Another night like so
many others.
A night made up
of the dope laced hours
that slowly  made up a life.

A black cat laid curled in
a tight ball on a worn wine stained carpet.
The fluorescent light of the Atrium softly
lit the otherwise darkened room.

Quiet except for
the hum of the refrigerator and the tiny waterfall
that trickled away inside the Atrium.
There was music playing,so low it was as if it was
something that came from a dream.

Two lost souls took their places at either side
of the counter top and dove deep into
their demons.
Both quietly concentrated on their potions.
The tiled counter top was littered with
paraphernalia,empty beer bottles,ashtrays
that needed to be emptied,
lighters, burnt spoons,tin foil and empty plastic baggies.

One chased the dragon,
while the other desperately searched the crook
of his arm for a vessel.

There wasn't too much conversation.
There was only one  goal here.
And it didn't involve
words.
The silence was broken when one lost soul
said to the other,
"I don't dream anymore".
The one with the harpoon in hand said.
"You have to sleep"
The dragon slayer replied as he exhaled yet another
slayed beast.
"When I sleep its like I die".
The Archer said as he pressed the point
up against a blue black dying vein.

The black cat stood and stretched as a siren passed outside.
Another dragon was slain as the siren faded
into the night.
The one with the point drew blood and smiled.
The slayer chased another dragon,then looked
over as the black cat climbed to the open window
and out into the welcoming night.

"Then that's the dream"
the dragon slayer said then smiled a smile
that only a poppies blood can produce.
The harpoon handler looked up and grinned,
then found his target and continued on with
his quest for the warmth.
He smiled to himself as he pushed on
the stopper and once again
played with death.