He wakes up many hours later.

My eyes blinked open to the less than appealing display of a puddle of vomit. My muscles cried out in agony as I struggled to sit up. I squinted in the bright light before realizing that it was moonlight and not the rays of the sun filtering through the window.

I grabbed the sink and pulled myself to a standing position. Every joint and tendon felt strained beyond their maximum limit. My fingertips had dried blood on them from where they dug into my palms. I turned on the tap and washed my hands, as well as my face. The icy water helped to soothe my stinging eyes.

The pressure emanating from inside my skull made it feel as if my head would crack open at any second. The pain caused my vision to blur to such a degree that I could do nothing more than drunkenly stumble as I went to collect my case of papers and the empty vial. I capped it and pocketed it, along with whatever residue remained of the vile substance. Finally, I collected myself enough that I was able to exit the lavatory. I lurched down the empty dark hallway. When I reached the main entrance, I found that I lacked the minuscule amount of dexterity required to open a door. Once I had partially turned the handle, the door eased open as I fell into it. My clumsy exit almost led to me falling down the steps in front of the University building.

Eventually, I was able to lumber my way to the automated bus stop. As I entered the speaker began to blare, "Due to the minimal passengers at this hour, KyTech's Automated Buses can taxi you to any point in the city for a normal fare. Please state the desired destination?"

I grabbed my head as the unexpected loud, and overly cheery mechanical voice caused my temples to throb. I groaned, covering my eyes. "Uh, 582 Driton Avenue."

"You have selected: FIVE-EIGHT-TWO Driton Avenue in the Gallery District. Please confirm the destination and payment," The automated machine requested.

I patted my pocket searching for my phone, but didn't feel it. Trying to recall where it could be in my haze was an impossibility.

"Please confirm the destination," The machine repeated.

"Uh, c-confirm destination," I mumbled as my head pounded like a bass drum. My breathing was now coming raggedly.

"Confirm payment." The bus demanded.

I moaned in pain. "Shit, uh, Greg Hart, verification code: uh... 201190."

"Payment confirmed. Estimated time to arrival: 23 minutes." The automated voice blared for a final time.

I slumped down on the bench and waited for my transportation to arrive.

Eventually, the soft sound of the bus breaking in front of me alerted me of its arrival. I rose from my seat and lurched onto the bus collapsing into the first seat available. As I sat there, it dawned on me that I had some limited control over the bus. "Dim... dim the lights." The lights faded to a soft glow, and the hum of the bus carried me into a sweet slumber.

A nap that seemed to only last seconds before the bus's intercom barked at me once more. "You have arrived at your destination. Thank you for using KyTech Automated Buses. Please gather all belongings before exiting."

I exited the bus onto the sidewalk. Blindly, I shuffled forward until I reached the door of my apartment building. My headache was starting to fade as I made my way inside. I entered the elevator and selected my floor. After what seemed an eternity, a ding signaled my arrival on the 27th floor. I stepped out into the small hallways and made my way to apartment 27A.

There were only two apartments on this floor, and 27B housed Ms. Maywell. Ms. Maywell was always a little extra. She was a lovely older woman who I had only met a few times in passing. Truthfully I knew very little about her.

I placed my thumb on the bio scanner above the door handle. The light on the door blinked green as the sound of the locks turning broke the silence.

With the door open, I lurched inside and dropped my case. I kicked the door back shut and instinctively flicked on the lights. A decision I sorely regretted as the bright luminescence caused my dull headache to surge into a full-on migraine. I frantically turned the lights off again and slumped against the door. My slow, but heavy breaths began to subside as I drifted back to sleep.