Chapter Forty-Five - Jason Havelock
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Jason Havelock
JASON BURST THROUGH the heavy wooden door atop the bell tower, and the frigid ancient hinges groan in protest. His breath was ragged, his chest heaving as he scanned the room. The cold hair bit at his skin, he shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to warm them. He looked out of the belfry, to the campus below blanketed in all white. The clouds had gathered and were dusting the tops of the large Douglas fir tree line. The lights twinkled in contrast to the blanketed snow. It would be beautiful, but now it was terrifying.
“Ethan?” Jason called out, his voice echoing against the stone walls. Nothing.
A gust of wind howled through the rafters, rustling the dust and cobwebs that clung to the beams. The faint metallic clang of the bell’s ropes swayed. Jason stepped carefully toward the ledge his shoes crunching against the loose gravel uneven. He leaned over the railing, his eyes scanning all of the campus below, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ethan.
“Where the hell are you?” he muttered to himself.
Before he could process anything, a sharp blinding pain exploded at the back of his head. His vision swam, and he stumbled away from the ledge, his balance faltering. He turned and blinked away the haze of dizziness, and his heart jumped into his throat.
Dr. Robert Bellamy stood there, his polished leather shoes firmly planted, a snub nose revolver gleaming faintly. His face was calm, almost serene, as though he rehearsed this encounter in his head a thousand times.
“Dr. Bellamy?” Jason managed, his voice rasped. “What the hell are you doing?”
Bellamy smiled faintly, a twisted mix of pity and arrogance. “Ah, Jason, Such a loyal companion, so protective. Admirable, really. But you’re in my way. You’re keeping me from my work with Ethan.”
Jason took a step back, his mind racing, “Where’s Ethan? What have you done?”
Bellamy tilted his head, and the corners of his mouth twitched, “Ethan? You’re remarkable boyfriend. Do you even know what he is capable of? What he can become?”
Jason clenched his fists. “I know enough to see you’re obsessed with him. You want to turn him into one of your lab rats. Like you did Naomi Halston. Like you did your daughter.”
Bellamy’s eyes hardened at that last bit, “Watch yourself, Mr. Havelock.” He said stepping closer, the revolver at the ready. “You have no idea what I’ve lost. I’ve had to give up. Ethan is the key back to her. Do you know what it’s like to lose everything? My daughter — Isabelle. My wife — Win.” He sneered, his voice cracking. “Two graves, Jason. Two all because no one understands.”
Jason's breathing quickened. “And what? You think manipulating Ethan. Exploiting him will bring them back?”
Bellamy’s voice dropped to near a whisper, his words as icy as the air around them. “There are legends, Jason. Legends of attunements so powerful they can speak to the dead, they can alter the very fabric of time. And I’ve found one. I can see her again. I can hold her again.”
Jason’s stomach churned, Bellamy’s true intentions sinking in. “You’re insane.”
Bellamy’s calm facade cracked, a spark of desperation in his eyes, “No. I’m desperate. Everyone of his kind I find brings me closer. Ethan is the key. Can’t you see that?”
Jason lunged, hoping to knock the gun from Bellamy’s grip, but Bellamy anticipated the move. The two struggled, Jason’s strength fueled by raw emotion, but Bellamy was prepared. He brought the gun of the revolver down on Jason’s temple, sending him crumpling to the cold stone floor.
Jason’s world blurred, and his struggled to focus. The edge of his consciousness frayed. He fought to stay awake, to get back up, but his body betrayed him. The weeks of exhaustion, worry, and fear — darkness encroached.
Bellamy stood over him, adjusting his tie with a steady hand. I’m sorry, Jason. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
Grabbing Jason by the collar, Bellamy struggled as dragged him towards the stairwell. His heart pounded, the thrill of victory gave him strength. But then, a sound froze him — the faint creak of the door below.
Bellamy’s grip tightened on Jason as he peered down the winding, shadowy staircase. A figure appeared, stepping into the faint moonlight light that filtered through the belfry.
Ethan.
Bellamy was nearly gleeful, “Two in one night,” he muttered. “It’s my lucky day.”
He heard the stairs creak under Ethan’s feet as he ascended the spiraling iron staircase to the top. The steps were slow and deliberate. Bellamy felt an unnatural warmth rising from the stairwell. He watched as Ethan emerged, Bellamy now submerged into the shadows of the bell chamber. The air seemed to sizzle, seemed to crackle with energy.
Bellamy’s hand hovered over the revolver now tucked into his waistband, “Come to me, Ethan. Let’s finish what we started.”