Acomist

this man said it's gruesome

'You were meant to be here hours ago.'

and

'Where have you been?'

and

'Why are you so god damn cold?"

Joel doesn't reply, rather stares blankly at the wall oppisate the door as you close said door, removing the baggy plastic of his coat. It's slick with life of rain, bringing vague pictures of clock towers drenched in the cloudy grey of England.

London.

"London."

He's lost more weight, if that's possible and when he goes to speak it comes out low and forced, interrupted by a dry, heaving cough that sends him crashing go the floor. You hurry to catch him and his skeletal form is easily balanced, digging into the flesh of your arms you feel bone, sharp and fierce, searching for a pulse.

"Jesus..."

"Most people just call me Joel."

He starts to laugh bitterly to himself and, as you let him down to the floor, you notice the blood peppering his chin, the white parasite growing on his tongue, swallowing his words. He shakes in your arms once more and you don't want to know where he's been, anymore.