by Jon Athan
With her chin planted on her palms, she absently stared at the capsules. In the silence of her lonely apartment, she pondered her limited options. She was left in a tranquil area, away from the ruckus of the busy world – not a creak from a floorboard or a swirl of the pipes. She knew she was simply wasting time.
Cindy smiled and sighed, then she said, “I'm out $500 anyway. I might as well give them a try. If they hurt me, if they kill me, then... then maybe it's doing me a favor. I just can't keep living like this. I have to move forward or I'll be left behind.”
The troubled woman wiped the gushing tears from her bloodshot eyes. She grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator, then she returned to the sink. She analyzed each capsule on the counter, as if her decision would make a difference. They all functioned the same, but she opted for the most vibrant capsules.
The sound of a creaky floorboard emerged from the living room.
Cindy clenched her jaw and furrowed her brow, terrified. She breathed deeply as she slowly turned towards the living room. A grimace materialized on her face upon spotting the source of the sound. Her attacker – the pale, thin, and nude woman – stood at the foot of her bed. Her quick, raspy breaths could be heard through the entire apartment. She clenched a shard of glass in her left hand and glared at Cindy.
The woman did not attack, though. She stared at Cindy's hand and gave a nod – do it.
Cindy placed a capsule towards the center of her tongue, then, with a swig of water, she swallowed the miracle capsule. Without taking her eyes off of the intruder, she tossed the other capsule in her mouth and repeated the process. The process was simple and familiar – just like taking a pill to alleviate a headache.
Yet, Cindy could not stop shaking. She was frightened and anxious, afraid of dying in her sleep due to a dream she pursued in her life. With a trembling hand, she took another swig of water. She hoped drowning the capsules with water would stop any harmful side-effects. At heart, she knew she was wasting her time and energy.
The intruder nodded and grunted, then she walked forward. She entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her, as if she were walking through her own home. She didn't turn on the light in the room, though.
Cindy sniffled as she reluctantly approached the bathroom. She stopped and leaned closer to the door – the bathroom was silent. She inhaled deeply, then she opened the door. The hinges squealed as the door slowly swung open. The light from the kitchen illuminated most of the bathroom. To her surprise, the woman miraculously vanished.
As she shambled towards her bed, Cindy whispered, “It was all in my head. She... She couldn't be real. No, she was never real.” She fell onto the bed and sank into the mattress. She stuttered, “It–It's time to move forward. It's... It's time for my rebirth.”
Chapter Seven
A Date
The perception of time depended on the person and the situation – a case-by-case phenomenon. Time usually moved at a slow pace during moments of extreme stress and depression. On the other hand, time moved at an accelerated pace when life was simple and relaxed. Cindy's life was moving at a breakneck speed, vaulting over the hurdles and plowing through the roadblocks.
Donning a white sundress, Cindy strolled down the beach. Her curled hair danced with the wind, undulating with each gust. She held her white sandals in her right hand, swinging her arms like a child with a basket on Easter. She held Joseph's hand with the other, interlocking her fingers with the man she loved. She couldn't help but feel liberated. For the first time in years, she felt confident.
Joseph stopped in his tracks. He glanced at the setting sun, stunned by the beautiful sky – a canvas painted with tints of red and pink. He stared down at himself and examined his appearance. He wore a large black t-shirt and black shorts. He wasn't an insecure man, but he wasn't feeling great about himself around his girlfriend.
As Cindy approached him, Joseph said, “I didn't want to bring this up during dinner, but you... Well, you look great. I mean, you always look great, but you look like you're glowing now. You look happy.”
Cindy blushed as she stared down at her bare feet. She said, “Thank you.”
“No problem, babe...” Joseph whispered. Before Cindy could walk away, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. He said, “Wait. I was just wondering if this change in mood was because of... because of your weight loss? I haven't seen you in a week and you've changed. It's... It's pretty crazy.”
