Planetfall
As the first snowflake settled, it whispered secrets of a winter tale waiting to unfold.
The soft flurry falls over the coast as the winter season begins to take notice in the hearts of all the planet’s citizens. In this part of the world, the gentle breeze is interrupted with the thunderous noise of a starship entering down through the clouds as it makes its approach.
“Control, this is UCW Cargo Vessel 10023 on descent. Please copy, Control, over.” The pilot speaks over the comms.
After a split second of static, a voice rings back, “Copy, this is Control. You are on approach vector, keep your current speed and wait for the auto-dock to take over...over.”
“Copy, Control. Maintaining approach vector, over.”
With that, the pilot flips some switches.
“Auto-pilot engaged.” Says the computer in a woman’s voice.
Turning around in his chair, the man stands up and stretches after such a long flight. He leaves the cockpit and as the door closes behind him, he walks into the back where the cargo hold is pass another door.
“Okay...” He raises his right wrist as a holo-screen appears above it, “Final inventory check: ammunition, check...torso armor, check...leg armor, check...” He checks off more items from his list as he tours the cargo hold, then he sees the final item.
Scratching his chin, the pilot looks down at his list, “And last but not least...Crate fifty-seven, marked only as Special Cargo.” Tapping its entry on his screen, the description is blank, “Huh, nothing noted...must be classified from Command. Oh well, above my pay grade. It’s here and that’s all that matters.”
Turning off his screen, the man goes back toward the front to his chair. Once he has exited the cargo bay with the door closing behind him, a voice rings out softly from the metal container.
“This is...humiliating.” A woman’s voice speaks out.
“Well, it is kind of your fault for getting your wrap pod destroyed.” Another woman’s voice speaks into her personal comms.
“Look, haven’t I already said enough about that. I made a bad call getting too close to that CPP small fleet, I was trying to save some time. How much longer are you going to bust my chops over this?”
“Until your leave starts, which should be after we leave the base.”
“First, my wrap pod gets destroyed...”
“You mean you got destroyed.”
“Quit it! Then avoiding eating laser as I boost through zero-g to get to their flagship, gun down the crew corridor-by-corridor, only for the fleet to turn on their own flagship, performing a one-woman firefight to destroy the other ships. Then after all that, barely surviving planetfall to spend the next three days trudging through one of the most foul swamps I’ve ever been in to make it to the outpost base for extract, and Command’s only idea is to stuff me in a crate for the ride back to the Capital, which was four days ago. So all-in-all, not my most pleasant week.”
Her handler smiles through clenched teeth, “And on my end, panicking, thinking I just lost the best CyOp I’ve ever handled. Three days of radio silence while Command is breathing down my neck about your whereabouts is not as hard as a trudge through a swamp, but at least I’ve got air conditioning.”
“Jeez, the hardships we all endure.” She says sarcastically.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it. So...any holiday plans?”
She sighs loudly, “Checking my dating profile and seeing if any of the guys I’ve matched with has sent me a reply. That’s if Command doesn’t dispatch me out on another assignment again.”
Her handler shakes her head, “Nah...Command has issued a general-wide leave for the holidays, only a skeleton crew is going to be on for the next three days, though all of us will still be on emergency call should the need arise.”
“Yeah, yeah, standard protocol.” The CyOp stretches her neck, “Four days in this crate, the pilot can stretch entirely, I am lucky enough to get this shell crate to sit on.”
“How is your armor holding up?”
“Hold on, running diagnostics...” After a few seconds, the display appears in her left eye, “72% armor integrity, flight systems are at half power, life support systems are optimal, weapons systems are at 78% functionality and my ammo count is...well, that’s not important. Regardless, it is again thanks to this suit that I am even alive. That being said, what about your holiday plans?”
“First thing when I enter my door is greet all my cats, light the holo-fire, snuggle up to both it and my cats while enjoying some hot chocolate and a good novel on my datapad. Then maybe a movie or two, play with the cats, read more novels, stuff like that.”
“What happened to that guy?” The CyOp asks, “You know, the one you were matched with?”
“Yeah, that didn’t work out, turns out he’s allergic to cats...like going to the hospital allergic. Which was sad, since he was a great lay.”
“Girl, really? After all, I am going through.”
“Not like this is recorded, it is a top secret government program for a reason. Though...” She chuckles, “ I would have loved to see the look on the person’s face who had to transcribe this.”
