The moment his reflection cast upon the wine glass, I descended into a different life.

It was noon. I could tell from the sun beating down directly atop my head. I could feel the skin sizzling off the back of my neck and the sweat creasing down the line of my back.

Strolling along the crooked pathway, I watched as the trees shed to nakedness. I gazed as the last brown leaf broke away from its bare branch and sifted down onto the pavement. The trees were officially dead. But not. They would soon come back to life at the departure of winter and the arrival of spring. For now they are just dead, but life has not yet given up on them. What an ignored significance they hold. It's a shame nobody cares. You should let the dead winter trees not sadden you, but inspire you. Inspire you to think, to create, to write, to paint. Let it be your muse. Let the trees carve your imagination and give you air to breathe. Let winter bring out the sun in you.

The unbearable scream of a pissed off child snapped me out of my daydreaming. I slipped out the bronze pocket watch from my petticoat. An hour had passed.

The rhythmic clicks of my heels became the centerpiece of my listening -along with the giggling of the children playing and the constant chirping of birds. I stared blankly at the lake as kids fed loaf to the ducks and chased around the pigeons. The lake was crystallized. Just the night before, it was frozen over. But now with the sun radiating off its true power and showing itself one last time before winter took her strife, everything was melting. The lake simmered billions of diamond gold fragments as it reflected the face of the godlike star. I eventually encountered the end of the park, and strode across Ave 12 to the market. There I bought a bottle of perfume. I was going out with a few friends and their dates that night. My date -he didn't exist.

I stared into the mirror for half an hour, gazing at my reflection with no distinct, precise thoughts running through my head. I just stared at my face, just looking at my features. I took the mascara and brushed it against my already-long eyelashes that edged my dark brown eyes. I got up, dressed my neck with a ruby pendant, and threw my coat on. The black silk of my dress threatened no help of keeping me warm tonight. Winter finally scared the sun back into the darkness.

The second I stepped outside, the air stabbed right through me and took hold of my breathing. I sighed, and began my way down the street to the restaurant. Right then, the wrathful rumble of thunder echoed throughout the city. I drew up my umbrella and continued to walk.

There showered the pelting black droplets of night, yet the cobblestones reflected sun.

The street lamps glowed against the wet stones, and the heavy pounding of the pouring rain slapped the streets with an attempt of leaving some sort of impression in the ground. I descended into the pitch black and kept my mind on the sound of my heels, on the whispering of the air.

As I approached the doorman, he smirked at me and tipped his hat. It was nice to finally be inside. The warmth was overwhelming and so satisfying. One of the hosts, with his pearl white gloves and magnificent posture, led me across the restaurant to where my friends were. As I followed him, relaxation took its turn. The clinking of glasses and the background chatter of intimate couples led me back to my reminiscing self. I gazed at the maroon paisley couches and their golden outer rims. I took shape into the dark beige wallpaper and the warming fire-lit glow of the lamps and centerpiece candles. The red carpet carved bronze designs across the widespread canvas and the tablecloths dangled like blackened waterfalls. The ceiling towered over like a medieval castle and chandeliers hung everywhere, shining a dim light, but glittering hundreds of flawlessly divine crystals. Deep red curtains draped from the ceiling to the floor while gold and silver vases filled with red roses ran across thin tables against the walls.

"Charlotte!" Monica yelled from the bar, "you're finally here!" There I saw my friends waiting, each with a martini -and the men with vodka- in hand. "This here is Landon, he's a waiter on one of those 5 star dine and travel trains." The man seemed to stare down at me as if I had three eyes. All the men my friends brought along seemed to not take positive views of me. I kind of enjoyed it. I plotted myself onto one of the stools and prepared for the dreading night.

I sat back and watched as my friends were wooed by their dates. I tore my gaze off them, only to land my eyes on another couple at the other end of the bar. The man kissing her neck, whispering at her ear, while his hand felt her knee. The girl smiling away, enjoying every minute of it while a man made her feel special for once. I then looked at all the other couples in the room. Watched as the men seduced their dates over the candle light, telling her lies and a myriad of overused compliments. I sighed and asked the bartender to pour me another shot. This was going to be a long night.

"Alright darling, I think it's best Dominic and I leave now. You have a nice night, you got me? And lay off the shots, you've had enough already. Farewell, I'll see you soon."

I stared as Caroline and her date walked off. He wrapped his hand around her waist and smiled into her hair, seducing her with another compliment. Her giggling echoed throughout the restaurant, blending in with the giggles of the other wooed women in the place.

I became entranced in the captivating scenery yet again. I gazed at the detailed architecture of the building and the glorious decor. The dim light of the place made everything even more vivid and powerful. So deep and sensual. Pressing the wine glass against my lips, I let the last drop spill upon my tongue. I slowly settled the glass on the table, and reluctantly prepared to leave for home.

The rain had descended, everything was still and quiet. The cobblestones were drenched and radiated the silver fluorescent rays of the lonely lunar moon. As I walked back home, I decided to take another detour around the park. It was past midnight, nobody would be out this late. It seemed perfect for a quiet stroll.

Giggling to myself, mocking men I met that night, mocking the night itself, I descended down to the lake. The pitch black water seemed so uninviting. I gazed at the reflection it held. The reflection of the lit trees, the dim street lamps, me. I was a complete mess.

"Why hello there Charlotte, how do you do?" I tapped on the face smiling back at me and the water radiated ripples, repeating themselves throughout. I stepped back, and stared at the lake as a whole. I bent down, picked up a stone, and threw it across the lake. Ripples sheered across, breaking apart the picture, making the whole reflection a blur. I sat on a bench and watched as the lake returned to its original position. Except, something wasn't right. The lake returned back to flat, but the reflection was not the same. The picture was not a picture of the park anymore. It was sinister. There I saw a castle of deep gray stone. It was remote, sitting atop a vast hill -a hill tainted with silver sharp stone. It towered over and grew with intense saturation. The picture grew darker and darker, fading deeper into the night. Then I blacked out.