Chapter 20
They soared for what felt like an eternity in that warm light. It felt like heaven.
Without warning, they rushed towards the ground, a small building Dylan didn’t recognize. They flew through the roof and he forced his eyes open, breaking the vision the moment he glimpsed gold.
Gabriel stood in front of him, eyes wide. “What was that? That wasn’t what you saw before, was it?”
Dylan shook his head, his breathing labored. “No. I’m not sure what that was.” But deep down he did, just as sure as he was that if he looked farther into the future, it would show him more. He wondered to himself if it was wishful thinking, not truly a vision of what is going to happen.
“Dylan, you’re going to have to work on that, but whatever that future was, it felt wonderful.”
“I’ll talk to Mamaw when we’re out of here. She might be able to help guide me on that, at least.”
Gabriel nodded.
Dylan noticed that he was still clinging to his hands. He cleared his throat. “Gabe. Did you mean what you said earlier?”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Which part?”
Dylan narrowed his eyes and chewed his lower lip. “The part about standing with me. Through all of this.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Well, that’s easy, because I meant every single word of it.”
Dylan nodded and let his head drop. “I like that.” In his head, he started berating himself for the sounding like a schoolgirl.
Gabriel whispered. “Which part?”
Dylan pulled himself closer until their noses were nearly touching. He whispered. “All of it.”
A smile formed on Gabriel’s lips, and Dylan leaned forward, kissing him softly. As he backed away, he murmured. “It’s going to take me a little time. Dealing with a few things right now, and my heart is still recovering. But I want this. With you. Something about it just feels… right.”
Gabriel grinned. “I’m here, and I’m not leaving. We’ll get through all of it. Together.” He paused. “Is that why you didn’t want anything interrupting us?”
Dylan blushed and nodded.
“Are you ready to go upstairs? I’m sure Merrin is screaming at you through the door still.”
Dylan let out a weak laugh. “Yeah, probably.”
“What do we need to do to open the door?”
Dylan smiled. “Let’s smoke another cigarette. You’ve still got my pack and my lighter.”
Gabriel handed him a cigarette from the pack and placed one in his mouth. Dylan stopped him before he could flick the lighter. “Let me try, at least.”
Gabriel grinned and stood, sticking the cigarette as far forward in his mouth as he could. Dylan thought the image was hysterical, nearly dropping his own cigarette before focusing on the tip of Gabe’s first. He closed his eyes, still picturing the cigarette. White paper, with brown shreds of tobacco sticking out. At first, nothing happened. He inhaled and let out a measured breath. His focus was intense. Slowly, he felt a heat growing in his clenched fist. He opened his eyes and reached out, extending a single finger, touching the tip of the cigarette. The tobacco started glowing red. Gabriel’s eyes went wide as he puffed.
Dylan smiled and touched his own cigarette, lighting it with an unseen flame within.
The door upstairs flew open. “Goddamnit, Dylan? What was that about?” Merrin’s voice echoed through the chamber.
“Just trying something new.”
Gabriel burst out in raucous laughter.
Merrin appeared at the bottom of the stairs with a flashlight. “Mr. Miller came by. I told him you were asleep. He wanted to pick up some clothes for Homer. Don’t worry, I went through them with a fine-toothed comb before I handed them to him. Had to make sure the pockets were empty.”
Dylan laughed. “Thanks. Did he say when the funeral would be?”
“He said no visitation since he was Homer’s only friend, and you’re the only family. There’ll be a small private service at the graveside only. Tomorrow at noon. He said that Homer told him he left strict instructions, so you need to read that journal tonight to figure out what you’re supposed to say or do.”
Dylan nodded. “I will.”
“Mom wanted pizza again for supper. Is that okay with you boys?”
Gabriel smiled. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Dylan smiled at him, and Merrin raised her eyebrow. “What’s going on?”
Before Dylan could speak, she shook her head. “I should’ve expected this.” She sighed. “Dylan, don’t break his heart. He’s loved you for a long time.”
Gabriel blushed, and Dylan’s jaw dropped. “What?”
She chuckled softly. “You don’t have to be an empath to see how he looked at you growing up, and he always asked about you after you left. It’s pretty obvious.” She turned to Gabriel. “Then again, he’s always been a bit oblivious.” She left them alone, heading back to the kitchen.
Dylan looked at Gabriel with a sigh. “My family is fucked up. Are you sure you want to do this?”
Gabriel kissed his cheek. “I am. Are you?”
Dylan was quiet for a moment. He caught the concern growing in Gabriel’s face. He gulped, whispering. “Yes Gabe. I’m still terrified of what that means, and that I might be putting you in danger. But I want you with me.”
Gabriel smiled as Dylan leaned in to kiss him. “Do you want to help me go through the journal tonight?”
Gabriel beamed. “An all night study session? It was my earliest fantasy… and you were always in the starring role.”
Dylan blushed. “Really?”
Gabriel nodded, grinning.
Dylan took his hand. “Well, you’re going to have to wait until after we eat. Then, we’ll get started.” He sighed. “But I think tonight we need to just study this thing. If we’re going out tomorrow, I want to be ready for anything.” He glanced around. “And if I have to, I’ll lock myself down here again.”
Gabriel smiled and squeezed Dylan’s hand. “Let’s do this.”