Morning all. Let’s jump into the morning prompt before the cough syrup turns this into a fever dream. Timers set and off we go…
I like this. Not sure where it is going, but I like it.
Friday, February 6th: The humiliation was scalding hot.
The humiliation was scalding hot. Their laughter poured into my ears like molten lava. I thought I would explode from the heat of it. I wanted to run and hide, but I knew if I ran I would never return. I stood there, letting it wash over me, through me until it filled up all the little corners. Then Sasha smiled sweetly, victory complete as she turned and flounced away, her minions flanking her retreat.
‘No not retreat,” I corrected. ‘Victory lap.’
She strode through the party hips swaying, head held high, stopping periodically to accept an offering. A cup with a drink here, a complement on her outfit there. I tried not to wince as I felt the cheap wine soaking into my dress.
Those who didn’t follow Sasha looked away, murmuring to themselves but neither offering condolences nor condemnation. They did not want to become Sasha’s next target. I turned and walked slowly towards the small breakfast nook where we had been placing coats and purses. I located mine, slipped it over my soaking dress and picked up my purse from the corner.
I looked at my small bag and knew there was the possibility of something nasty lurking inside. Sasha was not above adding injury to insult. I opened the bag and sure enough saw a large bag of pills inside. I used a dry hem from the edge of my dress to lift the bag out. I slid it under the mound of cloth still waiting for collection. I wouldn’t add it to anyone’s belongings, but I would use them to hide what I am certain was illegal.
Unsure if Stasha would leave it there I emptied my coat pockets, finding another bag stashed. I kept mu fingers wrapped in the cloth as I searched. I was certain if there was anyone in the room I would have flashed them as my skirt was lifted, but I was alone.
‘And I don’t want my fingerprints on these.’
Sasha’s friend Luna had a cousin who was a police officer. I had no doubt that some sort of anonymous tip had been made. I wondered if I would be searched on my way home or if it would be my apartment that would be invaded. I thought it likely that it would be on the way as I doubted Sasha even knew where I lived. That would be too much effort for her to go through.
Once I was certain I was clean of any sort of drugs, I slipped out the back door. Deciding that the front of the house was more likely to be the place watched, I slipped across the back, keeping clear of the light that spilled through. Knowing I would have to walk home I chose shoes that while pretty and matched the dress fairly well, I could walk in without giving myself blisters.
Earlier that day I had taken my car into the garage for repairs. I wondered if that factored in to Sasha’s equations. She knew I had a car and drove in but she didn’t know the car any more than she knew where I lived.
I doubt she realized her friend’s party was only a few blocks from my apartment. I slipped through the back yard and into the yard of the neighbor. Their house was dark and my passage went unnoticed. I reached the sidewalk, turned and speed walked to the safety of my apartment building.
I knew I shouldn’t have come.
Ten til Midnight 