Cannabis

Chapter 21

Who am I? Where am I? What is this place?.....why is it so dark here?.....why....am I naked?....why is my body feeling so lethargic?......am I even alive?.....what is this feeling?.....

I woke up, feeling absolutely nonplussed and light-headed. Almost promptly, my mind started to recollect the events of last night, and my eyes drifted to the uncovered form of my molester, who's unfortunately supposed to be my father. I scrunch my nose up in sheer disgust. 

It'd been two years since I was smoking cannabis, and honestly, it saved me a lot of anguish and obloquy. Whenever he'd express his sweet wish to devour me, I'd get high and be knocked out of my senses while he did the dirty to me. It'd pick me up from the filth and land me to the paradise. I'd let him do all sort of things to me, as long as he allowed me to get high. And understandably, he couldn't care less. 

The house resembled a deserted and haunted villa, with ill-maintained walls and carpets, dirty curtains and closed windows, ever since mama took her own life. She was undoubtedly the life of that place. Since Evan was living with his friends in an apartment near his university, Daniel Miller and I were the only occupants. 

We followed the same routine day after day. He'd drink heavily and I'd smoke weed, and then he'd come for me. I got so used to everything, that it hardly meant anything to me. I became significantly hardened after mama's death.

As I sat on the bed in darkness, thoughts of the past 2 years inundated my mind....

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"Why does it trouble you so much? Who's the 'mother hen' now? Go mind your own friggin' business!" 

I wasn't especially startled at Noah's reply. He'd been acting really shady for reasons of his own. His grades worsened (if it was even possible), his attendance records plummeted deep and even he wasn't the same person anymore. Deep down, I missed the goofy, blonde knucklehead who used to be my best pal, my last ray of hope in the abyss that was my life.  I simply failed to find my good old Noah in that blonde boy with vapid blue eyes, dark circles and shabby, yet belligerent air. 

His parents had given up on him, but I couldn't bring myself to do that to him. He'd been there for me since kindergarten, seeing him like that depressed me. My subconscious was constantly bugging me regarding his mess.

Is he facing something similar to me? Is he desolate, just like me? What if he vitally needs my help?!

My heart crumpled up in pain thinking of him. I made up my mind to find out whatever was eating him up from inside out.

I caught him escaping from the school premises as I went to confront him. Curious, I followed him undetected. I blended in with the crowd in his pursuit, and I noticed his steps picking up a suspicious pace. It appeared clearly to me that he was vehemently avoiding running into people or some rather unnecessary eye contact with them. 

He unknowingly led me to a dark, forlorn alley which itself gave out a lot of wrong vibes. The damp walls had some unintelligible phrases sprayed on them and the place reeked of alcohol and mold.

My heart almost came out of my mouth as I fortuitously stepped on a tin can on the ground while examining the surroundings. Noah spun around to find me, bewildered and wide-eyed.

"...WATCH OUT!!" Noah screamed.

To be continued...