The room around him seemed to be swimming. It was dark and the blood on Don Juan's trousers was dark. Samuel's head laid in his lap. It reminded him of something that seemed so far away he was uncertain it ever happened. He laughed, and that made him cough. He coughed.
He did not have it in him anymore to be resentful of Don Juan's question. Of course, that was what he wanted; what he needed. Samuel got on his knees and felt in his pockets for the vial. The lines on the dropper were stark and clear in the shine of the gaslamp. He measured out a full dose and looked to Don Juan. His face was white and frightened. The skull seemed to want to come forward through his skin. Perhaps from hunger or dehydration, or because he had died tonight. Samuel was sure he himself looked like death. His mouth tasted like metal.
He took a hand to steady his chin and dropped the liquid on Don Juan's tongue. Then he measured out another and took it himself. What else was there to do? He had gone too far to turn and come back again.
He did not have it in him anymore to be resentful of Don Juan's question. Of course, that was what he wanted; what he needed. Samuel got on his knees and felt in his pockets for the vial. The lines on the dropper were stark and clear in the shine of the gaslamp. He measured out a full dose and looked to Don Juan. His face was white and frightened. The skull seemed to want to come forward through his skin. Perhaps from hunger or dehydration, or because he had died tonight. Samuel was sure he himself looked like death. His mouth tasted like metal.
He took a hand to steady his chin and dropped the liquid on Don Juan's tongue. Then he measured out another and took it himself. What else was there to do? He had gone too far to turn and come back again.
---- COMPLETED ----
