I closed my eyes and let out a shuddering breath. My fingers were numb and cold, my arm aching where the needle pierced the vein. Something clattered onto the pavement, and I looked down to see the needle. It had slipped out of my hand. Nothingness swirled around me, bringing the first sense of peace I'd felt in my short, miserable life. There was no one to miss me, and no one I would miss. There's always someone else to beat or rape. The regulars would move on quickly. I died. Only...wasn't death supposed to be dark? And since when did 'nothingness' have so many gods? Discord: https://discord.gg/PX3xqJdZMY
The village positively glowed with excitement. Colorful ribbons, streamers, and banners flapped in the icy breeze, strung from every house and fixture. Children ran to and fro, laughing and playing together, ignoring the irate calls of their parents in the energy of the day. Even the adults' eyes shone with enthusiasm, each dressed in their finest. Over it all, the church bell continued to ring, summoning the village to its halls.