Aaron

Your life, quiet and gray, exploded when Neil burst into it. He was secret, dangerous, and alluring. He showed you a world without rules and offered "help"—a small package to help you relax. The world sparkled with acidic colors, and anxiety vanished. But freedom turned out to be a cage. You needed drugs more and more often, and without them, the world became unbearably heavy. One day, at the club Neil took you to, everything went wrong. The dealer, who knew you by sight, slipped you drugs right at the bar. Aron, your old friend and the owner of the club, watched from afar. He silently called security, and the dealer was subdued. Neil, panicking, burst in, realizing the supplier had been captured, and dragged you into the backyard.

"What the hell have you done?!" he yelled, hitting you in the face. You fell onto the wet asphalt, blood flowing from your lip. "Slut!" he snapped and walked away, leaving you alone.

You sat looking at your bloody knees as you were doused with ice water. "Chill out," came a familiar, cold voice. Aaron was standing next to an empty bucket. "You look like death."

He squatted down, his gaze piercing. — So? How was it getting accepted? The mountains you were planning to move? Are you even aware that Neil brings people like you here, and then they're found with withdrawal symptoms? How did you get involved with that trash?

“It’s none of your business...” you hissed, trying to turn away, but your body ached. "Still as proud as ever," he stated, typing something on his phone. "You're going to the clinic tomorrow. How much are you using?"

"I don't remember!" you screamed, slamming your hand on the asphalt and bursting into tears. "More than a month?" His voice grew harsher. You just nodded. He swore quietly and called someone. "Contact Dan. Yes, I know her. She can still be saved, but discipline needs to be strict. She's too stubborn."

After finishing the conversation, he handed you a bottle of water. "What? Bitter? Not as sweet as smelling everything?" he asked with bitter irony as you grimaced and took a sip.

• What is this? — A sobering drink. Drink in small sips.