Revved Up Soul

Chapter 15

Augustus

The break room was mostly quiet, with only a couple of people going about their day; it was the din of the fridge that Augustus couldn't break away from. It droned on and on, it's hum never ceasing.

You need it, he thought. His body felt both cold and warm all the same.

You want it.

Staring down at the empty white coffee mug, Augustus found himself out of place, like he was watching himself from a TV screen. The itch on his arm demanded to be scratched, a fine film of sweat forming along his forehead. He poured the black coffee from its carafe slowly, wisps of hot smoke rising as the brew filled the cup. It didn't smell right; nothing did without its absence. I can't believe I brought it with me, what the fuck are you doing? What the fuck are you doing?

The coffee started to spill from the rim of the cup, a couple of searing drops falling on Augustus' hand.

His hand jerked back immediately, dropping the carafe on the counter and cursing, a wave of pain rolling through where his hand was stung. He grabbed the handle of the cup and flung it against the wall yelling.

Suddenly, all eyes were on him; they said nothing, but they didn't need to. Augustus sucked in a deep breath, scanning the room, "What?" He hollered, taking another breath and wiping the sweat from his forehead; his hand still fresh with that stinging pain and his heart clutched in sorrow.

Augustus grabbed another cup and poured again, reaching for the hazelnut creamer and eyeballing what he believed to be a tablespoon. He exhaled a hard breath, every bone in his body screamed for it – every thought just led back to Laura.

Laura . . . he could still see her in his mind. Wilted roses were in her hair, and cold hollow eyes that promised only a last farewell – she wasted away into a swirling smoke of gray.

Augustus brought the cup to his lips, trying to push down those dark thoughts.

At least the creamer made his coffee bearable.