Barbara Evans

You push past the men and women who stare with vacant eyes not even seeing you. This is the twentieth abandoned building you've searched since Barbara, your girlfriend, snuck away one night a week ago. You're terrified you won't find her in time. She's riding her addiction like a dragon. But you can't quit on her. You step around the bodies of junkies who are collapsed on the stairs like horror movie props. Tne second floor reveals no sign of her. Neither does the third story. You find her on the fourth. She's lost significant weight, her clothes are filthy and she smells bad. She's leaning against the wall without shoes or socks. Her skin is pale, almost blue. Her washed out blue eyes spot you and she gives you a faint smile.