Patrick went home that morning covered in ashes and gore. He took a shower, then flopped on the couch naked to finish off the last of his emergency stash. He swallowed the pills with half-priced Vodka, but even the burn of the alcohol couldn't banish the smell of scorched flesh from his nose or the taste of death on his tongue.
He thought about what Michael had said as they'd scooped ashes. "It was his own fault. Yeah, Arowenia is hot, and I'd like to bend her over a table myself, but I'm not that stupid."
Hot. Patrick couldn't see that. Pretty, sure, but she seemed too lost and scared to be sexy. She needed saved more than she needed fucked.
Don't we all.
***
Saturday, September 29th
The pounding on the door woke Patrick from his stupor. He flopped his arm and knocked the ashtray over. Butts scattered, and ashes puffed into the air in a cloud of fine dust. The sight reminded him of Josh, and he felt sick all over again.