herlihy

He lay on the floor, curled into a ball, a mass of nerves on fire, cold sweat and a bitter taste on his tongue.

shespokesosoftlythen

The icy tiles pressed on his cheek, grid lines forming. His eyes darted around the room, searching for anything and latching onto nothing.
gavemeherdolltorememberher
His sweat-soaked hair fell, draped upon the dirty floor, cleaving patches of cleanliness.
hediedaloneinthestreetnotknowinghewasloved
Slowly, achingly, he forced himself up and towards a porcelain respite.
whydidshecrysomuchthatnight
Flashes of light, of his life, passed through his mind, transient thoughts and half-formed
wrappingpaperlitteredthegroundnoonesmiled
memories danced in and out of view.
He reached the toilet, clinging to the rim
almostdrownedmybrothersavedme
looking into the dirty bowl, into his own reflection.
His hair dangled, draping his face, matted with white chunks of vomit. The burning in his stomach, the sharp, stabbing pain in his side faded in and out and back in again.

His eyelids closed
thecarwasonitsside
and his eyes started to roll
thewindshieldgone
to the back of his head.
icouldntseehimicouldntfindhim
He began shaking, his teeth digging into his bottom lip
therewassomuchsmoke
and a drop of blood slipped down his chin
somuchsomuchsomuch
and fell into the bowl
andthendarkandthennothing
spreading like a rose in the water.