I'm tipsy, that's all. My head doesn't feel right. I feel like I'm seeing things" Oaklynn touches her forehead, her brain suddenly feeling heavy.

"Exactly, that's why you need to drink. Here, take this. It'll help" She shoves the glass in her hand, urging her to take a sip.

She drains the whole cup, convinced it's water.

Fallon watches in pleasure as the bleach begins to eat it's way through her esophagus, thereby beginning to spill stomach contents into her chest, and cause abdominal cavity.

She screams in pain before falling to the ground.

She's dead in seconds.

Grinning, Fallon grabs her coat hanging on the door, wears it, and flees from the scene.

Chapter 4:

1:56am

After the discovery of Oakylnn's body, Fallon suddenly feels drowsy.

She pours the remaining gallon of bleach down the sink, and trashes the empty bottle in the nearest trash can.

She stares at her decapitated body one last time.

Retrieving a knife from her kitchen drawer, she begins to slice the remaining recognisable parts of Oaklynn's body into pieces.

She vomits three times in the process.

Lighting a fire, she chucks Oaklynn inside, piece by piece, as she watches in pain as her best friend bursts to flame.

She watches each orange flame as it devours the remaining of her skin, eating away at her organs.

She enjoys the cracking sound of the fire; anticipated by its bright glow, its blaze.

Emotionless.

That's what Fallon feels.

She turns around, retrieving Oaklynn's phone from the pool of bleach.

It's wet. She instantly drops it in a bowl of rice, and waits for it to regain its power.

It's a trick she recently discovered online. It always works in the movies.

When alive, she unlocks it, already aware of Oaklynn's password.

030796

Her birthday.

She enters Facebook, and slips into their girls group chat:

Hey guys. I've decided to take a break from Broklynn. I'm travelling to Dubai.

I need to give Fallon her space, especially after the pain I have now caused her.

In fact, I need to get away from everything.

I'll be gone for a while.

Don't contact me, I'll be fine.

- Oaklynn x

And send.

Fallon grins, before slipping her phone into the fire, allowing it to be consumed by the intensity of the flames.

Oops.

Chapter 5

Grabbing the mop leaning against the kitchen counter, Fallon begins to clean up the pool of bleach, removing every last trace of evidence from Oaklynn's death.

She's gone.

We have to move on.

She enters her bathroom.

She turns on the tap.

Using soap, she washes the blood stain of her best friend clean from her hands, scrubbing hard between every finger, every gap.

She hums Oaklynn's favourite song, as she begins to cut her fingernails, one by one, throwing each individual nail in the fire, before entering her bath.

It's done.

She switches on the television, her eyes automatically glued to the screen, although her mind is elsewhere.

On Oaklynn.

She remembers her voice.

Her streaks of blonde hair.

Her high pitched laugh.

She sighs, knowing these memories will haunt her forever.

Although, she did what she had to do.

It's not her fault Oaklynn had to die.

And it's certainly not her fault that she was the one to do it.

•

At night, Fallon can't sleep.

Memories.

They swarm in her mind.

They won't go away.

Gripping her mind.

They won't let go. . . .

She's having a lucid dream.

She's running through the woods.

She isn't alone.

She's chasing someone.

The path at her feet instantly starts to fade as they lead her further and further into the darkness. Her feet struggle to follow the narrow strip of naked earth among the giant roots of the trees.

The silver rays of the moon penetrate the dense sky above.

Fallon fights hard to keep her eye on the prize, as she stalks the dark shadow of a woman pacing ahead.

She continues to run, her sense of smell sensitized, as the loan in the earth and the decomposing trees made the atmosphere close and thick.

Her heart aches in agony from running, her breath weakening as she paces up the nearest hill.

"Please, please don't hurt me!" The woman cries, streaks of water flowing from her eyes, her brown hair getting caught in the intensity of the wind, as it blows from side to side.

It's just her and Fallon now.

At the top of the hill.

Fallon retrieves the knife hidden in her back pocket. "I don't want to hurt you, honestly"

She begins to make her way towards the woman, taking small steps, absorbing the moment. Absorbing her power. The thrill.

The woman screeches in fear, slowly stepping back, remaining a certain distance away from Fallon. "Look, I don't even know you. What do you want from me?" Her voice quivers in pain.

