Category : Stories

Sub Category : Thriller

 David is a raging drunk speeding through the dark suburban streets on his way to his apartment complex. His left hand gripping tightly on the steering wheel and his right holding a can of beer. It is pure luck that no one else is out on the streets tonight. For with David fueled by anger and alcohol, his focus is only one thing.

"That bitch!" David chugs the beer, throws the empty can aside, and grabs a new one from the case on the floor of the passanger side, "I fucking told her..
that if she got back on that junk again, we are through."

 It has been a difficult relationship with Leanne. Besides the fact that her addiction kept their bank account empty, David was sick of watching her suffer from the withdrawal just to jump right back on that horse again. He knew that it was not easy for her either. He had been a serious alcoholic and when frustrated, he drank angry, and the more he drank, the angrier he got. He was not physically abusive but he had been told of some of the horrible things he had said while blacked out drunk. He was never good with handling social problems. When something bothered him, he just held it inside, let it boil while he drank, and it exploded out in abusive drunken slurs by night's end. 

 Their relationship itself was just a big emotional wreck. They often fought about money to steer away from the real problem. Which did they love more, each other, or the substance of their addictions.

 David thought it was finally over. They had agreed to  work together to stay clean. Neither of them had fed the demons that dwelled in them for weeks. It seemed like they can finally be free to rekindle their love. Then today, David checked the bank account. He had been saving up for a nice dinner out for the two. A date night to make them feel like fresh lovers again. It was going to be something special. Yet, the hundreds of dollars that he had in the bank somehow dwindled down to a measly twenty bucks. 

 Fuck eating tonight. If Leanne is willing to toss away their relationship, then David will fight fire with the blazing rage of alcohol. He took out that twenty and went to a convenient store to buy a case of beer.

 David squeels into the parking lot of the complex, barely slowing down, once entering. He makes a quick turn and pulls into the empty parking spot outside their apartment. He turns off the engine and finishes another can. He eyes the dark windows upstairs where there apartment is. 

"She is most likely in her room with a needle in her arm." David scoffed.

 David grabs the case of what is left of the beers and gets out of the car. He climbs the steps to their front door. He unlocks the door and enter the dark front room. The place is a mess, which is nothing new. Clothes strung along the furniture, dishes left on the coffee table, and a bowl overflowing with ash and cigarette butts. When David lived alone, he never would let his place get like this. He use to be a neat freak. Nowadays however, he had been to drunk to care.

 David makes his way to the hall. Sure enough, the only light in the place shines out from the crack under the bedroom door. David walks over to the door and opens it. He sees Leanne passed out on the bed, right arm strapped, and a needle lying on the floor below her. David sets his case of beer on the dresser against the wall at the end of the bed. Above the dresser is a large mirror that use to belong to Leanne's grandmother. It was given to Leanne when her grandmother passed away.

 David walks over to Leanne, stares at her for a moment, and then shakes her. Leanne gives no response. David shakes her harder and yells. Still no movement, not even fluttering of the eyes. A sense of dread seeps into David. He picks up Leanne's wrist, and after a minute, finds no pulse. David frantically digs in his jacket pocket for his phone. He dials 911 and waits for an answer.

"911, What's the emergency?" 
A voice on the other end answers.
 
 Tears are now forming in David's eyes, 
"I think my wife overdosed on herion. I checked for a pulse and couldn't find any."

"What is your address sure?" 
The 911 operator asks.

"It's Capital Club apartments, apartment 12, upstairs."
David is now sobbing.

"Ok sir, sit tight, an ambulance is on it's way"
The operator says.

 David hangs up the phone and kneels at the side of the bed. He feels himself shaking as he holds the hand of Leanne. Moments later, he decides he needs a drink badly. David gets up and makes his way to the case of beer. He pulls out a can and cracks it open. Just as he lifts the can to his mouth, he sees Leanne sitting up in the mirror. Across her face is a terrifying grin, one that seems like no human could possibly execute. David quickly turns around and drops the beer to the ground. Its contents spilling out onto the carpet.

"What the hell, Leanne? I thought you were dead!"
David's voice trembles.
 
"I am free, David. Free of the addiction. You have to come join me." Leanne never breaks the ungodly smile and holds out her arms. As if asking for an embrace.

"This is not a fucking joke, Leanne. I was devastated. I called 911 and they are sending an ambulance."
David moves a little closer to Leanne. He sense something off about her and feels a chill run up his spine.

"I am not joking. You can be free too. Join me, David." Leanne's arms are still out stretched.

 David begins crying and stops at the side of the bed, "I truly thought I had lost you." 

"I came back for you, David. Join me and we can be happy together." Leanne takes hold of David's arm. David looks down at the spot her hand is grabbing and then dives into Leannes arms, wrapping his own arms around her.


 Bill pulls the ambulance into a parking spot of Capital Club at 1:23 am. Only ten minutes since he got notice of the emergency. His partner, Fred, begins to gather the supplies they need. Once they have everything, they both exit the ambulance and ascend the stairs. Bill knocks on the door. No answer. Bill tries again and calls out.

"Hello, Paramedics, we got an emergency call."
Still no answer. Bill looks over to Fred and Fred just shrugs. Bill tries the doorknob and finds the door unlocked. 

"Let's check it out. If this is a mistake, we will apologize after." Bill tells Fred.

 Both paramedics enter the darkness of the front room. They make their way around the coffee table and Bill spots light peeking from a door ajar down the hall. He gesture to Fred and they walk to the door. They open it wider and find two bodies sitting up in bed, lying against each other in an embrace, both with hideous smiles across their faces. The paramedics move to the bodies and check their vitals. Both of them are dead.

"This is sad, Why do you think they are smiling like that?" Fred asks.

"Addiction is a terrible beast. They finally escaped it with each other in death…I guess" Bill answers.