We walked into the luxurious restaurant with glimmering chandeliers hanging effortlessly from a small pole. In one corner was a giant bar area with velvet swivel chairs. On the wall was almost every drink you could imagine. Some old guys sat there; we always avoided them. Then there was the restaurant portion with glimmering paintings and fancy food wooden chairs. On each modern table, there was a stack of small plates, along with silverware neatly wrapped in napkins. In the middle of each table was a small, lit candle that provided a slight bit of light. I took off my coat as we walked up to the women. “A table for four please,” my mother politely told the women. “Right this way,” she replied, a small notebook clasped in her left hand. We followed her as we walked into a unique part of the restaurant. This part was more private. Unique flower arrangements we’re in each corner, along with a corresponding vase that sat on a wooden table. She led us to a small booth decorated with floral arrangements scattered around the table. Me and my sister slid in on one side, while my mom and dad slid in on the other. “I’ll be back with you shortly,” the waitress said, swiftly turning around toward the other pat of the restaurant. “They must’ve added this part recently,” my sister said, stuffing a packet of sugar in her complimentary water. “Yeah, I’ve never been back here, but it’s really nice,” my mom commented. “So, what have you kids been up to?” My dad asked. My dads hair was starting to bald, and his mustache was plagued with small white hairs. My mom almost had grey highlights in her hair, and she was starting to get more defined wrinkles. “There was something I’ve been meaning to tell you guys,” my sister says, letting us wait in anticipation. “I’m having a baby!” My parents didn’t seem as excited as I thought they would. I had already known about Lilys baby coming (Lily’s my sister). My mom just clapped and chuckled a little, while my dad nodded sarcastically. “Haha, good one Lily!” My mom laughed, almost falling out of her chair I bet you could hear her from the other side of the restaurant. “No, I’m serious,” Lily exclaimed. “Oh,” my dad blurted out, his expression changing. “Are you not proud of me?” Lily asked, slightly saddened. “Of course we are, me and your father just think you’re a little young—I mean, you just turned 21, and you moved into your new house 6 months ago,” my mom stated. “The longer I wait, the less time I’ll be able to do it, I thought you guys would be more excited,” Lily stated. “We are, but don’t you think it’s a little early, that Ollie guy your dating is a little sketchy,” my dad pointed out. “You guys just don’t like him because he’s 4 years older than me, and I like him,” my sister continued. “Yeah, and we don’t want you hanging out with guys that might get you into trouble, that’s all,” my mom said. “Your just saying that because he has 3 tattoos,” Lily argued. “Ok, let’s not get into that,” my dad said, chuckling. Both my parents didn’t really like tattoos, they never had, that’s why when I turned 18 they wouldn’t let me. Now that I have my own house I plan to do the opposite. The waitress came by and ordered our drinks, then proceeded to ask us what we wanted to eat. I wanted a steak, my sister just wanted a salad (because she’s vegan), and my mom and dad wanted a ribeye. The waitress slinked away out of our room, and after a lot of arguing between my sister and my mother, the waitress delivered our food. My steak was almost perfectly cooked, and the slight char to it added a little crunchiness. I devoured my steak, and I had already eaten about half when I noticed him. He looked like he came from the bar section. He had a long, shaggy white beard and looked to be homeless but he had 100 dollar bills sticking out of his pockets. He quickly moved past our table, holding something. I swear I could see him pour a little of a substance into my steak. It looked like salt seasoning my steak. I looked at my parents, but they had been engrossed in another conversation with each other. “Why aren’t you eating Carlos,” my mother said. “I’m full,” I quickly said, trying to avoid the question. “No you’re not, you only ate half, come on, eat up,” my dad urged. “No no, I think I’m good,” I said. My mother and father continued to bicker. Then my sister stuffed a piece of steak in my mouth. My heart beat faster, and soon colors distorted. I almost choked on the big piece. My world suddenly titled and my vision became increasingly blurred. I stared at them with anger brewing in my body. Then, my bones stiffened. With a sudden motion, my face instantly met the carpet…

The dining room was filled with the smell of turkey, stuffing, green casserole, and so many other delicious dishes scattered across the giant table. Gossip and chatter bubbled up into the air, taking up the large room’s space in full.

