Page 127 of The Addict

I glared at her for a moment, before turning my back on her. She was too kind of a person. What was she even doing here, in this house, among monsters?

I didn’t answer her question out loud.

No.

I am not okay.

“S-S-Sir...” she called out weakly.

“Mind your business, and get back to work,” I spat out, feeling her flinch behind me. “Your break isn’t for another hour.”

I found the bar very comforting on Friday nights when there was nothing to do. I had money to blow, so why not? The air in the house was heavy and with Kim around, watching and worrying. I wanted out.

I sat sprawled across the bar counter, littered with empty glasses, signaling to the bartender for another round. I couldn’t remember a time when I was this drunk. I applauded myself though. I hadn’t smoked or purchased any new drugs lately. Just my vape pen. So, I considered this drinking as my reward.

“Another one for you, sir?” The red head behind the counter asked, placing her hands upon her hips and shaking her head.

“I’ll take anything,” I sputtered, pressing one of the empty glasses forward. What drink number was this? Six? Eight? Typically, I could knock them back without a care in the world, but I had been eating less and less. Maybe the alcohol was going through me faster than I thought.

“I think you’ve had one too many,” she chided with a sigh. “You should go home.”

My head pounded in response. I didn’t really have an argument. That’s how drunk I was. Normally, I was chomping at the bit for a quarrel.

“Do you want me to get you an Uber, or Lyft?” she questioned with sympathy. I rose from the barstool, leaning against the counter to help push me up to a full stand.

“I’ll walk,” I whispered, digging into my wallet and laying a chunk of bills in front of her. I didn’t even know how much. I began my wobble to the entrance.

“Sir!” she called out in astonishment.

I waved her away before she had the chance to say anything more. “Keep it,” I slurred.

I heard her mutter something about, “This is the second time,” before I exited the bar.

I walked.

Before I knew it, I stood on a familiar porch, knocking on the massive ivory doors. The shift in wind made me tremble. The night breeze flowed across my bare skin, giving me goosebumps. It was dark. I glanced over my shoulder.

Bright yellow glares from the cluster of ravens that sat on the power line pierced through me. They all seemed to be smiling, knowing in their tiny black hearts that I was terrified. I shivered and they cawed, as if laughing at me.

“Are you afraid of the dark?”

I knocked again, harder this time. Sweat began to pool at the nape of my neck.

What else was out there, lurking in the shadows?

“Little bitch...”

Just go away.

The birds continued to cackle.

“Daddy loves you...”

Just leave me alone.

I banged my fist into the door, my heart racing, my chest rising and falling so fast I thought I’d collapse. The world was unsteady, and I knew David was out there, chasing after me. I needed to get inside. If I couldn’t, I didn’t know what I would do. I reached my arm back, ready to break the door down if I had to.

Before my fist could make contact, the door swung open, and light poured out all around me, warming me like fire.