Horror 100 Volume 2

Beginning

Eric looked down at the subway rails. He saw no reason not to jump on them. End it, who would miss him, who would care. A hand rested on his shoulder and he turned to see Fisher. Fisher held up a bottle and gave him a knowing look. The two wandered out and up onto the streets above and into a nearby alley that they often shared losing themselves in a haze of cheap liquor.
Eric woke up and staggered over to Fisher nudging him awake with his foot. "The shelter will be serving lunch soon." Eric reached a hand down helping a still groggy Fisher to his feet.

St. Jude's was close by and they caught the smell of hot soup as they approached. Eric's routine was the same every time and he went through it like he went through most of his life in a haze.
First take a pamphlet from the nicely dressed man at the door promising salvation through the church. Grab a tray pile on a few pieces of old bread donated from a local grocery. Get a bowl of watered down soup that was meant to feed a few hundred people less than it was going to. Wander over to a table somewhere and try not to look at anyone other than Fisher as he ate.
Apathy, shame and booze kept Eric in a place were he could forget just how shitty his life was. He had fallen far and fast with little to no hope of escape. He had reached that point were he couldn't even get a shitty job anymore, hell Mc Donald's wouldn't even let him in the door much less let him fill out an application. And the programs in place in the city that could help someone in his situation were horrible over taxed and the time it would take him to even see a social worker he could beg for enough change to buy a bottle or two and vanish into his own misery. He and Fisher stood up, Eric put the pamphlet into his pocket, he would need something to wipe his ass later. The two of them put their trays on the cart and left, if they hurried they could still make it to the main drag as work was letting out for most of the corporate sector and get enough cash drink themselves into oblivion.

Eric put the bottle to his lips and took a deep drink. It burned going down, that was the only thing he ever remembered feeling anymore, the burn. He went to pass the bottle to Fisher when he noticed him reading the pamphlet from the shelter earlier that day. Fisher took the bottle and took a drink of his own. Eric took out his pamphlet. In his drunken stupor he couldn't really read the pamphlet but a few things stood out to him. Start a new life.......Help make a new beginning. Blah blah blah.

"What do ya think bro?" Fisher asked quietly.

"Same shit, different day" Eric responded taking the bottle back from Fisher and taking a long swig.

The next day he wandered off early while Fisher still slept in a pile of old cardboard next to a dumpster.

His feet had a mind of their own and before he knew it he stood outside of an old church, newly renovated. He walked up to the front and pushed the door open. It swung open with ease, as he started in a man approached. He was dressed in a short sleeve button up dress shirt. He reminded Eric of a used car salesman.

"Hello Friend, my name is Samuel. I help run things around here. What can I do for you?" Samuel had thinning salt and pepper hair and an easy smile. He held his hand out to Eric as he approached. Eric was surprised by this as most people didn't want to get near him much less touch him. He was so surprised in fact that he almost didn't return the gesture.

The man gripped Eric's hand firmly, it was reassuring.

"So friend what can I do for you?" Samuel said his tone even and comforting.
Eric was hesitant, then he spoke. "I need help" Their it was the first step towards a new start, salvation.
The two of them talked. Eric didn't remember much of what was said, but talking with Samuel comforted him it gave him hope. For the first time in years Eric felt like he stood a chance at redemption. Samuel showed Eric around the church and the grounds just out back. By the time they got back to the front Eric was ready to start over. Samuel took Eric by the hand as the neared the door.