I breathed out an irritated sigh, and slumped into my chair. I can’t wait till I go home, I groaned inwardly.

“Oh. My. God. Giovanna, is that you?” A voice called to me, barely audible. this evening just keeps getting worse and worse, I plaster a fake smile on my face.

“Oh hi, it’s… you,” I struggle to remember her name. She laughs, an annoying nasally sound that cuts through my thoughts like a knife.

“It’s me! Do you remember me from high school?” My eyes widen. It’s Beth from Senior year, the year she wouldn’t stop stalking me.

“We were like besties,” she snorted out, “I couldn’t figure out why you never called me after graduation?”

“Well, I was just … busy with my new school,” I lied, looking around for an exit. I tried tuning out Beth, and as I did, a pale blur sprinkled something that looked pepper onto my food.

what the heck? I stared into the crowd, curious. For a moment, I might have seen glowing eyes staring at me from within it…

“Well! It’s been great talking to you! We NEED to hang out sometime,” Beth beamed, her voice slicing through my paranoia.

“Yeah, yeah, of course,” I mumble absentmindedly, not sure what I was even saying. She waves a goodbye and I turn to my plate.

My mashed potatoes were sprinkled in a thin layer of pepper. the only thing I put on my food was salt… I sniff at the spice. It smelled like pepper.

I guess someone wanted to add some of it? I shrugged. why not, I scoop up a big chunk of potatoes and pop it into my mouth.

tastes like pepper, I chew, savoring the flavor. i should get this more often! As I devour more of the mashed potatoes, a sharp pain stabs my temples and I gasp aloud. My spoon clatters to the floor with a clang.

Suddenly, everything feels muffled, like I’m underwater. My eyelids droop, and I suddenly feel the need to sleep for a thousand years.

m-maybe I’ll just take a nap, I rest my head on my slimmy food pillow, just close my eyes for a bit, and the world turns dark.

I catch the tiny powder sprinkling my mashed potatoes. I turn to my back to look at them.

One thing I know, never touch something you think has been touched. I know that they have been touched for sure.

I remain silent thinking of what to do. The only thing I can think of….. punching them.

The vial was red, the color of blood. The waiter that had taken my order had popped the cork and tipped it out of its container. It poured out fast. The waiter then glided with much grace to the table. “Your salad m-ma’am.” I arched an eyebrow at him. I nodded. Thank you. He turned to leave, almost with such haste that he should make me even more suspicious. I stopped him. “I didn’t get the silverware.” “Oh-yes. He pulled out a napkin and silverware with his bare hands and- The vial that he had from earlier. He rushed away quickly, not noticing his mistake. I wanted to call to him but I realized that I could use it to find out what he had put in my food. I threw the food away when no one was looking and left a tip. I wanted no one to know what I had witnessed.

I’m twisting everything I know I am I know you telling me your single isn’t telling me you like me But we talk for hours every night We have the same taste, but still have differences to keep it interesting.

I’m twisting everything I know us finally talking again with out the silence Doesn’t mean we’re going to get back together

I’m twisting everything I’m not in a love triangle Even if I wish I was

Before you twist things I want this I want to be loved That’s it

They’ve twisted everything

***** This is not the prompt and not a poem that’s good but like idk I thought I’d post it anyway******

What did you put in my food Salt Salts not blue Yes it is Oh..ok Hey this is pretty goo Dies

It was an intimate group. No more than 10-12 of us. Mostly coupled up but a few outliers with a friendly enough energy. I didn’t question why I received an invitation. The majority of pre-meal conversation was spent with a sweet pair discussing French literature and child bearing rights. What I failed to notice was the peculiar man who might have remained unnoticed beyond his strong smell of Vanilla & Roubard.

