Moths To A Flame

Olivia walked to her friend Abigail's house when she noticed her best friend Madison behind a fence with smoke clouds rising around her. She walked over to her.

“Hey Madison what are you doing?”

Madison lifted a cigarette to her lips and takes a drag and smiles. “My sister got me to try smoking and I love it!” Madison said excitedly.

“Madison that’s disgusting, you're like the biggest anti smoker I know - what’s happened to you?"

Madison laughs “I guess I'm just getting older.”

“I have to go meet Abigail, quit that shit would you? You're scaring me.” Olivia said

“Whatever. Have fun with the nerds.” Madison laughed.

Olivia arrived at Abigail’s and met her whole crew. Every week Abigail had a study session with the top students in her university class.

“Guys I want to talk to you all about something…” Abigail said. “I am doing a research paper with the top scientists in the country and have discovered something scary”. The girls listened with interest. “It seems that cigarette companies have enhanced the chemical nicotine to a parasitic like form. A cigarette now has the ability of infecting a host and taking control of its mental thought pattern”.

“There's no way that’s true.” said Olivia.

“I'm afraid it is and soon I’ll have enough research to expose all of this and then find a cure” said Abigail.

The girls seemed hesitant to believe such a crazy conspiracy but being as they all hated smoking they decided to help Abigail.

“Am I supposed to believe that all smokers are under some type of mind control just because you talked to some people?” Their friend Riley said.

“No - just people whom you know that have started recently. Look until I know more, just be careful OK.” Abigail warned

“Abigail is the smartest person out of all of us I doubt she’d lead us on…this sounds serious” Chloe spoke up.

The girls continued to talk and until it was time leave. Olivia was walking home when she heard a voice.

“What’s up nerd?” said Madison

“OK enough Madison you're being a jerk.” Olivia said annoyed.

“I'm sorry I'm just kidding, how was your study session?” asked Madison

“It was OK didn't study though because Abigail spent the whole time trying to get us to join some anti smoking cause” said Olivia

“Sounds nerdy” Madison laughs “I'm kidding but really what did she say?”

Olivia explained everything to Madison she’d learned, knowing Madison was her best friend and always kept a secret.

“Wow you actually believe that shit?” Madison said

“I don't know why she would make it up” said Olivia

“Probably to be controlling and get you to be lame like her.” Madison said “besides I smoke now and I'm not walking around like some zombie or any different than before am I?” said Madison

“Yeah I guess you're right. I'd still like you to quit until I know more for certain.” Olivia said

“Well I love smoking but I love you more so I'll make a deal I'm going to smoke one last cigarette right now then I stop until we know your friend is crazy.” Madison laughed as she pulled out a cigarette and placed it to her lips.

Olivia nodded in agreement and watched her friend light up.

“Look out Olivia! The ciggy is gonna get you” Madison said, taunting Olivia.

Olivia laughed and began to think maybe Abigail was wrong, it did sound crazy after all.

Madison then took a large drag of her cigarette and exhaled a huge drag of smoke into Olivia's face. Olivia began to cough. "Madison, what the fuck?”

“I'm sorry I thought it would be funny.” said Madison

“No its gross and now I stink!” moaned Olivia

“Don’t worry Olivia you will learn to love it” Madison smirked, with a hint of menace in her voice.

Olivia began to feel weird and light headed. “Madison what did you do?”

“You look like you want to try this cigarette, Olivia…” Madison held out her cigarette to Olivia.

“No… I… yes maybe… wait what is happening to me?” said Olivia

“Don't fight it Olivia let go and take a drag.”

Olivia took the cigarette, her mind kept screaming not to do it but it seemed something in her body was compelling her to.

“Put it to your lips.” Madison instructed.

Olivia began to resist. “No Abigail was right.” as she threw down the cigarette.

Madison picked up the cigarette from the ground. “So then we do this the hard way…” Madison grabbed Olivia's cheek while taking a drag and open her lips, breathing out the whole drag into Olivia's mouth.

Olivia fell to the ground coughing and spitting from the toxic smoke. She gasped as her eyes glazed over. She could feel the nicotine flowing through her veins as she brought herself back to her feet.

Madison smiled and placed her cigarette between Olivia's lips. For a moment, Olivia stood with the cigarette dangling between her lips. Looking at her friend, she sucked deeply on the filter. The ember glowed red as Olivia inhaled her first actual drag, cheeks caving in. The nicotine continued to probe her pink lungs as the buzz surged through her body. Reluctantly, Olivia tilted her head back and pursed her lips, watching as a neat cone of smoke ascended skywards.

“How do you feel?” asked Madison

“Amazing…” Olivia beamed as she took another deep drag, basking in the glow of nicotine. Madison removed her pack and lit up another cigarette, content that Olivia was now fully enslaved, addicted and willing to help advance their cause.

The two girls finished their cigarettes together.

“I want you to keep your smoking a secret from the others. We need to know what Abigail is planning.” Madison said

“Will do, but when its time I will be the one to turn Abigail into one of us.” Olivia said as she took the last drag.