-Alex's Point of View-

I slept restlessly for the rest of the night. I woke up every now and then, nightmares still plaguing my mind and I worried about the future of Jack and I. Right now, it didn't look as bright as I wanted it to be and that's what worried me the most. Was there ever a chance of me and him ever again?

When I finally woke up, the bed was empty. I heard the shower running and knew that Jack had to be in there, probably going somewhere this early this morning. Slowly, I crawled out of bed and pulled on some clothes, hoping that the scent of beer and sweat would be fixed from a change of clothes. Last night had really been rough on me and I already had an aching hangover from it.

After some stumbling, I finally had my clothes. I grabbed my keys off the coffee table in the living area and I left the apartment before Jack was out of the shower. I don't know why I did it like that, but I felt like I had to. We still weren't together and it still was best if I kept my distance from him. After we kissed last night, everything just felt so distant. It was like we didn't have our connection anymore.

I walked down the frigid sidewalk, wrapping myself up tightly. There was a slight breeze in the air and it stung my face when it blew towards my way. It woke me up from my still slightly sleepy state and I opened my eyes a bit wider, facing whatever today would bring to me.

I had no idea where I was going. I hadn't really decided when I stumbled out of the house. For some reason, I had just felt the need to get out, explore some of my hometown alone, and probably think about the things that had been whirling around in my mind until the end of time. These thoughts were slowly driving me insane and the longer I put off not thinking about them, the sooner I would come to becoming a crazy as a hatter.

Before I even realized it, I was standing outside the park where Elissa and I had spoke last night. My nose was numb and I thought that if I stood out here any longer, I was going to freeze to death. I had limited options to where to go this early in the morning, but surprisingly the bar's doors were still open to patrons.

Without much of a thought, I walked inside, trying to stay as far away as possible from the bar that was calling my name. I took a seat in a booth and I saw a lone couple sitting on the other side of the building. A bartender was cleaning glasses at the bar and a few people were setting up some equipment onstage for a show that was probably later in the day.

"Hey, Mate?" The bartender called, catching my attention. I looked over at him as he waved his hand towards my way, gesturing for me to come forward towards him.

"Yeah?" I asked, sitting down at the bar, regretful. The drinks were calling for my name and I was starting to understand the addiction that Tom went through. Once you fall in love with the bitter poison, you never want to leave her ever again. It would feel like losing a lover that you've had your entire life.

"You want a drink? You don't seem as awestruck as those lovers over there," he said, jerking his finger over to the couple and I let out a small laugh.

"Sure. Give me a beer. I'm not picky on what kind," I said, looking over at the crew setting up on stage. It was interesting because it didn't look exactly like an acoustic set up. From what they were putting out right now, it was a drum kit and an electric guitar. I had a feeling that they were going to be playing something heavier tonight.

"Here you go," the guy said, tapping me on the shoulder and I spun the chair back around to look at him before taking a drink of the drink that he had sat out in front of my pondering hands.

"Who is playing tonight?" I asked and the guy leaned on his elbows and let out a sigh.

"Some newcomers. Bring Me the Horizon I think. They're like some sort of screamo music? I don't know what to describe them. The lead singer doesn't look that bad and I'm straight. They're music is alright, but like I said, they're just starting out right now," he said softly and I nodded my head.

I had the feeling that I had heard that band's name somewhere, but I couldn't place it on the tip of my tongue. I'm sure that I'd think of it soon enough, but right now, I just want to kick back, relax, let my mind roam free, and enjoy this cold beer in my hand.

~~~

Time traveled quickly and before I even realized it, it was almost mid afternoon and the bar was filled with its usual customers. I had reclaimed my booth and let a bunch of heavy drinkers have the bar all to themselves. The bartender had been switched out by some blond girl, but she kept my drinks coming as soon as I ran out.

I had this numb taste in my mouth. I had no idea how to describe it, but it made my mind feel all fuzzy. This wasn't your usual drunk. This was something completely different. Everything was moving past me about three hundred miles per hour and I basically had the feeling that you get after you wake up after taken some heavy cold medicine.

I stood up from my seat and finished off my beer before waving to the bartender, a sign that I was making my departure. They had a policy here where they'll take your keys after so many drinks and I had gone way over that limit. Good thing that I didn't drive here.

Stumbling out the door of the bar, I wandered down the shortcut towards the apartment (or was it?). My vision was blurred, but I knew that I could make it home. I was determined to get home by myself. I didn't require any assistance, though I heard someone behind me offer nicely.

My feet carried me down an alley and I saw a figure standing in the middle, hiding in the small amount of dark that was there. I couldn't see him clearly, but my mind was in no mood to worry. Nothing could go wrong (or could it?).

I tripped over my foot and landed on the concrete ground, hissing in pain. I stood back up and that's when I felt the figure's hand on my shoulder. My eyes troubled to focus on the face, but even before I realized what was going on, there was a rag placed to my mouth and nose and everything quickly went black.

~~~

"Our flight is now departing for Baltimore, Maryland. Please buckle your belts and enjoy your flight..."

"Oh, he's just sleeping. He's had a rough night. You know how the honeymoon works out."

"Daddy, I wanna go home!"

"Everything seems to be clear in the sky and we should be landing on time."

"Are you sure your husband is alright? He's been asleep for the entire flight?"

My eyes fluttered open, but the feeling of drugs weighed them down. I didn't remember what had happened. I was at the bar. I had, had a drink at the bar and I was watching the crew set up for their show tonight. What had happened after that?

I had been drifting in and out of consciousnesses, but I had heard enough to know something about a flight. I felt someone with their hand wrapped with mine, our fingers interlaced. They were squeezing me tightly, but I was too numb to move.

I was scared. I didn't know what was going on and that absolutely terrified me.

I had a feeling that I wasn't in Essex anymore though...

Notes

Title Credit: I'll Give You What You Like by Avril Lavigne
EmptySighsAndWine