Red is the Divine Exception

I gently picked up Poison, struggling to get him to the bathroom. I lose control of my senses, just dragging on to get him where he needs to be. I check his pulse, and I move faster as it gains speed.

'C'mon Poison, we're almost there,' I think to myself, desperate for him to wake up and tell me what to do.

I pound through the door, unable to let go of his frail body. Immediately, I turn the water cold. He hadn't had enough time to even turn off the faucet before he ran out there. What if he didn't? What if he died in my shower? Or worse, what if he died trying to get me, but I wasn't there. Throughout the madness running its corse in my veins, I had put him under the cold water. I attempted to revive the man, trying the worst CPR out there, god why the fuck am I so weak? My eyes dew up as I didn't know what to do, I can't help him. The feeling is indescribable, maybe frustrated, maybe flustered.

All in a matter of seconds, I was lost, broken down, and crying over a guy I met only days ago. Honestly, I felt pathetic. Not even a minute has gone by and Poison was still unconscious. I was doing everything that was deemed possible, and-

Poison puked out stomach acid, his body flaring hot. He chokes on air, gulping nothing but the shower water.

"I got you, I got you. Just breathe in." I reassured him as I supported his back.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" He quivers, coughing out some blood.

"Poison, we need to get you to a hospital. Please." I begged, looking into his eyes ever-so longing.

"No, no hospitals. Take me to my brother, he'll fix me." He cries, the blood draping his little teeth. He looked like a sad puppy so I gave in, I couldn't help myself he was so desperate.

"Okay, okay. Let me help you up." I confided and grabbed his arm, placing it on my shoulder.

I make it half way through the hallway when Poison continues to vomit everywhere. "Just let me die! My stomach is shredding up my body! Please, put a gun to my head and make the pain end!" Poison argues, clawing at his skin.

"We're almost there." I explain, my car wasn't too far from where we were, but I still felt remorse for the man. I mean for crying out loud, he'd rather die right now than live his life!

I buckle Poison into the passenger's seat. I give him an empty bucket to throw up in, even though half way through the drive we had to stop and dump out the excess liquid. I was speeding through the midnight roads and was glad pretty much everyone was fast asleep at the time. The night was dark and Poison crying wasn't helping my stress levels. I mean I could hit someone or something! It's scary!

"Where do I go now?" I fretted.

"Turn left and into the parking garage." He described, blood running down his chin.

I find the space closest to the opening of the garage, park the car, grab my keys, and leave with Poison hanging onto my shoulder.

In just a few minutes I was left to bang on his apartment door. "Mikey, Mikey!" Poison spewed. 'Mikey' swung the door open, and immediately shoved Poison's body in. I shuffled into the apartment and closed the door behind me, hearing the muffled conversation between Poison and Mikey. The walls were a pungent orange, I would never imagine he would've picked those colors. As I stride in, I notice how dark this place really is, most of the colors are in a dark hue. I mean, this place looks so depressing.

"Get me a wet towel!" Mikey yells.

"Huh?" I look up.

"You!" He points his finger at me.

"Okay," I mutter as I rush over to the kitchen, grab a towel, run it under the faucet, and head over to the living room where Poison lays.

"Hold him up. Use the towel to cool his body down." He demands, looking worried.

I follow his orders, and Poison stopped coughing up blood. "What's going on with him?" I pleaded.

"Was he drinking?" Mikey stumbles.

"I don't know, maybe? He seemed a little drunk I guess."

"He has liver damage and every time he over drinks himself, he'll suffer with abdominal pain and uncontrollable vomiting. We have to let him go through this process till it wears off." Mikey hisses.

"I'm so sorry, really I am." I apologize.

"Oh be quiet! You're probably just a one night stand to him, aren't you?" He snapped.

"No, I am not!." I yell. "I'm his friend and you should damn well be treating me that way!" I pipe up.

"If you were his friend you'd know if he's a drug addict and alcoholic."

"I guess he didn't feel the need to show me that side of him." I snarled.

"Don't feel special. I've been dealing with him like this for years. How do you think it feels to be a brother of someone like this? Huh?" He cries, "Just watch him, I-I need to take a nap." Mikey stammered, looking down at his shameful brother before storming off.

I just sat there, patting the top of his head with the damp towel. "What have you done to deserve this, Poison?" I say to myself.

Notes