Falling Into Repeat (Raychu and Zombie) [18+]

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Zombie's character:

 

 

Name: Adam Clarkson

Age: 34

Height: 6ft

Personality: When depression isn't taking over him entirely, he tends to be calm and collected, rarely gets angry, is pretty slow altogether. He dislikes being alone, however big crowds of people often make him feel tired quickly. He likes animals and they like him. His biggest fear is dying alone.

 

 

---

Just breathe.

 

The familiar feeling of a needle piercing his skin calmed him down. It was hard to find a clear spot there by now. His skin had been pierced so many times it was full of scars. The dose was just barely enough for him to reach that blissful high anymore. He wanted more. He needed more. Heroin was one hell of a drug.

 

Adam got out of the rehabilitation center a couple weeks ago. It was the third one. He kept going back to this horrid habit. He started from such a seemingly harmless thing - from weed. Why did he start? Long story short, his life was shit. Mother got cancer, father left with another woman, sister attempted suicide... He just wanted an escape from that hell. Weed was enough while he was a teenager. Little by little he began craving more. Ecstasy followed after, but that wasn't enough either. He tried LSD, but he still wanted something stronger. He finally found his bliss in cocaine and heroin. He could feel his body succumbing to the drugs, but at least his mind was quiet. There wasn't anything inside of him that would say how pathetic he was, how he should just die. He wanted to die, that was certain. He was afraid of it, too. It was a bit of a conflict.

 

Adam was completely out of it by now. His whole life revolved around taking drugs and the bliss they brought him. He barely reacted when someone shook him. A lazy smile stretched out across his face, struggling to open his eyes and failing. Someone lifted him up. Adam assumed his friends did. Maybe they would bring him to a comfortable bed... That would be nice. Except, at some point he realized he was in a car. It was cold. He didn't feel good anymore.

 

The next time he finally regained consciousness to the point where he could somewhat communicate was in a very bright room. He squinted, his chapped lips parting with a weak sound passing through. God, not again. Every muscle in his body hurt. He was here again. Maybe a different rehabilitation center, but it was still the same shit again. Over and over. He felt sick. They should've left him to die. He didn't have the money to pay for this crap anyway. Who cared? By now he lived out on the streets, occasionally taken in by some friend. He ate some trash and bought more drugs with whatever money he got. He knew he wouldn't be able to escape his life anymore. At least he could die somewhere while high. That wasn't so bad, right?

[Raychu]

 

Name: Garret Forester

Nickname(s): Though he doesn't have a set nickname, his family tends to call him Grizzly for grizzly bear because he used to be obsessed with them as a child.

Age: 30

Position: Seke

Height: 5ft 8in

Weight: 123 lbs

Birthday: March 12th

Nationality: American

Sexuality: Homosexual

 

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Cornflower Blue

Extra: Garret tends to wear loose, casual clothes when he's not on the job. Prefers to always be bundled up in something warm (scarf, hoodie, sweater, jacket, etc), even when it's a hotter day. Has a barely visible scar on the right side of his cheek from rough play as a child. Has to wear reading glasses when he's on the job.

 

Personality: Garret is very understanding person and can remain calm in any sort of situation, trained to not get over reactive in any given moment. He's kind and helpful, though can be a bit blunt and scolding when it calls for it. He's a harsh type of person with a sweeter side. Garret takes his job very seriously and won't let anything or anyone get in his way of it, usually leading to break ups in his relationships. He isn't the best when it comes to organization, making him quite clumsy and scatterbrained. He has a hard time prioritizing important things (ex; relationships and family) over his work, making him difficult to work with outside of his job. Garret can be a little over active at times, moving around more often, unable to calm his body down.

Likes: Reading, his job, small rodents such as mice and squirrels, classical music, poetry, and being able to help people.

Dislikes: Being doubted, electric music, sitting still, fighting, drugs, alcohol, brussel sprouts, and materialistic people.

Occupation: Nurse at a Rehabilitation Center

 

Bio: Garret grew up with his younger brother in a loving household. His little brother was the genius of the family, causing Garret to become more competitive when it came to grades and work. He ended up falling behind his brother all the way to his own graduation, deciding to just give up on beating him. He dropped out of university for awhile, picking up the habit of smoking from one of his friends. When he found out his brother had dropped out as well, he ended up finding out that he started drugs, being sent to rehab multiple times before he quit. This then out a fire in the brunet to become a nurse and help those kinds of people in need. He never dropped his habit of smoking, though he did lessen how many he smoked a day. He went to university online, then going into a medical right after he graduated. Feeling accomplished, he was able to get a job at a rehab center, learning it was where he could be himself without worry of rejection.

 

This wasn't the first patient to have taken too much heroin in their system, he surely wouldn't be the last. Being on the job for almost three years, you grow used to seeing all sorts of patients come in, only to leave weeks or months later. Some of them Garret had grown a small connection with spending days with them, only for them to leave. He hoped they wouldn't return either. It was sad to see people come in who had the potential to be something more, only to be crushed by an abuse of a substance. Garret didn't pity them either, that was as if he was mocking them for having bad choices. He could never be so cruel as to make fun of them for an addiction they can't control. He had plenty of experiences with his mistakes of the past, ones that he would never want to be mocked.

 

Instead, he was empathetic towards the patients that came in through the door. He understood what they were going through and he wanted to help, not make them feel worse than they already did. Garret didn't believe that everyone could kill such a strong addiction on their own. If they were to get over it, they needed actual support. Not some man in a jacket pretending to care for them. Not words that would make a heartless promise to help, a promise they'll never fulfill. He had seen many cases of this happening. Empty promises, two faced people. How was that supposed to help someone? Simple. It wouldn't. They needed real support, something that Garret was willing to give.

 

When their most recent intake had come in, Garret had to personally get him settled. Insert the IV to get the fluids running through, trying to flush out any remaining drugs in the system. Get him on the heart monitor, the beeps filling the silent room. These were his least favorite cases, having the patient half dead, under the intense care and watch. That meant he would have to check on this room more frequently to make sure the guy didn't die. After finishing up, he headed out to retrieve the papers. Once the patient woke up, he was going to need to get his information. Though, Garret couldn't determine how long it would take with the patient being so out of it.

 

"Oh! You're awake," Garret's soft voice sounding out the beeping in the room when he returned. Clutching the papers, he slowly walked over to the bed. Looking down at the man, he pursed his lips tightly in thought. "Would you like some water? After that I'm going to need you to fill out this form as best as you can."

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam cringed visibly at the sound of someone's voice. His head felt like it was about to explode. His whole body was on fire. For a moment relief flooded through his body at the familiar feeling of a needle sticking out of his inner arm, but after those few blissful moments he realized it wasn't providing his body with drugs. That, honestly, hurt more than it was supposed to. He desperately craved for another dose. His hands were shaking, cold sweat beginning to collect on his forehead.

 

All this time he couldn't figure out what was asked of him. He could hear a voice, he could even see someone standing close to him, but he couldn't make out the words. Adam's lips parted and closed with desperate gasps for air. It was futile trying to communicate with him for the time being. If he really tried to focus he probably could say something, but why would he? He knew what was going to happen, the doctor, or the nurse, or whatever the person in the room was, probably knew as well.

 

Adam ended up slipping back into slumber, unconsciously trying to get as much time in the bed as possible. It was the most comfortable thing he'd laid in since the last time he was forced into rehab. Usually he slept on benches or just on the ground. If he got really lucky, a friend offered him a couch. Those days were blissful for him. How sad was that?

