Chapter one
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Josh walked out of the W. Harvey hospital, into the autumn morning. His wallet lighter by a couple years worth of minimum wage earnings.
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A burst of worry sprung up inside him for the ease with which he had arranged his end. His end, one week from today.
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Outside it was sticky. The permanent line of demonstrators stared. Anger and pity. A sign said 'God loves you'. But its owner was disgusted.
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Josh headed straight into the path of the sign bearer,as if meaning to elbow him. "Im just putting my money where my mouth is", he mumbled.
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The man looked confused. The commited little band were there protesting the abortion clinic next door, entirely unaware of Josh's designs.
@siscomallory27 Nov
Josh walked over to the sidewalk - dazed by the heat and presumption. He raised his arm to hail a taxi then remembered his empty wallet.
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No money for the fare.Then again, with one week left an angry taxi driver is nothing to worry about. His arm stayed up.
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Comfortable in his seat, seat belt on, Josh began the obligatory small talk. "Busy day?" "Too busy and not busy enough" said the driver.
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"Know what I mean? I'm not breaking a sweat but ain't earning much either". Josh diverted "Had your lunch break yet?" "No, mate".
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The two continued in silence for the next couple of miles. "Do you mind making a stop here" asked Josh as they drove up his high street.
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"Won't be a minute" Josh got out and walked towards a chip shop.Inside, the solemn young Turk nodded at him with unmistakable knowing.
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"One week." Said Josh. The Turk nodded and added "Hot again. What you having?" "Last supper?" Said Josh grinning wryly.
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"Last supper, times two.Watch outside the window.This might get entertaining".With his meals wrapped and in hand, Josh returned to the taxi.
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"Bryson Ave please". "Not going there mate," replied the taxi driver. "Why." "Just not," Josh waited for it, "too many nutjobs, mate".
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"Just as well" smiled Josh and handed the driver one of the meals. "What's this?" "Payment. It's all I got" "What you playing at?"
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"No 8 Bryson ave. I may be able to sort you out by tomorrow,if any of my eBay items get sold.Otherwise it's just kebabs for you I'm afraid."
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"Piss off," Said the driver handing back the kebab, "Cash or get fucked." Josh leaned forward whispering into his ear, "Bryson Ave please".
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"You having a fucking laugh mate? Is this fucking funny to you?"
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"Look man, I'm not trying to rip you off. I've got no cash right now and" Josh paused, grinning uncontrollably "and no time to walk home".
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The taxi driver met Josh's eyes in the rear view mirror. Josh said, "How about take me Bryson Ave and the nutjob will be quiet in your car."
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Unable to decide on an appropriate reaction the driver pulled out and headed to Bryson ave. "Tell you what, here's my key." said Josh.
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"I'll be gone in a week. Sublet it or something" The driver shook his head in disbelief.
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As they drove towards Bryson Ave, Josh stared out of the window. Across the road were two boys.
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One was defecating on a police car while the other was preparing to wrap it in cling film. Josh wonder how long they had left.
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He had moved in to the Bryson ave flat, two years ago, for the dirt cheap rent. Some had mistaken it for bohemian posing.
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Feigning a veneration of the animalistic, downtrodden classes was not Josh's deal.The decision had been made for purely pragmatic reasons.
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As they approached the destination Josh watched the scene change. As if he was entering some urban circus or consumerist hall of mirrors.
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The the grey sedans became colourful, aftermarket convertibles and the suits were replaced with costume like dress or near nudity.
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People on a time limit don't care, thought Josh. But among them he could see the 'lifestyle' posers. Almost imperceptibly trying to fit in.
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As the taxi sped off, the flat key was propelled from a half open window. Josh ignored it and walked through his door which lay ajar.
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His flat was bare, but for a mattress, a Nord drum pad controller hooked to a laptop (two of the aforementioned eBay items) and a desk.
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He sat at his laptop and clicked on to a porn site. Quickly bored, he closed the laptop lid and went over to his bed.
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The explicit audio continued for a while until the laptop went to stand by. Start off the final week with a nap? Why the fuck not.
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Skipping on the edge of real sleep, Josh had a dream about dying. In the dream he approached a clichéd vision of the gates of heaven .
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They were locked. Behind them stood a man with a sign saying, 'God loves you'. Josh looked at the man confused. "But?"
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"Oh sorry." Said the man with the sign, listlessly. "Wrong way around." He turned the sign revealing a second message, "Go to hell."
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Knock, knock. The sound broke his sleep. At the doorway stood two young men. The first was dressed like a deep south drug dealer.
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The other like an early 90s Seattle junkie. "Hey Josh, look man, sorry to wake you, look, we've got these sick flyers to spread round town"
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Josh grabbed one. "Some seeds fall on stony ground" he read "what's with all the bible references today?" "Truth though right?" asked Scoot
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"I mean isn't that what being here is all about? Embracing that your never meant to flower?" "Who's business is that other than yours?"
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Josh asked this with a degree of impatience. "You two been here longer than I have. You even enquired about your shots yet?" Blank faces.
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The two looked at each other. Then Scoot added, "C'mom man don't be like that." He avoided Josh's eyes looking around. "It's a philosophy."
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"A philosophy?" said Josh. "Yeah. C'mon man we're all dying in our own way." Josh started to close the door. "Man we got some Xanax".
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"Xanax?" said Josh, "You think I wanna spend my last week on Xanax you stupid fuck?" "Dude?" said Scoot, "Chill."
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Pulling a bag of pills from his bare waistline J. Rock said "Look I don't even git half y'all parables n shit yo. But I'm here to stay".
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The door shut. "Parables?" thought Josh. "do they even have any comprehension." He'd often wondered about J's origin. Ludicrous facial hair.
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His apparent lack of intelligence. Southern ghetto drawl. Open shirts all winter long. His purpose?
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Josh went over to the laptop and opened it. Low battery warning pinged. The screen was frozen mid-scene.
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A shaved, big-titted, blonde stereotype of a woman pounded by some anonymous long dick. She was wearing a nun's outfit and crucifix.
@siscomallory28 Nov
Josh impatiently clicked away and on to his eBay account. A couple of his items had been sold. Great news. Funding for the week.
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He looked at the items in his room and felt depressed. "Guess I have to post them".
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Minutes later, with his phone,laptop and music equipment wrapped and ready to ship, he sat quietly. Entirely alone.Cut off. 7 days.