Punishment And Love Don't Mix

Burnt

I stumble my way home to the hotel, clutching my bleeding stomach and hoping the cops don't suddenly decide to take interest in me. I make it to my room and almost pass out on the soft bed. Instead, I work my way to the bedside table and search around till I find it. 

A box of flares Jake keeps for some reason. I can't think clearly now. Quickly, I stand on a chair and turn off the rooms smoke detectors and open all the windows. Then, I get to the bathroom and lift my shirt to show the bullet hole there. How could a small hole like that do so much damage? I uncap and light the flare and slowly bring it to the bullet hole. 

The second it touches my skin, my side erupts in pain. My eyes instantly water and I have to stuff the collar of my shirt into my mouth into my mouth to keep from screaming. 

Its almost just unbearable. But I know what I have to do. I hold the flare above the wound and let it cauterize. Tears are streaming down my face and I feel I'm about to pass out when I finally lift away the flare and shove it in the toilet to extinguish it. My side burns and no doubt has boils and blisters, but I won't bleed out. 

I stumble and fall onto the bed and lay still until the weight on my eyes are too heavy and I fall victim to a decent dream.