"Do you ever think of the good things, or only ever the bad?"
"The bad totally outweighs the good. I'm sick of this positivity bias that everyone seems to have."
"Do you ever think you might have a negativity bias?"
"No. I'm a realist all the way."
"Okay, well to each their own." Zoe went to collect her stuff and Olivia stood there. Something about what Zoe had said got under her skin, but she couldn't figure out why.
***
NEVER TURN BACK
The trunk of the car was jam-packed with stuff they had looted from the mall. Everything that one might need for any foreseeable situation. Zoe obtained a knife set from the kitchen section, and from that night decided she would have a weapon on her at all times.
Olivia was glad to be on the road again with the expanse of open blue sky above her. The road felt safe and familiar now.
"We should get another car. This one is not big enough," said Michael as he watched the three back seat passengers squirm in their seats with stuff on their laps and jammed in the foot-well. We need an MPV, at least. "It will have loads of trunk space."
"I'm down for that. We'll stop when we find a showroom. Do you know where they keep the keys. In the office, I guess."
"Olivia," Zoe called from the back seat. "I know this is last minute, but I've always wanted to go to Santa Barbara. They call it the American Riviera, just like being in the Mediterranean."
"That sounds great. I think the ocean would do us some good. What do you think guys?" Olivia turned her head to face everyone in the back seat.
"I don't see why not," said Dana.
"I'm down." Luke added.
"Road-trip!" Olivia shouted to no response, so she silently input their new destination in the sat nav and picked the scenic route.
***
"I'm going to stop now guys, I really need the loo." Olivia pulled up on the side of the road.
"I love how you say loo." Michael smiled.
"Oh, we have other terms for it. Bog, crapper. Porcelain throne."
"Yeah, just stick with loo."
"It's better than wash room, or rest room anyway. How euphemistic. Are you that terrified of bodily functions?"
"Uh, hypocrite much? What does loo even mean? Sounds like a word from a children's book."
"Whatever." She got out of the car.
Olivia couldn't be bothered to wait for a proper toilet, so opted for going behind a shrub. The sandy mountains sloped gently in the distance. The large open spaces cleared her mind, and she took a deep breath.
"You done yet? I'm frying in here. Can we turn the air con on?" Dana yelled from the open window.
"Two seconds!" She finished the deed and pulled up her shorts. "You lot are so impatient." She returned to the car and noticed a fine layer of dirt building up on the bodywork. Running her finger over it, she realised how much brighter the paint looked underneath. The grime would build up just slowly enough that you wouldn't notice until it was too late. She wrote a message in the dirt with her fingertip before getting back in the car and grabbing a bottle of hand sanitizer from the glove box.
"Look at this." Michael passed her a glossy magazine bent back on the center spread. Olivia wiped the remainder of the gel off her hands and took the magazine. "Luke, would you mind grabbing me a bottle of water from the back?"
Michael looked at her eagerly, like a dog just about to go on its daily walk. "It's about this luxury rehab center not too far from Santa Barbara. All the celebrities would go there to get clean. You know, do loads of yoga, meditate, drink loads of wheat grass. That kind of thing, It's one of those holistic places. It's right by the sea and the building looks amazing. I think we should spend the night there. I mean, look at it.
The photos showed a building right on the coast. The huge modern glass panels contrasted with beautiful old wood. "Very nice."
"The world is our oyster, we might as well make the most of it."
"What do you guys think?" Olivia passed the magazine to Luke in the back.
His eyes scanned the article. "Wow, have you seen the prices they charged to stay there?"
"Not anymore."
"We have to go here. This is gorgeous. Look at the view from the deck. How far away is it?"
"Still over an hour away according to the sat nav."
Gravel spat up as Olivia pulled back onto the road and continued towards Santa Barbara on the West Side Highway.
