CITY OF TROUBLE

Beyond the bridge, enveloped in an eerie glow, yet hidden in darkness, stretched a great city. A city of pride, debauchery, sick ambition, tainted love. A city of perdition and sin.

A "Welcome" sign flashed by the road. It had been so easy to enter. Apparently, leaving was much harder.

The car stopped. The engine stalled, symbolically, like a candle in a cemetery. The door opened. Heels tapped out the rhythm of short footsteps on the sidewalk still fresh from the day's heat.

Half-dead trees shook, their branches striking each other epileptically. "Run," whispered the wind, but the sound of footsteps had already faded somewhere in the gateway. An invisible web entwined the quiet street.

*

Cheerful laughter, loud music, dancing, and the dizzying power of alcohol. The merriment of merriment seemed to be the meaning of that evening, that night. More warmth, more drink, more eroticism, and philosophical conversations about nothing. How beautifully that time flew by.

She touched up her makeup and hair. The pleasant memory of that sinful kiss still burned her cheek. How good it felt to forget for a moment what lay beyond the door. To escape, or at least lose herself in the madness.

She laughed to herself and to everyone around her. How charming she was, how well-liked she was. A friend and a lover were waiting for her, and so many others ready to replace them at the drop of a hat. How lonely she was...

Escape, God, escape, just to get away!!!

*

The gray, muggy, and hot day lasted too long. The concrete stole the sun's rays, mixing them with exhaust fumes, the smell of perfume, and garbage.

So many duties, so much responsibility. Rationally, wisely, and to the point. If she earned a little money, it would be easier to settle down and reach for her dreams. Oh yes, she shouldn't give up on her dreams. Everyone said so, and she knew they were right. Just not yet... Maybe in retirement?

An afternoon, a warm dinner, and two soothing sips of beer. Four more days and then another day off. Another party, and if she wanted to rest, a day in front of the glass screen.

*

When he arrived, she lacked nothing. She had a home, someone close, and enough money. She was happy, and her soul was torn with despair. He embraced her, hugged her, and she cried like a little child. Helplessly. He suggested they run away together. She only had to sign the insurance policy, and the car was waiting. It was nonsense that the bridge only went one way.

His eyes sparkled unnaturally, emanating power and mystery. The trees spoke to her unnaturally; she wouldn't have listened anyway. She would have done anything to escape. It seemed like nothing was holding her back, yet she couldn't...

And he offered it to her, just like that. She cut her finger with a paper knife. A few drops fell on the insurance form, but nothing blurred. She signed.

He said he'd find her quickly, but she had to leave on her own. She was a little afraid, but she got in and started the engine.

She drove across the bridge. The city was left behind. She was free. God, how beautiful it was, the sky blue and the grass green. And that freedom and that Beauty! She didn't notice that an invisible net had clung to her heel...

*

She died quickly. Drunk and happy, she hid in the cool, dark waves. The bottom accepted her as its own. It laid her on a bed of soft sand and covered her with a warm current.

Rain fell and washed the blood off the insurance policy.

He stood there, furious, hurling fulminations and sermons about stupidity, irresponsibility, and sin.

She escaped him.