Two Sides Of A Coin

10~Erik

"Stuck in a catastrophe
Life is tearing at the seams
There's no way that I can hold it in
Sinking in the ashes of
Everything that I once loved
Giving all to get it back again"
~"Unless" by Everfound

Awakened by a jolt caused by an enormous pothole, I slowly move to a sitting position. I glance over and notice the time. Three hours over the time I requested to be awakened....

"Erik, you're awake."

"No thanks to you."

"Well, I would have felt bad for waking you, you were sleeping like a bab-" he slurs.

"Never compare me to a baby, Charles."

Moira is still driving. I know I am able to endure long durations of time without sleep and still make clear and concise judgements, but I can't speak for Moira. I decide to suggest taking a break so that she can regain her strength. Last thing I need is two weak people to care for....

"Perhaps we should stop so you can rest."

"Me? What do I need rest for? I have you two." he grumbles and stutters.

"Charles, why do you always assume everything is about you?"

"Isn't it, under the circumstances?"

Moira coughs to get my attention.

"I think I'm fine, but I do need to make a phone-call."

Who would she intend to call at this hour?

"Who do you need to call?"

"I have to check in with work. They'll get suspicious if I don't call in and give an excuse regarding why I am not at work."

Makes sense...Charles would know if she is lying....

Charles makes a sound kind of like a giggle and then I see his figure slump over towards the window. Moira looks in the rearview window so she can see me.

"He's getting worse." she exclaims.

I look at the limp form of my friend and can't help, but agree. His drinking days are catching up with him...

"Don't worry about me," he says heroically, "I'm fine."

"Sure you are." I say with my voice practically drenched in sarcasm.

He doesn't respond, but I see notice that he is shaking uncontrollably.

Moira lifts a hand to point out something beyond the windshield.

"Motel. We might as well stop."

She gets into the correct lane so she can turn into the motel parking lot. We pull to a stop and she puts the vehicle in park. I get out of the backseat and make my way to the trunk. Moira unlocks the trunk so I can pull out Charles' wheelchair.

I lift him into it and roll him in front of the car. I notice that Charles is shaking quite violently and he occasionally moans. He is not doing well... The withdrawal is giving him a significant amount of trouble. I'm just pleased he hasn't thrown up. We need to stop...for all of our sakes... I don't fancy the thought of being in an enclosed space with a nauseous Charles.