[EN] Unexpected Eletricity (an Apex Story)

Chapter 26

It is three in the morning when Octavio wakes up with a start. I cannot tell if I was sleeping a very shallow sleep or if I was just lost in thoughts, but the deep breath he took was enough to bring me back to reality. I have been sleeping extremely badly for a few days because I am watching over Octavio who is having a hard time with his withdrawal. These days, my state of health has not been at its best. In addition to tiredness, I find it difficult to keep inside what I eat without running away somewhere to throw up. I think my body reacts this way to send me the message that I absolutely must reduce the stress I am feeling and start having normal nights sleep again. However, I want to do whatever I can to help Octavio because I have promised that I will be there for him, and I know he would do the same for me. My body is therefore constantly on the lookout, ready for the slightest sign of distress experienced by Octavio.

As we discussed a few days ago, our plan is, once the most critical phase of withdrawal is over, to go to Psamathe and convince Octavio's parents to force the Syndicate to terminate his contract. We first tried to talk to the Games production about it, but they adamantly refuse to end his contract, which will only expire in more than three years. Octane is possibly the most popular Legend in the eyes of viewers and that would be too big of a loss for them. Although I expected it, it was worth a try, and they still offered us four weeks of paid leave, after long negotiations. Thus, we opted for the alternative solution, hoping that the influential and wealthy parents of Octavio would pull some strings to allow a happy ending for their son.

Today is the fifth day since his last dose without dialysis and depending on his current condition, I am sure he will face this calvary for several more days. Worried, I look up at him and I see him shaking like a leaf, his body glistening with sweat.

"Ze same nightmare again?", I asked, before I sit down on the mattress.

"Yeah... Ex-Except this time... I almost did it, Naty... I... almost felt... the emptiness under my feet", he answered breathlessly.

Octavio bursts into tears and I hurry to hug him, feeling his body quivering against me. He told me that every night since he is in withdrawal, he always makes this dream in which he is on a bridge and that he feels himself drawn towards the void, while a strong wind is blowing against his back.

"Shhh, shhh", I whispered repeatedly, trying to appease him. ''It's over now... You're safe with me. Nothing bad can happen to you when I'm with you. I promise.''

He gives me that affectionate look that I like so much and that means more than any declaration of love. I softly stroke his hair while holding him. 

''I-I'm c-c-cold...''

He grabbed the blankets at his feet that he had pulled off earlier, saying he was too hot. I take his hand before he pulls them back on him, and says:

"It's fever, mon amour... It's not a good idea, you have to bring your temperature down..."

Octavio listens to me and does not try to argue, but I see the desperation in his eyes.

"I'm s-so cold, and m-my heart... is beatin' so fast that I-I-I feel it's gonna... explode. I-I just... want it... to stop... I can't take it anymore N-Nat... I can't t-take it anymore...''

Alarmed by his excessively quick pulse, I decide to call Ajay, in the voice of a person who cannot hide their concern. She rushes over from my living room. She has been sleeping there since the start of withdrawal, having refused to leave us both alone in this difficult situation. Octavio had insisted that he did not want her to intervene at first, but I was reassured that someone knowledgeable in medicine was watching over him as well. I get up from bed to make room for my friend, as Octavio continues to shake and cry out between his sobs, hoarse cries filled with pain that are freezing my blood. Helpless, I am watching Octavio exerts himself, cascades of tears rolling down my cheeks. Unable to bear the sight of my lover in such a state any longer, I go to the kitchen. I absent-mindedly prepare an herbal tea, before drinking it, my gaze lost I do not know where, because to tell the truth, I am too tired to know it. After throwing up in the sink, I sit at my lunch counter and nervously wait. A few minutes later, Ajay comes out of the bedroom and leans towards me.

"The fever went down, he fell asleep again. I'll take over, okay? Go to my apartment and try to sleep, sweetie."

''No it's okay. I want to, Ajay. I promised him to be there. I want to be there.''

''I know, but yuh're so pale, that's almost scary.''

I cannot help making a small smile in reaction of her legendary frankness. I know she is right.

"I know zat... But don't worry... I'll try to take a r-hertz, in ze afternoon."

My friend looks at me, a little skeptical, but smiling.

"Electricity pun", I added.

''Yeah I got it, Nat. I really like the fact that even being in a deep sleep deprivation you stay the most sharp-minded of all of us, very good for our ego", she said with a slight laugh. ''Come on now, go to bed. And try to sleep, yuh need it!''

''Yes. Thanks, Ajay'', I told her before giving her a hug, that she returns me warmly.

I finally returned to Octavio and managed to get a couple of hours of sleep before waking up again. Feeling like I will not be able to fall asleep again, I get out of bed as he gently grabs my wrist. I then return under the sheets and hold onto him, placing an arm and a leg on him and burying my face against his chest.

''Thanks for being here, mi coneja...'', he whispered, giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"Anytime, mon dino."

Octavio seems to think for a moment, then says:

''Something's botherin' me that I need to tell ya... You know, the fact that I relapsed... I don't want you to think you weren't enough. That you weren't an enough good reason to not start again. To stay sober. I... I-I thought I was done with my addiction. I really thought I was...''

A tear rolls down his cheek.

"I know, my love... I would never think such a thing."

"I love you, Natalie. I'll do whatever it takes to heal so we can have a happy life together. A long happy life. That's all I want now...''

"I love you too..." I replied, poking his nose with the tip of one of my fingers.

I hold him tight and run my fingers through his soft hair before kissing him.

"I believe in you, and you make me so proud. You can say ze opposite if you want, but I know you are a very determined person, Octy. And you are lucky, because I am too, when I really want something... Together, we are unstoppable. There is not a single ordeal zat can stop or separate us. ''

"I believe ya, my Naty."

***

It was a small chapter, but it's better than nothing, right? For this week , it was that or nothing, so I hope you don't blame me! So the next chapter will probably be longer than normal, I don't know yet. See you soon!