***
It was midday by the time they got to the treatment center, which was hard to find, tucked away from any built-up areas. The satellite navigation had tried to send them the other way, as if it didn't want this secret place discovered. The building perched precariously on the cliff top, paying the price for the sea view. The cliff was paler in some parts than others where rock had come away and fallen down onto the beach below. Despite the evidence of erosion, the sea was calm and the gentle sounds of the waves lapping the sand calmed Olivia in a way nothing else could. The modern structure of the facility reminded her of the shows she used to watch at home where people with more money than sense designed unique and elaborate homes that filled her with envy.
"It's official. I love this place. I will be living here forever from here on out." Olivia suppressed the urge to jump up and down like she used to jump on a bed as a child when something went her way. She started questioning why she was so happy. Things were bad, weren't they? "I'm going to try the pool." The pool looked okay from a distance, but when she got closer, she could see a fine layer of scum. Of course. There were some stray insects and plant matter floating about. She considered scooping all the crud out of the pool but could not summon the energy, not with so much sleep to catch up on.
"OMG. The rooms are amazing." Dana ran out the front door to tell them and ran straight back in.
"Want to be room-mates again?" Michael suggested as they crossed the threshold.
"Of course." There was a check-in area with some seating and as they walked the hardwood floor creaked underfoot. Out the back there was a huge communal deck overlooking the ocean, with rooms on either side opening out onto balconies.
"Which room do you think," Michael asked.
"I'm not fussy. As long as I have a bed, and you're here." She leaned in for a kiss. "It's so beautiful here."
"You're so beautiful here. You look so happy."
"Oh, it won't last. Once the novelty wears off." She tried to detract from the compliment, especially one so cringe-worthy.
"Well, let's try to make sure that doesn't happen." He returned her kiss.
They entered one of the rooms. It was light and airy, and the bed looked freshly made. The sheets were still clean and crisp.
"Hopefully we'll finally have some alone time."
"Yes, please." He moved up close to her.
"Olivia! Michael!" Dana shouted.
"What!" Olivia yelled.
"Come here."
"What now!!" Olivia needed at least 6 hours of sleep, a good shower, and to get laid. One more distraction and she may be driven to homicide.
They went into the main lounge area and through to a dining area.
"What is that?" A faint banging sound hit Olivia's ear.
"It's in the kitchen. I'm too scared to check it out alone. Especially after last night."
"Where is Luke and Zoe?"
"They're outside cleaning the pool."
"Should we get a weapon? I don't want to take any unnecessary risks." Michael asked.
"Let's just do this." Olivia stormed into the kitchen and could hear a knocking on the door. "It looks like a storage cupboard." She turned the knob, but it was locked."
TRANSFORMATION
"Is someone there?" A male voice called out from behind the door and the banging intensified.
"Who are you?" Dana asked.
"Cory Bennett. Now get me out of here. What the hell is going on here? I've been stuck in here forever."
"We're just finding a key." Dana shouted throu
gh the keyhole. "try to calm down." A set of keys were hanging on a peg, and Olivia grabbed them and ran back to the door. "I hope these are the ones." She tried the first, but it didn't work. When she put in the second one, she felt a click and the lock mechanism turning. A tall male burst out the door, gasping as if the room he was in had no oxygen left, and stood in the middle of the kitchen blinking and dazed.
"You're Corey Bennett." Dana declared.
"Yes, I said that already."
"But, you're 'the' Corey Bennett."
"Oh god, you're not a fan, are you?"
"Well kinda. It's just you're so famous. It's just weird seeing you like this."
"Are you a guest?"
"Not exactly."
"I am gonna sue the shit out of this place. I was in that closet for days. Thank god there was food and bottled water in there. I could have died, those negligent fucks. I need a member of staff now!"
"There is no staff."
"Well, where are they? They think they can just go and leave a load of addicts on their own. I am going to sue them for everything they are worth."
"I'm not really sure how to tell you this, but something has happened. Basically, everyone has vanished. Everyone but us, and you."
