Internal Darkness

"Someone once told me that none of us are actually afraid of the dark; we're scared of what it conceals from us. We're afraid of having something with the potential to hurt us standing right before our eyes and not registering it as a threat...People can be like that too."

Chapter One:

Mike quickly adjusted his tie rushing out the door of his messy New York apartment as he heard the sound of a horn down below, he was late for the firm's annual Christmas party. The winter cold bit sharply at his face as he quickly stepped out of the door, a black car waiting patiently for him at the curb of the pavement outside his home, its smooth engine humming quietly. He felt a warm contentment inside of him. He finally felt like a sense of belonging. Christmas is one of those times that lonely people finally register how alone they actually are and although growing up he had his Grandmother and he had Trevor it just wasn't the same. He felt like part of an actual family now and at that very moment, he couldn't ask for any more.

He smiled gratefully as a waiter dressed smartly in a tuxedo and white gloves handed him as glass of champagne upon entering the upscale hotel where the Christmas party was being held. He took a large swig of the expensive drink while looking around the lobby, its marble floor sparkling under the light of the large chandeliers covering the high ceiling. A tremendous Christmas tree took up a lot of the room, its flickering white lights creating a festive atmosphere.

"Mike!" a voice behind him startled him slightly. "We've been waiting for you."

He spun around to see Donna behind him beaming. She was dressed in a long royal blue dress which shimmered slightly under the lights; her wavy red hair fell delicately at her shoulders framing her porcelain face.

"Wow, you look beautiful Donna." gasped Mike.

"Well I am Donna." she smirked. "Now come on we have a party to attend."

The main room was packed with workers from the firm all dressed smartly in suits and festive dresses.

"Glad to see you could make it." smiled Jessica warmly at Mike as he and Donna passed her and headed towards the table where Harvey, Louis and Rachel were sitting. Louis was just getting a round of drinks as they approached.

"Make that five." he instructed to the bartender as he saw Mike and Donna.

"What are we getting?" asked Mike.

"Looks like we're doing shots with Louis." laughed Rachel.

"I never thought I'd see the day where I'd be doing shots with Louis Litt." chuckled Mike.

"You'd be surprised at a lot of things Louis does in his spare time." muttered Harvey.

"Come on everybody, drink up." said Louis placing the tray of shots on the table.

A few hours and more than a few shots later and the party was in full swing.

"T-t-this p-p-paaarty is greaaat." slurred Mike leaning slightly against Harvey as he spoke.

Harvey nudged him away slightly, smirking. "Can't say the same about how you handle your drink."

"Hey...I'm a lightweight, d-d-deal with it." his words tumbled from his mouth and he staggered a little as he leaned against the bar for support. He turned towards the young bartender who was drying a glass. "Two more please."

Harvey put up his hand shaking his head at the bartender who shrugged his shoulders and walked over to another drunken customer at the far end of the bar. Harvey turned to Mike "I think we'll call it a night, Ray will be here in ten minutes anyway."

Mike sighed slumping over the bar, his mind tangled with the intoxication, his eyes becoming heavy. Harvey pulled the young associate up off the bar and draped his arm around him for support. "You really are a nightmare Mike."

Mike woke up the next morning to the shrill sound of his alarm, his head pounding and his mouth felt like a desert. He groaned, reluctant to get up for work. He had drank way too much last night he thought through the hammering of his headache. He slowly sat up a strong rush of nausea and dizziness surged through his body, luckily he made it to the bathroom in time. He was in for one hell of a day at work.

Mike took a deep breath before sitting down at his desk, the feeling of queasiness still at the surface and the painkillers only taking a slight edge off of his headache.

"Morning sunshine." said Donna rather loudly as she entered Mike's office.

"Oh god, Donna, not so loud." Mike winced.

"I see the tequila isn't treating you so good today." she laughed. "Harvey wants to see you in his office by the way."

Mike slowly heaved his aching body out of his chair; his limbs were tired and heavy. A slight wave of dizziness washed over his body for the hundredth time that morning. The sooner this day was over the better.

"I need you to file a patent for the new case we're working on." Harvey said looking up handing Mike a file. "You look like shit."

"Morning to you too Harvey." said Mike sarcastically taking the file.

"Not my fault you have a hangover." replied Harvey leaning back in his chair. "If you didn't handle your drink like a woman maybe you'd be feeling as fresh as I do today."

Mike smiled a little and rolled his eyes as he left the room. "I'll have this done by today."

Mike grimaced as he gulped back some water and another painkiller. This was a hangover from hell. He noted to himself to not drink tequila again anytime in the near future. He was sweating; his hair was starting to stick to his forehead as he flicked through the file with clammy hands trying to focus as much as he could. His eyes were stinging he was that tired.

"I thought you could do with this." smiled Donna handing Mike a cup of coffee. "God Mike, you look like shit."

"So, I heard." He sighed taking the coffee from Donna.

She placed the back of her hand on Mike's forehead. "You're burning up." She pursed her lips a little. "Maybe you should take the day off."

Mike let a small laugh. "You know Harvey's not going to let me home because I have a hangover."