The back room was lit by a combination of a swinging gas lamp and a variety of melting candles. In the middle of the room was a small side table with two chairs, one on either side. Dick walked up and sat in the large, worn leather chair on the left side. This was his usual spot although he had not been down here for a few weeks. He shimmied back and forth hearing the familiar creaks of the chairs legs against the floor. Floor to ceiling shelves lined the room, each one filled with a variety of jars and bags. The colorful cascade of drugs and paraphernalia was a sight even more exciting to Dick than the nude models he helped cast in a new film the other day.

“How has your sister been? Does she know that you’re down here again?” Jerry’s voice echoed out from the labyrinth of shelves. Dick glared back at the direction of the voice and muttered, “She caught me leaving, but I don’t think she knows I’m using again.” Jerry scoffed and walked out from between the shelves holding a thin bottle filled with blue rocks. “If you ever need to say she doesn’t know, your sister knew days ago. She’s much smarter than your dumb ass gives her credit for.” Dick lazily aimed a kick at Jerry’s shin, but Jerry quickly hopped out of the way. “I didn’t come here for help with my personal life.” Dick sounded angry but a familiar smile was shared between him and Jerry.

Jerry cautiously sat down opposite Dick, being careful of any other attacks heading his way before replying. “I know that’s not why you came, but you always seem to need it.” Dick folded his arms and returned Jerry’s stare, “I have my personal matters under control for once. I’m back at college taking a full course load and have found a job within the company I can handle at the same time. I have more money than I could hope to spend. I have friends in all corners of the world. I have everything someone in this city could want.” Jerry opened the small bottle and dropped a few small, blue rocks onto the table. “Then why are you here?” Jerry asked sadly looking back over at Dick.

Dick looked down at the tempting blue rocks and wasn’t able to process the question at first. The ability to feel normal once more was right in front of him. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced for the last two weeks. It was captivating. The squeak of Dick’s chair brought him back to reality and he glanced back up at Jerry before answering the question. “I’m….not sure. I thought I was past this, all of this.” Dick began glancing around the room anxiously. He began rocking back and forth mumbling, “Why…Why…Why..” Jerry just sighed and bottled up the Blue once more. He reached over to touch Dick’s shoulder, but Dick immediately slapped it away. “My business is to sell drugs. It always has been, but I think you’re going to be the first customer I cut off from my shop.” At Jerry’s words, Dick stopped rocking and looked up. Fright and confusion were clear in his expression. Suddenly his sunken cheeks and hollow eyes appeared even more pronounced by the flickering candlelight. Just as Dick was about to collapse even further, Fera stormed into the room. She had changed into a light blue tracksuit that she usually wore when exercising. Her hair was dark brown and slightly curly although it appeared jet black in the poorly lit room. “I knew you would be here you dickbag!” Her anger was clear and with just a few strides she reached Dick who was hunched over in his chair. “Hello Fera, You’re looking fine as always.” Jerry offered her a smile while sliding the blue rocks into his jacket pocket. “Shut the fuck up! I don’t want to hear anything from you right now.” She managed to yell this in response while helping Dick up from the chair. Dick reluctantly stood up and softly said, “I didn’t take anything, I promise.” Fera began leading Dick to the exit, “I know. If you had I would have left you behind.” Dick regained his composure a bit and began walking on his own once more.

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Once the two had reached the penthouse once more they stopped right before walking in. Dick looked at Fera who still appeared to be livid. He knew it would be a while before they would speak normally again. “What were you thinking?” Fera said in disgust. “Don’t even try to convince me you were just visiting. I saw the Blue on the table.” Dick just looked sheepishly at her before shrugging slightly. “I didn’t think a small amount would hurt. I feel like I’ve gotten my issues under control.” Dick said this although neither one of them believed it. Fera’s anger turned into frustration at his answer. “It’s only been two weeks since you came back from rehab! You destroyed your life and many others with your addiction up to this point! You lost Sarah due to your fucking idiotic actions! There is no level of ‘under control’ that would allow you to take even one more of those rocks.” Dick was getting angry now too and he responded in kind, “Don’t you fucking dare bring up Sarah! I’ve lost hours of sleep over what happened. Every day I wish I could have taken her place. She was the only good thing left in this city.” Dick’s anger slowly turned into despair as memories of the past began returning. Fera just looked sadly back at Dick, “That’s the other issue. You’ve always been terrible at seeing the good in your own life. Please don’t go back down there. You can hate me if you want. Blame me for all your issues, but please do this one thing. For me.” Dick looked at his twin sister. She looked tired. Very tired. He looked down at the ground and kicked a pebble that was tracked up from the lower level. It only skipped a few feet before clacking against the opposite wall. “Okay. I won’t go back.” Dick eventually responded. Fera hugged him lightly. Dick laid his head on her shoulder and they remained that way for a while. “Thanks,” Dick said right before they went back inside. Fera just gave him a light smile back while opening the door back into their dark apartment.