Page 107 of Private Exhibit
Andy felt reality snap back in, the urgency rushing over him all at once. “Right. Yeah.” He perched on the edge of the bed, grabbed Devon's hand, and held on tight as he focused on his sweet boy, knowing he had to do whatever it took to save him.
He reached out with his mind, blindly feeling for Devon. There had never been anything to feel before, but now it crashed over him like a wave. A new presence. Almost a desperate pull.
Just as Crawford had warned, Andy's mind revolted. A part of him didn't want to invade another person's mind, but Andy forced the feeling aside. If there was a chance he could reach Devon, he'd take it.
Andy took a deep breath and let go. He felt himself falling, tumbling, swirling through what felt like boundless space and time.
And then he heard a sound he thought he'd never hear again.
Andy?
Chapter 37
DEVON KNEW right away that something had changed.
He heard muffled voices. Just an odd word here and there. It felt like listening through water, like he was slowly slipping further and further away from life.
Devon was almost ready to let go. To have it be over with already. Then something had touched on his mind, something familiar yet oddly beyond recognition. Devon had reached for it, trying to make sense of it. A pressure—one he'd never truly realized was there—suddenly fell away.
He heard one distinct word, spoken in a voice he somehow recognized yet could swear he'd never heard before. The voice was low and almost sinister, but also comforting and safe.Fight!
Before Devon could ask what that meant, the floodgates opened andeverythingpoured in.
Devon couldn't even scream. It was too much. Like the whole world was trying to cram itself into his brain.
But in the midst of it all? He felt a small sense of peace flow in. A tiny shred of home.
Andy?Devon asked.
Oh my gods, Andy gasped, his voice cutting through all the chaos.Devon? Baby? Can you hear me?
Andy! I'm here! I can hear you!
Thank gods, Andy gushed.I thought–
There's too much, Devon cried. He searched frantically, trying to find some tangible evidence that Andy was near, butthere was nothing beyond the incorporeal voice.Gods. Daddy? Make it stop. There's too much!
Before Andy could say anything, another familiar voice cut in.
Devon? It's Doctor Crawford. Everything's going to be alright.
Devon felt like he was panting, like he'd run a mile.Doctor Crawford? What's going on? How can I even hear you both? What happened? Where am I?
You're in the hospital, Dr. Crawford answered.And the barrier around your mind has been removed.
Devon felt like he was trembling.What? How? And how bad is it?
What's important right now–
How bad is it?Devon insisted.
Dr. Crawford sighed.Your heart stopped. You're hooked up to a bypass machine, circulating your blood, and a ventilator is helping you breathe.
Devon's trembling got worse.Andy?
It's true, sweetheart, Andy murmured.Gods, I'm so sorry.
So it's over, Devon realized. The dark void felt suddenly heavy. If his heart wasn't beating, it really was too late.
