But as I march forward, stabs of pain erupt all over my left arm. Without the benefit of the cast to keep it immobile, every little movement causes me anguish. And now that my adrenaline has started to wear off, the pain becomes increasingly more nuanced.

If only I'd grabbed some pain medication on my way out.

With a sigh, I continue on, curious to see what I'd been invited to. It's not as if I have anything better to do with the police still outside looking for me.

As I descend, the sound of music becomes louder and louder, and when I get to the bottom of the stairs, I notice an odd array of colored lights.

It's only when I step inside that I realize this must be a club.

The room is packed with people, dancing and swaying to the music. The lights alternate between red, blue, and pink, giving everyone an ethereal look. They look lost to the sound, their eyes closed, their bodies moving to the beat as if they were chasing the high of carpe diem—or, in this case, carpe noctem.

A melancholic smile flickers on my lips. Nikki would be so proud of my Latin—he taught me the basics himself.

"Welcome, Mrs. Archibald," a man greets me as I step inside.

I frown, confused at how he'd know my name, but I assume the person at the entrance might have let him know.

"Please, have a complimentary drink." He takes a fancy glass from his tray and hands it to me.

My mouth opens to refuse, but an errant thought pushes me to take it.

"Thank you," I say as I accept the drink. It's a neon color, something I've never seen before. But as I bring it to my mouth for a sip, a strong mango flavor with only a hint of alcohol hits my tongue. The drink is so yummy that I end up drinking it in one go.

"You may dance or go to the sitting area by the stage. The main event should start soon," the server continues, handing me another drink with a knowing smile.

Despite knowing I shouldn't, I accept it. It's too delicious to pass, and I don't think it's too strong to affect me—not that I'm an expert in alcohol. Nikki had never been a big drinker since it triggered his anxiety, so we've mostly had a glass of wine here and there with dinner. But this? This is just fabulous.

I take another sip as I walk toward the sitting area. My body is already becoming more relaxed, my heart rate dropping as my fear slowly melts away. I find an empty seat in a more secluded corner and sigh deeply as I finally sit down.

God, I don't think I've ever run as much or as fast as I did today. Then again, I don't think I ever imagined the police would chase me either.