Salvation: A Breaking Bad/Jesse Pinkman Story

Chapter Six: Confessions

Mr White and I stood either side of Jesse allowing his arm to flop around our necks as we hauled him up and carried him out of that hell hole. We made our way back through the house and to the door, being careful not to disturb the dozens of junkies inside. Finally we reached the car and flopped Jesse into the back, securing his belt, before Mr White returned  to the driver's seat and I settled into the passenger seat. 

"Right", Mr White spoke assertively as he began driving away from the house. "We're going right to Jesse's house. You can pack him a bag and we'll drive right to the rehab cen-"

"Wait, no!" I interrupted as I looked over my seat to check on Jesse. His eyes had were shut - he must have passed out right as we got him into the car. "We have to go back to Jane and call 911. She's still there Mr White, in her apartment. We can't just leave her there for God knows who to find!"

Mr White huffed in annoyance - he knew I was right. "Well what do you suggest, hm? They're going to ask who found her you know? What are we going to say, oh yes it was that JUNKIE HIGH OFF HIS HEAD WHO'S CURRENTLY SITTING IN THE BACK OF HIS EX PROFESSOR'S CAR?!" Mr White raised his voice but Jesse didn't even stir.

"Look I've got it covered Mr White, okay? You don't have to say or do anything just sit in the car while I talk to them." 

"How do I know I can trust you not to mess this up? he spat.

"You have no choice" I shrugged.

JANE'S APARTMENT

As we pulled up to the apartment just a couple of minutes later I decided that I would go inside to call the emergency services. I know Jesse is passed out right now but if he comes round I don't want the first thing he hears to be me asking for his dead girlfriend's body to be picked up. 

I got out of the car and walked to the back door so that I could  rummage in Jesse's pockets for the key to the apartment. Once I had retrieved it I made my way to the entrance, stopping to take a long breath before opening the door. As I entered it began to dawn on me that I was about to see a dead body - for real - I suddenly felt sick. I decided that it would be best to call 911 before I walked into the bedroom so that I would be calm over the call.

I dialled the number with shaking hands.

"Hello 911, what's your emergency?" the friendly voice of a woman came through the other end of the phone."

"H-hello", my voice was weak and cracking. "My - erm my - friend.... I'm at her apartment and... she's dead. She is - I mean - she was - a heroin addict and .... there's needles here and she's ... she's dead."

"Okay ma'am may I take the address?" 

"Yeah um it's 325 ... Phoenix Boulevard, Albuquerque."

"Okay the ambulance will be with you in just a few minutes".

I ended the call and tapped the phone against my nails feeling nervous about seeing Jane. I could wait until the ambulance arrives but I feel like I should wait with her - next to her. I know she's dead but it feels wrong to just leave her in that room all alone. So I brace myself and walk slowly into the bedroom. 

Instantly tears fell from my eyes, without permission, at the sight of her lifeless body. She lay on her back in the bed, hands splayed out and hair half covering her face.

"Come on you ... let's get you comfortable yeah?" I spoke as I took her hands and began to place them across her chest in a peaceful position.

I looked over at Jane's bedside table and, along with the heroin and needles, I saw a hair brush. I decided to pick it up and tidy up her hair. It seems weird I know but the emergency services won't see her as a person - just another junkie that finally exceeded her limit and I just want her to be peaceful and comfortable. I know Jesse would want that too.

So I begin brushing the hair away from her face and instead brush it downwards so that it once again frames her face. As I brush I place my hand firmly on her roots to ensure I'm not tugging. She wouldn't feel it I know but I want to be as respectful as I can.

"I hope you don't mind that it's me doing this", I spoke gently, gliding the brush through her soft, black hair. "I always was a little jealous of your hair being so glossy - and when I say a little I mean a tiny nearly not there amount so don't go getting a big head about it." I spoke in a jokey tone as I allowed a small smile to form on my lips. It felt strangely comforting to be talking to her as though she were still alive.

Then I saw him, in the doorway, Jesse. He stood their with a hand on his head, tugging at his hair, biting his lip as his eyes brimmed with tears. 

"Jesse..." I whispered as he turned to run. "JESSE!" I jumped to my feet and began running after him. As I got to the front door I observed an ambulance making its way don the street and Mr White outside his car. He had Jesse by the shoulders and seemed to be trying to comfort him. They both jerked when the ambulance pulled up to the apartment and Jesse slunk into the back seat of the car with Mr White hurrying to get back into the drivers seat.

The paramedics left the ambulance and I invited them inside.

"Ma'am, may we ask where the patient is?"

I shook my head in an attempt to regain my composure. "Oh she's um, she's in the bedroom just through there" I spoke as confidently as I could whilst pointing them in the direction of Jane. 2 paramedics entered the bedroom whilst one stayed with me.

"And you discovered the body just before you called 911 is that correct?" the remaining paramedic inquired. 

"Actually no. Her boyfriend - my house mate - he came round to see her this morning. He called me right around 8:30 and told me she was dead. He was so distraught he could barely talk so I told him I'd come over and call 911 because he was in no fit state. Honestly I don't think he'd have been able to make the call." I prayed that no more questions would be asked. I just want to get out of this place.

"Excuse me ma'am but you said he called around 8:30, it's 9:07am right now. May I ask what took so long? And where is the young man in question now?" the paramedic questioned.

"Well you see, I don't actually drive so I had to call in a favour from my uncle - I tried to call my parents, my sister, but no one answered and I had to get here as quickly as I could." I figured an uncle was a close enough relative to offer a ride but not so close it could be easily questioned if something seemed amiss. "My house mate is sat in the back seat of my uncle's car right now. He was just sat on the sofa crying when we arrived so my uncle took him back to the car. I mean he knew she had a problem but he loved her y'know? He thought he could save her. The things you'll overlook for love..." my voice trailed off.

The paramedic nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately we see a lot of cases like these. Addicts take the drugs but in the end it's the relatives who suffer. I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you" I smiled weakly. "If it's okay I'll take off now. I wanted to stay with her so she wasn't alone but now I really have to be there for my house mate.."

"Yes ma'am we'll take it from here. The landlord has been notified so he'll take care of the personal effects and apartment. You have a safe journey now."

MR WHITE'S CAR