Page 75 of The Addict

And then the next.

Before I could blink, Damian was in my face, a glass of water in one hand, two pills in another.

“Open, Noah,” he commanded.

I tried to squirm away, but the hold was too strong. I clamped my mouth closed and shut my whole body down, not moving a single muscle. I sunk inwardly into myself.

“You’re having a bad withdrawal, Noah.” Alex’s voice was unsteady, his eyes brimming with tears. “You have to take this medication. It will help, I promise.”

I shook my head furiously. I knew what I needed, and it wasn’t medication for my problems. What did they think I was, some sort of psychotic patient? Nothing that Damian or Alex could give me would fix me.

They’re trying to hurt you. They have no idea what you go through.

“Noah, trust me. Don’t listen to anything else,” Damian murmured soothingly, sensing my distress.

I could feel my heart pounding hard in my stomach, a piercing ringing cutting into my eardrums. My shirt was soaked with sweat, and the room combined with Alex’s arms had my body exploding with heat. My brain was a busted GPS, pointing me in multiple directions, assessing escape routes and plans. I hadn’t moved an inch, but I felt lightheaded. Alex was no longer holding me down but kneeling to my side, whispering something into my ear.

I couldn’t hear it.

“You’re going to hurt me,” I sobbed out.

What was happening?

I was suddenly terrified of what my body was capable of.

I clung to myself, determined to end the now periodic shakes and spasms. Where was I?

“Swallow it, Noah.”

The pills were in my mouth and the glass tilted to my lips. I did as I was told.

You need it.

Soon, the ache for drugs was dying down along with my ability to stay awake. I was lifted from the ground, each one of my arms slung over a different shoulder. Damian and Alex steadied me as they worked together to lead me back to my bedroom.

I collapsed into the sheets, the heat not such a problem anymore. Instead, I almost felt cold.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I remembered repeating as Damian situated me in the bed.

“It’s alright, Noah,” Damian said.

“Get some rest,” Alex’s voice added. I wasn’t sure where he was.

The light switch flipped off, and for the first time I didn’t notice, or care that I was engulfed in the blackness. The dark seemed pitiful now, compared to the feelings I experienced just moments ago.

I was sure I was about to die.

But then again...

...that wasn’t the first time when death hovered over me.

And it wouldn’t be the last.

Chapter nineteen

Delirium

NOAH