You're gradually brought back to your apartment on the 7th floor of your apartment building. The cold, stale air greets you once again, almost as if taunting you with the reality of your situation: The peeling grey wallpaper, trash accumulated from you and your friends in nights before, your battered mattress. You're resting against the wall, on the carpet, near the door that leads into your bedroom. A pounding headache is your constant companion, probably made worse by the television left on for hours during your last high.
Struggling to get up, you adjust your hoodie and stumble over to the bathroom. The mirror shows a depressing image: unwashed hair, eyes with dark circles under them, a look of semi-consciousness. Your body is sounding all alarms that you are neglecting yourself, and it's your fault. You turn the faucet, splashing water over your face. That's when you notice something catch your eye, something that makes your heart race just from sight. Sitting on the sink counter is a needle. Inside, a swirling, delightful, colorful cascade of liquids intermingling but staying separate, a concoction that could not look more appealing if it tried.
You weren't expecting another dose, you were sure you had nothing left. But there it is, the beautiful, deadly rainbow sitting on your sink, waiting for you. You just stare at it for a moment. The longer you look at it, the more the bathroom around it feels dull, unexciting. It stands out against the world as if it is defiantly resisting its surroundings, and that is precisely what makes it seem so splendorous,
You reach out your hand and grab the syringe, your hand shaking slightly as you hold it up for closer inspection. The way it gently pulses between your fingers, the way its translucent fluids look like they're swirling in their own little universe inside of it; it's so celestial, so perfect, and it looks so inviting. You hurriedly head out of the bathroom, syringe in hand. An acknowledgement is made that you haven't slept in days and that you feel like complete shit overall, but it's time for your next hit.
You sit on your bed, the needle glinting in your juddering hand as you prepare to push it into your skin and begin injecting. You consider for a moment to save it for friends, but your head is buzzing with want. You haven't invited anyone over in weeks anyways, nor has the desire risen again. The backdrop of sociality to these trips was more of an excuse to yourself than anything else: It was an excuse to take the hit, but now there was no need for that anymore. Finding a spot on your slightly dirty pillow, you pull back your hoodie to expose your discolored shoulder and prick your skin with the needle, slowly pushing in the liquid.
Your heart is racing. The room drowns away, and with it, the dreariness of reality. No more aches, no more worries, no more depression or self-hatred. All that's left is the blissful warmth of euphoria flooding into your mind as you perceive yourself gently flying through the air. You're above the clouds of a bright blue day, the sun warming the layer of white clouds beneath you and reflecting off your skin. You can feel yourself begin to descend, a gentle drift downwards, through the clouds. The clouds part before you, revealing a landscape unlike any other you've ever seen. It's as if everything is a painting, everything is so vibrant and alive. The trees and plants are thriving, their green leaves looking so healthy and alive. Small little villages sporadically come into view over the fantastical scene as you descend, with ant-sized people tending to fields full of crops or otherwise going about their day.
You land at a crossroads, with the sounds of chirping of birds and swishing of wild grass surrounding you. You are no longer in your hoodie and jeans, you are now the daring hero of the story, clad in flowing golden armor with a sword at your hip, ready to explore and rescue whoever needs rescuing in this new world opened to you and you alone.
Travelling along the road towards one of the villages you pass a sign that reads: "Welcome to Anthea Village!" Sounds like an exciting place for your adventure to begin. As you walk up the path towards the village, you hear an elderly voice call out to you:
"H-Hello there, ${gender}! I couldn't help but notice your knightly gear, are you by chance able to help our humble town?"
A smile spreads across your fresh, healthy face as you hear him speak. You nod your head as you approach the man: "What seems to be the issue, kind man?"
"I am the village elder, come with me and I'll explain." The old man nods his head. He leads you towards his cottage and you can smell freshly baked bread inside as he opens the door and invites you to enter. You thank him and take a seat in front of his fireplace as he brings out a platter of pastries, before sitting himself across from you.
"So what seems to be the problem here?" You ask him.
"Our village is under threat of a terrible evil, we need a brave hero who will come and fight it off!"
Your heart leaps for joy as you listen to him talk about a dangerous monster or whatever it will be that he needs you to save his village from. The memories of your apartment are fading quickly away as you smile at his excitement. You stand up from your seat and salute him as you put on your mask of confidence and bravery:
"Don't worry elder sir, I shall be your hero!"