“How Command keeps you on as a handler, I will never know.”
“I’ve got some friends here and there. I am going to check something out right now...and...yeah, there are no new messages on your profile.”
The CyOp facepalms, “I forgot you can do that for me.”
“I got to say, you spent your last leave really well. The way that bikini hangs off your panels while you’re smiling and waving...it’s very sexy.”
“Took me a day to get the pass to the beach, another to travel there, and a third to travel back. That gave me only one whole day to relax before being sent out.” Rubbing her helmet, she sighs, “Yeah, great use of my time. And could you please call them what they are, they are still my shoulders even if they’ve been...well, replaced.”
“You know I am just kidding, right? Oh, I am getting some chatter. Hold on.”
“Pilot, this is Control, you are in range of auto-dock, please set your controls to remote and enjoy the ride, over.”
“Roger, Control, doing just that, over.”
A few more switches and button presses, then the pilot relaxes in his chair and closes his eyes, getting some well-deserved rest.
“You got all that?” Her handler asks.
“Yes, I do. Any idea on an ETA?”
“Yeah...” The CyOp hears the typing of keys, “Touchdown is in six minutes forty-three seconds precisely.”
“Good, I can’t wait to get out of this crate, my suit’s waste filtration system is nearly at capacity plus my internal rations and liquid storage has been empty since yesterday. That outpost I was at had no facilities to deal with both situations.”
“You know if you signed that release form, you wouldn’t have to deal with that.”
She waves a finger harshly in the air, “I am not signing away my uterus for any procedures: No extended waste filtration capacity, no enhanced data interface relays, not even a miniature data server.”
“I am just saying, they can install a lot of different augments in there and it’s not like you’re ever gonna have...I mean...” Her voice trails off.
After a brief moment, the CyOp seethes, “Remember the last time you brought that up? You nearly were driven through a wall, please don’t bring it up again.”
“Yeah...yeah...that’s...” She clears her throat, “fair enough. On a lighter note, I got your present here, would you like to give it to you in person?”
“Maybe, you should ship it. I am going to be stuck in debriefing and who knows how many hours that might take.”
“Actually, the starship’s arrival at base will be the last official activity for a while. Upon arrival, the only thing asked of you is to download your memory files from the last week into the backup server. Your debriefing is the first official duty you will perform upon returning to the base, but your memory...”
“I know, standard procedure. I’ve been doing this for a decade, remember?”
“I get it, you know how tightly-wound Command can get. So, present?”
She smiles, “Yes, you can give it to me, I got yours, in fact. But let’s see...” She closes her green eyes, “They will take my crate off the ship first and wheel me to a place I can exit it without being seen. I need to have to the mechanics bay to get my armor removed, then swing by my locker to get your present, next to the data room for downloading my memories, you can meet me there after the download. It should take twelve minutes upon arriving, I suggest a video game on your datapad to pass the time...” She smiles, “unless you have a lot of books stored on that device.”
A pause for a few seconds before hearing, “It is creepy how you can do that.”
“Just reviewing old memories and interpreting the data. Now, I think I want some silence.”
“How about some music instead? I got all your favorites loaded and...”
“I can...do that myself.” She closes her eyes, “Internex, sleeping playlist, track 3...”
Soft orchestral music plays in her head, only for her own enjoyment as a small sincere smile graces her lips, leaning her head back, her helmet tapping the back of the container as her eyes close and her mind drifts to a place of peace.
Which remains until a sudden jerk of the crate, her visor glows golden as she peers through the crate to see some soldier walking away, pushing a hoverlift back to the cargo ship. Waiting until he is well out of earshot, she opens the crate and steps out into the fresh winter air. Stretching properly for the first time in four days, a wave of relief washes over her body, making her feel better.
Looking at her heads-up display, she notices one of her special systems is at full power. Tapping a button on her forearm’s control panel, her chameleon circuit activates and she turns invisible. Knowing there is only a minute’s worth of power, she hurries to the base proper where she finds a janitor’s closet to “reappear”. As she heads through the halls to the mechanics bay, the soldiers who see her only stand there with the mixture of respect and fear she’s gotten used to, there is no saluting, not for one such as her.
The mechanics bay held workshops of all kinds, but she is interested in one room: Armor Removal. The middle-aged mechanic is looking at his datapad, chewing some gum, then he hears the door open, turning to see the large black armored person before him.
