Cindy and Elie met on a chilly November evening at their usual hangout, "The Bone Shop" coffee shop. The late autumn weather had them bundled up in jackets. It had been a few weeks since they last met, Cindy spending the majority of her time engrossed in training sessions with Aria and Kai, honing their skills in aura manipulation.

"I'm glad we could finally hang out again. You haven't been to church with me lately. How's everything been?" Elie asked as she blew warm air onto her hands. "Damn, it's getting cold."

"Well, you know... just work and stuff," Cindy responded. "Sorry, I haven't had much energy lately."

"Pastor Price was asking me about you. He still can't stop talking about the speech you gave! I hope you feel better soon so we can go together again," Elie said.

"Yeah, I feel like a fool for that," Cindy replied.

"Why? Everybody loved you!" Elie said with a puzzled look. "Do you not want to go back?"

Cindy sighed, leaning her head against her hand. "Well, I think I might've misjudged myself," she admitted. "I thought I had changed into a woman of faith, but I think that I was scared more than anything. I was afraid to die, and I just... wanted some type of comfort, I guess. I don't really know,"

"I see," Elie replied. "There's no shame in that. Hell, that's probably how most people feel if we're being honest!" Elie chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee.

Cindy managed a slight smile. "Heh, I guess you're right. Sorry again. I've just been trying to figure some things out about myself. I just feel so empty all the time."

"Hm, sounds like an existential crisis," Elie said with a chuckle. "You'll be fine, girl. You'll be fine," she said, placing a hand on Cindy's shoulder.

The friends continued to talk in the cozy coffee shop, Elie encouraging Cindy in her time of need. Cindy needed that, a close friend away from work. Cindy would not say it, but she felt a great debt to Elie as well; one that she wondered if she could ever repay.

"Oh, I have an idea!" Elie exclaimed, an idea suddenly sparking. "I told you about the guy I was talking to, right?"

"Yeah, you did mention you were going on a date a while back. You're still talking to the same guy?" Cindy asked curiously.

"Yeah, he's really sweet. Handsome as hell, too!" Elie said proudly.

"Oh... Was that your idea? To brag about your new boyfriend? Thank you, Elie, that really cheered me up!" Cindy said sarcastically.

"You didn't even let me finish, silly! His name's Keith. He owns a little private bar downtown. We should go there and get super drunk for dirt cheap, teehee," Elie said with a grin.

"Hm, now you're speaking my language," Cindy said, quickly rising from her seat. "Well, what are we waiting on? Let's go get fucked up," she said with a smirk.

Cindy and Elie arrived at a small bar in Downtown Baldimore. It was a small and quiet, hole in the wall spot. It was extremely clean, dimly lit. Not much in the way of decor, however. Nevertheless, Cindy and Elie admired the quaint little spot, as they drank down glasses of wine, with soft music playing in the background. The drinks were also free of charge, in the way of Elie's friend, Keith.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Keith, the bar owner that Elie had been seeing, looked around his mid-thirties. He wore very thick glasses on his face, had braided black hair, a well-kept and trimmed beard, and a tattoo of a red dragon on his left forearm. He had tan skin and average height. Elie seemed to like him as Cindy observed them flirting while he refilled the ladies' drinks one after the other.

Does she like him or the free stuff? The half-elf wondered.

"Thanks again for letting us stop by, dear. You're the best! Isn't he the best, Cindy?" Elie asked.

"Yeah, you're the best, Keith," Cindy said scornfully and drunkenly, emphasizing his name.

"Aw, sorry. Cindy's been a little grumpy lately!" Elie said, pinching the half-elf's right cheek.

"Hey, I'm not your child!" Cindy protested, grabbing her swollen cheek.

"Oh, it's totally fine!" Keith said as he meticulously cleaned wine glasses. "Business has been pretty slow lately anyway. Couldn't ya tell?" he chuckled, pointing out the empty bar. "You two are a fun a little duo though. Trying to make me jealous, Elie?" he said jokingly.

"Baby, if you keep treating me this good, I might have to ditch Cindy," Elie laughed, patting Cindy on the back. "Just joking, Cindy! I looove you!" she said drunkenly, hugging the half-elf.

"Yeah, very funny," Cindy said with a scowl aimed at the tattooed man. "So, Keith," she said, emphasizing his name again. "How did you meet my dear friend Elie?"

"Well, we met on one of those dating apps. Hm, what was it called again? Cinder, right Elie?" Keith said, placing a finger to his cheek.

"Yeah, that was the one. Online's looking like the only real way to meet people these days. You should try it out, Cindy!" Elie said.

"Eh, I think I'm good on all of that for now," Cindy said as she furrowed her brow. "What do you like about Elie? What do you two have in common? How long have you owned this bar? Do you have any criminal records?" Cindy continued, hurling a slew of questions at Keith.

"Woah, what's up with this interrogation," Keith laughed as he scratched the back of his head.

"Yeah, just chill out, Cindy. It's not like we've been dating for years or anything. We're still getting to know each other," Elie said.

"Hmph, whatever. I've got my eye on you," Cindy said as she glared at Keith, standing up from her barstool seat. "I... have to break the seal. Where's your bathroom at?" she asked.

"Cindy, are you alright? If you're uncomfortable, we can leave," Elie said with a look of worry towards the half-elf.

"Oh, I'm fine. Just the alcohol talking!" Cindy said as she started walking aimlessly.

"The bathroom's the other way," Keith said.

"Thanks!" Cindy responded, waving the back of her hand.

She's... just leaving me behind. Cindy thought, as she washed her hands.

A moment of jealousy arose in Cindy's drunken state. She could not help but feel Elie slowly drifting apart from her. Before too long, she feared Elie would forget all about her in favor of her new acquaintance.

He is pretty cute. I can't compete with that!

Cindy also sensed the passion that her peers possessed. She felt inadequate, as if she had no motivation for anything. She saw the joy in Aria's eyes when she helped people. Sure, Cindy felt good about herself when she served food to the homeless, but on the same level as Aria? Not even close. She saw Kai's anger and desperation to get stronger, when Jack was scolding the two of them. Aura intrigued Cindy, and she had fun learning it from Aria, but that also wasn't a true passion. Even Jack, the man that absolutely embarrassed Cindy, calling her pathetic. She could sense the fiery passion radiating off him as well.

Just what the hell am I doing? Is it really ok... for me to just keep walking around aimlessly. I'm just a nuisance to everyone around me.

Elie, most of all, made Cindy feel completely inferior. Her best friend, the person that worked on her prosthetic right arm. Her eyes lit up the most whenever Cindy saw her working. To Cindy, those eyes felt like something truly unattainable. Although Cindy felt inferior, she was also happy for her friend.

What am I doing? Just moping around and talking to myself? No wonder she found a guy before me. Alright, Cindy. You're gonna walk out this door, stop being a Debbie-downer, and just be happy for your best friend!

Cindy started to walk out the bathroom door. But, before she could keep that promise she just made to herself, she felt an erratic pounding sensation in her head. She suddenly started to sweat uncontrollably. She dropped to her hands and knees, confused and afraid. Her heartbeat was lightning fast as she felt herself losing consciousness.

W-what's happening to me? That was her last thought, before blacking out.