Took a short walk from the car to the dive bar, maybe around a half a mile, give or take some change. Arrived in a better mood having kicked a few cans along the way. The front door was crowded with Freshmen -- some waiting to meet their once-in-a-lifetime. Some, their one for the night.


    He told me to meet him here at nine. The bartender greeted me as soon as I reached for my wallet. I know that James is going to out-do me in some way, but I would be more concerned if he didn’t.


    One drink turned into two. Two to three. It’s half-past nine and James never showed up. I should probably take the hint. Took my last swig and decided to end the night.


    I guess he was too good for me.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    That flaky bastard.


    I swayed a bit after hoisting myself up from the barstool. Looking around, I heard college kids clumsily making small talk. Everyone knew me as valedictorian then. A star student. I studied hard and hated to drink.


    Stumbling toward the entrance, bumping into college kid after college kid, I collapsed. Before I lost consciousness, I saw some guy that looked like James. But it couldn’t be him. With a girl.


    The sound of sirens rang louder and louder.


    I caught a glimpse of her hands, frantically motioning, steering the paramedics toward my direction. The bright lights illuminated them. Slender and agile, I think I saw something glinting from one of her fingers.


    "What have I become?" I thought.


    I gradually lost consciousness.


    The last thing I saw was a bag of IV fluid hanging from the ceiling.