One Night's Ripple

“Come on, Summer. You haven’t been out with me since before you dumped Paul!” The voice on the phone whined. “I’m afraid you can’t carry a tune anymore!”

It wasn’t a lie. It’d been a few months since she dumped her cheating ex-boyfriend. Not to mention, she couldn’t remember the last time she went to karaoke with Beth. She could taste the salted tequila and lime.

“You’re right, I should probably get out. I mean, what harm could it cause?”

The friends set their plans into motion, agreeing to meet in an hour. Summer turned on her bedroom light and eyeballed her wardrobe. A cream-colored top with black skinny jeans caught her attention. Her shoulder-length brunette curls hung loosely around her face. She smudged a light smoky shadow on her lids, while her lips glistened with a gloss. Summer dressed her feet in tan boots and marched down the stairs to the street below.

Forty-five minutes later, Summer had two shots down and serenaded her temporary fans around her. Beth was beside her, smiling widely. Being back together again felt fantastic. When they finished the song, the girls ordered two more tequila shots. They threw them back with little hesitation. The lime aided with the harsh after bite.

As Summer sipped on her water, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned her attention to the sensation. Her gaze was level with a light blue set of shirt buttons, drifting north. Looking back at her were a pair of emeralds.

“Whoa, you’re like really hot…” Summer’s drunken personality had taken over. Standing before her was an angelic figment of her imagination. This man towered over her. He had broad shoulders, a chiseled jawline, and short brown hair. His muscles teased her from beneath his shirt. “Did I say that out loud?”

“Yes, yes, you did,” he flashed her a smile. His English accent tickled her brain. “Thanks, by the way. I’m Mike. Can I buy you another round?”

Summer smiled back with a nod. Her thoughts began to wander. Oh, you can do more than that.

Mike called out to the bartender. Three new shot glasses with limes appeared. They each grabbed their drink and hit the stage once more. After her musical set, Summer resumed her spot next to the stranger. She leaned against him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He gave her a once-over and wrapped his arm around her waist.

Beth cleared her throat, drawing Summer back from her devilish thoughts. “I have to use the ladies’ room. Care to join me, Summer?”

Summer peeled herself away from Mike, following Beth.

“He’s so hot!” Summer squealed. “Thank you for dragging me out here!”

Beth was on the other side of the stall door. “Sure, but what are you doing?”

Summer tried to think. She acknowledged that she was at a bar, having the time of her life. She couldn’t think of the last time she was able to enjoy herself like this. Her ex, Paul, had only been fun in the beginning of their relationship. Summer had spent these last few months attempting to recover. She’d been sober and isolated since.

“I thought I was having fun, Beth.”

“That isn’t what I’m talking about. Are you planning on leaving with Mike?” Beth rinsed the soap off of her hands.

After a moment, the decision solidified in Summer’s mind. Hooking up with random guys was uncharted territory. She’d promised herself years ago not to venture down this path, but her vibrator was old news. “I think so. I can’t remember the last time I got folded like a pretzel.”

“Please let me know when you get home?” If Beth was judging, her voice didn’t reveal anything.

In agreement, Summer headed back to seal the deal. Mike joined her in a celebratory shot as Beth gathered her belongings. Once she was out of sight, Mike pulled Summer into an embrace. The passion between them grew rapidly. Before either of them could think, they secured a motel room nearby. Their attention went from liquor and music to reaching peak performance between the sheets.

The sun was rising over the horizon. The birds had taken over the vocal performances from the night before. Summer slid her key into her apartment’s deadbolt. She’d only gotten a short nap in before tackling her walk of shame. She tossed her purse and her body onto the bed. Sleep overtook her instantly.

It’d taken Summer nearly a full day to recover from her recent endeavors. She’d been alternating between vitamins and hydration, napping when she could. Thankfully, she had the day off. No need to venture into her place of employment. She found herself busy catching Beth up with a detailed and colorful synopsis. Beth’s pride was amplified when Summer confirmed the use of a condom.

Beth cheered, “And that is how you do it!”

The conversation veered in another direction at the sound of an incoming text message. Summer’s sentence abruptly stopped.

