Evanesce

Introduction

The bass echoes inside of my chest and my heart races to meet the tempo. Sweat and hair cling to my forehead but my hips continue to sway to the enticing rhythm. The euphoria I feel in this moment is unparalleled. I feel invincible; no one can touch me, nothing can affect me and for a second I believe the lie that I am happy. In this state of mind, everything is perfect. I am untouchable.
I take a long drink from my cup and the instant warmth I feel from the bite in the back of my throat ensured me that I would continue to soar in my fantasy world , even if just a little bit longer, before I crashed back to reality. I tilt the cup one final time and finish the contents. I stumble over towards the kitchen when a hand grabs my arm.
"Em, there you are!" Her voice penetrates the numbness. The euphoria begins to fade. "Courtesy of Ryan." Her hand opens to reveal an assortment of pills and I recognize the perfect white speckled ovals. I grab two. Hope burns again deep within me that the euphoria will return. That it may stay a little longer. I wouldn't be alone.
"Thanks," I holler. I watch her disappear into the crowd. I scan the room for Ryan but he is a ghost.
I grip tightly around the pills now in my sweaty palm. Beacons of light in the darkness that surrounds me. I force one down dry letting the bitter pill taste linger on my tongue. It's as if my body senses what's to come and the electric shock I feel within me hums in anticipation.
The kitchen is overcrowded, people leaning against the counters  and a game of beer pong occurring on the kitchen table. The island is covered with an assortment of empty bottles. I mutter a curse. I fill a glass of water instead, my kidneys would appreciate it after the tortures of tonight and I swallow the second pill. I take a long drink and my mind clears slightly. A small peace comes over me, soon I'll be back to the numbness I crave, the numbness I need.
"Sorry, I took the last of it. You can have mine," a voice hollers into my ear. A hand gently on my waste. The rasp of his breath against the back of my neck. I glance over my shoulder and my eyes lock with the green orbs. I reach out and our fingers graze, he grins and I notice his proximity to me. His chest against my back, his hand still on my waste and his chin nestled just above my ear. His warmth penetrates my cold exterior and for a moment it feels nice to have someone close, even if it is a stranger.
"You're a lifesaver." The small whisper about taking a drink from a stranger fades into the background and I take a long sip from the glass. The bite of the harsh liquid burns as it glides down my throat. I inhale sharply and cough twice.
"Sorry, it's a little strong," he laughs.
"A little," I agree.
His hand is in mine, making a path through the crowd that was slowly thinning. Time is non-existent. The euphoria slowly returning. The numbness spreading through me, seeping into my veins and every step felt as if I were floating. His hand warm in my own. I see no faces I know; my friends no longer here, or somewhere behind closed doors. The cool night air hits my damp face. The quieter voices and smell of cigarettes force other sense to attempt to awaken.  My feet stumbled at the heaviness that began to weigh me down. Each step harder than the one before it. My head aches, my tongue swollen, my eye lids forcing to stay open. His arm now around my waste half carrying  me. We are across the yard before I realize I can't hear anyone anymore and it's just him and I. Alone.
Something deep within me registers that there is now danger. The grin now gone from his lips, the grip more firm around my waste and on my arm. I attempt to push him away but only stumble more into his chest. He holds me tight to him as my poor attempts to wiggle free becomes weaker by the second. I whimper when words won't form. The panic in me is only expressed by the rapid fire of my heartbeat and each quick shallow breath. I register that the earth has shifted, his warm arms now holding me around my thighs and back. My head lulls  against his chest and each step he takes brings me closer to an unknown destination.
"Shh shh you're aright Emily. You're alright," he whispers soothingly into my ear. Somewhere in my fuzzy mind I could almost believe his even calm tone. My body wanted to give in, my eyes close and open, each time harder to remain conscious. My head pierces and my vision blurs. He carries me deeper into the night. Each step swaying me closer to the darkness of my unconscious. My mind feels disconnected from my body and myself somewhere in between. The floating sensation overtakes me but I don't fall just yet. I feel helpless, completely at his mercy.
A car door, firm plastic around my wrists, the click of the seatbelt, the soft fabric of a blanket, the brief refreshment of a sip of water and those clear green eyes staring into mine.
"Sleep Em. You're safe," he whispers. His lips hover until they connect to my forehead. His breath cool against my heated skin and my body shivers. He tucks the blanket around me tighter. My eyes close. The last thing I hear is the hum of the engine and the crunch of gravel. The darkness absorbs me; mind, body, soul and I welcome it gladly.