"Ha, I'm tripping right?" He waved his hand squarely in Dana's face.
"What are you doing?" She backed away, her jaw hanging open in surprise.
"You're not real."
"I assure you I am." She took another step back.
"Are you like actors or something? Am I being Punked?"
Olivia interjected, "We are real. You are real. Everyone else has disappeared. We no longer have electricity. We all tried to kill ourselves and woke up and the world was just like this."
"Wow, you're crazy lady."
"Well, now I have told you. Believe it. Don't believe it. I don't care. Now I'm going to have a nap." Olivia was done with the drama for now and headed straight for her room. Celebrity or not, there was only one thing she cared about right now, sleep.
***
The sun was setting when Olivia woke up, and the room took on an orange glow. Energized, she got straight out of bed, still in her clothes, and wandered out onto the balcony. Michael stood leaning against the balcony rail and looking out ahead at the sky. Wispy lilac clouds were suspended in the air like cotton candy.
"Hello sleepy head."
"Tell me something. Did I see Corey Bennett locked in a closet or did I just dream that?" Her hair blew in the evening breeze, so she tucked it behind her ear.
"You weren't dreaming. He's calmed down a bit now. Every one is firing questions at him though. We're going to eat in the dining room. I was just going to grab some stuff from the car and set the table. You hungry?"
"Bloody starving."
***
A weighty bag full of wine bottles cut into Olivia's fingers as Michael carried the crate of beer and they made their way to the dining area. There was a large polished wood communal table where they placed down the alcohol.
"You are lifesavers." Corey grabbed a cork screw and plunged it into the cork, which popped out with ease when he pulled it out. "Best sound ever."
"So did you try to kill yourself?"
"Olivia, that's so inappropriate." Zoe's face went beet red.
"It's fine," said Corey. "I couldn't stand this place. I hated what the drugs were doing to me, but I hated the optimistic hippy dippy bullshit of this place more. They were so full of shit. I could see my future y'know. My career was free falling. I know I'd reached my peak and there was no-where to go but down."
"So you did try to kill yourself."
"I tried to hang myself in there."
"How, there's not even enough space in there."
"You can hang yourself on anything. Ever hear of partial suspension? Anyway, I woke up. It didn't work. I tried it over and over. I gave up." Corey had somehow already finished his first glass of wine.
"Sorry if we ruined your sobriety." Olivia apologised.
"I'm not sober anymore. It's not like there is a society to judge me. I can do what I like."
Olivia sipped her wine and listened to him rant. There was something cathartic about not having to say a word, but hearing someone say a lot of things you are thinking. The wine also helped.
"Are you into anything?"
"Like what?"
"Like drugs."
"I have a bit of weed now and then. Not that much though. It just makes me feel tired. Tried coke once. Was okay, nothing special. I've always wanted to try hallucinogenics. Not sure which. Maybe mushrooms, mescaline. I don't know. I'm no expert."
"We should do that. Tomorrow. On the beach. You will love it. Trust me."
"Do you have any?"
"I called my friend to drive and hide some for me nearby. I didn't want to leave here, but I couldn't be without the whole time. Plus, I was going to have a massive bender when I got out."
"But you don't like it here anyway, why stay?"
"It's a condition of my pre-prosecution diversion. One too many DUI's."
"Maybe that is a good reason to be sober," said Olivia.
"I realize I was being a colossal prick back then. I won't be driving drunk again, trust me. But I can't be sober. I just don't have it in me."
"So what was it like on the set of Fallen Grave?" Zoe interrupted. "That film is one of my all-time favorites. I've seen it at least five times." Zoe had her elbows on the table and leaned in, gazing at him like he was a priceless piece of art on a gallery wall, like he would reveal some great truth of the universe to her.
Olivia watched them converse. Corey used his hands a lot when talking, in fact he moved his whole body. She couldn't remember every seeing someone so animated. In contrast to this, Zoe was glued to the spot, transfixed by his every movement.