 

The next time he woke, he was relieved to find that the room wasn't so bright anymore. It must've been late in the evening, or even night. Slowly exhaling, Adam blinked a few times, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was still buzzing, noises still merged together, but he could make out some things. His fingers twitched as he turned his head slightly. He was thirsty. He didn't feel hungry at all, though. If anything, he just felt sick. He was bound to throw up, it was one of the many uncomfortable things withdrawal brought. His depression would take over him as well, he would feel cold despite being wrapped in several blankets, he'd be even slower than usually. It sucked. If he got another dose, though... He would feel alive. Maybe he wouldn't want to die, too. Those moments were good. In those moments he felt like something was going right for him.

 

"Water." A hoarse whisper slipped past his lips. He wasn't even sure if there was anyone in the room. His hands were still trembling and his muscles still ached. His mouth was so dry he couldn't even swallow. If he coughed he would probably cough out blood. Adam closed his eyes, his breathing heavy, but slow. The pillows felt like the most comfortable clouds for him. He didn't get to enjoy such luxury often. How did they think he would pay for this, though? He didn't have a job and there wasn't anything they could take from him, either. He didn't even know which members of his family were alive still, so that probably wouldn't work out either. Adam wasn't even sure if he had his wallet on him anymore. He should've still had something - at least some sort of bag with the documents he had. That only included his ID and some change.

[Raychu]

Garret wasn't surprised to seek the patient fall back into unconsciousness, seeing as he had been through a lot. It was surprising he was even up so early, honestly, the brunet half expected to see him up the next day from how much of the drugs was in his system. Luckily, the patient didn't fall into a life threatening coma, lucky for them. That didn't make it a complete good thing either. Sure the patient wasn't in a coma, he still was in pretty bad shape. It didn't mean he wouldn't slip in or out of one, he just had to hope for the best with the patient and try not to worry. Which was hard for him and the kind of person he was. Even after he left the room, knowing the patient wouldn't wake up until later, he kept glancing in, as if he was waiting for something unfortunate to happen while he was looking in another direction. Nothing happened, the heart monitor was kept good, the IV bag was changed, everything was fine besides the fact that one, the patient had nearly overdosed, two, he was doing life threatening drugs, and three, he was in this kind of place.

 

Even though the patent was still unconscious, Garret still got a styrofoam cup, filling it with ice cold water, placing a lid on it. He almost forgot the straw, grabbing it on the way back to the room. Even if the patient was asleep, it was always nice to be prepared for when they woke up and could keep conscious for more than two minutes. He had plenty of his co-workers unprepared, causing the patients to wait and sit there in need of something as they slowly got the requested item. If the brunette could, he would brag about how on top of his job he was compared to the other nurses, he didn't want to sound like a total ass either. Everyone worked at their own pace and were efficient in their own individual ways.

 

Once the nurse had checked on the new intake patient, he heard the hoarse soeaking of water. His first instinct should've been to let the patient know he was in there, instead he was grabbing the styrofoam cup, putting the straw between the man's lips. First get him situated and ck offshore, then question him and gain the information needed for the intake form. It's not like this patient couldn't deny their offer of taking him in for rehab, he could, Garret just hoped this patient would seriously consider getting some help instead of immediately declining. If he saw one thing often, it was people leaving as soon as they got there, not bothering to finish out something that could change their lives it they gave it a fair shot. He understood that it wasn't easy as well, it was an adjustment to a new environment. To be able to stay at a rehab center, it took a quick adjustment or they wouldn't make it. Which was... highly unfortunate. Especially when their names show up in the arbitrary in the newspapers.

 

"I see you're awake. I hope you are feeling somewhat better than before. Though, I'm sure it's not the greatest," he laughs softly, pulling the cup away and setting it down on the table next to the bed. "Is there anything else you think you need?" Garret held a friendly tone and smile, unsure if the patient was going to be able to say much more. Though it would be nice to know what his name was. He didn't go through the bag that had come with him, leaving that to security instead. He didn't want to be the one to snoop, he'd just patiently wait until the man got up before he started bombarding him with questions about who he was. Garret knew he had to be understanding and patient so the man wouldn't be bothered.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

The straw being placed between his parted lips startled Adam, but the need for water was far too strong to even question it. Gulping down some of the cool liquid, he breathed out slowly, his head leaning back against the pillow. "I've been better. I've also been worse." He murmured in response to the other's words. He forced his eyes open again, trying to focus on actually looking at the face of the man next to him. Based on the color of his clothes, this was a nurse. Doctors didn't bother with hanging around patients like him... They probably didn't bother hanging around any kind of patients, honestly. He didn't take it to heart too much, all he needed was a bed and maybe some food. This was already better than most of his days. Except, of course, he didn't have the chance to get any drugs. That was a bit of a downer.

 

Adam shook his head slowly, trying not to move his aching head too much. The headache was bad enough as it was. "You won't get me drugs, so there's nothing else to ask." He replied with a shadow of a smile. Adam exhaled, his fingers twitching slightly, as if he was trying to move his hand. It was invisible underneath the blanket, though. "Actually..." He trailed off, turning his head to the side to look at Garret. "Another blanket would be nice." He said, a faint smile lingering on his chapped lips. Adam tried to get as much from hospitals as possible, until someone realized he didn't have any money, his family refused to have any contact with him, he didn't have anything to sell, so... He was as broke as one could possibly get. It was honestly incredible that he was still alive. In fact, the one thing that he could've still had enough of to get a small amount of money, was some drugs that he should've still had at the bottom of his worn-out bag.

 

"You can go ahead and start doing what you need to do. This ain't my first time." Adam murmured out. All in all, he didn't seem like a bad man. He just seemed awfully tired. He didn't see a way out of his situation. To survive in this world, you needed money, at least a small amount, but he didn't have that. He didn't have anything, just his horrid addiction which was surely destroying both his body and his mind. He used to be someone people wanted, or wanted to be, and now... His eyes were hollow, his teeth were yellow, his body was basically just bones and flesh. Before all this crap, he even used to go to the gym regularly, he was in control of his life... At least for some time, he was. The first dose of cocaine completely cut off his ties to the normal life. He couldn't have that. Who knew if he ever would be able to have that again. It couldn't be said that he didn't want to. Hell, if only he could go back in time and stop himself from ruining his entire life, he'd do it. He'd do it without any hesitation. Maybe if he did, he wouldn't be at the brink of death every two days.

 

Adam closed his eyes, and for a single moment he tried to imagine that he was somewhere home, laying in his own, comfortable bed. He wouldn't have to worry about food, about being warm, about having enough money to buy decent clothes... He missed that. He missed that so much. Every time he was in a hospital he considered trying to get better, but it just didn't work. Why else would he have gone to all those rehabilitation centers? No one could actually force him to, he went there on his own, but it wasn't enough. Maybe if he had someone with him, someone who could actually keep him from going back to drugs, maybe then he would actually get better, get his life in control at least a little bit.

