I swallowed a few pills and washed them down with a pint of Irish whiskey.

After a weekend binge I found myself wandering the night and into a carnival. I saw clowns parading around in two day old makeup and carnies showing off their meth black teeth.

A stranger approached me as I stood by the Ferris wheel in a drunken stupor, mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of blurry colors.

“I have what you’re looking for. I have the goods.”

There was silence in the air. It made my bones ache.

“I just want to feel wanted. I just want to feel loved.”

My vulnerability got the best of me, creating the chance of getting victimized.

He pulled out of his coat pocket a tiny crystal vial that contained a clear liquid. It...