***
THE TRIP
The waves bubbled and foamed like a chemical reaction as they hit the sand, making a fizzing sound that reminded Olivia of an open bottle of a soda. It was yet another still and sunny day, and Corey had used his charms to lure everyone to the beach for what he called psychedelic therapy. Olivia looked over at Zoe, who fidgeted nervously, and hoped she wasn't just doing this to impress her new celebrity crush. She was certain she had read somewhere that LSD was good for trauma. It let people bring everything to the surface that they had been suppressing, but she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if Zoe had a bad trip.
Corey gave everyone a tab each with a small inoffensive rainbow printed on it. "Ready everyone?"
"It's now or never." Michael was first to place his on his tongue and Olivia followed suit.
"So how long does it take to kick in anyway?" Dana asked after she dissolved her tab on her tongue.
"Not long. Once you get it, you'll know." Corey looked well after his escape from the storage cupboard. His hair was now clean and glossy and the dark bags had gone, revealing his perfect skin tone.
The sand was hot under Olivia's hands and she picked it up, letting it slowly escape through her fingers. She laid back and watched the sky as seagulls screeched in the background. Relaxing wasn't something she was accustomed to, and doing nothing felt wrong, so she sat upright again. A shift happened, and the world in front of her started to look different. It was subtle, but it was definitely different, like a filter in front of her eyes. The sand seemed more distant yet more real at the same time, so she had to touch it again to check its realness. The grains were tiny, and she brought them up to her face. Each individual grain looked so different from the others, some sparkled like crystal and others were a variety of shapes and colors.
"Having fun there?" Corey grinned. His grin was way too wide for her liking, like a clown's mouth.
"Fine. Except, I've got an insect in my drink." She could see the dimples where its feet indented the liquid, but still balanced on it, and she took a moment to consider the miraculousness of being able to walk on water.
"Uh, that's just a hair." Corey fished it out with his pin
ky finger.
"Oh, how about that."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. I feel really chilled right now." Olivia looked over at Dana. Her eyes were wide, but she had a smile on her face, so she didn't worry about her too much. Zoe was stroking the fabric of the towel she was lying on.
"Corey, what's it like being famous? Having all those people watching you."
"It sucks, but it's addictive at the same time. Like a few days ago, I was something, now I'm just like every other shmuck."
"Don't worry. Your good. You're still this enigma. You just have this energy. Oh god, I sound like such a twat. I'm one of them now." She laughed, and it wouldn't stop. "Ah, it's too much." Her nose started running uncontrollably, and her eyes streamed.
"Guys I don't feel great." Zoe rolled around trying to get comfortable.
"Zoe. You are fine. You are so good. Trust me. Look at where we are." Olivia crawled across the sand and gave her a hug.
"You're right. This is so good. I should always listen to you. Your hair is so soft." She stroked the top of Olivia's head like you would a pet.
"No way. My hair is like wire wool, I'm telling you."
"No, no, it's perfect. Trust me."
"I always trust you."
Michael watched them with a smile, but also tears.
"Oh my god Michael what's wrong?"
"That was just really nice."
"You're really nice." Olivia crawled over to him next and cupped his head in her hands. "You're amazing. You are perfect."
"So are you." The tears came harder now. Half laughter and half because of the absurdity of the situation.
Corey crawled in-between them. "I don't mean to break this up because you guys are everything, but I just have to ask. Do you believe in fate?"
"Absolutely," replied Michael. "There are so many things that happen and you just know it is supposed to. You know what I mean?"
"Totally," agreed Corey. "I was waiting in line for an audition once. This was early days for me. I had done shitty little commercials up to that point. Anyway, I got a bad case of deja vu and just felt compelled to tell the guy behind me, then he said, 'whenever you get deja vu, it means that you're somewhere you're meant to be.' I was meant to be there at that audition because it was my big break. Fate is everything."
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