Alex stands by the door holding his jacket in the dark. The shadow watches him from the other side of the kitchen, emotionless and quiet while the migraine thrives in his head. A fire. Waving back and forth.
Alex tries to focus but the fire hisses and snaps and claws and he's beginning to feel nauseous again.
"Tonight is the last night," he says aloud.
The shadow stands behind, watching him. "When will you be back?" The voice is soft and female.
"I don't know."
"Tonight?"
"If I can."
The grey light coming through the window crosses the floor between them, separating each half of the kitchen into dark islands. She doesn't answer him and he feels the argument beginning, like a pot of water spitting bubbles before the boil. He waits for it... for her to talk – or yell. Last time she yelled. Both of them had. The neighbours complained. But she doesn't say anything now. It's new. The quiet of the room is screaming.
"I'll be back soon," Alex tells her, pulling on his jacket. "Get some sleep."
She watches him swing open the door and leave the apartment, locking it behind him.
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Mystery / ThrillerA NOVEL. Addiction tests everything. Especially the people we love. And for Alex Whittaker, nothing comes before the health of his brother Malcolm - a struggling alcoholic. But after years of caring for his brother, Alex wants more. He wants to st...
