Chapter 1: Dirty Little Secret

It was a chilly, rainy Saturday evening in November. The city was crowded with people and traffic despite the rain. I blew warm air into my frozen hands and placed them in my jacket pockets. I released a shivering sigh as I was walking through the wet streets. I raised my head to look up at Mallory's apartment building. The apartment building was old but still a sturdy structure. It has 4 floors and her apartment was at the very top. I push the black bar gate to enter the complex. I passed two stair cases, one on my left and one on my right, until I turn right to the second stair case and start trenching up.

Mallory, why can't you be on the first floor? Ugh, I'm so out of shape!

I tried to pretend I wasn't having any trouble breathing so I can feel healthy but it was prominent that I was huffing and puffing through my nose. Eventually I get to her floor and by that time I'm breathing out my mouth. My legs felt really warm like they wanted to give out. I was so ready to just sit down. I straighten up and walk in a slow pace as I turn to the second red apartment door to my right. I take a deep breath to adjust my breathing back to normal and knocked on the door. There was a quick silence until I hear the latch on the other side and see the door knob turning. Mallory opens the door as she smiles and gives a small wave.

"Kota! C'mon in. Is it really cold out there?", Mallory asked as she stepped to one side to let me in. I walk through and give a shrug. "Eh, not really." I said as I start taking off my wet jacket and hang it on her coat rack. I instinctively take off my black Van slip-ons in her section where she keeps all her shoes before she leaves the house. She's somewhat of a neat freak. I head towards her beige couch as I'm rubbing my hands together to get them back to normal temperature. I turn around and threw myself on her couch. I lay my arms and legs wide open and moved my head back in a dramatic dead tired pose.

"Mallory...why the hell did you pick the 4th floor? Damn, I'm so tired..." I said sighing with closed eyes.

"Because I like the view of the city at night. It's so pretty. You just need to go to the gym more." She said smiling and raising a brow. She walked towards me with her hands on her hips.

"Whatever dude, anyways what are you up?" I say as I open my eyes and lift my head; my body is still in the same position.

"Weeeeelll... I recently discovered something that one of my classmates told me about and... it could be a good thing or a bad thing...?" She says this as she places her fingers against each other and tilts her head to the side. She said it as if she was afraid I'll judge her or something.

"Okay... so what is it?" I say confused.

"The dark web. Have you ever heard about it?"

"Yeah, but I never really had an interest to even attempt to get on there. I'm curious but not really driven to find out."

She intertwines her hands together and says, "Well, I was so curious about it and I was actually able to get on it. I mean, it took me like 4 days but I eventually got on. But anyways, I feel like we can help you with your problem by going on the dark web."

My body rose up as my eyes widen. I give her a deep look before I say, "Are your serious? You think so? I mean, this would help me so much."

She shrugs and says, " I mean, it's worth a shot. They say you can find shit like that on the dark web. Hell, you can even find shit you don't want to find on the dark web." She chuckles.

I stand up as my hands touches me cheeks. I look up as I'm lost in thought, wondering if it would work... If I could find the one... The one lover who can... fill my masochistic lifestyle.