• Word Count: 620
    iMuso

    “What would you do with a million dollars? Better yet, what would you do to get it?”

    The question flowed and circled in her mind as she walked down the streets of Melbourne. Diana’s emerald eyes flitted around her as she moved, half keeping an eye out for her friend as she searched for inspiration to answer that irritating question.

    “A brand new bag would be nice.” She muttered quietly to herself as she sat down on a bench, leaving her weighty bag sitting by her feet. Leaning forward, one elbow upright on her thigh as she rest her chin on her upturned hand she continued to think of things to do with her philosophical million dollars. She gazed over the various workers in the bustling city: the road workers, the suits all rushing around looking professional with their mobile phones and suitcases, the talents all out on the street corners looking for tips. Diana’s eyes slowly moved to a shady area of the park beside her bench, her mouth turning into a sad frown as she saw ratty looking men and women sitting around with trash and old blankets. “I could always donate it to a charity…god knows there are plenty of people who would need it.”

    She nodded to herself, the dilemma of what to do with her imagined money solved, the only question now was what she’d do to get it in the first place. She thought of all the old stories she’d heard, the various confessions of random people of what they’d do to get a million dollars. Shuddering she said aloud. “There are definitely some things I would never do for a million dollars.” A shadow fell over her and she glanced up to see her friend smiling nervously down at her. Grinning, she stood and hugged her swiftly.

    “Hey, Diana.” The slightly younger girl looked away from her friend for a moment then back, the shaky smile still in place. Still grinning, Diana looped an arm through her friend’s.

    “So where is this awesome anime place?” She glanced toward the redhead as she asked, her own blonde hair falling over her shoulder slightly.

    “I-it’s down the street awhile.” Nodding and letting the woman lead her, Diana continued to think of what she would ever do to get a million dollars. As they passed St Kilda Street she shuddered. ‘Prostitution? Not in a million years.’ They continued on, passing shops and galleries. ‘Art and designing?’ She laughed inwardly and let a smile cross her lips. ‘Only if they like finger-painting and 60’s clothing.’ Feeling her friend stop, Diana halted her thoughts and looked around.

    “You sure it’s here? This place looks kind of…deserted.” She let her eyebrow rise slightly, showing her doubt as she gestured toward the only door, a heavy rusted one, in the side street.

    “Mhm.” Her friend answered swiftly, her eyes flicking toward the street they’d left. “C-come on, this is the place.” She nudged Diana forward, opening the heavy door slowly and gesturing her in first. Entering the dim room beyond the slowly closing door, a shuffle was heard, neither hers nor her friends.

    “Cam? What’s going on?” Turning to her red-haired friend she saw a look of guilt and regret splay across her face before it was erased with nothing. A blank stare now looked back at her as she felt a hard blow to the back of her head. Falling swiftly, hands moving to the back of her head as she saw black spots and white sparks in her eyes, Diana stared up at her friend in confusion.

    “It may not be a million dollars…but I need that money…” The last words Diana Woodworth heard as she slipped into unconsciousness.