33 (Part Two: opiP)

Victor felt extremely confused. He could barely see what he was doing. He was driving with a certain kind of rigidity and nervousness; this was absolutely not the best moment to use the car. At least he was able to see something now. Vic couldn't stop repeating: "This can't be happening again." He put his hand into his pocket to search something; the pillbox. This time he took 2 different pills from before, these were in a different plastic bag and there were only 2. He seemed relaxed after swallowing them, started breathing and calmed down. After a few seconds staring at the road, he knew where to go. I'm obviously not in condition to go to the office right now; then he started driving faster. He was focused on the road, his weird way of looking could even scare a kid.

Bruno was his best friend. Well, his only friend. I mean, at least the only friend that he wanted around. Bruno was his confident, they met every week, he was really nice to Victor despite his social anxiety. When he finally arrived at Bruno's apartment, Bruno and Gwen thought he was really pale and made Vic lay down while they brought him a glass of Coke.”I'm okay Gwendolin, don't worry.” The pills' effect didn't last very long:

*Blank Space* Victor fell down like a puppet without a stingman.

- Look, he's opening his eyes. - Said Gwen

- [...] Vic? - Followed Bruno

[...] What's going on man, you fainted suddenly!

Vic?! - Victor finally woke up

- Shit. Not again. - Bruno's wife approached silently with the Coke - Thank You Gwen.

- Man, you've been asleep for like half an hour! Is everything ok?

- Yes, don't worry. I also almost fainted this morning at the office. That's why I came here first. Now I'm not really sure of what I am doing here. I should rest a little bit but I can't drive in these conditions, plus I have to feed the fish. Bruno, can you bring me home?

- Are you serious man? You can't leave like this

- It's important, Bruno, I'm okay, don't worry

- Ok, I'll drive you back, but I hope you won't go throught another breakdown - He turned back to Gwen - I'm sorry babe, I’ll be back soon. I promise.

They took the road to Vic's house, 163 Pearl Street. When he got in, he first ran to feed "the fish" "Here it goes, Pipo... Always so zappy." Pipo was his clown-fish, ironically he was the complete opposite of his master. Victor loved him as much as if it were his son. He always said that he was the joy of his life, for everyone it was only a fish, but in his eyes Pipo was much more.

"So what's the matter, Vic? What happened today in the office?

"The boss signed me up for another mission, a man has escaped, I don't know what happened, I started feeling really awkward then woke up in my car in the parking lot

"What's wrong with that man?

"Just a patient for an experiment of the F.B.I, I'm sorry but I can't tell you more. I had those terrible headaches a few months ago, then went to the doctor, he gave me those pills, I think I lost control with the quantity but they’re starting to work less and less.

"Oh my God, is this something I should worry about?

"They say it's cancer. Located in the spine.

"No way, why didn't you tell me before?

"Doctors told me that it wasn't that bad; people usually survive those." Silence invaded the room suddenly. They were staring at each other. Bruno looked down.

"I think I should get some sleep, thanks for driving me home. I'm sorry if I should have told you about before. We should meet during the week or something to have a drink or... I don't know.

Bruno left Vic's house. He knew he couldn't be angry at him but still was shocked by the fact that he hid his disease. It was cloudy. When the door was closed, Victor stood a few seconds in the darkness thinking then went to the kitchen to feed Pipo again. He came back to the living room to sit on his sofa and lit a cigarette: He couldn't sleep that night.

She stood gazing in a mirror half full of an image.

The image looked back at her with eyes filled with such darkness.

She came to find it hideous.

As it was a reflection of herself.