Rehab

Rehab: a course of treatment for dependency.

“Don’t look upon it as failure. Sure, people died, but not that many, all things considered. It could have been worse.”

“So you’re not angry?”

“No, no, of course not. It’s a process. Just happens to be a long, bloody one in your case. We knew it wouldn’t be easy.”

“Sorry… thank you.”

“Aw, don’t apologise, that’s why I’m here. This is your safe place. Just remember you’re not alone.”

“I do feel safe here.”

“That’s good.”

“So… what do I do now?”

“Well, without meaning to sound like too much of a walking, talking cliché, you just need to get back on the horse. The metaphorical horse of course, not an actual horse. Or heroin. I know you’re partial to both… were partial to both.”

“It’s a struggle, I must admit.”

“But you’re coping. It’s just the other thing we have to work on.”

“It’s just so more-ish.”

“Really? More so than the junk?”

“Oh, yeah. Much so.”

“That’s funny. I’d have thought it the other way round, really.”

“How so?”

“Well, one’s a chemical, affects the brain, the other is… I don’t know, really.”

“It’s still a chemical. The release of endorphins, serotonin, that sort of thing. Highly addictive to some people.”

“Like you.”

“Yep, like me.”

“I’m no doctor or anything, but couldn’t you get that from exercise?”

“It’s not the same. Plus I like the texture.”

“Texture?”

“Well, not texture, exactly. I mean the cutting. What’s the word?”

“Erm. Something to do with it being tactile?”

“Yeah, that sort of thing. I just like the physical feeling. Oh, and the blood. And the screaming. They’re both pretty fucking sweet.”

“I wouldn’t know, I only really did the drug thing.”

“Well maybe you should try it some time.”

“Hah, no. It’s not really me.”

“How would you know without trying?”

“Well… I… I guess I wouldn’t.”

“I’m here to help you as much as you’re here to help me, you know?”

“Sure, sure. But I don’t think us swapping addictions was really what they had in mind.”

“Swapping addictions. That’s an idea. You reckon that’s possible?”

“Well, logic would dictate it was possible. You’ve already dabbled in mine. Not that I want to dabble in yours…”

“Are you sure?”

“As sure as a recovering crack-head can be.”

“I’ll take that as a maybe, then, heh.”

© JR Bryden, 2017. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from JR Bryden is strictly prohibited.