Sam sighed wearily. “You’re not dying, you just need a hit.” The mundane, rational explanation was a relief, despite the seriousness of the situation.
Blue eyes looked up at him, brows furrowed in confusion.
Sam suddenly felt old, was his slang that out of touch? “Drugs.” he clarified. “You are withdrawing.”
Tally’s puzzled look only shifted slightly. A strange, unfocused look came over him for a moment. “Drugs?” he whispered. Then he held out his arm and stared down at the skin by his inner elbow like he had never seen the marks there before.
He looked up at Sam with a shocked look on his face. “I can see some of Benji’s memories, but not all.” he explained. “What is this stuff he put inside himself?”
Sam’s mind whirled. It was far too early for such a surreal conversation. He shrugged, deciding to play along for now. It was the easiest course of action.
“Heroin, probably.”
Tally made a face of disgust. “What is it made from?”
Sam blinked in surprise, he hadn’t been expecting that question. “Um… Poppies, I think.” He was sure he had heard that said before, but he wasn’t sure where he had learned it from.
Blue eyes turned thoughtful for a moment before he winced and turned back to the toilet bowl.
Sam’s stomach rolled in sympathy. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”
He hurried to the kitchen and ran the tap whilst he fetched a glass. He checked that the water was running nice and cold before filling the glass.
He brought it to Tally, who took it gratefully. Sam frowned in concern when he saw how Tally’s hands were shaking.
“Will I die if I don’t take more?” asked Tally.
“No, you will feel like you are dying for about a week. Then you will be fine.” answered Sam. He had spent enough time in the undercurrents of society to know that much. Though maybe he should have said something ridiculous to try to shake Tally out of his delusion. He was sure the young man knew far more about these things than he did. A crazy answer might have forced Tally to correct him.
Tally took another sip of water. He sighed, sounding tired and resigned. “A small price to pay.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to give up drugs?”
Tally looked up at him again. His beautiful eyes determined and resolute. “Of course.”
Sam shook his head in amazement. If this trauma induced delusion was going to get Tally clean, he was all for it. It would be amazing. He could play along for that. He would be immensely proud to help get someone free from that life.
“I need a river.” said Tally.
“I beg your pardon?”
“There are herbs that grow by rivers that will help.” explained Tally.
Sam once again was lost for words.
Tally gave him one of his dazzling smiles. “This is wonderful. A temporary problem. This body isn’t dying. I get to stay with you.”
His sheer joy was infectious, and Sam couldn’t help but grin back. Being so clearly wanted was doing strange things to Sam’s emotions. Even though he knew it was all just a delusion. No one really yearned for him like that.
But didn’t everyone long to be special to someone? Was it not a core need of a human being to be loved and cherished? It wasn’t surprising that his soul was lapping it up hungrily. He tried to tell himself. He sighed. One of them should keep their head in reality. As wonderful as the fantasy was.
He sternly turned his thoughts to practical measures. “There is a river in the park around the corner? Are you well enough to go?” Sam asked.
Tally closed his dazzling eyes and seemed to assess. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better?” he queried.
“Yes,” Sam confirmed, he was pretty sure of that.
He watched as Tally let out a long exhale of breath. “Then yes, let’s go now.”
