Her mysterious eyes scanned the cheer filled city around her. It was decked out in

christmas lights and ornaments and people all bundled up, and Christmas trees blanketed in snow. And then there was her. Clothed in jet black skinny jeans, an oversized LA hoodie, headphones, and black knee high boots, hiding in the shadows. But even though she must have looked like a shadow herself, one who belonged far from there, she loved it nonetheless. She loved she feel of young snowflakes landing on her eyelashes, the excitement that Christmas brought, the lights that were hung everywhere she looked, and the picturesque duvet of snow that covered every surface. It was an abyss, a utopia, a stunning, bustling wonderland.

But she needed to escape, to be alone and recharge. So, she headed to her car and drove off. She rolled her windows down and let her hair lap in the wind. She looked left and right, admiring the New York Cityscapes. To her left, skyscrapers reached for the clouds and men came home from work, kissed their wives, and went to greet their children. To her right, a plaza of restaurants with ‘open’ signs flashing in their windows lined the streets. Ahead of her, In a bustling diner, an Elvis playlist was blasting from the radio, Checkered tablecloths were holding arrays of foods. Smiling waitresses scurried here and there, balancing on roller skates. Posters hung on the walls, everything was red and white, and customers mindlessly chatted to one another. That’s the 50’s for you.

She drove through a one lane backroad, driving slowly, enjoying the view, and creating scenarios in her mind. The road was deserted as she rumbled on through an intersection, where trees curved over her head, blocking out the sunlight. The path ahead had been recently shoveled, and golden hour was drawing near. The air was cold and crisp, and a grin of delight crept onto her face. It was all very lovely until she saw a man standing on the side of the road expectantly. He had his thumb out, waiting for a ride. His jawline was chiseled, his arms feverishly muscular, his eyes a piercing shade of green, a smirk so romantic it could bring back the dead, and a gun sitting in his back pocket. She pulled over, let him in to her convertible, and drove away. Worst mistake of her life.