Desolation Row

Patrick stood on the edge of the cliff, shivering in his black skinny jeans and leather jacket. The wind whipped through his hair as his eyes focused up on the horizon; watching the sun dip behind the ocean for one last time. He looked down and found himself staring into the abyss. The dark waters churned below him, crashing against the cliff face, almost enticing him to jump.

A tear trailed down his bruised cheek as he ran a hand through his hair, bracing himself for the inevitable. He couldn’t live like this, not anymore. The fear which coursed through his veins, haunted his thoughts and clouded around his heart was too much to bear. He had to switch it off, there was no other choice; no going back now. He took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he saw Pete one last time; remembering back to when they were kids, playing light saber battles in the back garden, Pete always had to be the Jedi. He smiled half heartily at that memory, the tears flooding down his face.He felt his fingers curl up into fists, digging his nails into his palms as he stepped over the edge.
****
3 Months Earlier
Frank’s eyes fluttered open, his head pounding with an excruciating pain. He rubbed his temples impatiently; instantly regretting the night before. “I am never drinking again” he muttered angrily to himself. An arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer until he could feel the warm touch of a man’s torso against his skin. He turned to face a hung over Gerard, hair hanging limp over his face. “Morning” he croaked, his voice dried up from the neat liquor last night. Frank smiled, pushing a strand of hair out of his lovers face and looked into his eyes. “Morning gorgeous” he replied, kissing him on the forehead and pulling him close. It was at this moment when he realised that they were both in Pete’s bed; and completely naked. He dragged himself out of bed, a sense of unease rising in his stomach as he pulled on his clothes. Gerard hid under the covers. “gimme five minutes” he mumbled, closing his eyes. Frank smiled, a feeling of love swept over him. “Lazy sod” he thought quietly.

He passed a mirror on the way to kitchen, his deep brown eyes widening in horror. His long black hair was a beer soaked mess and his eyes were blood shot; he’d never looked so bad in all his life. A cry suddenly came from the kitchen, making him jump. He wandered into the kitchen, squinting as the morning sun flooded through the windows. “Nice to see you’ve finally woken up” a familiar voice said. Frank grinned. “I hate you Pete” He moaned, rubbing his eyes.Pete was sat upon the counter, eating lucky charms straight from the box while Patrick was standing by the sink, a large gash in his hand. “Jesus Christ what did you do?!” Frank cried, staring at the blood which was now dripping onto the floor. “I cut my hand on this stupid thing” Patrick replied, raising a knife that was in his other hand. He threw it back in the sink, the knife clattering against the rest of the washing up. Frank glared at Pete as he shovelled more lucky charms into his mouth. “What? I offered to help, he insisted on doing it himself” Pete argued.

Frank rolled his eyes. He reached into the medical cupboard for the first aid kit and began tending to Patricks hand. “What do you mean I’m lazy?! I offered to help!” Pete cried “I said I wanted it, you just sat there and stuffed your face” Patrick moaned, wincing as Frank wiped his hand clean of blood. “I’m hung over... they’re really good Pat, you should try some” Pete replied holding out the box. A timid smile crept onto Patricks face. “I hate you” He joked as Frank bandaged up his hand, cautiously investigating it. “Aww and I love you too honey” Pete squealed, pulling kissing faces at him. Patrick’s cheeks burned red as Pete and Frank burst into laughter. He’d give anything for Pete to say that to him again and mean it. Ever since they first met in high school, Pete was the one he felt close to, the one who supported him and looked out for him when he was at his darkest; maybe that’s why he fell for him, he was the only one who had managed to save him from himself.

“Last night was great huh” Pete said, wiping the tears from his light brown eyes, smudging his guy liner slightly. Frank nodded. “It was pretty mental, how much did I drink? I don’t even remember what happened” He said, wandering over to the kettle to make himself a cup of coffee; his head pulsating. “Same” Patrick replied quietly, his voice cold. Pete jumped down from the counter, watching his best friend with cautious eyes; it wasn’t like him to be miserable. He offered him a worried look, opening his mouth to offer him some kind words of comfort, anything to make him feel better that crappy morning. Suddenly Gerard burst into the kitchen, a terrified look pained across his face. “Please tell me you’ve seen Mikey” He pleaded. We looked at each other; none of us had seen him since last night. “I thought he left with Nina?” Pete asked. Gerard shook his head. “Nobody has seen him, he’s not answering his phone and it’s starting to freak me out” He panicked, running a hand through his hair, revealing the dark circles which ghosted under his eyes. Frank grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him a little. “We’ll find him, trust me, everything is going to be ok” He said, a mournful look on his face. He let go of him, taking a moment to brace himself. It wasn't like Mikey to run away; especially without Frank knowing that something was wrong.

Without saying a word, the four boys left the house wandered out into the morning sun, dark eyed and stained with the smell of stale liquor. They parted ways and began to search for Mikey, unaware of the dangers that lie up ahead.

Notes

Hey thanks for reading my first chapter, I should be submitting chapter two within the coming week!