nineteen and unravelling
I rounded the corner near the lake path, humming a melody under my breath, when my eyes caught something unusual on one of the stone benches.
It was a girl.
In the dim amber glow of the distance lamp, the rich espresso color of her tailored dress stood out starkly against the grey stone. She was curled into a tight, trembling ball, her bare feet tucked under her, and she was panting—loud, desperate, ragged sounds that sliced through the quiet night air.
I stopped dead in my tracks, my grip tightening on my guitar strap. I couldn't tell if she was completely out of it, sick, or worse.