Only Here At Inferno!

With wobbly legs, Jude swayed from side to side on the sidewalk. He was aching all over and sought for rest. A trail of his own innards hung from his stomach, dragging behind him on the concrete. The streets were vacant. The brunette and shady-eyed man was alone on the outskirts of town. He squinted in hopes of seeing through the compact darkness, yet all he could see was the path his feet were on. His original plan was to keep this whole situation very low-key, but he was dying. His squinting eyelids began to sink. He couldn’t tell if his eyes were closed or if they were wide open and staring into a night sky. Just when the last of his hope was pouring out of his body (along with his guts), a red and blinking light flared, seemingly out of nowhere. Jude forced his eyes open and all he could see was that cherry color winking at him.

It turned out be a sign, perched on top of a bar: “Cold Beer! Good music! Hot chicks! Only here at Inferno!”

Jude wasn’t anywhere close to looking spiffy enough to interact with any beautiful women, but beggars can’t be choosers in situations like this. The brunette booked it towards the entrance. His large intestine was scraping against the pavement like a tail tucked between his legs. Jude’s palms slammed onto the swinging doors. He tumbled inside the small tavern and heaved himself onto one of the bar stools. Jude’s voice was feeble, but he managed to squeeze out three words,

“I need help.”

A curvy bartender in a crimson and close-fitting dress leaned over the counter to take a look at Jude and speak with a velvet voice, “With what?”

His jaw dropped. Never before had he felt so insulted. It was obvious what he needed and she had the audacity to ask him that question!

“I need a drink in my hand!”

The bartender winked at the newly aggressive brunette. She turned her back and began mixing various types of liquids into a glass. Jude hunched forward and rested his head in his hands. Fuzzy jazz music glutted the air with a sensation of sensuality. His stomach growled.

“Hey.”

A familiar voice spoke softly into Jude’s ear. Jude threw his head back and to the side. He locked eyes with a corpse, “Christ. Buddy. I thought you were dead.”

“Yeah well, now I’m not.”

Jude was trembling. He was conversing with someone he had previously seen decaying and breathless. There was endless questions to ask, but only two words he knew he needed to get out of his system.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re not forgiven, douche.”

Jude fell into heartbreak, “You don’t mean that.”

“Well obviously you didn’t mean everything you’ve said either. Remember when we first met? You said we would forever be family, partners in crime.”

“What else am I supposed to do? I apologized.”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it this time. Sorry doesn’t raise me from the dead.”

Jude rubbed his face with trembling hands. Remorse was wrapping its slender arms around his chest and squeezing the breath from his lungs.

“I knew you’d turn your back on me too! I knew it from the beginning. I shouldn’t even be surprised.”

“Well when a cop’s got you lasered with a gun, you’re probably gonna be relatively compliant.”

“Oh fuck you. You should’ve had faith in me. I would’ve made sure nothing bad happened to you.”

“I was scared!”

“Bullshit. There was a cash prize. And I know you-- when money is being dangled in front of your face, you’re willing to do anything to get your hands on it.”

Jude knew he was right deep down, but he couldn’t admit it out loud, “That wasn’t…”

“I had no idea your family was only worth 30 grand to you.”

“Oh shut up! I was loyal to you! I make one mistake suddenly all my good deeds go down the drain.”

“I knew you were too good to be true, but I wanted to be wrong.”

“It’s in the past. I admit I made a mistake, but I will never hurt you again.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ve become a better person now. I cleaned myself up, I got a job at this really nice place, I found God.”

Jude whimpered. He felt alone. There was a sharp pain in his heart. This guy was like a brother to him, yet he turned his back on the wayward brunette. The man stood up and scratched at his palms.

“Well, it’s time for me to go. I gotta get to work. They want me to open up shop.”

Jude’s body crumbled. His trembling hands were holding up his head, “Please don’t leave me.”

The man shrugged, not showing any concern for Jude. His eyes were bright and looking forward. All Jude could do was look down. The bartender set a glass next to the forlorn brunette. Once the man disappeared, Jude wrapped his fingers around the drink. There was a yellowish foam on top of it, but he wasn’t really concerned with how it would taste. He just wanted to wash away the pang of shame scraping at his throat. The liquid showered his throat in a gentle warmth. The gentle warmth transposed to a discomfort, then to blisters forming in his esophagus. The drink tasted like it was rotting. Jude gurgled blood as he watched his fingers gripping the glass began to boil. The skin peeled away to reveal his cooked muscle tissue. His lips parted and a gout of fire spilled from them.

As his heart became charcoal, Jude gazed at the bartender with desperation. His vision blurred and the crimson dress clinging to her curves began to blend into her skin.