"I'm sorry for whatever you think I've done. But, honestly, I think you've got the wrong person!"

She struggles to breathe, grasping her own throat in fear.

It feels as though someone is choking her.

Fallon chuckles, shaking her head, slightly amused. “Stop lying. You know exactly who I am”

"You don't have to apologise. I'm not mad" She smirks, smoothing her knife with her fingertips as she speaks. "Do you think my knife is sharp enough? Here, have a feel!"

She holds the knife towards the woman, who gasps in shock. "Come on, touch it!"

The woman's heart is racing.

Slowly, she begins to take two cautious steps towards Fallon, her body trembling with fear.

"Give me your hand!"

Suddenly, the purity in Fallon's voice turns to wrath, as she grips the woman's wrists, and pulls her closely towards her.

The woman squeals in pain, as Fallon steadily begins to use the knife to slice her fingers off, one by one, her thick blood dripping onto the mucky ground below. Fallon catches a drop.

"Here, have a taste" Grinning, she watches as the woman licks her own blood off Fallon's finger, her body shaking with agonizing pain.

"That's a good girl. Want some more?"

The woman shakes her head, adrenaline flowing over her veins like a carp through the river.

She's unable to move a single muscle, not even to scream. She's frozen in pain.

"I said, do you want some more, or not?" Fallon's face drops, her eyes suddenly glowing with immense rage.

"Yes"

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I would like some more"

"Good. Here" She shoves her knife in the woman's hand. "Stab yourself"

The woman gulps, staring at Fallon in shock.

"Come on, do it. Or I'll kill you myself"

Thump.

The woman's body falls to the ground.

She's dead.

•

The following day.

9:38am.

Fallon is taking a stroll around her local park.

She suddenly stops.

Her eyes wander about, taking pleasure in watching the people around her.

All kinds of people.

Tall. Short. Black. White. Mixed-raced.

Men. Woman. Teenagers. Children.

Holding up her camera that's hung comfortably around her neck, she uses it to capture the distinctive image of a child, tears streaming down their face, as their mother harshly grips their arm, pulling them away from the nearest ice cream truck.

A picture tells a thousand words.

A picture can portray the lifestyle of people.

A picture can display the emotions of one self; it can highlight the thoughts of one another.

It can change your life.

Or destroy it.

Smiling to herself, Fallon takes one last picture of a nearby swan, before slipping her camera back into her bag, and walking away from the scene.

Chapter 6

10:32am.

She stands in awe, staring at the large Twin-tailed mermaid on the giant green and white Starbucks logo.

Struck by lust, she stands by a corner.

Her fingers are sweaty as she rolls up a joint, thrusting the tobacco in between her lips. She takes a deep breath, the warmth filling the dark void in her heart for only a couple seconds, before she has to go again. Nothing lasts forever.

There's a strong scent of brewed coffee as she strolls into the enormous càfe.

Arriving at the till, she smiles at the man behind the counter.

He's tall. Mixed-raced.

Late twenties, she guesses.

Quite attractive, she agrees to herself.

He grins at her.

"May I take your order?"

She smiles again.

"Hi. Can I have a cinnamon toffee crunch frappuccino with coconut milk and extra sweetener, please?"

"Of course" He types her order into the coffee machine. "That'll be $4.37. Cash or card?"

"Card" Fallon retrieves her bank card from her purse, typing her number into the card machine.

"Thank you. You can remove your card now"

He hands her the drink, ready made.

"No, thank you!" She winks at him, before turning away. Her eyes scan the càfe, as she struggles to find a seat.

The place is filled to the brim with people, as a swarm of teenagers spill in from the side door.

She catches the eye of a young couple, their bodies sitting closely together. The girl can't seem to keep her hands off her boyfriend, her fingers caressing the length of his arm, back and forth, back and forth, as she stares lovingly in his eyes. He seems unbothered, though, his eyes glued to his phone.

Messaging another girl, Fallon assumes.

Well, that's life.

People can’t change the way they feel.

Grabbing a stool, Fallon sits by an open window, cold drink gripped in hand.

Her phone vibrates.

It's April.

She suddenly begins to wonder if April has heard the news about Oaklynn deciding to take a sudden trip to Dubai.

Weird.

