She was gorgeous. About my height, and with a hair that seriously defied what I considered possible. It was pitch black. So dark, it seemed to absorb the dying rays of light with ease. Her eyes were a delicate hue of brown. Like the most perfect amber, glinting ever so slightly in the light of the setting sun. Her skin. To this day, the memory of her skin haunts my dreams. A skin so pale and flawless I could have sworn I saw the reflection of the sun in her exposed shoulder. She donned a white, flowered dress that seemed nothing else but plain and a pair of sandals. “Want to take a seat? I could use some company.” She said in a soft but cheery voice and then shot me a smile that punched a hole in my stomach and drove a cold fear-like sensation into my heart.

What would you have done? I took a sit next to her.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, intending to break the ice somehow. “Nothing special. I just like to see beautiful landscapes like this.” She turned back to the horizon as she swung her legs up and down over the edge of the ravine. “Yeah. I love places like this.” I felt like the conversation would go nowhere if I didn’t say anything eloquent. “Do you come here often?” It was clear that I could not hold a proper conversation. “Nope. First time.” Her responses came fast and with a calm and soothing voice. I sat there, stupefied and unable to speak as I was still absorbing her beauty. She had a plump but toned body. Her legs seemed to be very well trained and the dress she was wearing exposed just enough of them to be enticing. “Here’s a nice question: What would you do if you had the power to do anything?” Her eyes opened wide and her face filled with curiosity and excitement as if expecting an amazing answer. “I don’t know. Fix the fucked-up shit in the world, maybe.” She wasn’t impressed. I looked down, embarrassed.

“Well, given enough time, I’d prob—" She grabbed my hand. “Hey, want to see something cool?” My mind was in total disarray. “Sure.” I replied. Hopefully, she could lead the conversation better than I did. “Uriel…” She whispered. I didn't understand why but what came next changed my confused frown into a face of baffled disbelief. “Your name is Arin. You turned 20 two weeks ago. You play baseball on Saturdays with your high school friends. You like to write short stories. And… You came here to celebrate the birthday of your grandfather.” Bullseye. Each and every one of them. So many things flooded my mind and I had one big question. “H-How--?” I stuttered. “Wh-Who told you that?”

“My friend.” She said and for the first time her voice felt monotone. It almost sounded sad. “Does your friend know me?” I desperately needed an answer. “Don’t you want to know my name?” It seemed I wasn't getting an answer just yet. “Yeah. I would love to.” That was important too. “My name is Ana.” Her cheery voice making it impossible to forget. “Pleased to meet you.” She said as she let go of my hand “Now were officially friends.” She continued, driving her face really close to mine and following up with a short giggle. “Can I ask something of you, Arin?” I was completely entranced by then. I had no control over the conversation at all. I nodded slowly. “Can I kiss you?” My mind went completely blank and my heart must have skipped a beat. I sat there, once more, speechless, staring at her pink and delicate looking lips. I was almost completely petrified when I saw her approach me. She was not waiting for an answer and so she kissed me.