Found some time to finish up before the exams. You'll just have to wait for the next one
Chapter 26:
12th February, 2012
Salford, Manchester.
Still to this day, I have never worked out whether it is the blinding headache or the aching thirst of the hangover that wakes you up the morning after the night before. I groaned as my eyelids cracked open and the sunlight that was blazing through the window burned into the back of my skull. I heard the sound of movement and a familiar voice as I tried to regain my bearings, and my memory.
“You’re finally awake! Talk about dead to the world, you were way gone. How you feeling?”
“Like I’ve gone ten rounds with Vida. I’ve felt better. Much better.”
Glancing around the room, I began to take in my surroundings. My head pounded as I stood up, almost blinding me with the pain. Around the room, it was obvious that the apartment was Lisa’s. None of the usual male influences, no mess, no to-do lists, no games console stashed under the TV. She wandered back around the corner, a coffee in her hand.
“Here, just how you like it.” Handing the brew to me, she gazed back with a smile. I didn’t know how she could drink the same amount, yet not be impeded by its effects. I returned the smile.
“Thanks again for having me round, Lisa. I wouldn’t imagine the office sofa was as comfortable.” A doubt hung in the back of my mind. Looking back toward the, now registered, double bed, I paled.
“****. Did...?” I started.
She giggled. “As much as I would have liked to... No. Whole bottles of whiskey have the
annoying habit of making people pass out.” Grinning to herself, she looked away. I glanced at the time. Already past midday.
****, Alice will be wondering. I thought to myself.
“Look, Lisa, I really got to go. Thanks for the bunk for the night. I’ll see you at work?”
“Of course. You never know when you’ll need a drinking buddy again.” She purred.
“Last time, honest!” I called back as I shut the door behind me and headed back home.
I opened the door as stealthily as possible, expecting a barrage of questions to be hurled toward me the moment I stepped over the threshold. None came.
“Alice? I’m home!” I shouted. Something grated at my nerves, a sixth sense that didn’t feel right. Like the day of the crash, but worse. Much worse. I quickly checked the living room, and kitchen to see if she’d decided to sleep on the sofas. I clocked an abnormally large amount of bottles on the kitchen counter, all alcoholic, ranging in strength.
I worked my way upstairs. All the doors were open, save for one. I knocked on the bathroom door. Locked, and deathly quiet. A quick check of the other rooms told me nothing, except that the bed wasn’t slept in. Alarm bells rang in my head.
“Alice?” I banged on the locked door. “Alice! Open up!”
Nothing.
Jesus Christ! I really began to panic as I banged harder on the door. Putting my shoulder just above the lock, I stepped back and slammed my weight against it. The metal latch gave and the door flew open. I instantly stepped back, in shock and horror.
Dear God, no!