Oaklynn always hated planes.

She decides to press answer, bringing the phone close to her ear.

Dropping her drink on the bar island, she uses her finger to block the noise coming through from her other ear.

"Babes, what's up? How's it going?"

"How's it going? It's certainly not going fine. This town is going crazy! Haven't you heard?"

"Heard about what?" Fallon's throat is suddenly gripped by fear as she struggles to speak.

"The recent death. A woman. Average height. Brown hair. She's just been found dead by the Hillside Dog Park this morning. It's crazy!"

Fallon's body turns ice.

Grabbing her frappuccino, she rushes out the door.

Chapter 7

"Apparently the police think that she may have been murdered, although there's also suspicion from the press that she killed herself. What do you think?" April asks, through the phone.

"Uh, I don't know. I'm only hearing about this now. I had no clue. What else do you know?"

Fallon swallows hard, desperately trying to connect the dots in her state of mind.

She presses her forehead, fighting hard to channel her swirling thoughts. "Are you sure she was killed on a hill, like a mountain?"

"Yeah, Hillside Dog Park. It's on the news"

Fear starts to grip Fallon's body.

She begins to remember her recent dream; every detail, every part.

Could it be…..

No. No.

It couldn't.

"I feel sick" She clutches her stomach, vomit clogging her throat, struggling to not regurgitate her morning meal. "Can we talk later?"

Her voice quivers as she speaks.

Not a good sign.

"Sure. Let's meet for drinks. I'll message Divine the details, yeh?" April suggests.

"Yeah, ok. Fine. What time?"

"I'm free from seven. You?"

"Sounds good. Talk later"

Beep.

Fallon hangs up the phone immediately.

Throwing her starbucks drink in the trash, she walks home.

•

Hastily, Fallon uses her key to unlock her one bedroom apartment.

She enters her bedroom.

Suddenly, adrenaline begins to pump through her system, as her body instantly becomes weary.

Could her eyes be fooling her?

The sense of horror almost paralyzes her, as she sees hidden drops of blood stained across her bedsheets.

Why didn’t she notice this morning?

She walks over, smoothing her fingers against the drops of thick blood marked on her walls.

Overcome with fear and confusion, she hesitates, before setting up her fireplace.

Almost instantly, she throws her bedsheets in the fire, watching as the distinctive flames begin to demolish the cloth.

She throws her pillows in next.

She washes her hands once again using quantities of soap to cleanse them to perfection.

It's Oaklynn, she convinces herself.

It's her. Her ghost.

She's trying to hurt me.

To scare me, she tells herself.

But I won't let that happen.

Returning to her bedroom, she strips out of her casual clothes.

Flicking through her wardrobe, she struggles to choose between her aqua two piece, or her rose dress.

Champagne skirt it is, she sighs.

Dropping her two options on her bed, she zips up her new skirt, wears her jacket and strolls out the door.

Chapter 8

"Take the first left, then the second right turn"

The driver nods at Fallon's instructions, as he follows them carefully. "Where am I dropping you off at, again, young lady?"

He takes a moment to eyeball her short skirt, his eyes electrified by the amount of skin being revealed through her tight legs.

Fallon shuts them tight, noticing his anticipated look, his drowsy eyes.

He's tipsy, she notices.

Only she would somehow manage to book a taxi with a drunk man.

"I think it's called Dynaco. It's a bar, just by Bedford Avenue" Fallon squints her eyes, as she struggles to read April's message .

"I think we're here. This must be it" His head sways ever so slightly as he speaks.

The driver parks the car, and turns to face Fallon, his weary eyes resting solely on hers. "That'll be $21.05, please"

Fallon shoves the money in the rough palm of his hand, and begins to emerge from the vehicle. Suddenly, he begins to touch her thigh, stopping her immediately. “Keep the change”

"You can have your money back, darlin’. How 'bout we go somewhere else, just you and I?" He grins, revealing his gold tooth.

"I'm alright, thank you" Fallon tries to stay strong, although her eyes begin to water.

"You sure, baby? You're looking very fine tonight, you know? Don't be selfish. Give me a taste" He attempts to pull her skirt up, leaning in for a kiss.

Startled, she pushes him over.

Punching him twice in the stomach, she storms out the taxi door, slamming it hard.

