Jessica could hear the doctor breaking the grim news to her. The third opinion on the same matter that's already been decided in stone. Her head was placed in a metaphorical guillotine and bets were being placed as to when the blade would finally drop.

She leaned back into the patient's chair as her long brown hair fell to the wayside. She tuned him out as his spiel about making final preparations incessantly droned on. This doctor's visit was no different from any of the previous ones. She was sick and there was nothing the medical community could do to save her life.

It was like one big bitch slap to the face. A fuck you from the higher powers of the world. That's all it was really. She tried her best to live a good and honest life. She worked out occasionally, attended church a couple of times a month, and tossed some spare change into the red bucket at the store during the holidays. None of it mattered in the end.

Maybe if there was a how-to guide on being a decent human being she could have changed a few things. If she had strived to be a better human could that have somehow spared her of an unjust death sentence? Would any of it have even mattered in the end? Had everything she has done until now been a waste of her time? Were the twenty-odd years of working in corporate bullshit all she had to show for her measly short-lived life?

"I'll step out of the room and give you a moment," the doctor's voice cut through her mind's fog as he stepped out the door.

She watched the door swing shut as her phone signaled a muffled vibration from the confines of her pocket. She sat up cross-legged and stared down as her hair fell around her as she tapped the screen to read the text message.

From Mom: Praying for you, Sweetie!

If prayers were a limited resource she'd be wasting them on a lost cause. Her phone was absently shoved back into her pocket as she collected her belongings and walked out of the room. She vaguely recalled reading somewhere if you walked with confidence then people would leave you alone. The hospital's lobby doors were within sight as she hoped it was true. She didn't have the money to pay for another visit anyway. Her strides were long and swift as her form passed through the threshold uninterrupted.

The cool spring air gently kissed her face and rustled her soft flowing hair. She closed her eyes and welcomed the warmth of the rising sun against her soft pale skin. At one time she was as tanned as fresh-baked rolls right out of the oven, but that was a different life. A lie that her father wanted her to endure.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The not-so-distant memories of their fights still haunted her. Bitter words laced with malice which dug deep into each other's souls. She shuddered at the brief thought as she tried to shake it off. Life on a countdown shouldn't be squandered on the past. She left that world behind, after all, to pursue a life in the big city as she wanted.

She had dreamt of quaint coffee shops with friendly conversation and good books. The idea of close friends that would gather together for movie nights and sleepovers gnawed at her lonely heart. For living in such a rich and bustling community she has never felt more alone than she did at this moment.

As she slid into the driver seat of her car her eyes glanced upon the polaroid picture held to the visor with worn hair ties. Her boyfriend Brad with his perfect smile and dark chocolate-colored eyes stared back at her. With his shirtless form and long blonde hair, he would be the dictionary image of a surfer dude, and she loved every bit of him.

Her father's disapproving voice echoed quietly from the recesses of her mind. Where has Brad been this entire time? Why isn't he in the room supporting you in your time of need? His character is softer than cow shit and you should leave him in the dust.

She suppressed the thoughts even if she knew deep down her father was right. Her life was a candle that was being burned from both ends and she intended to live up every last second to its fullest. Starting with losing her virginity to Brad.

Her car rolled out of the parking lot and accelerated down the road. She fanaticized about how the act would feel. Would the first time hurt as the online forums had said? Maybe her indulgence in premarital sex would damn her to Hell as the church so openly preached. Could it all be a lie? Lies the world spun to suck happiness and pleasure from everyone's soul until death finally came knocking.

Moments after pulling into the warehouse's lot where Brad worked Jessica put the car in park. She promptly shut the door behind her as she made her way across the pothole-ridden pavement toward the side access door. The one Brad had shown her to use several months ago to avoid the watchful eye of management.

Sean, one of Brad's coworkers and close friends leaned against the side of the warehouse as a cigarette faintly smoldered between his fingers. After a double take, his eyes went wide as he motioned for Jessica to stop.

"What are you doing here?" Sean asked with panic painted across his face.

"I'm here to see Brad. Since when has that been a problem?" Jessica asked without skipping a beat.

"Uhh, it's not a problem it's just that-" he trailed off as she brushed past him.

Jessica bobbed and weaved her way through the warehouse aisles as if she owned the place. Her heart raced as if this were the first time. It felt like trespassing for the first time but the route was engraved deep into her memory. She probably knew everyone here better than the management.

Her eyes glanced over the plastic employee breakroom sign as she reached to push the door open. Hesitation gripped her very soul as a rhythmic squeak emanated from the other side. Her hand trembled as she pressed against the door. Its weight seemed to intensify with each passing second.

Sean slid around the corner out of breath as he cried out. "Jessica, don't open the door!"