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.