Chapter 15

I sat on the wall on the roof of my apartment building later that night, dangling my bare feet in the crisp night air.

One more gulp from the Jack Daniels bottle left it empty. I peered into the bottle to make sure I wasn't imagining things, then dropped it onto the roof behind me.

Drinking seemed like a great way to pass time until I could go skydiving again.

The town lights in the distance were all blurred and streaked. Honestly, they were a lot prettier like this.

My phone chirped in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at it. Apparently, I had a new text message, but the letters all blurred together and I couldn't make out the words.

I hit “call” and brought the phone to my ear.

The phone rang a few times before a female voice answered. “Zion? Are you okay?”

I have to attempt this talking thing. I slurred, “Whatever you texxx-texxx-mess-fuck. Whatever you sss-said with letters, tell me. I can't read it right now.”

“Are you drunk?”

I held the fingers of my free hand up in front of my face and pinched them together in front of my eyes. “Little bit.”

“Where are you?”

I put my hand down and looked at my surroundings. Moving my head too much made me dizzy. I shut my eyes.

Immediately, I started to drift off.

“Zion!”

I startled awake. “What?”

“Where are you?”

“Roof.”

The lights in the distance caught my attention. Pretty.

“What? Get off the roof!”

“Mmm. But I don't wanna.”

“Please, Zion. For me. Get off the roof.”

“Who isss thiss anyway?”

“This is Amantha.”

I smiled and perked up. “Ma-mantha! How are you?”

“I'm okay. I'd be a lot better if you could check something on TV for me. Mine’s not working.”

“Okay, ssssure. Hold on a ssssecond.”

I laid the phone on the wall and twisted my body around to put my feet on the roof.

The movement made my head swim and I swayed backward for a second.

“Whoa,” I moaned and shut my eyes.

“Zion! Zion!” I heard being yelled through the phone.

Oh yeah, I had to do something. I stood on the roof’s flat surface and picked up the phone.

“Onmyway,” I slurred. I trudged toward the door that led inside. Mounted outdoor lights lit the way.

Unfortunately, when I reached the door, I couldn't remember why I was there.

“What... doing?” I asked.

“You were going to check something on TV for me.”

“Oh, yeah.”

I pulled the door open and walked into the building. The top landing, which accessed the roof, had the roof door and stairs that led down. The stairwell was well lit.

I held onto the handrail and slowly made my way down the stairs.

“Are you doing okay, Zion?”

“Shhh. Conce—conce—focu—walking down s—s—” I growled. “Climby thingssss.”

I could've sworn Amantha held back a laugh.

“Good job. Keep going,” she encouraged.

After a few flights, I recognized the door with the big 3 on it. I pushed it open and fumbled through.

My apartment door was the first one in the hallway. Luckily, I’d left it unlocked because I had no idea where to find my keys.

I opened the door and stumbled inside.

“Are you in your apartment?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“Make sure you lock the door.”

I shut the door and turned the lock.

“There.” I thought really hard. “Was I p‘posed to do a thing?” I couldn't remember.

Amantha laughed. “All you have to do is go to sleep.”

The TV was mounted to the wall across the room and the coffee table stood a few feet from the couch.

The couch was right beside me, and, even though it was blurry, it looked inviting.

I laid down on the cushions and propped a throw pillow behind my head. I closed my eyes.

Everything spun. Nausea rose in my stomach, and I felt like I might throw up. I groaned and put one foot on the floor to try to combat the spins. I breathed a sigh of relief when the move did help. My body relaxed into the cushions.

“Are you lying down now?” I heard.

Honestly, I forgot I was holding the phone to my ear.

“Yeah. On the couch. Feel... like heaven. Only thing better would be you here, too.”

I closed my eyes.

Amantha paused, then she said, “Well, if you're going to sleep, I'll get off of here.”

“Want to come over? Mouth, puss—puss—fuck. Cunt. I’ll fuck wherever. You’ll enjoy. We’ll both enjoy.”

Amantha laughed. “You're drunk. Proposition me when you're sober.”

That sobered me almost instantly. “Really?”

She laughed again. “You won't remember any of this in the morning. Good night, Mr. Blackwell.”

Amantha disconnected the call.

How did she know my last name? More importantly, was she serious?

I passed out with that question spinning in my mind.