Darkness lights the way
Archer rolled the last of the sound equipment to the loading dock. He wasn’t sure where Tony was with the truck; he just didn’t want to be here anymore. His skin tingled not just from the cravings.
He’d skip cleaning tonight. Just, run in hit the lights and come out for a smoke to stave off wanting something stronger.
When he got on stage, dusty footprints covered it like powdered sugar on funnel cake. “Shit,” he panicked. He double-checked that his own shoes were clean. They were as clean as 5- year-old Thrift store work shoes could be.
He wanted to run, hide. He wanted to tie off and let his consciousness leave this place. He thought about his kids and how many times he’d let them down. He took a deep breath and began to sweep. Every time he turned around there were more and more footprints. Sisyphus would have wept.
Lightbulbs crackled out. Archer didn’t breathe. He didn’t let his heart beat. He heard the ghost step closer. He shuddered involuntarily. Running from ghosts of his past had led him straight into the real ghosts of Jonesville Theater.
Archer opened his mouth to scream, but darkness raced in faster than air could get out. It ate every thought and left him a husk. He prepared to die.
As his eyes surrendered, Tony burst in.
“Let’s go man!” Fresh light filled Archer from the glow of the phone.
He had another chance to be great.
This time, clean.
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