A Shot in the Dark

She could see the lights of the train and the parking lot, but where
she was standing was pitch black. She took out her silver vial and
unscrewed the top. She scooped out a pile of cocaine with the
little spoon and snorted it up one nostril, then the other. It was an exquisite
moment as the drug charged through her brain like a stampede of white
lightning. Hot damn, she whispered, and gave her head a little shake
as she exhaled. She felt so good. So perfect. Because of the deal shed just
pulled off . And the money she was going to make. And handsome Marc,
waiting for her in the City with all of that cocaine. A spasm of euphoria
coursed through her body in a delicious wave of pleasure. Neurons and
endorphins danced in her brain like fi reworks on the Fourth of July. Shed
never been so happy.

Shes about to light a cigarette when the lights start to dim. It happens
so quickly theres no time to react. Th eres just a hint of pain, but its too
brief to register. Th en theres nothing. Only blackness. And just like that
Sandra Ellisons life is at an end. Like someone reached in and turned off
the set. Her set. Th ats how quickly it happened. She was dead before she
hit the ground.