Don’t say a word. Cheryl thought __ It may have been 5 years since she was the lead detective of the Apple Valley PD, but her skills were as sharp as the day she was promoted. However, justice sat on the back burner of her fixed income these days, and none of her girlfriends seemed to have noticed the man slip the white substance into her Cosmo before he slid off to the bathroom toward the rear of restaurant..__ ‘Oh he’s good’ she thought to herself. Definitely not a rookie. When she saw him return and take a seat 4 booths down from theirs she opened her straw gracefully by tearing the end- not the obnoxious TAP TAP TAP motion that others did, portraying their thirst for strangers. Cheryl placed the straw in her drink, swirling it around, smiling, and slowly scanning around the booth, interacting with all of her galentines day guests with small gestures of giggles, smiles and shrugs while simultaneously scanning the other booths inquisitively, but paying close attention to the one of her would-be assassin. After about 15 minutes or so, just nearing the cusp of another order of nachos and cosmos for the gals, Bridgette yelped from across the table: -Cher you haven’t touched your Cos?! Yeah ..I don’t know if they ran out or what, but this is NOT Tito’s, and I just..can’t drink it. -What?? The girls clambered at once Yeah I was just going to take a loss and wait for the next round.. __ When Bingo, their anticipated reaction began just as Cheryl hoped_ -No way Cher I mean, what if they use Karkov or whatever else they used in yours.. Jill said -Yeah absolutely not; I’ll get a migraine. Merideth begrudged __ Just as Bridgette was about to whistle the waiter over Cheryl stood up: So true, I’m going to the bar, I’ll be right back ladies. She shimmied her way towards the bar on the other end of the restaurant, gripping her large overcoat closed with one hand, drink in the other, and when the girls were distracted by selfie taking and laughter she slid into the bathroom that was just opposite of her destination. After assuring there were no feet under the stalls she locked the door behind her, pulled her phone out of her clutch and dialed. Burt, hey, sorry for the late call, can you grab the forensics kit and come to Margento’s, and please make sure you’re alone, call me when you’re in the parking lot. Cheryl had trained Burt for the new position as head detective and he was not about to ask too many questions. -Sure thing he said, do you want me to call.. Just you. Cheryl demanded -See ya soon Bye Burt.

“God damn it Gale we’ve been over this. If you want me to sleep with you just say something don’t go puttin weird drugs into my food.” Rolling my eyes I try to ignore all the strange looks I got from passersby’s. Gale looked at me both surprised and something else I couldn’t quite place, embarrassment maybe? I grab a new drink from a waiter walking around with a tray of champagne. I took a few sips before Gale walked over to me and said in a hushed tone, “It’s not what you think, and besides I don’t drug my dates and then sleep with them for your information. I ask them nicely like a gentleman.” I nearly spit out my drink. “When do you ask for anything nicely?”

I watch the waiter put something in my drink.

I figured that the rebellion would try something eventually, I’m the reason they exist. Their goal and motto is “Kill The Queen.” But I’m curious as to which kind of poison they chose to use.

Was it one that would kill me quickly? Or one that would make me feel their pain? Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment.

The waiter brings me the drink and I grab it, looking into his vibrant blue eyes.

“Who are you?” I ask, holding the cup firmly.

“I’m one of your waiters ma’am. I work in the kitchens.” He tells me, bowing.

I laugh wholeheartedly. “I know all of my staff. At least let me know the name of the man that’s finally killed the queen.”

I swirl the drink and glance at him with a raised eyebrow. He glances between me and the drink with a confused and worried look.

“Kalim.” He finally tells me, clenching his jaw and looking down at the floor.

I hum softly. “The little boy that had his parents executed for speaking out against me.”

Kalim looks up with shock and a smile graces my face.

“How fitting, the prince of the rebellion himself.” With that, I throw back my drink and close my eyes.

I can feel the poison’s slow burn as it spreads. I look Kalim in the eye as my vision darkens and my lungs close up.

“Thank you.” I manage to get out before my eyes roll back into my head and I slip into death’s embrace.