He spotted me across the elegant ballroom floor. My eager smile caught his attention, my aura drew him close. I knew I was the perfect target. I knew it was only time until he came for me. We made eye contact. What mesmerising eyes they were. Intense. Sharp and alluring. Beautiful.
        Perfect!
        As he approached with confident steps, I straightened my spine. He was the release I yearned for. That I prayed for. He wore a sly smile, not too toothy, but toothy enough. A smirk upon his lips that promised a night I would never forget. Oh, how I wished he would fulfil that promise.
       The feeling he ignited was foreign. Excitement and fear all at once. Guilt gripped my heart. I knew this wasn’t for me. I knew he wasn’t for me. But I wanted him so bad. I craved him so much. The thought alone brought joy to my bleak life. The possibility of him claiming me was all I ever wanted.
        So as he stopped before me, searching my soul with those seductive eyes, my heart hammered against my chest. I hoped I was enough. I needed to be enough. He reached out gently in the dimly lit room, silently asking my permission to dance. Without hesitation, I gracefully placed my hand in his, allowing him to drag me off to the dance floor. He placed a strong hand on my waist, roughly pulling me closer.
        I was flushed against him. I could feel the beating of what would have been his heart. His breath hit the tip of my nose, moving along my cheek to my ear. Softly, he panted on it. Low husky groans escaped his throat.
        I could feel my heart clawing out of my chest, trying to jump into his hands. My chest heaved heavily against him, my nose nestling in the crook of his neck, inhaling his intoxicating scent. It was simply addictive. Strong yet subtle. Addicting and suffocating. Slowly, I stuck my tongue out trailing it along his neck.
        Mmm…
        He even tasted delightful!
        I knew he was a drug and I was hooked. But this time, I didn’t mind being an addict.
        “You are exquisite,” he whispered as we swayed on the ballroom floor. I’d always hoped to hear those words from a gentleman who wanted me. “You’re perfect. I want you.” I moaned at his words, my legs turning liquid. He thought I was perfect.
        Me, perfect!
        “Really?” I questioned.
        “Yes. I knew one day I’d find you. I knew one day you would want me as much as I wanted you.”
        “I’ve always wanted you,” I whispered. As he pulled me even tighter than before, a gasp escaped me. He had been my goal since I discovered he could have been my escape. That he could be my release. My peace. But this goal quickly turned into an obsession. I had to have him even if it cost me everything.
        He had to be mine.
        “If that’s true, why have you only recently sought me out?”
        “That’s not true, I searched for you many times before. I guess I just wasn’t as radiant as I am, now. I wasn’t exquisite enough to catch your attention before.”
       “Well you certainly caught my attention tonight,” he professed as he kissed my cheek. The heat of his contact radiated throughout my body. My blood sizzled with anticipation. I knew what would happen next. “I want you,” he softly groaned into my ear. His voice filled me. And I was ready to burst.
       “I know,” I panted against him.
       “I want you now.”
       “Then let’s leave! We can find a private place. Somewhere quiet.”
       “No! I want you right here, right now.”
       “In front of everyone?” I gasped. Why would he want that? Why would he want anyone to see it? To hear? To live through that sight? I wanted it to happen when we were alone. I wanted it to be private.
       Intimate.
       “Yes, let them hear. Let them witness. It would be perfect. Your last embarrassing act that they can gossip about. Only this time, they would know it’s all their fault.”
       “I don’t know. I never wanted it to end like this.” “Trust me,” he whispered, kissing my neck, leaving a trail with his tongue before he returned to my ear, “You want me don’t you?”
       “I need you,” I moaned against his lips.
       “Then trust me.” And I did just that. He pulled a non-rebreather mask from his coat and fastened it on my face.
       Inhale…
       Exhale…
       I knew within minutes it would be done. Within minutes, the helium from the reservoir bag would replace all of the oxygen in my body, and I would be gone. He would have me, He would take me.
I would be granted my peace and serenity. No longer would I feel the pain of existing. My craving would finally be satisfied. I leaned into Death’s secure arms as my eyes began to flutter. My heart raced against his chest in anticipation of the end of my lifelong search for satisfaction, that only he could provide.
       I was close, I could feel it. Taking a few more gulps of helium I removed the mask, weakly tilting my head towards his. A kiss I placed on the lips of my knight in shining armour before I fell into my slumber. “I got you,” he whispered into my ear as my eyes fluttered close. A smile of contentment graced my lips