"The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you." -Rita Mae Brown

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//6:01 p.m.//

It was terrible out.

Snowflakes fell angrily from the sky, sticking to the pavement at an alarming pace. The sky was darkened and the temperature was dangerously low. And I was out in it all.

Why am I out here? Do I have a death wish?

Maybe I should just turn back around.

"You know why we're here," he growled into my ear.

Hot tears leaked out of my eyes. "I-I don't want to do this anymore," I stuttered. "This is dangerous."

"I know." The simple statement was punctuated with malicious intent.

I quickly swiped the back of my hand across my face and placed it back on the steering wheel. I had to focus on the road. The windshield wipers were on its fastest setting, but it was still no match for the furious swirling of snow.

My hands were trembling. I could barely keep the steering wheel steady. I shouldn't be out here. I don't want to be out here. I just want to go home. Wherever that is.

"Keep driving."

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//6:19 p.m.//

I didn't think it was possible, but it was snowing harder now. On some secluded highway, I guessed no one thought it was important enough to shovel. I could almost hear the crunching of the fresh snow being crushed by my tires over the crooning of Mick Jagger.

"Down in the graveyard where we have our tryst, The air smells sweet, the air smells sick. He never smiles, his mouth merely twists..."

"Well, this certainly sets the mood," he snarled.

"Please," my voice shook.

"Human skulls is hangin' right 'round his neck, the palms of my hands is clammy and wet..."

"Why do you want to go home so bad? There's nothing back there for you."

The tears were back. Between the quickly falling snow and my watery eyes, I could hardly see.

"You are worthless Diana. Nobody loves you. Nobody."

"Will it be poison put in my glass, will it be slow or will it be fast?"

"You have nothing to live for. You won't even be missed."

He's right.

"Wouldn't it just be easier to end it?"

It would. But, I don't think I can do it. How would I even do it?

"It wouldn't take too long to freeze out here..." he suggested.

Right again. It was a winter wonderland out there, and I was barely clothed. I thought about it.

"No, no, I can't do it!" I cried out hysterically.

He was in my face. "Come on! Stop being such a baby and do it! You're so worthless, you can't even kill yourself. Figures." his voice was so full of hate, full of disgust.

He's right, I am worthless. Nobody cares about me, they never did. Everyone abandoned me. Everyone is against me.

But I still can't do it.

"You worthless piece of shit!" his voice cut through all the noise as he reached for the steering wheel grabbing it violently.

I screamed a bloodcurdling scream as the wheel was turned sharply to the right. As the car swerved on the slippery snow, all I could see was flashes of white, and darkness. There was laughing. Lots of laughing. Evil, maniacal laughing.

And then there was a tree. There was a terrifying crunching of metal. My body flew forward, slamming into the steering wheel. The airbags deployed. All I could feel was pain. Excruciating pain.

Fighting through the pain, I reached down and fumbled, looking for my phone. My vision was going blurry. It was getting harder to see. I felt so weak...

I felt my phone and gingerly lifted my arm, groaning in pain. I pressed the lock button and the screen came to life. With each passing moment, I felt weaker and weaker. I managed to press the emergency call button.

My lungs felt like they were filled with fluid. Each breath got harder and harder to take.

"Hello, 911. How can I assist you?"

I opened my mouth and tried to talk, but I immediately started to choke on my own blood. All I could manage was a violent round of coughs, which drained my last bit of energy. Closing my eyes, I welcomed the darkness.

"Hello? Are you okay?"

"One night I was dancin' with a lady in black, Wearin' black silk gloves and a black silk hat. She looked at me longin' with black velvet eyes, She gazed at me strange all cunning and wise. Then I saw the flesh just fall off her bones, The eyes in her skull was burning like coals. Lord, have mercy, fire and brimstone, I was dancin' with Mrs. D."

"Hello? Hello?"

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//6:59 p.m.//

The police officer walked over to his partner, who was inspecting the car.

"What happened here?"

His partner stood up. "The deceased seems to have lost control of her vehicle. This patch of road hasn't been plowed yet, and the ground is fairly slippery. Just a tragic accident."

The officer shook his head sadly. "Such a shame. Do we have an I.D.?"

His partner held up a driver's license. "Diana Simmons. 26 years old."

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