Page 56 of The Devil You Know
“Oh, God,” he whispered and held the screen so Jesse could see the obituary listing. The man in the photograph was the one in his dreams and the elusive stranger he glimpsed in the crowd.
Jesse took his phone and silently read down through the information. “He went missing on a hike, and his body was found near a trail.”
“In this life, you didn’t die, but Evan did.”
“And in the other one, Evan lives, and I don’t,” Jesse concluded. “How do you keep seeing him here if he’s dead?”
“Maybe somehow, my Evan is looking for me since magic is real on the other side.” Seth’s head spun, and his heart ached.Lose my brother, keep my partner. Bury my lover, stay with Jesse. How can I choose?
But as soon as the words crossed his mind, Seth knew the decision had already been made and that it was never really a choice at all.
“We’ve still got a few days left,” Jesse said, popping the cap from another beer and handing it to Seth before taking one for himself. “Let’s make the most of it. No regrets.”
Seth threw himself into enjoying every moment of the remaining days of vacation. He and Jesse spent a day at Virginia Beach, chasing each other in the sand and gorging on seafood, and the next day, Linda led them on a foray to Monticello and Charlottesville. Each night, the four of them stayed up late watching movies and playing cards.
When he slept, Seth dreamed of fire, blood, and Evan.
After everyone else went to bed, Seth researched, trying to piece together the half-remembered clues his damaged memories provided. By the time the sun rose on the last day, Seth knew where he needed to go to get home.
That day, the family went to Colonial Williamsburg at Linda’s urging, and it was bittersweet for Seth to see how much his Mom and Dad loved touring the historic area. He resolutely avoided thinking about what lay ahead.
Seth laughed and joked with Jesse and took a selfie of them wearing tri-cornered hats. They bought cookies and hot chocolate at the bakery, enjoyed going through the restored old houses, and ate in an old-time pub.
Throughout the day, Seth took every opportunity to hug his mother and find reasons to thank and compliment his father. He stuck close with Jesse, not wanting to miss a second of their time together.
On the ride back to the RV, everyone recounted their favorites from the day. Linda and Brian were tired but still bubbly over what they had seen. Seth did his best to keep up his part of the conversation. Jesse grew quiet, and Seth saw how sad his brother looked.
“Hey, it’s not over yet,” he murmured, giving Jesse’s arm a nudge. Jesse chimed in on the discussion, but his smile looked forced.
Everyone tumbled out of the truck back at the campground, helping to carry packages filled with the things Linda and Brian bought in the stores and gift shops.
“That was a full day,” Brian said as he put the bags on the kitchen table and stretched. “I’m heading for bed.”
“Thanks for a great day,” Seth said, stepping up and giving his dad a hug without providing a chance for the older man to avoid him.
Brian hugged back awkwardly. “Sure thing. Glad you had a good time.”
Seth turned to his mom. “Okay if I kiss you goodnight? For all the times I wanted to and couldn’t when I was in Afghanistan.”
Linda returned his hug and stretched up to kiss him on the cheek. “We’re just happy to have you home safe and sound,” she told him. “Good night, you two.”
Jesse waited until their parents headed to the master bedroom and closed the door. “What now?”
“I think I know where to find the ‘hole’ the psychic mentioned,” Seth replied. “The Church Street Tunnel. I’ve had dreams about it. I think that I might have saved Evan’s life there.”
“Isn’t it blocked off? You’re just going to walk into a dark, abandoned railway tunnel at midnight and hope there aren’t wild dogs or muggers—or worse—hanging out inside?” Jesse countered.
“If it’s a passageway to another place, there won’t be,” Seth said, unsure why he was quite so certain.
“How do you plan to get there?”
“I’ve got the Hayabusa. It’ll do.”
“I’m coming with you,” Jesse said as Seth gathered his things and shoved them into a backpack.
“No way.”
“Take me with you, or I’ll wake up Mom and Dad and tell them everything.” Jesse stood in front of the door with his hands on his hips.
