She was surrounded by melancholic spirits. They clung to her hunched shoulders and dripped from her face like tears and twisted between her feet like snakes, forever trying to drag her down, down into the dark nothingness that promised relief.

"she said she was fine with a sad smile" A sad smile A juxtaposition A consistent inconsistency Because after a while She is fine Fine An adjective meaning 'of high quality': Satisfactory; How ironic. Her lips twist with a bitter grin A bitter grin.