Serena
He’s in the church, where I knew I would find him, clearing up hymn sheets after Pastor Purefoy’s evening sermon.
I’ve seen him once since the night Davey ‘died’.
At the funeral. I’d thanked him, but I could barely speak.
I’m sure people thought it was grief, but I was scared I’d give something away.
‘Hi.’
‘What are you doing here?’
‘I needed to talk to you. I’m leaving Serenity. Tonight.’
He frowned. ‘Why?’
‘I can’t explain and I haven’t got much time, but I couldn’t go without telling you—’ I took a breath. ‘Davey is alive.’
‘What?’
‘I know it sounds insane, but it’s the truth. He’s alive.’
He stared at me. ‘But … we buried him.’
‘No, we didn’t.’
I watched him struggle to take it in. ‘Serena, I can’t imagine how hard this has been for you, but—’
‘I’m not having some kind of breakdown, Milo. Davey is alive. And … he’s yours.’
I saw the shock hit him like a physical blow. ‘Mine?’
I nodded. ‘That night we rowed out on to the lake, we found Harold’s cabin, got drunk and … well, we had sex.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because you didn’t remember any of it, and you’d changed. You’d found God, and I didn’t think having a baby out of wedlock fitted in with your plans.’
‘I could have changed my plans.’
‘Could you?’
I searched his face, but it was hard to see in the semi-dark of the church.
‘Anyway,’ I continued, ‘I came here because I thought you deserved to know – you saved your son’s life.’
I turned, and Milo caught my arm. ‘Wait. You can’t tell me all this and just leave.’
‘I don’t have any choice. I’m sorry. If we stay, we won’t be safe.’
‘Why? I mean, this is crazy.’
I shook my head. ‘I can’t tell you, and you must promise that you will never tell anyone else.’
‘You want me to lie?’
‘Yes. For your son.’
He stared at me, bewildered. ‘I promise, but … I’m coming with you.’
‘What?’
‘We’ll get married, I can find another church, and we can raise our son together, under God’s guidance.’
I felt sorrow swamp my heart. I tried to pull away. ‘Milo, I don’t think that will work.’
‘We could make it work.’
And suddenly, I had a glimpse of the old Milo, the one who would get crazy ideas that he wouldn’t be deterred from.
I used to love him for it, but now I felt a little worried.
I could see desperation in his eyes, and something else.
The same cold, flat light that I saw when he told me he’d found God.
‘I’m sorry. I have to go.’
‘Okay. Then, take this.’ He reached up and unclasped the crucifix from around his neck. ‘When he’s older, you can give it to Davey. Tell him it’s from his dad.’
I nodded reluctantly and held out my hand. ‘All right.’
He gestured to my neck. ‘Can I?’
‘I guess.’ I turned, and he looped the chain around my neck and fiddled with the clasp.
‘Hold on,’ he said, and I felt him pull it tighter.
‘Milo, that’s digging in.’
‘Just a minute.’
I tried to get my fingers beneath the chain, but it was cutting into my skin.
‘Milo. Stop.’
I felt his warm breath brush my ear. ‘Please don’t keep me from my son.’
‘Mi-lo. You’re hurting me—’
I felt the pressure release. I staggered forward, gasping for air.
‘What the fuck?’
Milo’s face was ashen. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—’
‘—to fucking choke me?’
‘Serena?’
‘No. Jesus.’ I rubbed at my neck. ‘I guess Davey had a lucky escape in more ways than one.’
Milo grabbed my arm again. ‘Don’t say that.’
‘Let go!’
I yanked my arm away and my ankle twisted on the step of the pulpit.
I felt it buckle under me. I screamed. My arms pinwheeled as I tried to save myself, but it was no good.
I was falling backwards. I heard the crack of my skull as it struck the corner of a wooden pew and then everything greyed out as I crashed against the hard stone floor.
Distantly, I heard Milo cry: ‘Serena!’
My vision fogged. In and out of focus. I couldn’t move. My fingers tingled. Everything felt cold. I gasped, trying to draw in breath.
Milo knelt down next to me. His hands reached for my head. When he pulled them back, they were dark with blood.
‘Mi-lo,’ I groaned. ‘Get … get help.’
He stared at me. ‘Oh, Serena.’
But he didn’t move.
‘Milo. Please.’
He stroked my forehead, smearing it with my own blood.
‘Just tell me where he is and I’ll fetch help.’
Tears pricked at my eyes. ‘Milo.’
‘Shhh. Don’t cry. It’s okay. Just tell me.’
I wanted to shake my head, to scream at him, but I couldn’t. And now Milo was drawing away from me, like he was at the end of a tunnel that was growing longer and longer, until he disappeared completely and all I could see was a tiny pinpoint of light.
Something about the light was comforting. Warm.
‘Where is he?’
I smiled.
‘Safe.’
The light blinked out into darkness.