Reconciled in the End

Chapter 3: Unlikely Answer

Thomas woke several hours later with a pulsing headache. He groaned, sitting up as every muscle in his body fought otherwise. He felt like a bruised fruit as he noticed large hematomas to his stomach. Those boys fought hard for a cheap thing last night. He only linked petty cash to that Crown, he had no interest in gaining material things anyway. He had no joy.

He stood horribly, hurting and bad. The glow of morning light was faintly rising. He had to get home to get ready for work. He limped to the station for a train. At least they could charge his account by facial recognition. The movement and jerks made him flinch as he stood. All seats were taken by young guys, three of them easily could have moved over for a spot, but they refused to think of the consideration as they focused on an extreme sports video together on their Crowns.

A lady entered a few stops later. They were oblivious to her needs as well. She took a brief glance to Thomas in his horrific state, about to give a knowing look how inconsiderate the boys were, but instead shuddered away from Thomas too. He figured he must look a sight. He didn’t have his shirt on either, which most might find peculiar with the blood. Had he been in normal attire, he would have gained the usual coy smile from her, like many others.

That thought put him in shudders as he recalled the night prior. Had he really almost been with Tia?! He recalled her kisses and sliding his clothes off ever so carefully. Her tongue in his mouth, the image of that body on top of his. That venous spider almost caught him! Why did he allow that!

When he got home, he slammed the door and immediately sent a message to the station of a sick day. He wasn’t going to make it to his job as much as he rushed to attempt to. His foolish decision last night had settled that possibility. He broke into a sob as he slumped on his bed. That stupid decision cost him a visit with Siren today, and after what the doctors had spoken, she only had a couple weeks before all was settled. Comfort Measures, he knew exactly what that meant. With feeding tube and nutrition gone, she would weaken after a week and die. She would die!

Sobbing louder, his stupidity had cost him one less visit, he had done that! His head pulsed harder with his upset outburst, but he couldn’t help it. The day was just awful and it just begun. Life was exhausting, even pleasure had no luster to him. Showering and addressing his wounds, he glared at the mirror hatefully. After a moment of rage, he hollered, “I hate you so much! I do! You’re so stupid!”

He sank to the bathtub’s ledge, he couldn’t believe he had any more liquid to cry out anymore, but yet it happened. He was so tired and worn. He just wanted comfort in some form, yet no matter how he shouted, nothing came. The air circulatory system kicked on, blowing a little chill at him.

He snarled walking out of the bathroom, “Stupid fool, looking at the vanity in the morning sun! You know what you’ve done last night you moron!”

A little ding on his spare Crown responded from its AI trying to answer as if he was asking something. He rolled his eyes in annoyance, how dare that thing interrupt his misery! Pacing a moment in fury of the past night’s events again shoved at him in horror, he vowed to brush his teeth of that woman’s disgusting contact. He felt dirtier with her touch than the bloody mess he became afterward.

The gentle ding of the Crown reminding him of a search found from his outburst made him even more vexed. It was like the stupid AI was mocking him for his bad behavior. He fidgeted in turmoil with the still silence of the place returning. Normally he had music on during the short time in recreation after work days, so this silent morning with nothing to do unsettled his constantly moving soul. He hated having free time donated to reflect on his utter mistake the night prior, or the next equally disconcerting topic of Siren’s declining condition.