“Oh good...you’re back. Man, what did you do to my beauty this time?”
She shakes her head, “Long story, Saul. Could you...?” Gestures to the armor.
“Why else would you be here? You know the drill, get to the center platform and I’ll run the program.”
Despite the appearance, her metal boots make little noise as it walks. The platform is the only solid floor panel in the room’s center surrounded by several thin circles. Once the program is activated, the circles extend up forming rings that go around her before settling back into the floor.
“Looks like a lot of surface damage with only a few major nicks here and there.” Saul says, reading the status screen, “Continuing with the program.”
Robotic arms descend from the ceiling and begins the process of removing her armor. With each piece removed, she feels not only lighter but strangely...less. Each piece is placed in their own spot on a large cabinet on the wall. Once done, she undoes her bun, allowing her black hair to fall down to her shoulders as she fluffs it out while standing in her black plugsuit.
“If I wasn’t married...” Saul softly shakes his head.
She chuckles, “Funny, I know you are not into hard bodies, Saul. Besides, you are only married...” She pats him on the shoulder, “to your job.”
“Well...” He shrugs, “You got that right. You take care, Seventeen. Happy Holidays!”
“Happy Holidays.”
Seventeen walks out with a smile as she heads to the locker room. Being a CyOp affords her a temporary locker, which has a main compartment and the cubby above. Taking out the civilian clothes there, she dresses herself. With a purple t-shirt, black khakis, and a winter coat, she gives herself a once over in a nearby mirror to make sure her plugsuit is hidden. Unless they are looking at her feet, but no one really does. The last item is a small gift-wrapped present on the cubby shelf, taking it in hand, Seventeen leaves the locker behind, heading to her next stop.
In the very heart of the base next to the central command is the data room where her handler is waiting for her.
She is brown-haired, slim wearing an old brown leather jacket while wearing blue overalls and black high-tops. Resting against the doorframe to the room with one foot on the wall. Once she spots her CyOp, she lightly kicks off and smiles.
“So, already in your civvie clothes?” Seventeen asks.
“What? I always wear this. The perks of the job. Anyway, you want to exchange presents now?”
She holds up a hand, “First, data transfer, then gifts.”
Walking pass, Seventeen takes a plug from a nearby machine and jacks it into the dataport at the back of her neck. After a minute, she removes it.
“Done. Here is your gift.” She offers her present.
“Oh? It’s...tiny...huh?” Her handler takes it.
“Wait until you see what’s in it, okay?” Then raises up her pointer finger, “But no peeking until the twenty-fifth, right?”
She nods a few times in haste before passing her gift, which was a small attache case.
“What? I thought we have a thirty credit limit?”
“I know, I know, but technically this doesn’t count. Remember when you requisitioned the newest piece of gear from your selection list, and it was unavailable?”
Seventeen blushes as she points down, “That’s...that’s...”
“Command approved it due to your years of faithful service, it just arrived two hours ago and I’ve been sitting on it ever since.”
Then a thought crosses her mind, “Wait, what was your present if this didn’t arrived?”
Her handler nervously laughs, “Well, I know that...uh, this would arrive and I...” She stops when Seventeen looks down at her, eyebrow raised and a smug smile, “Fine! I forgot! It has been so hectic around here the past few months that I didn’t have too much time to leave the base. If not for one of my neighbors, my darlings would have starved to death.”
The CyOp shakes her head, “Yeah, I get it. The last four months have been...challenging. It seemed like we’ve been going from one mission to another.”
Her handler smiles, “And I still remember your speech from last time. If you’re not on missions, you’re in debriefings...”
She echoes her, “If I am not in debriefings, I am in training. If I am not in training, I am getting new augments installed. If I am not getting new augments installed, old augments are updated. If I am not getting old augments updated, I am on missions. Yeah, yeah, I remember.”
They both smile at each other before sharing a small laugh.
“Attention! The 10:00 PM shuttle out of base will be departing in five minutes! Repeat! The 10:00 PM shuttle out of base will be departing in five minutes!” The announcement rings out over the intercom.
With a look of “oh shit!”, the two ladies run outside, which takes a while due to having to scan their credentials at each security point. Once outside, they look as the shuttle has already crossed the large courtyard and is approaching the gatehouse.
“Oh no, we’re too late. It’s an hour walk back to the city! What are we...?”
