A Familiar Stranger

by A.R. Torre

It was like I was a sail, coming free of its mast and whipping wildly into the wind. Untethered. Unpredictable. Happy.

I rolled my neck, my throat burning from the bourbon. It felt accurate, like a brand. Welcome to hell; we’ve been expecting you. Hello, I thought dreamily, and relaxed back against the bench. Don’t mind me. I’ll make myself at home.