I am a university student in her senior year. Life as a student sucks, but I make it make the best of it. My classes are during the evening and I work during the day. By working, I have managed to pay my way through college and on my own in an apartment on the outskirts of the university campus. As an intern, I work at a pharmaceutical office based within the university, which is relatively close to the buildings that host my classes. Walking is my main transportation because of my living expenses, so I only drive when I leave to go home to my family. My days are long and hard, but I think today has been the roughest it has been in a long while.

I am exhausted. My legs feel like they are made of jello, and I can barely step forward without dragging my feet. Class ended later than scheduled and having to walk back to my apartment afterwards only makes me feel more drained and fatigued.

Still need to submit my work for my other classes too when I get back... Ugh.

Walking on, passing every other street light, the light brightens my path as I walk towards it and lights my back to show my shadow as I continue to walk.

It's almost the weekend; that's something to look forward to.

According to my phone, it displays 10:45PM. There is still thirty more minutes of walking to do, as well as probably an hours work of school work to complete. It will be midnight before I can shower and go to bed.

Guh! I think I'll stop by the gas station and pick up some coffee before I make it back to the apartment.

I walk up to a crosswalk and push the button to cross. The cold sensation from the metal pole is oddly satisfying, as I lean against the light-signal post and rest my forehead against it. Eyes closed, breathing in and out, I let out a sigh from my lips.

I feel so overwhelmed. I need to take a break.

My eyes open slightly to see the sign to walk is on and I quickly brisk my way over to the other side of the street.

I'll make sure to get the dark roast coffee, to make sure I stay awake. A size large too. Maybe with something to eat. Like a muff-

So focused on my thoughts, I bump into someone.

"Oh, pardon me. I wasn't paying attention."

Look at the person I hit into, it was a older gentleman, walking out of the gas station.

The guy looked me over and started to speak.

"You should be more vigilant to your surroundings, young lady. Especially at this time of night and at your age; you're a vulnerable target."

"Yes, sir. I'll be more aware."

It's not like I've never been walking around this late before. Just saying.

"Get on home as soon as possible. Young ladies such as yourself should be in bed, getting their beauty rest."

The man tipped his cap and continued on to his car.

Wait, did he just hint at me that I look ugly? Psh, he doesn't even know how offensive he is to the 'young ladies' who work their ass off… Jerkface.

Rolling my eyes, I walk into the gas station and grab the largest ounce cup. Filling my cup with a dark roast brew and include a large double chocolate muffin with it. I pay for my items and continue on my walk back to the apartment.

As I walk, I put my muffin in the side pocket of my backpack. I miss the pocket opening and drop the muffin. The silifane wrap around the muffin made it hard to slip it in a pocket, one handed. Picking it up, I try to put it in the pocket again, but it slipped out of my hand and fell to the ground. Slightly frustrated, I decide to stop walking and put my coffee down to use both hands to put the damn muffin in the stupid pocket.

I turn back to my coffee and pick it up, when there stands someone in front of it. Due to limited lighting, to make out the person's face or gender is impossible.

I can't tell if they're a girl or a guy.

The dilemma is now how I should address this person, which is awkward. I am not sure what to say to this person, but not acknowledging their presence is just as awkward.

I need to say something…

"Oh hey, I didn't notice you there. Sorry."

Standing up and stepping away from them, I create some distance between us. They do not say anything and instead rests some uneasy silence.

"Hey, uh… is there something I can help you with?"

The silence lingers, for they do not reply. I want to walk on but the person is in my way.

"Well, I'll be on my way. Excuse me plea-"

The next thing I see is the ground and my face is pressed against it. I struggle to my feet, pushing my knees against the concrete, trying to get my legs underneath me. As I uneasily lift myself from the ground, I get pushed back down again with my head first.

What- what's happening to me?!

My arms and hands are twisted against my back. I attempt to pull my arms forward, but it creates more pain against my body, as if needles are puncturing my joints.

Assault! Assault!

In a panic, I pull my face to its side and breath what air I could to scream for help!

"SOMEONE! H-!"

Before a another word was said, there is a cloth over my mouth and nose. It is covered with something awful tasting and sweet smelling. I try to maneuver away from it, only for more force pushing onto my face with the stuff. I cough uncontrollably, inhaling more of the substance. Fire-like stings pierce throughout my nostrils and throat.

My eyes begin to blur a bit, for I can barely make out the post at the next streetlight. As an all-out effort, I kick my legs out and back, towards the offender. I try rolling my body over, to see if the they'll struggle to keep my arms locked. From the my added efforts, I begin to feel my muscles fatiguing and having a slower reaction.

My eyelids are feeling heavy and I think I am losing consciousness. As a final effort, I force my eyes to open for a second and all I saw was something red before I no strength left in me.

It was… Chloroform…

Chloroform was the last thing I said to myself before I succumbed to blackness.