Authors Note: If your curious about what a Nhimbi Pani is, it's a type of strong Indian drink, like a smoothie. Lots of spices and fruits.

Darius answered the frantic knocking at one in the morning. He opened the door to reveal a disheveled and agitated Erik, holding a rather pretty Siamese cat. Erik whispered quietly, "I need to speak with Nadir." From behind Darius came Nadir's prominent voice, "Let him in Darius."

Erik barged past the servant and nodded in greeting at Nadir, who was wearing his dressing gown. Nadir asked stoically, "Do you realize what time it is?"

Erik sat down without an invitation and Nadir crossed his arms. He could see from Erik's glazed eyes that his friend was high, and obviously in distress. Erik whispered tentatively, "I tried...to.quit...I couldn't..it's..so.."

Nadir nodded, "Overwhelming." He finished Erik's sentence. Nadir sat down and motioned towards Darius, "Bring our guest some water." Darius bowed and left. Nadir lit several candles and stroked the dying fire.

He turned to Erik. "Can you tell me what has happened?" Erik petted Ayesha franticly as he replied, "Your words, earlier in the evening. You made me think, about everything. I am slowly killing myself with this...Morphine."

Nadir remained silent and allowed Erik's intoxicated and jumbled thoughts to form coherent sentences. "Nadir, I need your help. I must...quit. For Christine's sake. I tried on my own. I did not take my evening dose as I usually did. My body...fought my mind...or did my mind fight my body? Either way, I succumbed. I can..not...I can not do it..alone."

Erik began to feel tears well up in his eyes. For so many years he had been alone, believing himself to be invincible, powerful. Yet actually he was weak, a slave to his drugs. Even his obsession with Christine was only second to his obsession with Morphine.

Now, he admitted to his only friend, the only person in France who even knew he existed, that he needed help. Erik clutched Ayesha to his chest and scratched her ear. Nadir nodded as Darius returned with ice water.

He handed it to Erik, who did not drink it. Nadir responded, "You need my help to win this fight. I understand. But I must tell you, I have seen many addicts in Persia, and it is not easy. You must be willing, strong, and determined." Erik nodded.

He looked at the glass and told Nadir. "What a wasted life I have." Nadir shook his head, "No, Erik, you have led a marvelous and adventurous life. Some descions of yours have been bad, but you have never led a wasted life."

Erik glanced at the clock and told Nadir. "It is late. I ask permission to board here. My home, is far too tempting." Nadir nodded. "You have my assurance that no drugs will pass the threshold. Tomorrow, we will discuss, your problem. I swear upon my honor I will help you."

Erik reached out and shook Nadir's hand. It was only the second time they had ever touched, but it was a welcome embrace to them both.

The next morning Erik stood in the cramped backyard of Nadir's small apartment. He hadn't slept the night before, but merely worked on the guest bedroom's doorknob, until the lock was on the outside and once one was locked from within there would be no escape.

He had nailed boards to the window, and now Darius was screaming at Nadir. "Do you realize how much damage has been caused! He has not even been here for ten hours! I am telling you, he needs serious help."

Nadir waved at his frustrated servant and came to Erik's side. "Why did you do that?" He asked calmly. Erik replied. "I thought the best course of action would be to shut me inside until the drug wears off. I need time to adjust."

Nadir shook his head. "Erik, there is no need. Although, with your temper, perhaps that would be necessary?" Nadir pulled at his chin until Darius appeared. He shouted, "If I serve you breakfast, will you break the plates?"

Nadir hushed Darius and told him, "Bring us two Nihmbi Panis, and a bowl of fruit." Erik chuckled. "I have not had a Nihmbi Pani in nearly twenty-six years." Nadir sat down on his small porch and motioned for Erik to. "While you are here you will be treated as a guest and my friend. I shall not lock you up like a lunatic."

Erik moved towards Nadir and sat down. "What needs to be done?" He asked seriously. Nadir looked at Erik. "I am not a professional. All I know is from what I've seen. Your body needs to remove the toxin from your system. Also, you need to adjust to not having the drug inside. The second course of action would be to get rid of all your supplies. In order to be free, you must not be tempted."

Erik nodded as he felt a small tremor well up within his leg. Nadir noticed and asked, "What is your daily intake?" Erik replied, "I take at least four milligrams in the morning, around eight, and then again at twelve p.m., and in the evening around nine."

Nadir glanced into the doorway at his clock. "It is now eight-thirty. If you need any help please tell me. I have no idea how long it takes to remove a drug's toxin from one's system." Erik heard Darius behind them, "Breakfast." He stated simply.

Nadir stood and Darius bowed, then walked away. Erik followed Nadir into the kitchen, but as he walked across the threshold he felt a small twitch in his back. He felt the familiar longing deep within his body for the sweet morphine.

Erik tried to ignore it as they sat down for breakfast. He did not eat, but later took the Nihmbi Pani into his room. Nadir said nothing about this eccentricity, he had known Erik far too long.

His main concern was how Erik would begin to act, once the real withdrawal symptoms began.