[Raychu]

Hearing the faint joke over the drugs, Garret pursed his lips into a thin line. He'd heard that one many times before, he could just never get used to the fact someone could joke about something so deadly. Drugs caused so many deaths from overdose, it was sad to see so many potential people go because of a simple addiction. A simple addiction that quickly turned into something so horrible, a messy life began, a person went astray. He gave a light frown in the end, knowing he was overthinking what the other said, he just couldn't help himself. Drugs were a scary thing, they took lives, they were abused even when they were strictly meant for medicinal purposes. He personally saw people fall from this addiction, he watched good people end up burning in the flame they created. Drugs could take so much away in an instant, an entire lifetime wasted. Everything would be ripped away by the rough need, a strong want of something to cause a numbing. A temporary numbing. How did it help anyone then?

 

"Before I question you, I'll go get you that towel," he said in such a kind tone. In all honesty, he just didn't want to push the patient too fast. He did just wake up after all. He could wait a little longer. What did disappoint Garret was hearing that this wasn't the mystery patient's first time. That meant he had been in and out, maybe one, twice, who knew how many times he had been to these kinds of places. At times, he saw it was no good for a person to come back multiple times, not because he didn't want to help, he did, sometimes places like these only caused more stress and problems for people. He understood that not all rehab centers would help people who were in need of it, it was an internal struggle just to ask for help. Sure, many say the first step was admitting, that may be true, but asking for help is always harder than just admitting there is a problem. Not everyone can let go of their pride and ask for the help of someone, especially not from someone of a rehab center.

 

Retrieving the blanket, he returned to the room, unfolding the blanket as he draped it over the patient. Looking him over, he tried to think of what else to do before he started questioning the patient. "I'll be back, give me just a minute," his voice still soft and kind, hoping to give off a friendlier vibe. He wanted this person to trust him. Helping someone meant you must have their trust, without it, help is useless. Deciding that there wasn't much he else he could do without information, he stepped out of the room, grabbing his clipboard from the counter. Everything was blank until he asked, was it really okay to do that with the new intake patient when he's barely awake? If he fell asleep again, Garret would wait once more unless his shift was cut short before he woke up.

 

Garret returned to the room with the clipboard and a pen in hand, looking over their new patient before looking down at the form that he needed to fill out. "You said this isn't your first time right? So I assume you know the process? I question you, we see what we can do to treat from there, the basics." Garret probably made it sound normal, for someone who had been through this before, perhaps it was. Who knew. He just had as form to fill out if he wanted to get anymore with the intake process. "Before I get ahead of myself, you can call me Garret. Since we are past my introductions, I'm going to need you to do the same." He lughed softly, quickly quieting himself as he readied to write down the new patient's name.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam closed his eyes, nodding slowly. "Thank you." He breathed out, resting his head against the pillow. Man, it was good to have someone taking care of him like this. He could get what he needed to live while he was here. Sure, for a while he would be in pain because of the withdrawal, but that would go away with time. Warmth and food would no longer be a concern. Besides... It was always a very big plus to have a nurse that's cute and kind. This time he really lucked out.

 

As the blanket was put over him, Adam let out a light sigh, finally able to feel his feet get a bit warmer. It was a damn curse, even before he started doing drugs his hands and feet were always cold. The man let out a light grunt as he acknowledged the other leaving again. He didn't mind. It just meant that he would get to enjoy laying in the bed without many worries for a little bit longer. Sure, he'd have to start answering questions at some point, that couldn't be evaded. Adam opened his eyes again when the nurse came back, nodding slowly as he was asked if he knew the process. He could give the answers without being asked questions by now.

 

"Adam Clarkson. Starts with a C, the other letter is k." He answered, a light smile tugging at his lips. He found that if he specified which letter is which, it was easier. People often got confused - c and k were such similar letters, after all. Alongside with that, it sometimes made the atmosphere a little bit lighter. It was so much better than the crushing silence of a hospital. He never really liked silence. Perhaps that was why he preferred to sleep outside on some bench, if it wasn't cold, instead of a church or something of the sort. The noise calmed him down.

 

Adam looked down at the IV sticking out of his arm, his eyes slowly trailing over the marks left from needles over the skin. "I'm surprised you found a place to stick it in." He muttered out. Hell, even he started injecting himself in different places by now - his abdomen, his legs, simply because it was getting hard to get himself properly in the arm. Along with the smaller scars and wounds, there were long scars, going either horizontally or vertically on his wrists. He would lie if he said he never tried to kill himself. Who wouldn't want to kill themselves in his situation? Adam just never actually finished the job. He always got scared just before the last cut. He never went deep enough to bleed out. He wanted to die, but he feared death too much to accept it just yet.

 

Adam's tired gaze slowly moved back towards Garret. "You know, you seem like the nicest nurse I've gotten so far. Your family must be proud of you." He murmured quietly. His own family disowned him, so of course he was jealous. His father was an asshole, though. The few times they met after the divorce, his father would be borderline abusive. He always drank, too, but one time, after he saw Adam smoking a blunt, he freaked out. That was probably the first time he was hit so hard. He had to go to school the following day with a massive bruise on his left cheek. He told everyone he got into a fistfight with a bully, but he wasn't sure if anyone actually bought that. His father ended up going to jail after a few months anyway, but not for hitting Adam, that wouldn't be enough. Adam never actually got to know the real reason why. It was a bit upsetting, but on the other hand, at least his mother was safe. Well, as safe as she could be.

[Raychu]

The blue eyes roamed over Adam before writing down the name of the patient. Adam was it? He was a fine looking guy, despite re hell he's probably through being on drugs. He wrote slowly to make his handwriting look nice and neat, if there was one thing he truly took pride in, it was his handwriting. Such a shame they didn't teach kids to write cursive in schools anymore, it's a useful skill for any job. It also made one look very professional in their line of work, Garret appreciated the neater writing styles. Which is why he took up the style himself, adding a few different curls to make the letters his own.

 

Hearing about how he found a place to stick him, it honestly wasn't that hard. Sure there were many spots that were from previous injections, it didn't make it impossible for him. As a nurse, Garret learned a few tricks when it came to sticking someone with an IV. One time he had to put it in a woman's foot, it was he only vein he could locate from her being so dehydrated. Wherever there is a vein, there is a way as he saw it. He wouldn't gloat about it to the man either, it's not exactly something to brag about.

 

The nurse visibly stiffened when the other mentioned his parents. It was obvious there was a hint of jealousy, one he didn't understand. It wasn't like his parents were exactly proud of him, they kind of just acknowledged what he did was good. Even if his brother became a mess because of drugs, he was still the favored one in the family. Hearing his parents mentioned, it just made him feel uneasy. He did his job, his family was obligated to congratulate him, then they went back to coddling his brother, nothing unusual. It's not like he had a bad relationship despite not being the favorite, it was actually a fairly decent one, he just didn't have the great approval from them that many kids wanted.

 

"Oh, thanks. At least someone thinks I'm nice," he teased, brushing off the topic of his parents. It wasn't something to talk about with a patient either.

 

"Well Mr. Clarkson, am I being too rude, or can I ask for your age? You don't look a day over twenty if I do say so myself," Garret joked, hoping to lighten the mood a little more. He knew it was stressful for new intakes to be in here with such a dark weighing aura. It was even uncomfortable for him to be in the room at those moments, which is why he always tried to make it as good as it could get.

