Overkill // Joseph Quinn

52

January 1st, 2021
Part 2:

The sun makes its way through the curtain and burns my eyes, immediately making my head pound. I pinch my eyes shut and shove my face into the pillow. My first instinct is to reach to the silhouette beside me.

There isn't one.

Knowing I have to get up to find Joseph, I groan with my face still stuffed into the pillow.

I push myself up off the bed and plant my feet on the ground. I feel queasy almost instantly after. I make a beeline to the restroom and regretfully empty whatever was left in my stomach into the toilet. I brush my teeth and try to recoup.

I don't think I can remember a single thing from last night. My heart weighs in my chest at the thought. It was supposed to be a night to remember. I do recollect going to Madison Square Garden and waiting patiently for the ball to drop. Everything else after is super hazy.

I weakly make my way downstairs, the smell of breakfast food making me feel nauseated again. I hold back from making another trip to the restroom and make myself present to the group.

"Good morning." I say groggily.

Everyone seems to stop what they're doing abruptly. Silence.

"Hey, good morning!" Maya calls from the dining room. Everyone else mumbles a quick 'good morning' and returns to whatever they were doing before.

I must not be the only one who feels like garbage.

I pick at my plate like a toddler, only being able to stomach a few bites of toast and fruit. My mind feels foggy still which fills me with anxiety.

"How are you feeling?" Natalia sits down in the chair beside me.

I shrug, finally giving up on eating any more.

"Kind of shitty. I've already been sick and now fighting a second round." I try and joke, she doesn't find it funny though.

I look over at her and see reluctance, like she's wanting to tell me something but doesn't know how. Or, doesn't want to at all. I tilt my head puzzled.

"You don't remember." She says more as a statement than a question.

Anxiety builds up more. I clench my stomach to keep down the little bit of food I force fed myself.

"Remember what?" I ask, now noticing the whole room was looking at me.

Silence, nothing but worried stares.

"Remember what?" I ask with more demand.

I take another look around the room and realize Joseph isn't even here. Although I can't remember much, I'm able to somewhat put two and two together. I shoot out of my seat and rush back upstairs in search of my phone. It rests on the nightstand charging. I skip that part and investigate the rest of the room. Did he leave?

Drawers are empty, none of his suitcases are anywhere to be found; no sign of him at all.

Panic sets it.

I now pick up my phone and go straight to his contact, starting a call.

"Please." I whisper with a heavy heart and a mind filled with an array of negative thoughts. To my surprise, no answer.

"Shit!" I say louder this time.

A soft knock comes from the door, Jo.

"What did I do?" My voice cracks.

I feel helpless. Anything, and I mean anything, could've happened to have caused his absence. Hell, it could've been something he had done, I just didn't want to assume. I'm more than capable of causing him to run out.