Love Boat (Tom, Ben, Zac and Joel story)

The deepest despaire

*Zoe*
I wait nervously for the man to open the door. Tom and Ben both staying behind me, having agreed that if I can't talk Zac out of there, they will have to drag him. The men with the guns scare me, but I am willing to do anything to get Zac out of this dark hole. I don't know what pushed him into it, but I know he needs me.

As I walk into the living-room I gasp when I see the amount of money on the table. And then I spot Zac, Tom had warned me that he is totally coked out, but it is still painful seeing him like that. The blonde whore in his lap doesn't help. At least he isn't touching her, but she is rubbing a hand on his chest, looking up at him with lust and dollar signs in her eyes.

"Would you be so kind to remove yourself from my man ?" I say glaring at the whore, when she only give me a short look, roll her eyes and turn around to kiss his neck, I grab her hair, pulling several of her extensions loose. "I said get of my man you bitch".

Luckily for her she scuttle away. Zac looking at me with blinking eyes. "Zoe, darling.. are you here ? Come here sit on my lap and be my lucky charm. Can I get you something ? Anything ? A drink ? .."

I put a finger on his lips before he can say anything else. "No Zac. What you can do is coming with me. You need to get back and sleep. Fight it, come on I know you can".

"But baby, I am in the middle of a game. I can't just leave now". He says whining slightly, his hand grabbing my hip, trying to pull me to him.

I slap his hand away, looking into his eyes. "Zac, you mean the world to me. But this, drugs, reckless behaviour.. I can't deal with it.. so either you come with me now or don't bother to speak to me again".

"But..". I turn on my heels, but after only a couple of steps I am grabbed and turned. Zac is on his knees burrowing his face in my stomach. "Don't leave me, you are my sunshine. I'll die without you".

"Then come with me, now". I slowly run my hands into his hair, hearing him breathe in like a man that has been starved for oxygen. "Come back to me Zac, let's face those demons together".

I can feel him nod against my stomach, so I gently untangle myself from him. Taking his hand and pulling him up, slowly walking backwards towards the door. "Come back to me, and I promise you we will win, you and me together".

He follows me like a lost puppy and I keep telling him it will be okay. Tom and Ben walking a couple of metres behind us just in case. None of us pay any attention to the others in the room or to the money. I just want him away from there.

When we get to his room, I send Tom and Ben a thankful smile and they both nod at me, returning the smile, before disappearing. I get Zac inside and undressed down to his boxers. I can't leave him, so I pull of my pants, and crawl down beside him, in my T-shirt and panties.

His arms encircle me, and pulls me against his hard body. This will be the first time we sleep together. He cuddles closer, kissing my neck. "Thank you sunshine, for pulling me back out of the darkness".

"I always will Zac". I whisper back. Hearing a strangled sound come from him. And I turn to see him crying. Shaking slightly. "Zac, baby what is wrong ?"

"I.. I don't deserve you, I am the biggest shrew up. How can you forgive me this ? The gambling, the drugs, that.. woman". He is sobbing violently now.

I pull him close to me, stroking his back. "Did you kill anyone ". He shakes his head in denial. "Did you sleep with her, the whore ?"

"No.. I touched her and she kissed me.. I am so sorry, I didn't even want to". He is sniffling, not daring to look up at me.

I kiss the top of his head softly. "Then it is all forgotten. Let's sleep now, you really need it".

"I can't.. the drugs won't let me". He says, looking up at me, his eyes still dilated. "Sing for me please, then I might be able to".

"Whatever you need". I tell him and I begin softly singing 'The sound of silence', a few minutes later he is fast asleep. I softly kiss his forehead, whispering. "I love you, you stupid idiot".