The man swears at her, before swerving away.

Her eyes wobble in fear, as she fights back her spilling tears.

She retrieves a tissue from her pocket, using it to dab at her wet face.

Fuck.

She curses herself for ruining her makeup.

Seconds later, she's spotted by Divine, who instantly rushes over.

Smile.

That's all you have to do, she tells herself.

Just look happy.

"Look at you, you stunner!" Fallon smirks, eyeballing Divine's gold two piece. "Your husband's such a lucky man, I see!"

They embrace each other.

"Babes, stop playin'. Look at you, boo!"

Fallon smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

She stares at Divine's skin; milk chocolate.

Her deep brown eyes, and bronze hair complimenting her skin as usual.

They laugh, and link arms.

"Look what I've got" Divine proceeds to remove a small plastic bag from her purse, containing three white circular pills. She grins as she speaks.

Fallon frowns, but her eyes show hints of sparkle as they rest eagerly on the plastic bag. "Divine babe, I never saw you as a pill taster" Her frown breaks into a smile.

"April gave them to me, said it'll spice up the night" She slips it back into her purse, clipping it shut. "You know I'm more of a smoker, but I think it'll be fun. Black don't crack, am I right?" She winks, nudging Fallon who laughs hysterically.

April soon arrives, and they enter the bar.

•

"This place is so lush, April. Good job!"

Divine squeezes April's arm in delight, as they wander over to the ordering counter.

Fallon strolls behind, one step at a time, soaking in the setting of the bar.

Different. Intimate.

She's never entered a place like this in her life.

The bar is soaring with people; filled with chatter. There's a large fireplace, dimly lit, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

The windows are open, offering a balanced temperature throughout the large area.

Fallon's sighs, absorbing the room one last time before joining Divine and April at the counter.

"Can I have a glass of sour whiskey, please?"

April speaks to the man taking orders, as Fallon and Divine wait their turn. "With extra lime" she adds. Handing her bank card, she takes her drink.

"Small espresso martini, please" Divine chirps.

"As usual" Fallon rolls her eyes. "So iconic"

They laugh.

"Uh, two shots of Margarita will do" Fallon says, slipping the money from her purse.

They all pay, before making their way towards an island by the fireplace, drinks in hand.

"Cheers to my favourite people!" Fallon grins, clicking glasses with each of them individually, cherishing the moment.

They all take a sip.

"This is so lovely. I was so tired of your friend Alessio's bar. The scenery was too common. I was bored. Now this is more like it!" Divine takes another look around, smiling as she speaks.

"Your welcome" April smirks. She swirls her drink in circles using a straw, enjoying the distinctive sound of ice cubes clashing together in the liquid, before taking one long sip.

She pulls a face.

"Too sour?" Fallon watches as April struggles to swallow her cold drink, and giggles.

April nods, finally throbbing it down. She takes another sip. "Just how I like it"

"You're so weird!" Divine shakes her head in surprise, taking a swing of her martini.

Fallon takes the first shot of her cocktail.

Whew.

"That was so strong!" She shakes her head, the fluid causing her chest to sting. She picks up the glass of free water by their table, draining the cup in seconds.

They all laugh.

"Did you guys see Oaklynn's message?" Divine then asks, suspicion clouding her face. "Bit weird, if you ask me"

April nods. "Yeah. I swear she told me she always hated travelling, and planes"

"That's not what she told me" Fallon chirps in.

She gulps, buying time as she creates her lie. It's a trick she learnt when she was young.

"In fact, yesterday, at my apartment, I saw her booking her flight. She was so excited - said she's been wanting to travel for years, but never got the opportunity until now"

Divine nods, although her lips curl in disbelief.

Fallon ignores these signs, for now.

"Oh my gosh - look. They've just released the image of the woman who died this morning"

April turns her phone towards them, and they have a glance. "She was so pretty - oh my gosh"

Almost instantly, Fallon falls silent.

She gulps down the second shot of her cocktail.

"Wow. She's so young, too!" Divine takes a hold of April's phone, to get a closer look. "How old did they say she was?"

"Early thirties, I think. Something like that"

"Wow, similar age to us. Now that I think of it, she looks somewhat familiar"

"That's what I was just thinking" April agrees. "Maybe we knew her, or knew of her, I suppose"

"Fallon, what do you think? Does she look familiar to you, too?"

