Trinkets and Baubles

[Geno]

CARDAMINE I awoke with a gasp from the floor of my bathroom, drenched in various revolting pools of last night's dinner. A painful, throbbing headache manifested on the very moment I regained consciousness, like a million, billion sharp needles were simultaneously jabbed in my skull from every direction. But I knew why, I knew all too well, from the moment I foolishly decided to leave Malta. La mia aria arancione. Il mio ossigeno. My inhalant was out of commission, and I could not find a functioning cartridge anywhere in my apartment. It was far too dangerous for me to leave, so deep in enemy territory. This Freeport, so deep in the Omegas was no place for someone like me. And I should have known better. I should not have been so foolish. I stumbled across the tiled room, nearly slipping on my own regurgitations. I felt as though the very walls were threatening to close in on me, threatening to suffocate me if I could not find a aingle canister. A single whiff was all I needed to keep going, a few thousand molecules were all I needed to leave this place and finally reach my beloved. She was the air I truly needed in my lungs. But I had to fight the symptoms. I had to hold back my craving, the very lifeblood of my body and mind and soul. Eventually, I was able to stand on my feet with great effort. The urge was speaking to me - I've felt this before, I was no stranger to it. I knew all too well what would happen if I could not breathe my purified air at my earliest convenience. But this time, it was stronger than ever before. My tunnel vision was strong, almost nauseating. And I could swear I saw an iridescent hue in the corner of my deluded eyes. But I had to walk. I had to reach my ship. I had to leave this place and live on for her. I clenched my fists. I grit my teeth. Cold sweat drenched my forehead. And I walked out the door.