Eternal Dose by Mike N. Stevens - HTML preview

Chapter 4

December 14 ,2023



"The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." — Charles Dickens

It had been a year since Liam's tragic accident, and Ethan's life had become a monotonous blur of grief and numbness. The once vibrant artist now found himself struggling to find meaning in a world without Liam. His apartment, once filled with laughter and love, now felt like a hollow shell. He spent most of his time alone, avoiding friends and family, drowning in his sorrow.

One evening, as he sat on the couch staring blankly at the television, he heard a knock on the door. He ignored it at first, hoping whoever it was would go away. But the knocking persisted, growing louder and more insistent.

With a sigh, Ethan got up and opened the door. There was no one there, but a small package lay on the doormat. It was unmarked, with no return address or sender information. Curious, he picked it up and brought it inside.

He sat down at the kitchen table and carefully opened the package. Inside, he found a small bottle of pills and a note. The note was written in a neat, unfamiliar handwriting:

"Take one pill and you will be able to see him again."

Ethan's heart raced as he read the note. Could it be true? Could these pills really allow him to see Liam again? He didn't know who had sent them or why, but the possibility was too tempting to resist.

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to take a chance. He took one of the pills and lay down on his bed, closing his eyes and waiting for something to happen.

As the pill took effect, Ethan felt a strange sensation wash over him. His body grew heavy, and his mind began to drift. He felt himself slipping into unconsciousness, the world around him fading away.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself back in his apartment, but something was different. The colors were more vibrant, the air seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. He looked around, disoriented, and then he saw him.

Liam was standing in the living room, looking just as he had before the accident. His eyes were filled with love and tenderness, and he smiled when he saw Ethan.

"Liam?" Ethan whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

"It's me, Ethan," Liam replied, his voice soft and reassuring.

Ethan rushed forward and embraced Liam, tears streaming down his face. "I can't believe it's really you. I've missed you so much."

"I've missed you too," Liam said, holding him close. "But I'm here now, and we have this time together."

They spent the day together, talking, laughing, and reminiscing about their time together. It felt like a dream, but it was so real. Ethan cherished every moment, knowing that it was a precious gift.

As the day went on, they decided to go for a walk in the park. The sun was shining, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers. They held hands as they strolled through the park, enjoying the simple pleasure of being together.

"This feels like a dream," Ethan said, looking up at Liam. "I don't ever want it to end."

Liam smiled, his eyes filled with love. "Neither do I, Ethan. But we have to make the most of the time we have."

They sat down on a bench, watching the world go by. Ethan felt a sense of peace and contentment that he hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if all the pain and sorrow had melted away, leaving only love and happiness.

As the sun began to set, they headed back to the apartment. They spent the evening cuddled up on the couch, watching a movie and sharing stories. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

But as the night grew late, Ethan began to feel a strange sensation. His body grew heavy, and his vision started to blur. He tried to hold on to Liam, but he felt himself slipping away.

"Liam, what's happening?" Ethan asked, his voice filled with panic.

"It's time to go back, Ethan," Liam said gently. "But remember, I'll always be with you."

Ethan's heart ached as he felt himself being pulled away. "I don't want to leave you."

"I know," Liam said, his voice soothing. "But we'll see each other again. I promise."

With those words, Ethan's vision went dark, and he felt himself falling into unconsciousness.

When he woke up, he was back in his apartment, lying on the floor. The vibrant colors and shimmering air were gone, replaced by the cold, harsh reality of his grief-stricken world. He looked around, hoping to see Liam, but he was alone.

Ethan's heart ached with the loss of Liam all over again. The day they had spent together felt like a cruel dream, a fleeting moment of happiness that had been ripped away. He wanted more pills, more time with Liam, but he didn't know how to get them.

Desperation clawed at him as he searched the apartment for any clue about the mysterious package. But there was nothing. No return address, no sender information, nothing to indicate where the pills had come from.

He sat down on the couch, his mind racing. He needed to find a way to get more pills, to see Liam again. But how? Who had sent them, and why? The questions swirled in his mind, but there were no answers.

Ethan felt a wave of despair wash over him. The brief reunion with Liam had given him a taste of the happiness he had lost, but it had also intensified his grief. He didn't know how to move forward, how to live in a world without Liam.

As he sat there, lost in his thoughts, he made a silent vow. He would find a way to get more pills, to see Liam again. No matter what it took, he would find a way to be with the man he loved.