Seventeen looks around and calculates what needs to be done in the timeframe needed.
“Get on my back!” She orders.
“What?”
“Just do it! And...” She passes her the attache case, “Hold on to this!”
With a quick nod, she jumps onto the CyOp’s back, wrapping her arms loosely around her neck. Then a sudden lunge forward as Seventeen pushes herself and any soldiers nearby watches at the near blur quickly making its way to the shuttle. Making it the two hundred feet in a matter of twelve seconds, they made it to the shuttle where she stands in front of it with her friend still on her back.
“Halt! I am CyOp Seventeen and this is my handler. We wish to board the shuttle.”
The robot driver in its seat looks at them and scans them with its optical sensors.
“Confirmation received. Please board the shuttle, I will resume driving in twenty seconds.”
The shuttle’s doors open and they hop onboard where her handler gets down off her back. Taking their seats, the doors close and the shuttle starts moving again, going through the gatehouse and into the dark forest ahead. After several hundred more feet, a hidden ramp lowers into the ground revealing a tunnel where the shuttle slopes down into before the entrance closes up again.
“Entering security tunnel 003, note that your external devices will not work at this time. Please be patient and wait until we arrive at the city. Thank you for your attention.” Their robot driver announces before returning its head forward.
Seventeen catches her breath but with a huge smile on her face. Turning to her friend, she too has the same. Then they start laughing among themselves before they speak again.
“I can’t believe you just did that. I know you are fast, but...” She chuckles, “Man that was something else, just...amazing.”
“I know, I don’t need a diagnostic to know that my systems are still within optimal parameters. It is great sometimes to just run without armor on.”
“Yeah, I weigh nothing compared to that.”
“Though the power armor has its own exoskeleton, helps manage the weight. Oh that reminds me, when you were monitoring my profile, any messages from LonelyHeart253?”
“Oh...” Her smile widens, “Him, huh? Sorry, but...no new messages, not since the one from nine days ago before you shipped out.”
“Oh...I...I see...” Seventeen starts to sulk.
“Hey, lighten up. He’s probably been busy with the holidays and everything. It’s not like you know what his home life is like and...”
“He lives alone, his parents died in a starship accident nine years ago. He has two virtual pets: A griffin named Horatio and a chimera named Simon. His favorite band is...” She’s stopped by a smack on her shoulder.
“You!...” She quiets down, “You cyber-stalked him? You know how creepy that is, right?”
“No, I didn’t cyber-stalk him, okay?” She chuckles nervously for a moment, watching her friend get a little reassured, “I used my access as a CyOp to peer into his public records.”
“That’s the very definition of cyber-stalking!” Her handler shouts quietly, “Just because you used your high security clearance instead of fake-friending him on social media, it is still the same thing! My god, Regina, what were you thinking?”
“I don’t know, Cassie. I was thinking how it would be nice to have a casual relationship with a guy that doesn’t run for the hills when they see me naked. Or the fact that when someone uses my CyOp codename reminds me how long it has been since the last time I felt a man inside me. I turn thirty next year and it has been more than a decade, in case you need the math spelled out.”
“Yes, I know. You told me when you got drunk that one time. Lost virginity at seventeen, joined the military at eighteen and within one year, you were selected for the CyOp program. For the past ten years, you’ve served as a CyOp where I became your handler three years ago. I get it, girl, you want a little something-something, but you shouldn’t need to go to such lengths.”
“Look, what can I say? I got desperate. This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve gotten serious about someone before they turned tail and ran. Cybernetics have been around for over 800 years, but it seems hard bodies are still a thing men can’t get used to.” She looks ahead at the passing tunnel for a moment before saying, “I blame supermodels, their soft perfect skin and dainty figures gives unrealistic expectations to men on what women should be.”
Cassie rolls her eyes, “A debate that never ends. Listen, I am sure when the moment of truth comes, LonelyHeart253 will take one look on that bikini pic with you waving and say, “Oh man, that girl is so hot, I want my penis inside her right now and I...” She is stopped by a smack on the shoulder.
However, Regina just laughs as Cassie soon joins her. They enjoy the rest of the ride down the security tunnel.
Several minutes later, the tunnel ends with a ramp descending down and the shuttle sloping up to the street above, the exit closing itself behind them. It drives a little further into the city’s transportation hub where it blends in among the other vehicles.
