Is this destiny?

The girls chatted while drinking their cocktails and ordering more. Sarah could not focus on what girls talked about. She didn't care about their persistent gossip. They talked about most of the guys on campus. Sarah wondered from where they are getting all their information, and if what they are saying is true or not. Even when she tried, Sarah was not able to stay focused on the ongoing topic.

Sarah sat with them while her mind drifted toward the microphone and hope that she gets something incriminating.

After some time, three ladies and Vivian showed signs that their cocktails are working, giving them a boost of confidence, and they lined up to sing karaoke. They tried dragging Sarah with them, but she firmly declined to be part of that spectacle. She said that she will be looking after their coats while they go on stage, so they agreed to leave Sarah at the table.

Sarah wanted to record Vivian signing while intoxicated. She was sure it will be a good show.

Four of them were getting closer to the stage, two more people in line before their turn came. Sarah was wondering are they going to sing individually, or will it be a quartet. Four of them wobbled, and Sarah was not sure if they will be able to stand properly while signing. It seemed that crowd in the bar increased even more, and Sarah didn't like it.

Sarah decided: once the girls are done singing and she has them recorded, she will excuse herself and head back home to Aiden. She was hoping for some fun time with Vivian and few other girls, but she is not having fun. Even usual talk that she has with Vivian is not possible because Vivian is in a party mode. Well, Sarah can't blame her. It's evening, they are in a bar… it's Sarah who is out of place. That is why she should leave. Sarah reminded herself that it's overcrowded, she is not enjoying the company, and she already planted the microphone on Philip, which is an added bonus for the night. She should not feel guilty for leaving early.

Suddenly, Sarah heard a crash, and felt cold on her left leg just below her knee spreading downwards. "Sorry, sorry", she heard one man saying in a slurry speech. He was wobbly, and when Sarah looked down, she saw a broken beer glass. Sure enough, he dropped his glass with bear, and some of it ended up on Sarah's pants. Irritated, she stood up and went to ladies' room to get some paper and wipe herself. She got inside and grabbed a handful of paper towels. She rubbed her pants hoping to get as much as possible liquid out of them. 'Great! Now I will smell of beer!', Sarah doesn't like smell of alcohol. In this bar she can't smell it, because alcohol is everywhere. But when she goes home, the smell will stand out. She took a mental note to put her pants into wash immediately as soon as she reaches home.

When she finished wiping, Sarah got out of the restroom and started making her way through the crowd toward her table. Sarah hoped that girls didn't sing yet. She wanted to record them.

She was almost at her table, when she felt someone grabbing her arm from behind. Sarah turned around to see who it is, but she could not see any familiar face looking her way. She felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck. She reached for the location of pain but could not feel anything. The hand that grabbed her from behind let her go. It all happened in a split second. The pain quickly turned into a burning sensation that started spreading through her body. Next thing she knows her knees got weak, and she started losing her balance.

A hand held her from behind, supporting her around her back, and under her armpit. "Hey, did you drink a bit too much?" Sarah turned towards the voice, and her eyes met with Philip. He smirked at her with a cold glint in his eyes. Sarah wanted to say something, but her voice didn't come out.

Philip chuckled as he started walking Sarah towards the front door. "Strange things happen these days... girls lose control of their legs, and their voice. Perfect opportunity for someone to take advantage of situation, right? But it does not end there... soon your vision will get blurry also, and you will lose control of your arms as well... all this will continue until you completely pass out. Who knows where you will wake up, and with whom?" He looked at her with cold eyes, and a sinister smile on his face.

Sarah felt panic taking over her. Her legs barely moved, and her voice didn't come. As she tried talking, only air came out, like her vocal cords didn't exist. 'Calm down, calm down... panic will not help. I need to get out of his grasp. If I get someone to pay attention, anyone...' Sarah reached for a young man they passed. Philip noticed when Sarah pulled young man's hand, and quickly held her hand. "Wow there!" Philip addressed young man, "Sorry about that my friend! My girlfriend had one too many, please excuse us while I take her for some fresh air. No hard feelings, alright?" Philip smiled at a young man, who glanced at Sarah and then turned back to his group.

Philip looked at Sarah with a smirk, and held her tightly close to his body, "Do you think you are first one to try something like that? To anyone here you are drunk girl, and I'm helping you... Don't try anything like that again, or you will be sorry."

They were already outside, and he pulled her to go around the corner. Sarah's legs barely moved, and Philip was almost dragging her.

Sarah's vision was getting blurry, and she felt that she is running out of time. She can't walk, or call for help, her vision is getting blurry... how can she get out of this?

Her mind drifted off to Aiden. How he was right. If she listened to him and didn't come, she would not be in this situation. She regretted her decision for a girls' night out. She regretted not listening to him. But what is the point of those regrets?

As her body was shutting down, Sarah felt desperation rapidly creeping in.