Fallon shrugs. "Don't know. I'm off to get another drink. Mind my purse, will you?"

She doesn't wait for a reply.

She stands up, making her way towards the counter once again.

She knows.

She knows it's coming.

She knows the darkness within her is starting to unfold, for everyone to see . . .

Chapter 9

It's 1:09am.

They emerge from the side door of the bar, stumbling with laughter.

Fallon grips the door, as April struggles to walk in her heels, Divine chuckling.

It's dark.

Fallon squints her green eyes, struggling to detect the sound of a moving vehicle nearby.

"Are you sure you told the taxi driver about the right place? And time?" April stares into the distance, her eyes drowsy. "I'm so sleepy"

She staggers as she begins to make her way towards the end of the pavement.

Her feet wobble immensely, as Fallon holds her hips tight, forcing her to walk straight.

"I've had so much fun tonight. I love you guys"

Divine slurs as she speaks. She pulls them both tight into her open arms, kissing each of their foreheads lightly. "You guys are my life!"

The taxi arrives.

Fallon instantly removes herself from Divine's solid grasp.

It's him.

No. . .

Maybe I'm just drunk, she tries to convince herself.

Fallon, get a grip on yourself.

Get over it.

It wasn't even that bad.

You've had worse. You've felt worse.

Rougher palms. Harder grips on your waist.

He grins, and suddenly, her world turns black.

"You coming with?" April's already inside the car, beckoning Fallon with her hand to join.

Fallon convinces them she's sober, although she can feel the sharp ache in her chest; the intense pressure on her brain.

"I'm fine" She smiles.

Lying, as usual.

"Suit yourself" Divine shrugs. "It's a long journey home, though. Make sure you stay safe, hun!"

"Are you sure, baby? There's always room for you at the front next to me"

It's the man.

His intoxicating eyes lie on Fallon's. He smirks, absorbing her thin legs, licking his wet lips.

"Yes. Yes. I'm sure. Don't worry about me, girls!"

Instantly, she begins to back away from the taxi, watching it drive away into the dry wind.

Dark memories.

That's all that swarms in my mind.

And they aren't going away any time soon.

•

3.14am.

She's arrived in town.

Slightly tipsy, she emerges into The Green-wood Cemetery, slowly wandering over to her husband's grave.

She's drawn to it.

She's drawn to him.

Addicted.

His spirit won't let go.

He won't let go.

It's the third time she's been here this week.

It's quiet.

The boughs of the cemetery twist like contorted bones, writhing in a silent scream.

Inside the cemetery lies every cold stone, each individual marking a dwelling place in which no one is home.

No one is coming back home either.

She's the only one there.

Sitting on a nearby stone, she struggles to focus on the words written across his grave, her eyes blurry from the booze.

The drugs. The alcohol.

She can't even remember what substances she's installed in her body tonight.

Just another average night in Brooklyn.

In loving memory of Damari Richards.

A great man, husband, lover, and friend.

You'll always be remembered.

27.10.15

Wow.

It's been almost five years.

Fallon fights, but she's unable to stop the flowing tears from her eyes.

"Dammit!" She kicks the grave with her shoe. "I hate you Damari, I hate you so much!"

Snap.

The bottom of her left heel breaks.

She screams in anger, her body boiling up in wrath.

"Fuck!" She cries, aggressively holding her head as she shouts in distress. "Damn you!"

Audaciously, she pulls off her shoe, flinging it at his gravestone. She watches as it hits the tomb, falling right next to the flowers she dropped by his grave earlier this week.

Fuck.

"Why?" She screams, holding her head in pain.

She squeezes her eyes, unable to control her body movement.

"Why have you done this to me? Oaklynn? Seriously? Are you out of your fucking mind?"

She stands up abruptly, circling his grave as she speaks.

"I loved you. I fucking loved you! I did everything for you! And in return, what do you do? You fuck me over. You fuck me right over!"

Aggressively, she uses her second heel to stomp on his flowers, watching in pleasure as the petals crumple up and detach from their leaves.

Almost instantly, she falls to her knees and starts to weep, the tears from her soul overflowing like a waterfall.

Depression.