Cristiana couldn't remember anything else after that interaction. She assumed that she'd gotten drunk, and he'd taken her back to his apartment.
The next thing she remembered was being back in her dorm, sitting on the floor. Tears poured down her face as she clutched a positive pregnancy test in her hands. Her life was over. She didn't have the money for this. Or the time.
A month later, she was back home living with her father. He didn't do much, besides watching T.V. all day while he drank. That was all he ever did now, after losing his wife. He had no purpose anymore. So instead of wallowing in grief, he numbed everything by drinking. At first, Cristiana felt disgusted by him. Not because of his addiction. But because of his emptiness. She was his daughter, yet he barely acknowledged her in the mornings and completely forgot about her in the night.
Her belly began to grow, and Cristiana found herself working three jobs, day and night, so she would have enough to live on her own while supporting the baby.
But it was all too stressful. At first, she would just have a sip or two out of her father's pantry, just to take the edge off a long day. But as she became more stressed, the amount she drank progressed. One drink wouldn't be enough to make her feel better. Two drinks wouldn't be enough to satisfy her wandering mind. Would it really hurt the baby if she had just a few more?
Not long after, the miscarriage occurred. She'd cried on the bathroom floor for hours but there was nothing to be done.
And just like her father, Cristiana became overwhelmed with grief. Only alcohol could take the pain away.
She was addicted.
*****
"I killed my baby," Cristiana sobbed. "I was a stupid child, with way too many burdens. So, I drowned her in alcohol. I'm a fucking monster, Milly."
Milly hugged her again, and Cristiana buried her face into her shoulder. "You're not a monster. You've just…made some wrong decisions. Maybe I'm the monster even. After all, I am the one who made you go to the party with me."
"Can you help me?" She sniffled. "Get out of this situation? I don't want to go to jail. I don't deserve it. Please...there has to be something you can do."
Milly shook her head. "I don't think so. Not after you blatantly confessed to the murder. What could I do anyway? I'm just a waitress…."
"Assistant waitress," a voice said from behind them.
Milly gasped and pulled away from her.
Cristiana frowned. Something shiny was poking through her chest. A sword?
The blade retracted and Milly collapsed to the ground.
Standing over the corpse of her best friend was Gerard.