 

"I'll also need to know where you live, any living family members of distant relatives, if you have insurance, how long have you been doings drugs, any illness mental or physical we should know about, and if we have permission to give you treatment. Did you get all that? It is a mouthful, we can take it a step at a time." That wasn't everything that needed to be filled oh for the form, it was just the basics for the form, the rest he had to fill out on his own if possible, or that doctor would take it, one of the two. He just preferred to get all of the questions out at once for the patient to begin thinking about what they'll approach.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam's lips parted slightly when he saw Garret tense up - or thought he did. He wasn't sure if he really saw it or if he just hallucinated that. Since the nurse didn't show any more signs of being in any kind of distress, Adam brushed it off as a hallucination of some sort. It wasn't unusual. Especially not in his state. His lips pulled into a small smile at the comment, eyelashes fluttering closed. "Must be nice to have a junkie think you're nice." He murmured, his body relaxing against the soft bed. God, if only he could stay here forever.

 

A quiet, breathy laugh left his mouth, accompanied with a cough right after Garret's joke. "Isn't it against the rules to flirt with patients?" He asked with a playful undertone to his voice. He opened one eye, taking another look at the nurse. When was the last time he had such a pleasant experience in the hospital? Well... It would end soon, anyway. "I'm thirty-four years old." He replied, closing his eye again. "That's a bit more than a day over twenty." He added with a light chuckle, though he was beginning to dread the questions that were soon to follow. It was a bit hard to answer some of them, after all. Especially the next question.

 

"I don't really live anywhere." Adam muttered out, the small smile that kept playing on his cracked lips fading out. "I don't know anything about my family. No insurance, that's for sure." He continued, exhaling slowly. "Been doing drugs since I was... Sixt-... No, fifteen, probably. Heroin specifically for maybe three years." Adam's voice grew quieter, as if he himself hated hearing it. He did. But it was too late for him to change anything by now. "I'm pretty sure I was diagnosed with depression last time I was in a hospital. Don't know if I have any STD's, never got myself checked. Treatment... Well, if you're willing to waste money on a junkie with no money or a place to live, be my guest." As he finished, Adam still had his eyes closed. His voice had turned so quiet, it was just a little louder than a whisper. Truth be told, he could feel tears gathering under his eyelids. Maybe he should just kill himself and end the troubles he caused for everyone.

 

"Please, just let me stay here for a couple of nights." Adam found himself asking. Garret seemed like someone who could understand, who could maybe help him, at least with a place to sleep in for a few days. Of course he felt horrible for asking such a thing, he felt selfish, but he still clung to the possibility of living. If he was refused this much, he could finally end this. There would be nowhere else to go.

[Raychu]

Garret choked on air when the other gave his response, coughing quietly. Did it seem like he was flirting? It would have been unintentional if he did, just making a small joke. He quickly focused himself as he wrote down the age. Only four years older than himself, when he really didn't seem older than in his mid-twenties. He aged well, that was for sure. A small smile tugged on his lips as he tried to push the thought out of his head. Maybe he did flirt, just a little. Still unintentionally, his thoughts were just spoken before he considered what he was saying.

 

That light mood quickly went dark in a few seconds. He didn't live anywhere, no insurance, didn't know about his family, no money, and so much more. He stopped himself from feeling pity for Adam, that wasn't fair. He would feel sad for him though, that sounded horrible. He was quiet as he wrote down the information he was given. Depression? That wasn't uncommon for him to see, especially when drugs were involved. A lot of people who were depressed resorted to drugs for a way to numb themselves. It didn't last long enough for them, this was what he always heard. They regretted doing it, they just couldn't stop when their pain was being taken away. That would explain the scars on Adam's wrists, he'd note that for later.

 

Hearing the other ask something of him, he looked up from the clipboard, giving a small smile. His eyes betrayed him, he felt sorry for the guy, how could he not? Every time he saw someone come in when they had nothing, he just felt the pain of walking in their shoes. It must have been horrible. At times he could even understand why they resorted to doing something to numb their pain, even if it wasn't always right. "Well, you can't be discharged until everything is cleared out of your system and you seem healthy enough to go. Other than that, I can't promise anything. You'll have about two more days before we determine that."

 

Garret felt so guilty saying this. He didn't want to let him go back to login on the streets, that's just cruel. He knew he personally wouldn't enjoy sleeping on a bench in the park, so why would Adam? He couldn't provide much more than what they could offer him, especially without insurance. It was horrible, you needed to pay to get help when you wanted it the most. Sometimes he questioned how anything in this world was fair, this certainly wasn't.

 

"I... I can probably provide you something out of here though when they do discharge you," his voice quiet, reaching a whisper. He cousinly exactly speak that at the top of his lungs, that would be interfering with a patient's private life, not professional at all. "I could let you stay at my place for a bit, just to help you get back on your feet." This was his bad habit, it was like him picking up a stray cat or dog, he felt sorry for them being out in the cold world and felt a need to help them. He couldn't turn away Adam either. He needed help and Garret wanted to be the one to provide that, he wanted to make someone's life better. With a quiet laugh, he spoke softly, "If anything I can provide warm blankets and a nice bed."

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam's lips pursed tightly, though even that didn't stop his lower lip from trembling. Two days wasn't enough. He wanted more. He wanted to live again. Right now he just existed, and even that just barely. God, he was weak. He couldn't even get himself to look at the nurse. What would he see in his eyes? Probably pity. Everyone looked at him with pity. He hated it. Why bother feeling sorry for him if you didn't intend to do anything about it?! How many times was he stared at in the street by people passing by, without as much as a single coin thrown at his direction. He felt so pathetic at times.

 

What Garret said next, though, it wasn't just pity anymore. His eyes opened slowly, one tear rolling down from each eye, down his cheek and onto the pillow. "Are you serious?" His voice, shaky, fearful, held small hints of hope. "You aren't... You're not playing some sick joke on me, are you?" This was the nicest thing anyone has offered to do for him in ten years, no doubt. A complete stranger-... That was the moment his doubts took over. "You don't know me. At all. I could end up stealing all your money and running away. No one is this nice." His voice shook and trembled, turning into a whisper just like the nurse's had as well.

 

Adam refused to believe someone would just be this nice. It was impossible. His entire life proved that, after all. His father was a cheating asshole, his mother was a depressed alcoholic with cancer, his sister was a messed up suicidal, and him... Well, he was just a mess. Adam turned his head away, his eyes still watery. "You'd probably do me a bigger favor if you gave me an overdose of morphine or something. Then I wouldn't have to worry about beds or warmth again in my life." He whispered, his shoulders trembling the slightest bit. God, fuck, he was weak. He didn't even deserve to live anymore. Why did people keep on taking him from the street? He was no better than a fucking rat.

 

Adam felt absolutely pathetic. He'd run away if he could. He wanted for Garret to leave, but... No, he didn't want him to leave. He wanted to be assured that life would actually get better. So what if it would be a lie? It would be so much nicer than hearing the brutal truth again. He knew he was going to die if he kept this up. It was a goddamn miracle he was still alive, anyway. He knew his family hated him... If they were still alive. He knew his friends were sick of trying to keep him alive. He knew all that. He was tired of hearing that over and over again. So... Adam wanted to hear something new. He was basically a corpse. He was cold, he could barely move, his skin was grey, but his mind wasn't entirely lost just yet. Maybe, just maybe he could still be saved.

[Raychu]

The forced smile turned to a frown as the other seemed to start making him weary. That was true, Adam could steal from him and run off. What good would it do for the guy though? He can easily take this opportunity to mooch for awhile, Garret didn't even mind providing that for someone. He was a bit of a pushover for himself when it came to trying to reject taking helpless animals in, humans were new, he just couldn't deny that this guy needed help. Wanted was more like. Adam didn't seem like a bad guy on his first judgment, which is why he offered in the first place. He wouldn't take it back either. He chose to put it out there, he wouldn't take it back as if he was joking, he wasn't that cruel of a person.

