Ugh, my calves are burning. I knew I should have waited longer for the bus. The sun was at it’s highest and I was sweating in this blistering heat as I was walking home from work. It’s only a twenty minute walk, but I feel like I’ve been carrying my feet half way across the state. I wipe my sweat drenched face with my employee polo-shirt when a ford pick-up pulls up along side me by the sidewalk. “Need a ride?” the driver peaked his head out from is rolled down window. He looks only a couple years older than I am, twenty-two or twenty-three. His smile matched his kind brown eyes, and I’ll admit he’s kind of attractive from where I stood. “Thanks for the offer, but I think I can handle myself just fine,” I replied bluntly. He kept the gas at a slow roll as he followed my pace down the street. I don’t think this guy is going to give up that easily. “Are you sure? It’s not the nicest ride, but the AC runs like a champ.” he said with a chuckle while he patted his truck door. The truck did look like it might break down any day now, but I couldn’t deny the fact that I was dying out here in this heat. “Please? I’d feel terrible if I just left you walking out here in weather like this,” he said with another one of his cute grins that made a dimple appear in both cheeks. I tuck loose strands of hair from my pony tail behind my ear as I look up at him, “I guess if you don’t mind, I could use a lift.” I give a kind smile back as he slows his truck to a stop. “Hop in! Door’s unlocked.” I walk around the front to open the passenger side door and slid onto the leather seat. “So, where you headed?” He looked kind of nervous now that I was sitting right beside him. I guess he didn’t actually think I’d take him up on his offer. “My house is only a few more blocks down East Avenue, and then you’ll take a left.” I said as I peered at him. He combed his wavy, light brown hair back and his cheeks went flush when we made eye contact. I couldn’t help but blush as well. I mean, he was kind of hot. He had a nice jaw line and cheek bones like they were chiseled out of stone, the cutest freckles sprinkled across his nose, and locks that looked soft to the touch. Not to mention the dimpled smile that could melt any girl’s heart. I felt a little too lucky to be getting a ride from such a good looking guy. “I’m Adam by the way. You look familiar somehow, have we met before?” He said as he turned his air fan toward me. I must be visibly sweating from walking under the hot sun. I feel kind of embarrassed for looking unpresentable drenched in sweat and wearing my work uniform. I try not to make it obvious as I wipe my face with my sleeve trying to dry the moisture.
“We probably have. I work at the convenience store in town back there during the week. I was just walking home after my shift,” I said while twiddling with my thumbs. I get a little anxious when I talk to people and fidgeting helps me relax. I noticed my turn coming up ahead and said “You can turn left up here. My stop is coming up.” “Got it.” He took a glance at me as he made the left turn and I felt my face get hotter even though I was finally cooling off from the truck’s AC. We were getting closer to my house and at this point I didn’t want the ride to end. I felt the need to get to know him; where he’s from, what he does, what he likes to do, his favorite music. “This is me,” I say as I point to my house. The truck comes to a stop and he looks over at me with his sparkling brown eyes again. “I hope you enjoyed the ride,” he laughed softly. “Don’t worry, I did. I truly appreciate it,” I say with a sincere smile. I get out and close the door behind me. “Pleasure’s all mine!” he grinned in return, “I think I’ll run into you again.”

“You! Stop there!” The pounding in my chest grew wild as I was found out. I pulled my fingers in tighter around the vial while I jumped up at the shout. I’ve been waiting for this single moment far too long just to be captured now.

 “Please, I don’t want to hurt you,” I reassured him. And I truly didn’t want to, but I’d do what was needed to escape with my life. For it only just began. 
 
 “Put the serum down or you’ll leave me no-“ I quickly threw the nearest thing to me as hard as I could before he could say another word. The priceless vase hit his head and shattered upon crashing to the floor. The man collapsed as I rushed passed him and through the door. If the shouting didn’t alert anyone, that definitely did. I retraced my way through this mansion of a home. Through the halls decorated with elaborate art, down the marble staircase, and finally out the arched doorway into the front lawn. I was breathing hard now as I kept running, and could hear sirens in the distance behind me. 
 
 It was dark and I only had the moonlight guiding my way for the past hour or so along the main road. My heart slowed to a normal pace and I could finally catch my breath as I was coming up to street lamps and city lights. Although the hour is late, vehicles and people became more dense as I neared the city center.       

 I tucked my hand in my jacket pocket where I clasped onto the glass vial. The same ads popped up over and over on the electronic billboards across the city; EmoTex. They’re the reason so many people feel empty and useless in this world, including myself. They’ll strip you of the only thing you have left to grasp onto in this corrupt world. They’ll extract your happiness, love, even sadness and auction it off to the highest bidder. I’ve been drained to the very last drop of my being, I feel absolutely nothing. 

 I pull out the serum from my pocket and gaze upon its purplish glow. So, this is it. This small vial is what’ll finally revive me from oblivion. I pop the cork and a scent of bittersweet reaches my nose. I carefully bring it to my lips and swallow its contents. I’m flooded with warmth and longing, contentment and sorrow. I hear shouts from behind me, but in this moment they are inaudible to my ears. All my attention is on this feeling I’m engulfed in and it’s bliss. I sense myself being jerked to the ground and my hands being placed in some kind of constraint, but I’m paralyzed by the serum’s sensation. I just smile and feel the warmth of my tears run down my cheeks. 

 Im finally free.