One Hit - a narrative by Erica Cooke.

Breathless, Disoriented, Scared. The crystally soft looking powder, that looked as if it could cause no harm three months ago how no over taken my life. Nothing seems like its real anymore; The only real thing I know right now is the pounding footsteps hitting the uneven forest ground.

The cops are relentless chasing after me, or so I think. Like i already told you the differene between reality, and fantasy anymore. Things weren't always this way though; in one hit this demon captured me forever.

'Come on!' This monster urges me on. 'You'll love me, what could go wrong?'

I didn't know then what i know now. Everything can go wrong. It caused me to lose my true friends, family, home, and money. No longer have an ambition for school, but instead I do have to things. A criminal record, and the monster.

It's as if it feeds on my soul. It needs me so it can survive. Suddenly, as i'm lost in this dream, I collapse into the moist mush of forest ground, unable to run any further, although I dont know why. As i lay there, I think back to a time when life wasn't so difficult; before everything could, and did go wrong. I'm four again, tears roll down my face as I watch my parents drive away from the perschool. My biggest fear then was having my mommy and daddy leave me.

How much this cruel world has taught me since then. It has taught me things that even with countless amounts of love, everyone dies sometime.

Curled into a fetal position, I think of when it all started how I got where I am. Seventh Grade. My first year of high school. The same day I smoked my first cigarette, is also the same day I had my first drink. Until ninth grade, I would do all my school work during the week, and party during the weekend.

Then I met Ecstasy. I skipped class, quit my job, and ended up failing the year. Ecstasy then introduced me to nine mm. IT was essential he went with me everytime I needed to go see her. It causes me to get kicked out of my house, and almost sent to Juvinal Detention In Mirimichi. After three months in a group home, Ecstasy and I were no longer allowed to see each other. Partying went back to weekends, and my grades when back up. I could now move home.

Everything went smoothly the rest of the year. Until the last day of school. That was when they told me he was gone. .My father was dead. Quickly my life went back into turmoil. I had no grasp of time, and I was unable to slow this downward fall into alcohalism, and drug abuse once again. And now here I am. Breathless, Disoriented, Scared, with white under my nose. This won't last much longer; and I dont know yet, but I'm about to black out; and with what just might be my final breath I say to myself, " and it all started with one hit. "

* I wrote this narrative at the first of my school year. Most of this is true facts of my life, with some more of what could've been. Since then I have changed once again, and I feel better about my self. Im still here. The monster couldn't have me anymore. *