 

"I'm not joking, please don't make it seem like I am. I'm not a prick like that," he gave a light pout, trying to get the other to listen. He was dead serious, his offer could be left alone or taken up, either way, this guy needed a place to stay, his home was better than any hospital. He wouldn't be kept in 24/7 supervision, not many of their patients enjoyed that. The only thing Garret had to say no to was the use of drugs inside his home. He couldn't have that, so he could try and help the other stop if that's what he wanted as well. His offer will stood.

 

"I'd rather not provide you with something to off yourself. I'm serious. I can't do much in here, you obviously wanted to stay somewhere with a bed. The next best thing I can offer is my house. I want- No, I need to help you. Leaving you here, leaving you to go fend for yourself on the streets again, it's just not fair." He sighed, putting his clipboard to his chest. He didn't have much time to discuss this, the doctor would come in soon and the others would get suspicious is he didn't go back soon. He really didn't want to leave it at this either. He couldn't promise he'd be able to see Adam before he's discharged. He could easily be assigned to another unit for the day.

 

"Maybe I don't know you, maybe you will steal from me, I'll take my chances. You don't seem like a bad guy. If you do steal from me, I'll need to write down where everything is," he joked once more. Garret hoped this could lighten the mood again, that uncomfortable aura making him feel queasy in his stomach. Being stuck in this type of situation, he didn't deal with it the greatest. He liked when he could make people happy and laugh, that way nothing bad to ever be too serious when he was around. He had a good relationship with the patients because he never made it serious, he let hem have a type of fun they rarely got with other nurses.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

A quiet, broken up sob managed to slip past Adam's cracked lips. This really didn't feel like it could be real. It seemed too good to be real. He wanted to apologize, but he was afraid that if he tried talking his voice would break and he'd just end up sobbing. He didn't want that to happen.

 

If he was left to fend for himself out on the streets, he wouldn't last long. Adam squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to let any more tears slip out as he tried to even out his breathing. Only when he felt like he had it under control did he open his eyes again, slowly turning his gaze back to the nurse. "I can't believe you'd really do this for me." He muttered out, clear disbelief and fear in his eyes. "It just doesn't make sense. I'm a complete stranger, and you..." Adam swallowed down a lump in his throat, feeling himself tearing up again. "This is the nicest thing anyone's done for me in years." He finally said. It was clear just how much this meant for him. He was willing to try and change himself for the better if he got the chance.

 

"You should probably go... But thank you. So much." Adam muttered out, though his lips stayed still, without pulling into a smile. This could all just be a dream. He could wake up and find himself out on the street again. God, he was so scared of that possibility. Now that he got to know what life he could possibly get, the chance of getting back into the hell he lived before, it was absolutely terrifying. Hence why it wasn't a possibility anymore. He would either get his life together or he would end his life for good. He was done. He'd reached rock bottom. He either went up or let himself die, there was no way down anymore.

[Raychu]

For a minute, Garret thought he said stupid to set the other off. His worries were gone the moment the other started to show how grateful he was. So he could help him out, that was the best feeling in the world, to be doing good for a change. If he had found Adam on the street before, things might have been different. He might have brought him home from there, he just felt a need to help him out. If he could help change he life of someone who had almost nothing, then he would do it. He wouldn't give up, he'd lend a hand, he'd help get Adam back on his feet. Garret wasn't going to leave him for dead, he wasn't going to turn away, he wasn't going to pretend that he's okay, it's obvious he's not. People these days usually did that, they would invite the people in need. He always tried to give as much as could, twenty dollars, a jacket, whatever he could pull from what he didn't need. Taking in someone was an entirely new situation, he'd have to clean the extra bedroom. It was cluttered with valuables of his brother's, one that he never took back.

 

"Oh, right. I'll check up on you in a few. The doctor should be in soon. I'll just say you are rejecting treatment. I'll leave you be then..." He murmured softly. He didn't know what to take an answer really, he'd assume it's a yes, when he could just be receiving the wrong signals. He gave a small head how as he left the room, leaving Adam to his own. It must be stressful having to go through this all the time, it must be annoying to have no one to turn to. If he could become a shoulder to lean on, even if it was for a little while, he would do what he needed just to help the guy out. He didn't know what it's like to not have a family, to live on the street, or to have been addicted to something so deadly. His brother knew how it felt though, he watched him go through every day of his life like that. Walking in hose shoes, he never wanted to see it. Maybe he was addicted to cigarettes, that was bad, he just could never compare that to what so many people are going through.

 

He set the clipboard down, rubbing a hand on his face as he went behind the desk. What was he supposed to do now? Go home and attempt to make a room for Adam to stay in? That would be best rather than waiting last minute. He had so much work to do, he needed to restock the fridge, where was the time to make up a room for a guest? He didn't have any, he'd have to make some. He could always spend tomorrow and the next day just preparing the room. When Adam gets discharged, he could quickly go shopping with him, to find out what foods he liked, then they could go home. Would what he had in the fridge even last that long? He was so lost in thought, left in a daze as he pondered his new environment that he would have to deal with, he jumped a bit feeling the tap on his shoulder. Looking over, it was one of the other nurses, Jamie.

 

"Don't you have to make your rounds now to check the vitals of the patients?" She asked softly, looking through his empty clipboard. Groaning, he looked at time. He was supposed to get the vitals from old drying five minutes ago. Good going. He was letting his personal life get mixed in with work, not something he was proud of. That was what he always attempted to prevent from interfering.

 

"Yeah, I'll go do that now. My apologies," he mumbled, grabbing the clipboard and pen, setting it in the vitals monitor as he pushed it towards the first patient he was supposed to get vitals from. It took him a bit, having to change the cuff sizes each time he went to the rooms. Each person has a different body type that needed the cuff to fit properly so he could get blood pressure. Finally teachings Adam's room, he hesitated. Before he was about to wheel the vitals monitor, the doctor walked out, the same old stoic face. He wheeled the needed tools in as he looked at Adam.

 

"Sorry to bother, I need to get your vitals now. Do you think you can sit up or do you need help?" He asked quietly, pushing it closer to the bed as he sat on the doctors stool. Studying the other's arms, he was glad to see the cuff didn't need to be changed this time. His arm was the same size as the last patient's. "I hope he wasn't too much of an ass to you, don't tell him I said that," he laughed. He knew Dr. Macks was a hard guy for anyone to deal with. He had a bit of a snooty attitude with the intakes, just because he had never laid his hands on drugs, he felt a superiority. Garret disliked the guy, he could understand why everyone else did too. He was too stuck up.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam watched silently as Garret left the room. He didn't want to drag him down along with himself. He had to get a grip on himself, for once. Finally he had an actual reason why he would try to get better. He would have a place to live in, he would have food like normal people did, he would have an actual bed, whenever he wanted to sleep!.. Most of all, he would have someone who could help him out a bit. Adam knew he would be feeling guilty soon, for taking the offer, but he was too desperate to find something to live for again to refuse. This was his last and only chance.

