Different Addictions

Paul was in a bad way the cramps in his stomach were getting worse and every joint in his body screamed with pain. He needed a fix and he needed it now, he tried to think how long it had been since he shot up his last wrap of heroin. He couldn't focus, all he knew is that the withdrawal symptoms were hitting him hard, he needed cash badly or at least something of value. Spike, his dealer had long ago cut off his line of credit and broken his thumb just for good measure, to remind him that payment up front was the new order of the day. He had tried a bit of shop lifting earlier but in his weakened and befuddled state the security guard had been on him immediately. A wave of nausea washed over him and a fresh bout of stomach cramps caused him to duck into the alleyway, he dropped his threadbare jeans just in time to prevent himself from soiling them.
Once the cramps had abated to an almost bearable level, he stood up and fixed his clothes. Tears ran down his emaciated features as the feelings of self loathing and self pity jockeyed for position in his mind. It was then he spotted the frail old man at the far end of the alleyway, he was moving away from Paul at a slow shuffling pace. An overwhelming feeling of relief came over him as he reached for the small kitchen knife he kept in his jacket pocket. Glancing behind to make sure he was not being watched he hurried after the frail old man. Just as he was approaching him the old man veered left into another back alley, Paul turned after him only to find his prey further ahead of him than he should be. Paul's befuddled mind could not understand it the old man was now moving at pace he could hardly keep up with.
They were now in a maze of back alleys he had not even knew existed, the hunter and the prey locked in the age old dance. He rounded yet another corner in pursuit of his quarry and the world went dark.
The pounding of his temples woke him, his head felt like it would burst and his ankles and wrists felt as if the skin was being flayed from them. He opened his eyes to an upside down vision from hell, the old man stood amidst a group of what he could only describe as monsters. Paul watched the one of the monsters toss a leather pouch to the man and he opened it, the glint of diamonds appeared in his hand. "Remember to drain the blood and boil it, he is a junkie and you don't know what diseases he has." The old man's voice was the last human thing Paul heard as the monsters enveloped him.