“Thank you for riding this shuttle, we hope to see you again soon.”
The soldiers all depart the shuttle and when the last one steps off, the doors close and disappears back the way it came. Regina and Cassie stand there as the others are heading toward their destinations.
“So, you’re taking the intercity rail?” Regina asks.
“Yep, should be arriving in seven minutes and it’s a two minute walk to the station. I got your present and here, you can have yours back.” She passes the attache case, “Don’t worry, that’s the latest technology, no scan can pick it up.”
“Yeah, I am sure. Thanks again, this is...wow, this is a great gift.”
“Just remember that it is technically Command’s and not your own.”
“I know, I know.”
“Anyway, you’re taking a taxi as usual?”
“Yeah, my house is across the city and in the outskirts, in fact. Why am I telling you? You’ve been there before during the Antonio Incident.”
“Thanks again for that, by the way. That guy just would not get the hint. Well, my apartment is over uh, that way.” She points somewhere behind her, “Eight stations down, so...”
“We can talk later, you got my number.”
“And you got mine. See you, Regina, have a Merry Christmas.”
“Have a Merry Christmas yourself. Good bye.”
“Good bye.”
With that, Cassie turns around and walks casually to the station before glancing back with one final wave. Regina smiles and waves back, but only a small smile, they’ll see each other again. Soon disappearing into the crowd, Regina then focuses on her own transportation. Standing in line for the taxi, she sees two dozen people waiting as the few parking spots could only accommodate a couple taxis at a time. Grimacing at the prospect, she turns to the first class taxi line and there is only two other people. Deciding to take advantage of the situation, she stands in line for first class.
“Oh...my...god...he did not!” To be stuck behind a young nineteen year-old daughter of some rich bigwig who is standing around in the latest fashion glued to her phone, “Like standing there in the buck! Oh...my...god, that is hilarious! So, what do you do next? Uh huh...uh huh...Shut up! No you didn’t! You slut! I don’t believe you!...No, I don’t!...No, I don’t!...No, I don’t!”
Regina’s glare at the back of her head could burn like heat vision, but that is not one of her augments. She starts to raise her arm where a blade raises up from her forearm and extends over her hand reaching ever closer to the annoying heiress when...
“Calm down, Regina...you need to calm down, she’s only going to be annoying for the next few minutes. You need to get a grip.”
Her blade retracts as she lowers her arm, but maintains her heavy breathing as she seethes with silent contempt at this young woman.
“Oh shoot, my battery died. Just my luck, why does everything bad happen to me! Gawd! This is so annoying!”
Regina’s hand starts to raise again, but she shakes her head and just stares off in another direction.
“Miss, your taxi is here.” Says the robotic attendant.
“Thank...God! I am starting to go like stir crazy just sitting here.” Her voice filled with indignation, “Have the driver load up my luggage, I’ll wait in the car.” She plugs her phone into the cab’s charger and puts her phone back to her ear, “Now, let me tell you about my day, it is like one crazy story.”
It is at this moment, the door closes finally leaving Regina’s earshot. The CyOp just shrugs and waits her turn. That cab could not leave fast enough and another parks in its spot.
“Miss, your taxi is here.” Says the robotic attendant.
“That was fast. Thank you.”
“You are welcome. Sorry for the delay, though we are programmed not to harm rude customers, we found a little delay can cause them great aggravation. We’ve been holding back that taxi for ten minutes. We apologize for you having wait the two minutes you’ve been here.”
“That’s all right, It put a smile on my face.” She walks over and pats the robot on the shoulder, “Thank you for lightening up my evening.”
“You’re welcome...” Then it has a small moment of realization, “Ah, your arm is cybernetic, is it not?”
“How did you...”
“We have weight sensors to best handle customers’ luggage. A cybernetic arm weighs slightly more than a human arm does, it is only two-to-three pounds at most, but our sensors can tell the minute difference. Still, I am glad there are humans like you who appreciate us. Enjoy your ride and have a pleasant evening.”
“You have a good evening yourself and Merry Christmas.”
“Merry...Christmas...thank you.” The robot struggles with the words, but the smallest smile can be seen.
With a matching smile, Regina leaves for her cab with only the attache case as her luggage.
The interior’s leather makes her feel relaxed as she fully lays down in the seat, leaning her head back into the headrest.
“Excuse me, Miss. Please tell me your destination?” The robot driver asks.
