Entry #14

Red Life
by Alexander Salas


Sledgehammers inside his head. Jeff kept his eyes closed. Don’t move. “Uhhhh…Don’t think. Don’t even think.”

Jeff’s stomach rumbled. Budweiser, Jack, Chevis and Bacardi all conspired to make their escape.

The cool wooden floor offered some comfort. Slow…slower…come on…gotta see where I’m going if I want to make it to the toilet and puke my guts out…slower, come on eyes, open…Light. Wood grain. A wine glass? Red wine?

“Is this some kind of a joke? Ow...Shit, shut up, shut up.” Hair of the dog. Hair of the dog. “Ooowwww…” Jeff rolled onto his knees. He shook. “Slow…take your time.” Both hands grasped the goblet. Motionless, Jeff looked like a priest offering the blood of Christ. He drank.

“Pppffffftttt…” The red liquid spewed to the far corners of the room. “Blood? What the…Ooowwww” Jeff’s body heaved. He looked up at the ceiling. Drink this all of you, for this is my blood…

“It can’t be.” Jeff glanced down at the chalice still in his hands. He placed it on the floor. “When I open my eye, it’ll be gone.” The air conditioner hummed. On three. One…two…three…

“Damn. What’s going on?” A half-empty bottled of whiskey stood next to the wine glass. Seconds ticked. Minutes passed. Sweat blurred his vision.

Jeff grabbed the alcohol and chugged. “Ahhh…Ooowwww.” He fell forward clutching the booze. Eyes glued to the red wine he heard his heartbeat.

Th-thump…th-thum…th-thu…th-th…th-t…-----