Page 20 of Mongrels United
“What does Bellish do? Why would someone take it?” he demanded of Rim.
Rim shoved his hands into his pockets once more. The seams strained with the pressure he was using to keep his fists buried there. He gave a dry laugh, completely lacking any amusement, then explained to Nash the short and long term effects of Bellish.
Nash listened with growing unease as Rim described horrible side effects, and the even worse effects of trying tostopusing it, once one had started. He held up his hand, stopping Rim in mid-torrent, and spouting words like “brain disintegration and deconstruction.”
“You’re saying that someone who uses Bellish is hooked from the first dose?” Nash asked.
“Yes,” Rim said, sounding tired. Defeated, even.
“And they have to keep using more and more, to get the same effects?”
“Eventually, they can only achieve a pain-free state,” Rim said tonelessly. “The high energy and sense of invincibility never comes back.”
“And if they try to stop using the stuff, the body shuts down and the brain crumbles?”
“Yes.”
Nash pressed his lips together. “If a medic saw someone today, not knowing what you do about this shit, would they know what had caused it?”
Rim dried his hands on his coat, inside his pockets. “They wouldn’t know what had caused it. They’d simply see mysterious organ and brain degeneration, and have no idea how to reverse it.No oneknows how to reverse it, even those who worked on the patients after the Leroux Raid.”
Nash realized he was propping himself up with one hand on the counter.
His father had been using Bellish.
And then he had stopped using it. Voluntarily, leaving a stash in the wall untouched. The strength of will such self-denial would have taken, given the amount of pain he must have been in, awed Nash.
“How long?” Nash said, his voice emerging in a croak. “I mean, how old are these tablets? How long does it take for someone to die from withdrawals?”
Rim tilted his head, some of his fear dropping away. “I don’t know. I was kept back in the labs, cleaning glassware, when they were trying to save the survivors. All I know is that none of them survived. Not for long.”
How long had his father been on this stuff?
“I really…I think…yes.” Rim cleared his throat. “I have to report this to the Bridge. Theymustknow that Bellish has resurfaced.”
Caution slid over Nash like an old, warm, comfortable coat. He straightened. “Before we take it there, tell me about Anny. How is she doing, Rim? Really?”
“We’renottalking about Anny,” Rim said, his voice a squeak.
“You’re doing okay, the two of you? Paying all your bills?”
Rim backed away from Nash. “No, no, no… You can’t pay me to keep this quiet. It’sBellishwe’re talking about!”
Nash crossed his arms. “Are you really sure you want to do this?” he asked quietly.
Rim straightened his shoulders. Pulled his hands out of his coat. “You don’t understand. I won’t…Ican’tkeep this to myself. The Bridge…everyonemust know Bellish is back.”
Nash considered him for a long moment. “Well, I have to say I respect your attitude, Rim.”
Rim looked startled. “You like me?”
“Hell, no,” Nash said. He picked up the little brown bag and stored it in his jacket pocket. “I just respect the gumption you finally found. It’s going to make life difficult for me, I can’t deny that. But there we go. You’ve decided.”
Rim looked nervous again. “You’re…you’re going to hurt me then? To make me change my mind?”
Nash headed for the door. “Don’t be stupid, Rim. I have people for that.”
He let the door close behind him, and looked up and down the luxurious, thickly carpeted corridor. The lights were dim and no one else seemed to be awake in this building. It was late. He should head back home, where he wouldn’t sleep at all.
