The memory coiled around his heart, constricting every breath. He never wanted a drink as bad as he did right now. Going sober was the best thing he’d ever done, or so he’d been told. But feeling like his world was falling out from under his feet every day since didn’t feel so damn noble.
He almost wished he was numb again, his thoughts thick with alcohol, cleansing away the reality he wasn’t good at dealing with. Panic barely bubbled beneath the surface, seeking to escape. He was determined not to let it win. It screamed for a drink. He refused, finding strength and a will to go on.
And go on he did, toiling through the night, tagging and bagging each body as it arrived. It was the first night after returning from rehab when they arrived.
The report said a drunk had killed them instantly. All he could think about was his own murky memory of being behind the wheel drunk. He wasn’t able to remember exactly how he got there, but he can’t forget with who.
The only thing that kept him from drinking again was writing her name on the whiskey bottle he kept on his nightstand. Every time he looked at it, desperate for a shot, he remembered how she struggled with her last breath, using it to curse him for what he’d done.
He buried her along with his addiction.
With no way to forget her, or forgive himself, he had nothing to do but what he did best, taking care of the bodies.
Just like them.
Just like her.
© J.C. Montgomery, 2010
Goddamn that was good and creepy. You got some darkness in you sweetheart.
Oh yeah, it lurks just below the surface. Every once and a while it gets away from me long enough to write something like this. Thanks Xan.
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Wow…profoundly dark and tortured! Well done, JC!
Thanks!!
Tortured souls. A nice dark and creepy tale, J.C. I enjoyed it a lot.
Glad you liked it David, your opinion means a great deal.
I enjoyed this quick snippet of the mind of the tortured and condemned. Dark and satisfying…just my kinda thing!!
I seem to be much better at snippets than lengthy examinations. Much more my cup of tea.
Sad but powerfully evocative. I’m really impressed, JC!
Thank you, thank you very much.
Powerful and beautifully written
Thank you.
Oooh, that was superb, Jo! =)
Aw, shucks…thanks!
That was written so well. So stark and real. I love it. I really love your style.
An eye opener if ever there was one. This cuts to the core makes me think, thank god I’m not a drinker, but also makes me think, what can i clean out of my closet to help me be a better person.
Definately an inspiring tale.
I apologize for my delay in getting here, been a busy week.
http://wordvamp.blogspot.com/2010/08/fff-38-simple-request.html
Thank you Nic. I’ve not been down that road, but know some who have. Darkness stalks us all. With some, alcohol is the path that leads to hell. With others, it could be drugs. None of us are immune, and I’m not really sure I can say that those who never turn are stronger. I just think some are luckier than others, because really, any one of us could turn at any time and succumb. After all, we are all only human.