𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑺𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑾𝑨𝑽𝑬𝑺 /𝑗𝑗 𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑎𝑛𝑘

𝟎𝟏𝟑.

___________________
𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑶𝑾
𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑒，𝑒𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑣𝑒．
𝟑:𝟐𝟖 — 𝟒𝟐:𝟒𝟖
___________________

THE BEAUTY OF getting high is that time becomes a mere afterthought, a pause button on the fast-forwarded reel of life.

No matter what chaos may be swirling around me, no matter what darkness I may be facing, as long as I'm under the haze of intoxication, everything seems to slow down, and the world becomes manageable. My brain, sluggish and numb, allows me to keep pace with the madness surrounding me.

I feel in control, like I can conquer anything.

But, like a fleeting high, it's a mirage. The world speeds up again, and my brain snaps back to reality. The memories of the euphoria linger, taunting me with the promise of eternal bliss. Yet, like a cruel joke, it never lasts.

Rain pounds against the porch roof above us, a somber melody that mirrors the somber mood that has settled over us. It's as if the sky itself is mourning John B being on death row in jail. JJ's hands gentle on my jaw and cheekbone as he tends to my wounds, his touch a soothing balm on my battered skin. I hand him back his jacket, but he insists on putting it back on me, his voice soft and reassuring.

"You're fine." he says, his eyes searching mine for any sign of distress.

I nod, feeling the warmth of the jacket envelop me like a shield against the stormy night outside.

As we sit together in the rain-soaked silence, I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this time will be different. Maybe this high will last forever. But deep down, I know it's just a fleeting illusion, a temporary reprieve from the crushing weight of reality.

I've been sitting in stunned silence for what feels like an eternity, the smoke from my joint curling around me like a shroud. The only sound is the gentle patter of raindrops on the roof, a stark contrast to the turmoil that's brewing inside me.

Sarah's sudden words shatter the stillness, "I'm gonna testify under oath. I was there."

I turn to her, my gaze heavy with fatigue and resignation.  Everyone looked to me since I'm saying my first words in a while. "S. I was there too," I mumble, my voice barely above a whisper. "But it doesn't matter. They don't care unless we can get someone outside of this group to back us up.. then we're useless." I take a long drag on my joint, the bitter taste of smoke and despair mingling in my mouth.

Sarah's words are laced with desperation as she says, "I just need to get a hold of my sister."

JJ's skepticism is palpable as he speaks up. "Sister?"

Kiara hands Sarah her phone, and I can see the determination etched on Sarah's face. "Kie, do you have your phone?" Sarah asks, her eyes pleading. "Wheezie is the only other person who knows Rafe wasn't home that day." Sarah replies, her voice soft but resolute.