Prescriptions – 9 fin.

I roamed around the room. A few people splashed me with their drinks. Very annoying. Who would hold a drink when they are dancing and jumping around? Who? Seriously. I smelled like a walking whiskey and Coke. If anyone strained my clothes they would have a few cocktails to pass around.

There was a long couch in the corner. Two girls were jumping on one half. Carl sat on the other.

He was this heavy older guy. Sloppy and unshaven. Not beard unshaven, but that stubble type of unshaven. One that’s in between intentional and letting it grow. It wasn’t a good look. Especially with him balding. It’s not like he cared, sitting there in sweat pants and a tank top. Appearance was not his thing. And apparently the neither was the party.

It looked like he was trying to enjoy himself. Moving his arms up and down like a boxer. It wasn’t in sync with the music. And his forced smile couldn’t do anything for his tears.

No one paid any attention to him.

He simply sat there. Left alone on the side of the couch. Everyone blitzed out of their minds, only caring about the music and being inebriated. No one even noticed Carl’s arms. They were changing on him. And with each phase of the metamorphosis, his maniacal sadness increased.

His fingers became stuck together. Dry bark started to grow on them. Each time he tried to move his fingers, they started to bleed.

Tears were joined by bumbling crying.

Branches tore through his forearm and bloomed leaves and smaller branches. His arms became small trees. The roots bore their way into his shoulder and chest. He didn’t scream. He only cried and watched helplessly. Not once crying out to any one. His time was here.

I came over and sat next to him. He leaned against me. Never introducing himself or even asking who I was. He just sat there sobbing. And waited for the sickness to take him. I put my arm around his shoulder. He buried his rough face in my shoulder, soaking it with despair.

It didn’t bother me.

I knew it was a horrible fate. Slow and painful. Almost humiliating in a way. But what’s was worse was having to die alone. With no family, no friends, or anyone that cared around.

He died within five minutes.

I sat there still holding on to him. Still supporting the large mass of flesh against me and wondered.

Wondered if anyone would do the same for me.

Prescriptions – 8

The military boat docked next to Thomas’ yacht. It was one of those small patrol boats. Army green with that .50 cal on the front. There were three soldiers, one steering and two in the back, rifles slung. They waved Thomas and his crew on.

I yelled but no one heard me.

Large cargo boxes were stacked in the back. One was definitely medical supplies. The three soldiers pulled it down. They flipped it open. Inside were plastic bags filled with pills. Each labeled with handwritten names. These were to be handed out to everyone living there. This shipment happens once a week, from people, soldiers, who were perfectly healthy. They stood there laughing at what something Thomas said. Probably some stupid joke. I knew he wasn’t genuinely trying to entertain them. He had another motive. To kill them.

I wanted to warn them. Somehow. But, it wasn’t going to happen. If I could have closed my eyes, I could. They remained open. I had to watch the whole thing.

“What’s this name?” Thomas pointed down to a bag. “I can’t read that.”

“Oh c’mon,” one soldier leaned over.

“I don’t think it’s even in English,” Thomas insisted.

They laughed.

“You forget how to read out here?”

The soldier picked up the bag.

And just like that, Thomas planted the knife through his back. The soldiers smile curled. Thomas had this stern look. Not menacing, not jovial, it was this look, void of any emotion. He hid this face. Once he turned to his crew, he was all smiles again. The others had a hold of the soldiers. Everyone had the look of shock, even Thomas’ crew. I don’t think killing was part of the plan. Without any hesitation he threw the first soldier overboard. Then stabbed the other two. One each. They died instantly. Thomas personally dumped the bodies. When the carcasses were out of sight, everyone was back to normal. As in laughing and talking.

They began to open the other boxes. They were filled with alcohol. Everyone cheered and grabbed all they could. Others carried the boxes over. They were definitely going to bring it back to the cruise ship. They were going to party. Some had already started.

My blood was red hot. I was pissed.

Thomas went under the canopy. Over to the controls. He went through all the drawers and shelves. Looking for something useful. He did. He came back out with a boom-box. Holding it high he turned it on. The music was pounding and everyone roared.