“Taco Tuesdays.”

The council made a unanimous sound of exasperation. Some threw their hands up in defeat while others merely shook their heads, muttering under their breath from behind coarse white beards. One councilman had not even bothered to pay attention and was snoozing on his arm at the end of the long polished table. Jacob shrugged.

“I thought it was a good idea.”

“Jacob, as new Ruler of the World you have duties, responsibilities. You have the power to change anything, to fix anything,” Head Councilwoman Wistern advised from her seat to Jacob’s right. “Don’t you think you should choose to do something more…important?” An older lady, she was slightly wilted but still had a zest about her which was probably what kept her at the head of the council for so long. Blue eyes wrinkled with age and wisdom looked keenly at the younger man.

Jacob gave another half-shrug, looking unconcerned.

“Lyonel already solved world hunger with his 3D printers back in 2033,” he began. “David abolished war not long after that, Sharon bridged the equality gap between genders, and Angela is saving more animals and ecosystems than ever with her Wild Earth program. Jim is still working on a non-glitchy version of iTunes but that’s his baby. I dunno, it just seems like all of our major problems are solved. Why not have one day where everyone can just enjoy a free taco?”

The council shared dubious looks.

“Every Tuesday?” Councilwoman Erin asked doubtfully, sipping at her glass of wine.

Jacob ran a hand through his dark curly hair.

“Well, yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Every Tuesday there would be free tacos. You don’t have to have any if you don’t want to; it’s just for people who like tacos.”

“Can they be fish tacos?” Councilman Bayer called out from down the table.

“Sure. I mean, I guess so. There can be all kinds of tacos. Whatever you want.”

The council leaned in to whisper together. Some shot him furtive glances that made him think they still weren’t overly convinced of his proposal. A withered councilman sitting close to Jacob even blocked his face with his hand so the younger man wouldn’t be able to tell what he was saying. A few moments passed in this manner before Councilwoman Wistern straightened in her seat and cleared her throat.

“After much deliberation,” she exclaimed after the group had joined her in facing Jacob, “we have deemed that Taco Tuesdays will come into effect immediately under the pretense that they will be free, be of every sort and variety, and occur every Tuesday from now on until the end of time or until the next Ruler of the World withdraws the decree. All in favor say aye.”

A resounding call of ‘aye’ sounded around the table.

Jacob smiled, content with the verdict. Ruling the world really wasn’t as bad as he thought.

My skin caught on fire at the sound of his voice as he whispered my name. It was the last promise he had to break to finally set myself free. 

We waited 40 days to heal as we break and build each other's dreams. As he cruised with the cold breath of the night time under his feet, I found roads yet explored. My eyes sought comfort with the warm tears swelling at the edge of each one. They blurred my sight for a while, but they served as the lens for a clearer view of him watching from afar. 

Every beat of my heart reminded me of the wishes we shared, of the goals we made, and even of the struggles we faced. In those 40 days before the end, saying my name, one last time was the deal.

He complied. I am now free. I hope he is as well.

My skin caught on fire at the club that night. His muscular arms were wrapped around my tiny waist as our bodies swayed to the music. Perfectly in sync. He kissed me so tenderly on the nape of my neck, I almost came right there on the dance floor. Then in one swift motion, he spun me around and we were face-to-face, breathing each other in. His lips were on mine. He tasted like black silk - sweet, creamy and delicious. We fit together like two pieces in a puzzle, our bodies and souls intertwined. I never knew passion like that truly existed. Which is why leaving it behind was the hardest thing I ever had to do.  

Stories are supposed to start at the beginning, right? This one starts at the moment I felt lost.

I was walking in a basement with concrete walls and damp floors. I saw a wall in the distance with graffiti on it. When it was close enough, I wiped the dust off with my hands so I could see the words more clearly. 

You will soon find your strength.

I felt terrified, but didn't know why. I turned and ran, feeling myself begin to sob. A gust of wind lifted me from under my arms and I rose into the air, my body in a T position. Suddenly, I wasn't in the basement anymore. I was unsure of my surroundings and saw nothing but darkness. My sobbing continued; my chest was heavy and it was hard to breathe through my tears. My body came to a sudden stop mid air. I could hear my cries echo in the darkness around me. After what felt like forever, the air was vacuumed from my chest, and I stopped crying. I was silent and still, mid air. A cool calm ran through my veins, as if the sadness had been sucked from my body.

My body went into a freefall and my arms were no longer forced outward. 

Then, nothing.