Leon had been poppin bottles every night, sinking deeper into a routine he couldn’t escape. It wasn’t just a habit anymore—it was a necessity. The memories of the past few days weighed heavy, tormenting him every waking moment. Metro STAT, the pain, the agony—it all replayed in his head like a nightmare on a loop, one he couldn’t shake. So he numbed it, drowning the screams with every bottle he could get his hands on.

Day and night, he spent his time at different bars, using his vacation days to smash his consciousness into oblivion. The therapy sessions he used to attend had become an afterthought. He’d already missed his latest appointment, and he knew it. But he didn’t care. He was convinced it wouldn’t be long before he stopped going altogether.

Then came the vibration in his pocket, a reminder that no matter how deep he tried to bury himself in the haze, something would always pull him back to reality. With a shaky breath, Leon raised his phone, barely glancing at the screen before answering. His voice slurred, barely audible above the noise of the bar. "What...?”