Short Story

I can't write right now


The light streamed through the window assaulting his closed eyes. Joseph Gardner had been up all night drinking, and now he struggled to sleep off his drunken stupor.

His alarm blared dully under the pile of dirty cloths he hid it under. As it became more and more apparent he wouldn't be getting back to bed, Joseph rolled over to get out of bed.

Hi head pounded and pulsed as he sat up, his body aching all over. He squinted into the brightly lit bedroom regretting having never bought curtains. His long hair just didn't hide enough of his face from the sunlight. As he acclimated to his harsh morning surroundings he dusted the cobwebs from his brian.

How did he get home last night? The last thing he could remember was going out for beers with his buddy Dusty. They were celebrating him getting his dream job. Dusty was so excited for his friend that he agreed to pay for drinks all night.

Joseph smiled, pleased that he probably bled Dusty's bank account dry.

Joseph rummaged through his dirty cloths, finding the alarm and turning it off. He checked the time.

10:21

He must've set it for 10:00 last night. It normally woke him up at 8:30. Why did he change his alarm? Something about calling someone at noon. He stood up, stretched, and headed to the washroom.

As he brushed his teeth he struggled to remember more of events from the previous night. He remembered sitting at the bar, and after a few beers, he and Dusty ran into their friends Chris and Eric. They were bar hoping. Joseph laughed out loud, spitting toothpaste on his mirror. That's right. He and Dusty dine and dashed leaving their massive bar tab behind when they followed Chris and Eric across town to a new club that opened.

Jospeh finished brushing his teeth and headed downstairs. He might as well call Dusty to see how bad his hangover was.

He rummaged through his pockets but found only a handful of change, a few reciepts, and a napkin with a number on it. The name Liz was written underneath it. Instantly he remembered the girl. Liz. They met at that club. He was dancing with her. Thats when he lost track of his friends.

What did they do? He checked the receipts. A couple drinks at the bar, and a bank statement saying he took out $200. What the hell did he need $200 for? And where was the rest of it?

Joseph tried to pull on a pair of jeans but his legs screamed in pain. He looked down to notice how bruised they were. His left ankle looked broken. He tried to move it but instead was greeted with searing pain.

He checked his jean pocket for his cell phone. Missing.

Just what the hell happened last night?

There was a knock on the door.

Joseph limped over and opened it to find a police officer standing there.

"Joseph Gardner?" the officer asked.

"Yeah? What's going on?" Joseph couldn't hide his confusion.

"I have a warrant for your arrest." said the officer as he let himself in producing a pair of handcuffs from his belt. Joseph did little to resist.

"What? Why am I being arrested?" Joseph tried to spin around to see what was going on outside.

"You're under arrest for several accounts of drunken and disorderly conduct, driving while under the influence,..."

"What? Driving? I don't have car!"

The officer continued, "Grand theft auto, and the murder of Elizabeth Hurley."

Joseph was pulled outside into the sun. After a moment of blinding light Joseph could see what was going on. The street had been sectioned off by police tape, several cruisers were blocking entry to the scene. Across the street, crumpled into a light post, was Dusty's car. The windows were all smashed and the drivers side door was open. A trail of blood lead to his front door.