The comforting smell of sumptuous leather and hypnotic rhythm of rumbling tires gently stirred me awake as Casey Kasem’s silky voice introduced Donna Summer’s, “Last Dance” over the radio. Mother’s steely gaze was focused on the road ahead, and mine to the passing countryside dotted with assorted billboards hocking fast food, gas stations, and cheap hotels. Except for this one enormous sign that featured a photo of two pompous preppies propped against an Oak tree, blissfully gazing at one another with a nauseating self-righteous smirk. Emblazoned across the bottom of the placard was the tag line: “Your future starts here. Oak Wood Academy: Educating southern leaders since 1870”.

An overwhelming feeling of anxiety permeated my being and I gasped for breath while collapsing on the floor in a pool of tears, wishing nothing more than to simply disappear into nothingness devoid of pain, joy, happiness, agony, love, hate, expectations, or disappointment. I exhaled and found myself momentarily floating in the calm serenity of isolation when I heard a voice calling from downstairs.

I closed my eyes and resumed my trip on the alien ship. We skyrocketed high into the black abyss hitting light speed through the Universe until we slowly landed on a giant orange moon with thousands of glass dome-shaped pods that glowed a neon-colored green.

My heart was pounding, the thrill of the moment made me excited and nervous. But I didn’t want anything from Johnson apart from seeing how much anguish and torment I could inflict. It was a dangerous game, one with unfamiliar rules, and perilous consequences.

The day’s first sunbeams burst through the lifting fog, transforming the cold dreary landscape into one of warmth, hope, and renewal. I closed my eyes and savored the light on my face and imagined all those years ago, a boy pausing amid despair, for one moment, to dream.

Boasting and bragging were her drugs of choice. They gave her the fix she craved - at least for the next couple of hours.

Lainey was already dressed when I returned. She’d pulled back the curtain flooding the room with the harsh exterior landing light that made it impossible to see her face. We briefly stood there in silence when she turned, opened the door, and walked out.

The malodorous stench of life, death, blood, piss, shit, and antiseptic crept down the hallway, burrowing itself deep up my nasal cavity. The taste coated my tongue and oozed down my throat.