I hate being forced to look over my shoulder at every twist and turn. I'm only going to the coffee shop, but it feels like I'm going to war. I trudge through the smiling couples, hoping to go unnoticed. Not everyone on the street has their partner by their side, so if I hold my head up high maybe they won't even look twice.

Two officers patrol the area, walking along the opposite sidewalk, keeping track of everyone as they pass. It all happened so fast. One day we were all minding our own business – the next, it was like the town was under some love curse. The Mayor held an emergency meeting, broadcasting it far and wide. Everyone would be paired up. As the days dragged on and more and more people had met their match, I began to feel hopeless. Then the news came that people without a partner were disappearing left and right. With no prospect in sight, I began to distance myself from the world. I couldn't hide forever though.

The door to the coffee shop jingles, signaling my entrance. It's like walking into some kind of weird dimension. There is not one table that doesn't have two people seated at it. A few single patrons are standing in line, but that doesn't mean they are. Their other half could be waiting for them elsewhere. For now, I'd have to pretend it was that way for me.

"I'll take two coffees to go," I say to the woman behind the counter.

Her hazel eyes sweep over me, as if she can see right through. She purses her lips together, but takes my order without saying much of anything. I slide down the counter, waiting for them to call my name. Two men, probably around my age, shift around each other while making drinks. They pass by locking glares and nonchalantly brushing their fingertips as they pass. My heart thunders in my chest, another couple.

The bells chime. I give a quick glance over my shoulder. The two Officer's I spotted on my way in are here.

"Meredith." One of the guys from behind the counter call my name.

I step forward, and reach for the two coffees. I throw another look behind me at them circling the room. My face burns as I turn back to take hold of my cup. His dark chocolate eyes meet mine as he hands me the two cups. I don't plan on drinking both, but I have to make it look like I've got someone to bring it home to.

As I lift the second cup from the counter there's a strip of white receipt tape on the counter. I assume it's my receipt and slide it off the counter. With both coffees in my hand I slip out of the place unnoticed. Outside I let out a breath, trying to keep myself calm. I try not to speed walk, but I'm starting to feel uncomfortable.

A scream catches my attention, but when I turn to find the source, it's as if no one is bothered. Like they're all zombies. I slip into the alleyway before my apartment and settle against the wall. I shift the cups of coffee and the paper slices my hand. Lifting it I catch light words scribbled with a dull pencil.

I can help you. Meet me in the back of Coffee Express. 2pm.

Across the street the large black clock chimes for two. I almost drop my coffees, but keep them in hand to provide the extra support. This could be a trap, maybe one of those workers was in on it and informed the Officers of my situation. My chest tightens, gripping me with a force that almost knocks the wind out of my lungs.

It doesn't hurt to check things out. Instead of going the way I came, I hustle towards the back of the alley, coming out behind the large strip of stores. The coffee shop isn't far down, and from here I see nothing. I step out of the shadows and slow my steps, keeping my body close to the brick wall.

The back door to the shop swings open, revealing a feminine figure. She steps out wrapping mousy brown hair into a high bun atop her head. When she spins and finds me carefully taking her in, I realize it's the woman who took my order. She glances around taking in our surroundings.

"You got my note," she says, her voice a quiet whisper.

"How did you know?" I ask.

She closes the gap between us. My stomach flutters with a sensation I can't quite read. I blame it on fear.

"I don't have a match either."

"So, how can you help me then?"

I almost feel like I know the answer to her question, but I'm afraid to respond. With a trembling hand she reaches out, grabs the coffees, puts them on the ground, then takes my hand in hers.

"We pretend."

I release a shaky breath from her touch. Peering up through my lashes at her tall, thin framed face, I'm in awe. I've never actually been in any relationship before. I'm twenty-three, a virgin, and undecided about relationships in general. It's not that I don't want to find love, I thought I was in love two years ago when I met a man named Oliver. We laughed together, had inside jokes, and spent a lot of time with him just hanging out. I almost expected him to kiss me, kind of hoped he'd be my first, but instead he found someone more beautiful, shattering my heart.

Even before I fell for Oliver, I never imagined myself with anyone. Being let down destroyed my will to search for a partner. Was that why I wasn't paired with someone?

Static from some radio scanners echoed from the alley. I gasp, holding in my breath waiting for them to catch me when soft firm lips settle against mine. Her fingers drift towards my waist and hold me there. The feeling of her touch tickles my insides. My body relaxes as I settle into her touch. Footsteps emerge from where I exited the alley. They fade, and I'm not sure if they've retreated or if it's the silence that has overcome me from this woman's touch.

She pulls away, but rests her head against mine. She's out of breath and so am I. "I'm Hannah."

"Meredith," I whisper.

"Are they gone?"

I lean over, she's too tall for me to glance over her shoulder. There's no one in sight. I turn back to her and nod, my eyes catch hers and I gasp, holding in a breath.

"Will you fake it with me? My sister works for the Mayor. We could go to the celebration together. Maybe we can find out what's happening to the people who have vanished."

As she says it my eyes wander to a lonely telephone pole with one of the missing singles' faces plastered on. No doubt, a family member posted it there. I don't have time to think about it. The celebration is tonight. I'm almost positive that it's meant to weed out all the single people in town, to weed them out.

I look up at her, a chill running down my spine. I'm not so sure I'd be faking it, that kiss was nothing like I'd imagined my first one would be. I reach up and press a finger to my lips. She watches me closely.

"I guess. Do you think they'll notice? Can we make a difference?"

She shrugs. "If we get caught at least we'll know we tried to save others. And maybe if we can, we'll slip away from this nightmare."

It takes me a few moments to decipher whether or not it's worth losing my life over the cause. I'd seen it tear people apart. The weeping mother I'd seen on T.V. grieving over her only daughter who vanished replays in my head, like a movie.

"I lost all three of my cousins. One day they were there and the next gone. Something has to be done."

A tear slips from her eye, and glides down her pale rosy cheek. I lift onto my toes and press a solid kiss to her mouth.

"I'm in."