Dante's Possession

HAZEL

I returned to Chloe’s place only to find out she’d gone out. I knew exactly who she was with. Rhianne. I couldn’t stand her. She was so full of herself.

Sometimes, it felt like she and Chloe were best friends, and Chloe only put up with me because she pitied my miserable life.

I trudged to the bus stop, fishing out the last of my change. I kept my pace slow until I reached the spot where the bus would pick me up.

I leaned against the bus stop window, waiting patiently. I kept my head down as a group of young boys acted out, as they always did.

They spat on the ground, hands down their pants, showing no respect for anyone around them.

The bus pulled up, and I climbed aboard, heading home. The boys went straight to the back. I sat at the front to avoid them.

I opened the front door with a sense of dread, stepping slowly into the house. I peeked into the living room and saw my mom with her friends.

One of them was an old man I’d seen a few times before. He gave me the creeps, so I always avoided him.

I ran up the stairs, ignoring the man’s shouts behind me. I slammed my door shut and bolted it, ensuring no one could get in.

I changed into my pajamas, hearing the creaking of the stairs and the sudden bangs of a fist against my door. I covered my ears with my hands and wrapped my quilt around my legs, trying to comfort myself.

“Hazel, you better get your ass out here now, or I swear to god, I will kick your ass and throw you out that door bleeding to death.”

I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face. My head pounded, my body shook, and I rocked myself back and forth to block out the screaming.

That constant screech that made my body freeze and beg for help, even though I knew no one was listening.

How I wished I had a family like Chloe’s, full of love, care, and generosity. How I wished I could sit down and watch a movie with my parents like I did when I had a girls’ night with Chloe and Annette.

I longed to have dinner at a restaurant or celebrate my results day. Instead, my miserable life gave me a drug-addict mother and a broken heart.

I heard footsteps outside my door and waited for him to leave. I knew it was him. He loved to taunt me.

I got out of bed and grabbed my sports bag, which I’d had for about four years. I rummaged through my drawers, stuffing as many clothes as I could into the bag.

I remembered the day I went shopping with Annette because my clothes were too small. I owed that woman my life.

I waited for the noise downstairs to die down, listening until everyone fell asleep. I stood on tiptoes, my life hinging on my next move.

I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, one step away from plunging down onto the jagged rocks below. It felt like something out of a movie.

I unlocked my door and crept down the stairs, heading for the front door. I checked the living room, saw everyone asleep, and slipped out of the house.

If I stayed until morning, that man would make good on his threats. I wouldn’t survive another night. I had to get out.

I walked the streets to stay warm. I couldn’t go to the shed. It was too dark to wander alone in the woods, and I’d freeze if I stayed there tonight.

I walked for hours, trying to keep warm until dawn. I was freezing. My hands turned red, and my bottom lip quivered.

The pain in my fingers and toes was indescribable. I needed to find somewhere warm.

I decided to head to a bar up the street. The temperature had dropped below zero, and I couldn’t feel my hands or feet.

I would have left my mom’s house, but I couldn’t afford to rent a place in Arlington.

Housing was too expensive, and I’d looked online for a house share, but the rent for a one-bedroom was impossible, especially without a job. And I’d tried everything to get one.

Every application I’d submitted had been rejected. Apparently, I wasn’t even qualified to stock shelves. My mom wouldn’t pay for me to go to college.

I slipped into the alleyway next to the club and pulled on a pair of black pants and a long-sleeved top over my pajamas.

I walked into the bar, reaching into my pocket and sighing when I remembered I had no money. I leaned against the bar, waiting for the bartender, who came over quicker than I expected.

“What can I get you?”

“A glass of tap water, please. Thank you.” I smiled at him. He gave me a sympathetic look, glanced at my clothes, and walked away.

“Sure, miss.”

I looked down at my outfit, checking to see if my pajamas were visible. But I couldn’t see anything that screamed tramp.

He strode back over to me confidently. I looked at the bar countertop, embarrassed by my clothes, but I had no other choice.

“Here you go, miss.” He set a glass of something and a glass of water in front of me. I pushed the first glass back towards him.

“No, I can’t take this from you. It wouldn’t be fair. I didn’t order this.”

“It’s yours. I’m just following orders, sorry, miss.” I scanned the room, turning a full circle before looking back at the bartender.

“Orders from who?” I asked, confused. Who would tell the bartender to give me a drink without paying for it?

“I’m not sure, miss. But that drink is definitely yours,” he says, looking just as puzzled as I am. I scrunch my face in confusion.

“So, you’re saying someone anonymous is ordering these?”

He just shrugs and walks off, leaving me alone at the bar, playing a guessing game. The drinks keep coming, and I keep downing them.

I’m not about to turn them down, but this whole “drink for free” thing is baffling. Nothing in life is free.

As soon as I finish one drink, another one appears. Feeling a bit tipsy, I start to dance, letting the music move me. I’d left my bag on the barstool, but when I returned, it was safely behind the bar.

I spent the night dancing, drink after drink. Who wouldn’t, if they had a steady stream of free drinks coming their way?

I’m in the middle of a dance move when I feel someone grab my hips and start moving with me. I’m spun around to face a pair of brown eyes, and suddenly my head feels fuzzy.

Shaking off the strange sensation, I keep dancing with him until an arm wedges between us, pulling me away.

“Hey, what’s the deal?” I raise my hands defensively.