 

A little while later, a new person entered the room - Adam assumed it was the doctor. That was not a pleasant man. Adam could feel his disgust, it crawled over his back like a thousand maggots. "Mr. Clarkson, you know that we cannot help you that much. I'm sure you'd much rather be out on the streets already, but you'll have to wait for a couple of days." If Adam could, he'd gladly punch the guy. "I'll have to scheduled for tests tomorrow morning," was the last thing the doctor said before leaving the room. Adam doubted he'd ever met such a repulsive man before in his life... Well, beside his father. He was Asshole McDick number one.

 

His eyes quickly shot up as someone else entered the room - Garret. Adam could feel his expression soften the moment he saw his face. "A little help wouldn't hurt." He answered with a light smile, waiting for the nurse to prop him up against the pillows. Quite frankly, it still hurt to move. His muscles felt like they were all on fire, but by now he was able to move his hands, which he promptly stuck underneath the blanket, in between his thighs to warm up. "That guy was one of the biggest asses I've ever met." Adam scoffed, closing his eyes as he leaned his head against the pillow, revealing his pale, long neck to the world. "I guess there has to be a contrast of some sort." He added softly, opening one eye to peek at the nurse while his lips once again stretched into a small smile. "Does he hate everyone like this or am I special?" He asked jokingly before closing his eye again. For the first time in years he actually wanted for the moment he'd leave the hospital to come.

 

"It's probably getting annoying by now, but... Are you really sure I can stay with you?" Adam's voice grew quiet, uncertainty clear. "I don't even know if I'll be able to get a job... I can't ask you to pay everything for me." He whispered, shifting in the bed a little uncomfortably. Who would want someone like him as an employee? He'd only finished high school, and even that just barely. He was a drug addict without anything good to offer to the world.

[Raychu]

Garret had to hold back a laugh. He knew the guy was hard to handle, lucky for the nurse, he wasn't on his bad side. He was on pretty good terms with him, because he was worthy of it. When the other decided to make his next comment, he let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. Helping Adam to sit up straighter, he sighed. "You'd feel a lot more special if he liked you. Which is a lot worse, because then his friendly conversations consist of bashing on patients like you. He thinks you aren't worth his time. You are worth mine though," he teased. There was no point in him trying to be completely secretive about his flirting, he wasn't completely meaning to do it either. It was more of his own natural habit to just say what was on his mind. Not the most professional, he broke the boundary he moment he asked Adam to live with him. Now, Garret felt he had a little more freedom when talking with the guy, even if they were still in the hospital.

 

Frowning, the blue eyes narrowed as he reached over, lightly pinching Adam's cheek, pulling on the flesh. "It is getting annoying. I'm not going to offer and then take it back, I'm completely okay with it. I can help you find a job. In return I just expect to to help with chores as your way of paying rent. If it's not too much to ask. My place is clean anyway, I just need to make room for you. Oh, you also have to come shopping with me. It's a lot more fun with someone by your side." He murmured, helping the other sit up straighter. He grabbed the thermometer, running it across his forehead. Hearing the beep, he sighed in relief. Adam's fever had gone down tremendously. That was really good, the fluids were washing out all that disgusting drug. "Also, having company around the house would be nice."

 

Finding the pressure cuff, he wrapped it around Adam's arm a few times, feeling the Velcro attach. Before he could turn that on, he needed a finger. Looking down at where Adam's hands were, Garret grinned slightly. "I need your left hand. You can pull it out, it not, I'll have to go under the blanket myself. We don't reply want that, do we?" If the patient really didn't want to pull his hand out, he would go under. His hands were a lot colder from constantly sanitizing them, it would invade the nice heat of the blankets. He quickly scribbled down Adam's temperature, reaching a 98.9 F (37 C). The guy recovered pretty fast, which amazed him. He was expecting a longer recovery. Thought his condition still wasn't the best, he wasn't in the worst position either.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam couldn't fight off the smile as Garret said he was worth his time. When was the last time he heard anything like that? "You should be careful with what you say, I might begin thinking you're trying to hit on me." He chuckled softly, genuinely happy that the two of them could be a little more casual with one another. As his cheek was pinched, Adam flinched a little bit. There wasn't even much there to pinch. He must've weighed about 115 pounds by now, he was basically a walking skeleton. There were times he looked amazing, even he knew he was attractive - tall, muscular, tanned, but that all was gone when drugs took over his life. Food became less important than getting another fix, and sleeping out on the streets did its own job as well.

 

"I'll help you with whatever I can. I'm just not sure where I would even find a job. I-..." Adam was always ashamed of admitting that. "I never actually went to college." He muttered out, turning his gaze away. He felt like going to college was expected from everyone by now. Like if you didn't go to university, you were some kind of a failure. Well... He was a failure, anyway. His life proved that much very well. He looked up as his hand was requested, a sheepish smile appearing on his face as he pulled out his left hand, giving it to Garret. His left wrist had a lot more scars than his right one, most of which seemed like they came from wounds pretty deep. "Really, I'm sure you'd find a reason to touch me anywhere if you wanted to." He teased playfully, the smile lingering on his face for a while. It felt good, to talk to someone so lightheartedly. He missed this.

 

Adam's right hand was still squeezed between his thin thighs, which didn't offer as much warmth as they could. Hell, it wasn't easy to make them meet anymore. The man looked around the room, his gaze stopping by the window for a moment, then turned to the small mirror right next to it. "My hair must be a mess." He suddenly commented. He never really worried about his appearance anymore, but right now just felt so normal, the words came out on their own. It was true, though. Adam's hair had always been a curly mess, but right now they were greasy, long and stretched out. Suddenly it hit him like a brick. He would be too scared to go back to a normal life. As if his lack of education and questionable past weren't enough, he also looked like shit. He would need to fix his teeth, his hair, his weight, even his skin. That had to cost a ton of money... He couldn't make Garret do all that for him. With all these thoughts buzzing in his head, Adam stared somewhere into space, looking as if he'd seen a ghost.

[Raychu]

Garret's intentions were filled with flirting with the guy, he wasn't hearing a stop though. If Adam really didn't want him to flirt with him, he was sure it would be openly voiced. "What if beginning to do just that?" His voice with a playful tone, a hint of a lower purr. Of course if he didn't want to be hit on, Garret would pull back immediately, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. He took a chance when the guy responsed positively to his words, unless he's just a straight person who enjoys having attention on him, then a gay person flirting would do them justice. He doubted that was why the other was so willing to play around with him instead of shrugging him off. He worried at home this would get a lot better or worse.

 

He didn't go to college? Why was that embarrassing to admit? He could easily calm the other with his own poor story. He turned on the pressure cuff as Adam zoned out, taking his free hand and sticking the fingertip pulse oximeter on his forefinger. Before he spoke up, he kind of just left the room in silence. Hearing the beeps on the monitor, he wrote done the blood pressure and the pulse, quickly removing the cuff and fingertip monitor. He snapped his fingers a few times in front of Adam's face in hopes of getting him to pay attention. He really didn't want the other to think it was hard to admit things to Garret, he understood, that was why he was coming in. He wouldn't be coming to the nurse's house if he didn't understand, that was that.

 

"You shouldn't be ashamed of that. My little brother never went to college, he got hooked on drugs. I dropped out for a bit before I returned, I'm not judging you. Hell, even a little secret. I may or may not smoke something deadly. Attempting to stop though," he laughed softly. Garret hoped he would think about this. No one as perfect, not himself or anyone else. Each had their flaws, his just mixed with with the good things he did have, making it hard to do certain things. "I'll help you find a job. If you finished high school, then there are some things to start with. Don't worry. Just remember, I'm here to help you at your disposal. I know my way around the job system, I had to supply money for college, so I've worked many jobs and have a grasp of what they want."