Unknown: I can’t stop thinking about how beautiful you are.

Summer: Who is this?

Unknown: Don’t tell me you forgot me already…

Summer: Oh, hi. No, I didn’t forget who you are. I don’t remember giving you my number, though.

Unknown: You put it in my phone before you left, silly.

Summer thought back to the night before. She carefully replayed each moment, leading up to her apartment. Mike had fallen asleep shortly after they had finished. She had washed up, gotten dressed, and headed out the door. With her phone in her pocket, she’d slipped her shoes on outside. Summer was certain she hadn’t done as he said. She hadn’t even written her number down for him. It was clear to her that these messages no longer deserved a response.

Summer looped Beth in. She expressed the various emotions and thoughts running through her. This was creepy and unsettling. Thankfully, no new messages arrived.

“You might want to save his number,” suggested Beth. “That way, you know if it’s him again.”

That sounded like a good idea. That way, she’d be sure not to answer him. Summer was ready to forget all of this. She’d decided to break her own rule last night — no random guys. She accepted then, and accepted now, that this was a part of the ripple effect. She only had to wait for things to smooth out.

Work kept Summer occupied with overtime and extra shifts for the next few days. Two hours past her latest shift, Summer was finally flipping on the T.V. She’d already changed into her fuzzy pajamas and slippers. Dinner was on its way via a delivery service. Her tea was sitting on the table nearest to her, freshly brewed and steaming.

It’d been three days since Mike first reached out. With no responses sent back, she was beginning to be on track again. She’d counted half a dozen phone calls and over thirty text messages since that day.

Summer didn’t want to dwell on the elephant in the room any longer. She had a date with her couch tonight. She was behind on her shows.

A knock sounded just as the ending credits appeared onscreen. Summer hopped off the couch, grabbing a twenty-dollar bill out of her wallet. She peered through the peephole, an empty hallway looked back.

In front of her door, an unattended paper bag was waiting. She unlocked the door and grabbed the bag. She used her foot to close the door behind her. Just as the door latched into place, a shudder surged through her body. This bag didn’t feel right. It was far lighter than it should be.

Summer slowly opened the bag. Her heart takes a new residence in her stomach. Her panties, her lip gloss, and an origami paper flower rested inside. She examined the flower through the opening of the bag. A handwritten message is on the petals – I had a wonderful time. Call me.

She threw the bag towards the door as reality sank in. Mike had boldly made his presence known. And yet, she didn’t really know anything about him. Just his supposed name and the crevices of his body.

Without hesitation, her fingers led the way to getting Beth on the phone.

“He knows where I live,” was her opening statement. Silence for a moment, followed by Beth’s grim tone.

“You can’t stay there. Grab a few things, I’m coming to get you.”

This gave Summer roughly thirty-five minutes to be packed and ready. Without another thought, Summer was in her room. She had a duffel bag half full of assorted clothes and toiletries. Mentally she checked off her list of needed items: phone charger, toothbrush, deodorant. It was the usual suspects one would take in an emergency situation. Her pocket knife jumped at her from the night stand. She placed it in her back pocket, grabbing her bag.

The moment she crossed into the living room, she froze. Her heartbeat blared in her ears. Mike was sitting on the couch, eyes glued to her from beneath his hood. He smirked. His accent twisted around his words.

“Going somewhere, love?”

Summer glanced at the clock behind him. Twenty-two minutes. She cautiously placed her bag on the floor beside her.

“Hey, you,” her words fought against her.

“You haven’t returned any of my calls. You’ve ignored my text messages.” A sigh escaped his lips. His expression shifted slightly grim. “I thought we had something here, Summer.”

It was difficult to gauge where his thinking was at. Summer knew where hers kept running off to. She didn’t want to accept that this was possibly her last moments alive.

“Mike..”

“Don’t do that.” His tone sent chills down her spine. His eyes were dark and lacked emotion. Had they always been this dark? His previously angelic features had shifted into the demonic realm.

Summer realized that there wasn’t anything she could say honestly that would please him. She had to figure out a way to get out. Internally, panic was setting in. If she didn’t come up with a plan soon, everything could take a turn quickly. That’s when an idea swept across her mind.