Cindy simpered as she returned to her boyfriend, taking two steps to the left. She stared down at her body and shrugged. With the miracle capsule, she lost twenty pounds over the course of a week. The most she had ever lost in a week was two pounds before the capsules. Even then, she couldn't tell if it was due to natural weight fluctuations.
Twenty was a concrete number, though.
Joseph placed his hand on her chin and lifted her head. He said, “Look at yourself, Cin. Your face looks slimmer, your body looks tighter. I'm just... I'm amazed. I don't know what else to say.”
Cindy grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand down. She said, “You don't have to say anything else about it. We can talk about Charlotte's wedding next weekend instead. You have your tuxedo ready? Hmm? Michael has been texting me about it.”
“I'm not going to make it to the ceremony, the reception... None of it. My brother will be in town and I haven't seen him in a long time. He's only going to be here that weekend, too. Bad timing. I think of Michael as a brother, too, but this is blood. I'm sorry, babe.”
Cindy puckered her lips and moved her mouth to the side, disappointed in the response. Although she was losing weight at a rapid pace, she was still insecure about her appearance. Joseph was her knight in shining armor – a pillar to reinforce her ego. He was also a much heavier person, meaning most of the judgmental eyes would be locked on him – a diversion.
Cindy sighed, then she said, “It's okay. I understand. It's important to spend time with family. If I had a brother or a sister, I'd probably do the same. I'll go alone. I'll stop by, say hello, then leave when things get uncomfortable. It's fine.”
Cindy smiled and slowly walked away. The warm sand beneath her feet was unusually reassuring. She glanced towards the sea to her right. The water rippled towards the shore, crashing with each wave. The pellucid water was hypnotizing. The young woman found herself in paradise, surrounded by natural beauty.
She whispered, “It's all fine, sweetie...”
Joseph jogged to catch up to Cindy. As he walked beside her, he said, “Now that we've got that out of the way, let's go back and talk about your weight loss. If that's okay, at least. I don't want to pressure you or anything...” Cindy glanced at Joseph with a raised brow. Joseph chuckled and rubbed the nape of his neck, then he said, “I'm sorry. I'm just curious. I can't help myself. How did you do it? Huh? Please, tell me.”
Cindy asked, “Do you want the truth?”
“Talk to me.”
“I lost a little over 20 pounds in a week with a... a pill. I guess it's more of a capsule, but you know what I mean. I took two capsules and I lost all of this weight. I ate anything I wanted – ice cream, cheesecake, steak – and I still lost weight. It's a miracle capsule, Joseph. It's a blessing – a cure for my depression.”
Flabbergasted, Joseph asked, “You lost all of that weight with a capsule? And you ate whatever you wanted? Really?”
Teary-eyed and overjoyed, Cindy nodded and said, “Yeah. I know it's hard to believe, but that's the truth. It literally eats all of the fat. It doesn't even look like I'll have that much loose skin after, either. It's amazing, isn't it?”
Joseph chuckled as he stroked his beard. He was mystified by the spectacular results. He could believe someone losing twenty pounds in a week if she starved herself, but the circumstances didn't make sense. He found himself contemplating a single question: what kind of capsule can burn fat while the person consumed more food? He spent hours researching weight loss methods, but he couldn't think of an answer.
Joseph coughed to clear the anxiety from his throat, then he said, “I think it's great and all that you're happy. You know that's all I want for you. I want you to be happy. But, I'm just worried. Two capsules, twenty pounds, and plenty of eating... That doesn't sound right. And, if it is, it can't be healthy. What kind of capsule is it? What's the brand?”
How do you explain a concept you do not understand? Cindy bit her bottom lip and shook her head as she glanced around the serene environment. She didn't know how to explain herself or the capsule. She didn't even know the capsule's ingredients. She smirked as she pondered her ridiculous response – oh, I just bought them from a shady guy in the gym.
Cindy sighed, then she said, “I don't know every little thing about it, I just know it's a real fat eater. It's obviously working, too. And, you don't have to worry about my health. I'm fine. At the first sign of trouble, I'm going to run to the doctor. I promise.”