“24 Willow’s Lane, New Kennedy.”
“That’s on the other side of the city at its outskirts, is this acceptable?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Miss. We have the full array of entertainment devices at your access, please enjoy yourself and enjoy the ride.”
“Thank you, I will.”
“You’re welcome.”
The divider slides up and the taxi moves into traffic. Regina just relaxes in silence, the noise of missions, the thrum and sounds of battle, for the moment seem so far away. She starts to smile when an all too familiar scene plays out in her memory, one that stays with her.
“No! I can’t override the controls! Come on!...Come on!...I...”
“It’s okay...you’ll be all right...”
“Noooooooooo!”
She breaks out of her moment to find herself back in the cab, but the driver doesn’t notice. Regina flops back down on the seat, sighing she turns to the small computer panel before her.
“Hits of the 2070s, Girl Laughing the Night Away.”
The voice command is accepted and an R&B song fills the passenger section. With this, Regina drifts off to sleep as no more bad memories plague her.
“Miss, we have arrived at your destination.” The robot driver turns back to her.
She awakens, “Sorry, I must have dozed off. How much is the fare?”
“The total comes to 117 credits. Please pay on the computer in front of you. Cards, Code, and Imprint are all acceptable.”
“Code please.”
“Please follow the directions on the pin pad.”
She inputs a series of numbers when the robot driver says.
“Government Access Granted.” A few more presses and, “Personal Expense Account Credited. Thank you for using intercity taxi service, please make sure to take all your belongings before departing the cab. Have yourself a great night.”
“You’re welcome.”
Taking the attache case, she exits the vehicle, now standing in front of the black gate of her house. It is a beautiful postmodern house with a large window making up the front with white concrete walls making up the rest, it sits on a small hill with a driveway winding down to the gate with a simple brick wall surrounding the property.
Typing in the code on keypad at the gate’s left side, it buzzes as it opens. The cab then departs back to where it came. Soon the gate closes behind him as she’s walking up the driveway, then taps the small panel above the doorknob to unlock it and enters her house.
“Lights on.” Regina says as the entry hall lights up revealing her coat hooks on the right behind the door and a painting on the left.
Placing her coat on the hook, she walks forward into her living room. The large window is the back wall with a couple of short, rectangular tables topped with pictures in front of it. In the center of the room, a L-shaped couch facing toward her with a coffee table in front of it. On the left wall is the fireplace with a large holo-TV above it. To her immediate left as she leaves the entry hall is the kitchen with a small island and all the appliances one would expect in a kitchen. But Regina goes forward, around the couch to look at the pictures of her favorite moments as she passes for behind the fireplace is the stairs to the second floor.
As she goes left around the stairway, she smiles at her second floor. An open area like a second living room above the first to her left with a nice cushy chair facing the large window, which gives a nice view of the city. Her right leads to the bathroom and straight ahead is her bedroom. Dropping the attache case at her feet, Regina turns right down the short hall, she enters her bathroom, closing the door behind her. Stripping off all her clothes, she stands naked in front of her sink to look at herself in the mirror.
Pushing her hair back, she looks at how much she has changed over the decade plus. Her arms and legs replaced with skin-colored cybernetic replacements. The same material covers her back, neck, around her sides and even her butt is the same. The only thing that feels real to her are her breasts, stomach and womanhood. She’d pass for human if not for the distinctive lines that separate the various panels across her body. Turning to look at her back are the eight plugs, four on either side of her spine about two inches from the center in two columns. She shrugs and gets into the shower, enjoying being clean for the first time in four days since she arrived at that outpost base.
Taking her dirty clothes in one hand and her case in the other, she tosses the clothes into the laundry basket just on the inside of the bedroom, she slides the case next to her wine cooler. Finding her phone on its charging station on the nightstand left-side of the bed, Regina takes it off the pad and looks through her apps. Seeing no new messages from any of her prospective dates, she just puts it down. Crawling over the bed, she opens the wine cooler on the other side and downs a large sip from one of the bottles there. In fact, she keeps drinking it until the bottle is empty.
“Finally, a good buzz...since...summer...”
A combination of the alcohol coursing through her system and the sheer exhaustion of the last few days finally puts her to sleep. Just laying there sprawled face-down across her bed sideways atop the sheets, it would make for a pathetic sight, if not for the fact there is no one else who would see it.
