The Look Of Knowledge

5. The End Has No End

PRESENT DAY

Mika

I opened Richard's door since I had the key, entering the lobby. Everything seemed very quiet.

"Albert? Rich?" I called walking towards the hallway where the rooms were.
I peeked into Albert's room but there was no trace of him, so I walked to Rick's. The door was closed so I knocked two times. I could hear some music on the inside but no one answered so I made myself in.

"Rich?" I said terrified as I found him sticking out a needle from his arm. All the horrible memories I had blocked came back to me in the fraction of a second.

"You came" He looked up at me with bloodshot eyes and a weak smile which revealed it wasn't the first time he'd done it that day.

I approached and unwrapped the belt off of his arm carefully. He gave me the used needle and I left it on the night stand.
I stared at him as he stretched and laid down on the unmade bed, waiting for him to say something but he was obviously too far out already.
I wanted to get out of there but instead I bent over on my knees and turned him to his side, that way he couldn't choke to death or something. I stood up but he grabbed my wrist.

"Don't go" he begged doing his best to open his eyes, so I bit my lip, feeling tears about to stream down, and kneeled once again.
I stayed there for a few minutes, running my fingers through his hair, watching his lids become more and more heavy until he fell asleep.

In the meantime I had noticed Love Will Tear Us Apart was playing on his phone on repeat. I took it, unlocking the screen with the photo of us covered with 2 missed calls from some "Isabelle".

I stopped the music and headed out to the kitchen, leaving the door half opened behind me, just in case.

"Mik?" I heard Albert's voice, calling me from the balcony, so I went there.

He'd been missing for almost two days, and between all of what was going on I forgot how worried I was about him.

"Oh god" I said as soon as I stepped out. I ran and hugged him tightly letting my tears burst out uncontrollably for once. "Where the- where the fuck were you. I needed to talk to you, you're the only one I can talk to right now, where the hell were you, for god's sake" I asked angrily.

"I know, I'm sorry" he said stroking my back. "I just couldn't be here for this. I'm the worst friend ever, I know"

I wiped my tears and let go of him.
"No, it's fine, I just... I need you. The fact that you're okay makes me a thousand times better. I thought you went back to that place to buy smack, when I saw Rich... Jesus fuck guys.." I sat on the floor and covered my face with my hands. "When is this gonna end, Al?"

He sat down next to me and looked at the starry night beneath the glass of the balcony. He took two cigars and offered me one, which I took.
"It's not gonna stop, girl..." He said letting out a soft chuckle and lighted up our smokes. "You can make it better or worse though. I mean, no pressure but these guys are both mad for you. I'm gonna be here for you whatever you do, that's for sure"

I looked at the thin moon upon us and processed what Albert said.

We chatted for at least two hours, in which we talked about the band, the moon, philosophy, and everything except me, Julian and Rich. He knew that was the last thing I needed. I never talk about my problems. I never talk about myself. I just avoid every chance of talking deep I get. Except I'm drunk or high as a kite.

I took my phone out of my pocket: 05:48am.

"Shit" I look up. I didn't even notice the sun rising. "I'm gonna go check on Rich" I say and go back inside.

"You do that" I hear Albert say as he tossed the butt of his 7th smoke out to the emptiness of the streets.

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So do u guys like where this is going or should i change something? X :)