Joseph scoffed, “I know you, Cindy. You'll only run to the doctor if it's not an 'embarrassing' problem. If it is embarrassing, you're going to ignore it.”
“Don't be ridiculous. I understand the dangers of all dietary supplements. I've read about it, too. You're not the only one with the internet, Joe,” Cindy rebutted. As Joseph stared down at himself, dejected, Cindy said, “Listen, sweetie. I took a test run and I'm fine. I really have no issues. None at all. So, I want to offer you the same thing. I want to help you lose weight, too. Will you join me on this journey?”
Joseph stared at his girlfriend with narrowed eyes and a creased brow. He could feel the sincerity behind Cindy's request, but he couldn't understand her true intentions. His insecurities told him he wasn't good enough for her, especially if she continued to lose weight at such a rapid pace. In his cynical mind, he found the real question: will you lose weight with me or should I leave you for someone better?
Joseph said, “I don't know if I can do that. I mean, I don't even know what's in these capsules or where you got them.”
Cindy held her index finger to his lips, shushing him without uttering a sound. She asked, “Do you trust me?” Joseph nodded. The young woman said. “Good. That's all you need. You just have to trust me.”
Cindy opened her bag and retrieved a small ziplock bag. The bag was filled with the white-and-red capsules. Before their date, she prepared fifteen of her pills for her boyfriend – half of her supply. She wasn't sure if he would be willing to join her, but she wanted to be prepared. She took her step forward in life, but she didn't want to leave Joseph behind.
As she stared at the capsules, Cindy said, “If you take these capsules, then I know you're behind me. We'll lose weight together. We'll become healthy together. We'll become attractive together. We'll... We'll be the perfect couple. I understand if you don't want to take them, but I think it'll help us more than anything. You understand?”
Joseph marveled at the capsules, touching the bag with his fingertips. He said, “I'm with you. I'm just a little scared.”
“There's nothing to be scared of. You only have to take two capsules a week, then forget about it. You can eat whatever you want. You don't even have to exercise. The capsules will handle everything. Please, trust me, Joseph. I would never put you in harm's way.”
Joseph gazed at the capsules, contemplating his decision – take a step forward or stay behind. He grunted, then he grabbed the bag. He was reluctant, he was certainly skeptical, but he couldn't risk losing the love of his life.
He said, “Okay. I'll join you on this 'journey' or whatever you want to call it. Just... be careful. I'm not going to hesitate to call 911 if anything goes wrong.”
Cindy nodded and said, “That's great. You're a wonderful man. You're my protector, my knight in shining armor. Thank you. Thank you for everything.”
The couple embraced with the sun setting behind them. Knowing the capsules were effective, the pair closed a chapter in their lives and moved forward. They were prepared to improve themselves until they reached a happy ending – a fairy tale ending. Such a dream finale was elusive, but the woman was determined to find happiness – by any means necessary.
Cindy leaned away from the hug, smiling like a teenage girl at prom. The happiness was overwhelming, causing her to feel giddy. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach, insects scurried across her skin, and her mind was clear like a summer day. She always loved Joseph, but she felt as if she were falling in love with another man – a new man for a new woman.
Cindy kissed her boyfriend, then she said, “Our future will be lovely, wealthy, and healthy. I promise.”
Chapter Eight
The Wedding
Standing towards the center of the elevator, Cindy inhaled deeply as she stared at her reflection on the mirror. She licked her lips as she practically leered at herself. She didn't see a human blob or an atrocious monster in the mirror anymore. Although a bit conceited, she saw a beautiful young woman looking back at her.
Over the course of two weeks, Cindy lost fifty pounds. She was still overweight, but she felt comfortable in her skin. She wore a black cape dress down to her thighs and matching high heels. The outfit was flattering for her curvaceous figure. Although she disliked her gut, she actually enjoyed seeing her thick thighs.
Thick figures were popular that year thanks to the reality stars and pop singers with butt and breast implants. She was real, though, and she was finally proud.