 

"By the way, you look perfect. Messy hair actually looks good on you, weird when it doesn't work for most people like me." He said with a playful wink and a grin, standing up. He had done the vitals, he had no choice but to leave. He didn't want to. "If you need me at all, press this red button here," he murmured as he brought up the call button. "Oh, don't be sorry about my not understanding something. I promise I won't leave you to yourself, I want to help you, seriously Adam. I should probably go now though... Too bad."

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam didn't react anymore to Garret's flirting. He just assumed it wasn't actually flirting - who'd flirt with someone like him, after all? Definitely not people like Garret... Not the sweet, caring types with good jobs and shit like that. At best he'd get a homeless person searching for a way to pass time or warm up, hence why he wasn't even sure about STD's. He could have easily caught something from someone, and not even necessarily through sex - the needles he used weren't always nice and sterile.

 

The man flinched once more as fingers were snapped right in front of his face. Blinking a few times, he turned to look at the nurse, his lips parted slightly. His eyebrows furrowed slightly at the little story that was told, lips pulling into the smallest of smiles. "Cute." He muttered out. It was cute how Garret compared cigarettes to heroin. It was cute how he thought that dropping out of college 'for a bit' was the same as barely finishing high school and not even considering college. Adam looked down at the bed sheets, the small smile, a ghost of what used to be there, still on his face. "I don't think you understand that no one wants people like me in their workplace. They'd rather take in a teen than a junkie, ex or not." He muttered out. It was the truth, the sad, ugly truth.

 

Adam glanced back up as Garret announced he had to leave. "Can't imagine you with messy hair." He admitted with a quiet chuckle, his eyes softening as he looked at the nurse. "Go, do your job. Make people happy. I won't be going anywhere." He added, then looked out the window again. He wanted to change his life, he really did, but did he have the strength to do so? His eyes closed as he took in a sharp breath. Ah, jeez. Heroin was one hell of a drug, sure, but the withdrawal was even worse. Adam could feel sweat forming on his forehead, his fingers were beginning to twitch and tremble, and God help him, the pain would become unbearable real soon. He honestly wished that they would be able to just put him out until this shit was over with, but that wouldn't be happening. That doctor would probably come and say he deserved it all anyway. He'd give his life for another dose right now...

[Raychu]

"Let me tell you something Mr. Clarkson, this attitude will do you no good. Instead of attempting to refute everything I say, at least give it a try. I might not seem like it, I am a realist. You don't understand the turnarounds people have made," Garret said in a slightly frustrated tone. Maybe he was too much of an optimist, he understood that. Of course a high tech company wouldn't want someone with a history of drugs. The smaller things were easier to bend. He had seen many drug addicts get a job that they shouldn't have, without being clean. He was sure he could convince someone to hire him, Adam didn't seem like a bad guy either. It would take a few simple words of his own to ensure that he would have a job. "You won't be going through this alone Adam. I'm here to help you, so stop pretending as if I'm thinking outside of possibility." His voice was much softer than before. He could understand that it was hard to just believe this, at the same time, Garret wasn't going to completely give up.

 

"Making people happy includes you. It's my duty to make you laugh at some point," he teased. His eyes locked onto the twitching fingers. This was a problem. They had the medications meant to help with detoxification. He could easily supply this to Adam if there wasn't a teensy roadblock, no insurance. He couldn't give away medicine for free, he'd get fired. Garret didn't want to leave him in pain either. Supply him without insurance, or leave him. Not the two greatest options. Sighing, he turned away, leaving the room quietly. He wouldn't leave him like that, it just wasn't fair to leave someone in pain. He would just have to figure something out.

 

It wasn't long before he returned with a few damp towels, the most he could provide. He would be fucked if they caught him giving Adam medicine. He could probably convince Dr. Macks to give him something if he explained how this situation would turn out. That also included his job being put on the line, which it already was, revealing it made it a lot more dangerous. He couldn't go to any of the other doctors, he didn't know any of them that well. "My job also includes you, if you remember right. I'll only be here for a few more hours, after that, you'll have to deal with someone who could really care less about their job. My apologies for his behavior. I don't know who's on morning duty, I'll be back tomorrow, late afternoon."

 

Garret walked over with a towel, sitting on the stool again, wiping Adam's forehead. He tried his best to clear the sweat as he sighed. There wasn't any herbal remedies he could do, acting like a therapist would be worse, he needed those pills desperately. "So tell me more about yourself. I can't tell if you're standoffish with me or if I keep saying something to make you upset. Either way, I apologize. I would like to know about the stranger I'm inviting to stay at my home with me," he said softly, laying the towelette down, staring at him.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam closed his eyes, shaking his head slightly. "Don't call me that, please." He murmured quietly, his voice a bit shaky. If Garret wanted to be casual with him, he could just call him by his name. People referring to him by his last name reminded him of the homeless shelters, and while those did offer a place to stay and food, he couldn't stand them. His eyes opened once more as Garret's voice softened, assuring him that he would have help. "It's pretty hard to actually believe someone's here for me. It's weird. It'll take some time for me to get used to this." He breathed out as a shudder ran down his body. The man stuck his hands back in between his thighs, both to hide the twitching and trembling and to warm them up as much as possible. He felt so goddamn cold.

 

Adam's lips pulled out into a small smile at the promise, though he didn't reply to it in any way. He quickly regretted it, though, as Garret stood up and left - was it his fault? He didn't have that much time to panic, though, as the nurse was back with damp towels, bringing out a soft smile to the man's face. He closed his eyes whenever the towel got closer to them, though the smile kept playing on his face. "I'm used to it. Don't worry." Although his voice was shaky and unstable, at least he sounded sure. He leaned back against the pillows, shifting his focus to his breathing and the feeling of sweat being wiped off his forehead rather than the pain that was slowly overtaking him whole. He'd get through this, he always did, but it didn't mean he liked it one bit.

 

"There isn't that much to tell. I've been out on the streets for at least twelve years..." He muttered, lightly biting the tip of his tongue to distract himself from a sharper sting in his abdomen. "I started from weed, y'know? Back when I was a teen, just fifteen, my mom got cancer, dad left the family for someone else and my sister attempted suicide. Needed a way to just... Just run away, at least for a bit. Weed wasn't enough after a while, though." He spoke, his breathing becoming a bit uneven. "Don't get me wrong. I tried getting back on track, but once you try the hard stuff, it's hard to ever stop. For a couple of years after high school I had a decent life, friends and all that shit, hell, I even used to work out-... Can't do much with this body now." Adam sighed, staring at the wall in front of him. "I never was an interesting person, y'know. I've always been pretty average. At least with drugs I wasn't average anymore... I'm not average anymore, I mean. A whole lot below average, but even that's better." Adam uttered, shifting slightly in the bed before squeezing his eyes shut. "I don't suppose you can give me morphine or some shit, can ya?" His lips pulled into a weak smile, his heart rate picking up. Boy oh boy, this would be one hell of a night.