“Please let me explain?”

Mike tapped his finger on his leg. Before she could continue, he rose to his feet, inching towards her. She didn’t move. When he was less than foot from her, he grabbed her. She could feel the bruising begin in her arms from his finger tips. Her body screamed in pain. His fist collided with the side of her head. Blurs of black and grey covered her vision.

When the world came back into view, Summer noticed she was lying on the floor. Her head was pounding. A heaviness was wrapped around her waist. She tried to push it away, but her arms were stuck above her head. Looking towards her waist, she realized it wasn’t a heavy object holding her down. It was Mike. He was straddling her. One of his hands held her wrists above her head, the other hand was petting her hair.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, love. Maybe I have gone a little mental, but only because you’ve made me act this way. The way our bodies connected and made love that night. You playing hard to get. I promise you, I’m really not a bad guy.” He stared into her eyes. Summer noticed he had tears forming. “I’m falling in love with you.”

Summer couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This wasn’t love. This was abuse and control wrapped up in a poisonous package. Somehow, Summer had become the ultimate prize him. In his eyes, she wasn’t a person. She had become his property.

Out of everything he said, one thing stuck out the loudest: he was mental. Summer knew she had to play along. Her life depended on it. If she didn’t, she risked a curtain call on life.

Without hesitation, the words flew out of her mouth. “Baby, I wasn’t trying to ignore you. You are such a great guy. What we had was amazing. Scratch that, is amazing. You’re the best I’ve ever had. I’ve been with someone so forward with his feelings. That is what scared me, not you.”

Moments later, his mouth were against hers. His tongue thrashed around. This kiss was aggressive, dangerous even. Against the internal screams, Summer kissed him back. His free hand gently ran down her side.

If she got out of this, she would be brushing her teeth with bleach. Not only for the disgusting garbage she had just spewed, but also for this kiss. When he finally pulled away, his breathing was heavy.

“Can we start over?”

Mike smiled. “I’d like that, Summer.”

“Okay,” she smiles back. “Can you let me up, please?”

Mike let her arms go, followed by climbing off of her. Summer adjusted herself, feeling the bulge from her knife beneath her. In the heat of everything, she’d forgotten she had it.

“Since we are starting over, I have something for you.” Mike leaned back, reaching for a bag by the couch. The small box he revealed immediately registered to Summer. His position was now kneeling in front of her. “I was going to wait to give you this…”

He opened the box. An engagement ring glistened. Summer’s jaw dropped slightly. Every alarm sounded in her head. Mike beamed with joy.

“It’s not nearly as beautiful as you. Marry me, love.”

Adjusting her legs, Summer leaned forward to get a better look at the ring. In a different lifetime, she would have been over the moon. A handsome man asking to spend forever with her? She would’ve taken the risk. This was not who was in front of her. He was better suited to be an inpatient at an insane asylum than her future husband.

Reluctantly, Summer extended her left hand. Moments ago, evil oozed off of him. Pure excitement took its place. This became the moment she had anticipated. With his attention being on her other hand, Summer seizes her moment.

In one swift movement, she grabbed her knife hand and flipped it open. She swung her arm as hard as she can. The knife slipped into the side of his throat. The image of stabbing into a large chicken breast flashed across her mind. Mike’s attempts at screaming were overtaken by bloody gargle of sounds. Blood began to pour from his body, flowing down her hand to her elbow. Instead of letting go, she pulled the knife towards herself. A full crevice emerged where his throat had been. Bits of muscle, vocal cords, and tissue flapped as the air escaped from his lungs. The only sounds Summer could hear were the thumps of his body convulsing against the floor. The blood fountain continued to flow freely.

Summer shoved herself backwards. Her head and shoulders collided with the wall. The heaviness of the room began to subside as Mike’s twitches stopped. The lake surrounding his body inched outward.

She felt her soul nearly leave her body as Beth rushing through the door. Summer let out a sharp sigh. She didn’t speak. She didn’t move. She just sat there, allowing the sense of relief to wash over her.