As she gently caressed her newfound jawline, Cindy whispered, “You're looking good, Cin. You're shedding the weight. You're showing them you're not a quitter, you're not a loser. You're becoming a sexy little thing. Some of these boys might actually like a little extra weight, too. They might–”
Ding – the elevator's bell disrupted her self-talk.
Cindy turned towards the sliding doors, grinning from ear-to-ear. She glanced every which way as she examined the gorgeous banquet hall for Charlotte's wedding reception. She was astonished by the beauty of the top floor of the building, hypnotized by the sheer affluence.
Cindy smiled and waved as she walked past the genial greeter – a charming young man reciting the same line to every visitor. She walked up the lavish stairs, watching every step to avoid an unnecessary tumble. The beautiful chandeliers above the stairs, sparkling like diamonds in the sun, caught her eye.
She whispered, “How much does it cost to rent a place like this?”
She stopped at the top of the stairs, as if she had reached the top of the world. In reality, she was only at the top of the local High Tower Club – the tallest building in the small city. She could see the guests mingling at the full bar to her left. She could hear the club music blaring from the dance hall directly ahead. To her right, there was a quiet seating area with a beautiful view of the city.
The lounge was fairly simple with its accommodations, but it was elegant and popular. Partying in the clouds was a major selling point. The High Tower Club offered the highest physical location in the city. It didn't get any better.
Cindy walked across the banquet hall, nodding and waving at the other guests. Aside from a few mutual friends, she didn't move in the same social circle as Charlotte. She wasn't acting snobby, she was simply shy. She sought refuge in the seating area, trying to avoid the crowds. She approached the ceiling-height windows.
The young woman whispered, “It's beautiful...”
From her position, she could see the smaller buildings around the club, the crowded streets, and the fields beyond the commercial area. She felt closer to the dazzling sun and the vibrant blue sky than ever before. She couldn't help but feel empowered as she stood above most of the city's population. Standing on the 25th floor, she felt as if she had finally reached the top of the ladder. It wasn't her party, but it was something to celebrate.
As she stared at the pedestrians on the streets below, Cindy said, “I'll be here permanently someday and... all of you will stay down there. All of you will be beneath me, right where you belong. All of you will–”
“Cindy! Is that you? No w
ay,” a woman said in a shrill, enthusiastic tone. Cindy glanced over her shoulder and spotted the person responsible for the obnoxious call – Charlotte Torres. As she approached, Charlotte said, “You look absolutely a-mazing, sweetie. I... I don't even know what to say. Looking at you, it feels like it's been months since I've last seen you. How... How much weight did you lose, hun?”
Cindy was wonderstruck by Charlotte's beauty, incapable of speaking. Her best friend wore a tight white sheath wedding dress. The dress complemented her curvy figure perfectly. Her silky hair was tied in a chignon bun. She wore plenty of make-up, but she still appeared natural. An angel on earth, the woman was gorgeous.
Her graceful beauty brought Cindy down a notch. Envy slipped into her mind, but she bottled her jealousy for another time.
Cindy said, “Hey, Charlotte. Forget about me for a second. Congratulations on your wedding. You look... stunning. I'm... I'm jealous, really. Wow!”
Charlotte shook her head and said, “I look stunning? Please. This is all bought. Look at yourself, Cin. You're a total babe. Seriously, how much have you lost? What's your secret?”
Cindy blushed and said, “Well, I've lost 50 pounds – almost sixty, actually. As you can see, I've lost a lot of fat.”
“How? Jesus, you look amazing.”
“I found a 'miracle' regimen, I guess. I mean, I'm getting a little bit of help, but it's also a bit of dieting and exercise. You know, I finally found a really good routine. I found something that works for me.”
Charlotte held Cindy's wrists and leaned closer. Cindy was astonished by her friend's sheer beauty. She was lost in the woman's glimmering eyes – the eyes of an innocent puppy asking for a treat – who could say 'no?' She couldn't resist her. At the same time, she couldn't resist the feelings of envy boiling within. She could hide it from the world, but she couldn't hide it from herself.
