Page 45 of Fixing the Grumpy Pumpkin King
“I can’t believe that fucker tried to kiss me,” he muttered. “Idiot.”
Driving all night to Hollow Hill. Showing up with apologies and promises and “I’ve changed, baby, please.” And then justgrabbinghim and kissing him like he had any right.
Locke had shoved him off so hard Corbin stumbled. Told him exactly where he could shove his apologies. Told him to get the hell out of Hollow Hill and never come back.
The look on Corbin’s face had been satisfying. Shocked. Like he’d actually expected Locke to just fall back into his arms.
But Locke had he loved who loved him back waiting for him. Someone he’d been an idiot to hesitate with this morning.
He pushed into Briar House, ready to find Jack and fix this.
“YOU!”
Pip flew at him. “He doesn’t wanna see you!”
Locke’s heart jumped. “Where’s Jack? Is he here?”
“Get out of here! You don’t deserve him! Do you have ANY idea what you’ve done? He’s down there sulking because of YOU!”
Locke stepped forward. “Down where?”
Pip slapped both paws over his mouth. “Mmph!”
Bramble and Russet materialized, both facepalming in perfect synchronization.
“Where is Jack?” Locke demanded. “Tell me!”
“We can’t...” Bramble started.
“He doesn’t want to see anyone,” Russet finished.
“I don’t care. Where. Is. He?”
Pip crossed his arms, muzzle still covered. “We’re not telling you!”
Locke closed his eyes. Took a breath.
He could feel it. That pull he’d felt since the first night in the maze. That connection between them, warlock to deity, deeper than magic. Jack’s presence like gravity, like the moon pulling the tide.
Below him. Somewhere dark. Close.
“The basement,” Locke said, opening his eyes. “He’s in the basement.”
He moved toward the basement door.
“Stop!” Bramble blocked his path.
“You can’t go down there!” Russet flanked him on the other side.
“We won’t let you hurt him again!” Pip planted himself in front of the door, tiny but determined.
“Get out of my way.”
“No!”
Locke raised his hand, hating this but not seeing another choice. “I didn’t want to do this, but you’re not giving me a choice. Ghosty!”
The air shimmered. Ghosty materialized, translucent and grinning, baggy flannel shirt and backwards baseball cap very much frozen in 1995. Locke could feel the bond through the magic, even felt that this little ghost child could read pieces of his mind. it didn't matter, he needed all the help he could get and he hoped the ghost could help.