[Raychu]

In all honesty, it was a heartfelt story that could make Garret feel sorry for the guy. Which was why he was offering a place to him, because Adam seemed like he wanted to get on track. If he saw good in a person, a true feeling, then Garret would give anyone the rightful chance they deserve, only if they were trying to walk a better path. He wouldn't take in someone who didn't care and wasn't willing to try and change. It would do no one no good, because they'd be out faster then they got in. He had hopes that Adam was going to be able to get through this and start anew. That took time and patience, the end results would take a bit, that was okay. He was willing to wait, help, and guide his new found friend, wanting to get him back on his feet. If he couldn't do this, he wasn't worthy of his title, his position, or even his job. This is what it was like to have his job, failing will not be appreciated.

 

"I can't. We only, but rarely, we give that to alcoholics with their withdraws. I'll get you something else, you just need to last for today. I should be able to get. That probably doesn't make you feel any better..." Garret sighed, run in this forehead. He had never been this stressed in all of the workdays he had been there. The minute Adam showed up it felt like the most stressful moment in the world. A nice and bitter, stressful moment. "I promise I'll get you something by tomorrow. To help with the pain of the withdrawal. I just need you to hang on until tomorrow." It probably was impossible, but right now, the impossible needed to be made possible. He'd get the meds one way or another. He had a way with words, he was capable of convincing people of a lot of things, he just hoped convincing the doctor would be easier than it sounds.

 

"Can I have your hands? You are acting like they are a bit cold, I want to help," he murmured, waiting for Adam to give his hands. He knew a few quick tricks to warming up fast. If anything, he could always get him gloves and a few more blankets if that makes him feel warmer. He patiently waited as he took the chances to wipe off any more sweat again. He was babying hI'm, which was kind of the job of the hospital anyway. He was just spoiling Adam a little more than other patients, well, a lot more. He definitely was doing whatever he could for the brunet, hoping he could make him feel better in any way that he could. Sure Garret didn't know the pain of withdrawals himself, he imagined it was worse than any broken bone.

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam's face scrunched up in pain, his teeth digging deeper into his lip. "It's fine, don't worry." He breathed out, his eyebrows furrowed as he tried fighting off the pain. God, fuck. For him, the start of the withdrawal was always the worst. All of the pain would come crashing into him, mercilessly. He felt like he was on fire, but at the same time he was freezing in an iceberg. It was hell. He wouldn't have to go through this if he could only get another fix. Just a little bit... Just one dose. That was all he needed. After that would come another, then another, and he would never actually stop. One time he would inject himself with way too much and that would be the end. He was disappointed, actually, that the end didn't find him yet.

 

"Y...Yeah..." Adam muttered out through clenched teeth as he pulled his hands out from under the blanket. They were twitching and trembling, though they were beginning to feel a bit numb, too. Adam assumed it was just from the cold, but fuck if he knew what was the real reason. He hoped it was because of the cold, though. He didn't want to end up losing his fingers, or even his whole hands. By now Adam could feel sweat everywhere. He was sure he wouldn't be able to fall asleep properly tonight. The man wanted to tell Garret to go and take care of people who needed help more than he did, but he also wanted someone there beside him, at least for a while.

 

Adam's head felt like it was about to explode. Dear God, did he hate this. Tomorrow morning the doctor scheduled him for the tests, too... He had no idea how he lucked out like that. Usually tests weren't for people without any money. Which reminded him - "I had a bag with me." He breathed out, his teeth still clenched tightly. He didn't want to bite his tongue accidentally if he tried to speak. The man wanted to make sure at least his ID was still in one piece. It was one of the few things he had in there, after all. He was sure people had gotten rid of the drugs he had, though. It was a shame.

[Raychu]

Garret cupped Adam's hands in his own, blowing hot air on them for a few minutes. They were shaking so violently, he was sure this was the cold beginning to mix with something else. After breathing the hot air on his hands, he let one go as he massages the other. It was good to get blood flow going. If this didn't work, he'd just attempt to find gloves, socks, and more blankets, anything that could work. He felt almost guilty for not being able to give him anything, which he shouldn't. That wasn't okay for him to be feeling. They were here because it was a problem, a problem they couldn't stop or fix. He was supposed to help fix it. Seeing people go through these dreadful moments, he felt the guilt because he watched them go through the pain of the withdrawals. He couldn't do anything at the moment for Adam. Wait. It clicked in his mind that there were over the counter bought medicines he could use. Painkillers weren't always the best solution, not the complete worst either. They could last him for a bit.

 

"Your bag? Oh. It's still at the check in counter. We had to go through it and remove anything we found harmful in there. It takes a bit to finish its check in process," he said softly, switching to massage the other hands. Some massages could help ease the pain if he was able to do more than just the hands. Sadly, that wasn't professional. He had heard of some of the patients going through opiates withdrawals to use a type of massage therapy. For some it worked, for others it didn't. He couldn't guarantee that if he did it to Adam it would even work. It would be a win or miss situation, he didn't want to make it worse if he messed up. He'd just leave that one out for now.

 

"I can bring you some Benedryl to help you sleep and some Ibuprofen in hopes that it'll end some of the pain. That's the most I can do for now until tomorrow. Would that be okay with you?" You always ask the patient before doing anything, it's the policy. Garret continued to massage his hands, switching between them. He hoped it was working, wanting the other to not be so cold. It was one of the symptoms of withdrawals, which was what was probably mixing with him being cold previously. "I think I can convince Dr. Macks to provide you with Methadone or Suboxone. They would help with this. It's just hard to talk to him now, he's probably being an ass with other patients at the moment."

[Zombie_In_A_Box]

Adam tried to keep his hands from shaking so much, but it seemed like they had a mind of their own. The little massages and hot air blown on them felt so nice though... The trembling at least lessened a little bit, and his fingers didn't feel quite as numb, although he still doubted he could really bend them or move them at all properly. Hearing that his bag was going through some checking, Adam let out a nervous chuckle. Oh, they'd find something harmful there. That bag of drugs he still had on him, his only way of getting any amount of money, they'd just throw it right out. It was a shame. Adam squeezed his eyes shut, breathing in shakily as he moved a bit in the bed, making the blanket fall over his arms a bit as well. By now only his head and hands were out, yet he still felt cold.

 

Adam nodded desperately as Garret mentioned being able to get him some medicine. "I'll take what I can get." He replied with a shaky smile stretching out across his face. Now if someone could shoot him in the head, that would be nice. The man moved his hand, instead squeezing the nurse's, his fingers still twitchy and horribly cold. "Dr. Ass, more so." He let out a weak laugh, opening his eyes to look at the other. "Tell me about where you live... J-Just speak to me, anything." The man requested, still speaking through clenched teeth. He wanted some sort of a distraction, even something as small as this would do. Besides, he was curious to know about where he would be living. An actual apartment, rather than a warmer place by a dumpster... God, that'd be quite the change.

 

Adam squeezed Garret's hand, his long, thin fingers wrapped around his hand. Perhaps someday he'd hold his hand in a more... Romantic way. That seemed like a stretch even if he wasn't a homeless junkie. Garret was someone he would've gone after in his good days. He could imagine leading a semi-normal life with the guy. Maybe they'd get a dog together... Adam had always liked dogs. He wasn't much of a cat person. He always liked an active life, and a dog gave the perfect excuse to go out for a run everyday. Besides, you had to play with a dog, walk the dog twice a day - he always loved that shit. His family used to own a dog, until his mother decided to have it euthanized. She said it'd gotten old, but hell, the poor creature was barely eight. It was bullshit.