Page 84 of The Spirit Key
Tim narrowed his gaze as though staring at something in the distance. “He’s trying to break my will. He’s showing me so many vile things. He’s not hiding anymore. I can see everything. He’s been doing this for centuries. He’s been murdering children since….” He gasped. “Oh my God. He’s been here since the Pilgrims. He had to flee England because the authorities were getting close to capturing him for what he did there. When he got to America, he started off with Native American children, figuring no one would miss them. When the crimes he committed were uncovered, he was hanged but his spirit wouldn’t rest. He took over his first body, a young man who was sleeping on the streets. I can see it. He had no problems with destroying the boy’s mind. In fact, he reveled in it. I can hear him pleading, thinking he was possessed by witches. Then he started doing dark, unspeakable things, and within a year, he’d given up. The spirit took control, allowing the boy to retain just enough of his mind to know his body was responsible for all the heinous acts. Eventually, unable to cope, his mind died.”
George leaned forward. “What was the ghost’s name?”
“Gideon. It was Gideon Allerton.”
I put a hand on Tim’s shoulder. “Let it go now, Tim.”
Tears streamed down Tim’s face, and he grabbed my hand. “He killed so many. Ruined lives. He’s a goddamn monster and needs to be destroyed. And that’s what’s inside of me.”
“We’re going to figure this out. I promise.”
“I know, and I believe it, because I believe in you.”
My only hope now was that I could deliver on my word.
“We should get going.”
Tim helped me up, and I finally got a good look at him. Exhaustion clung to him like a cloak. He had dark bags under his eyes, and when I suggested we go home so he could get some rest, he said there was no way he could sleep after what he’d seen. Too many bodies, too many kids whose lives were snuffed out by someone who didn’t die at the end of a hangman’s noose like he should have. I called us a cab to get home, because I didn’t want him driving and I ached all over.
We snuggled together in the back of the cab. Tim slid an arm around my shoulder and gently cradled me to him. It felt good, being close like this.
“Why don’t you close your eyes?”
I did as he said, and it wasn’t long before I was dozing.
When we got back to the house, he woke me up. We leaned on each other as we went inside and straight to the bedroom. He should have gotten in bed right away, but he stripped off my clothes and got me under the covers first.
Seeing him so tired and hurt made my chest ache. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Tim brushed my hair from my eyes. “What do you have to be sorry for?”
“Bringing you into this, I guess.”
“Didn’t you hear? I was born into this role. No,wewere.”
“But what if you weren’t? I mean, you could have a normal life and not any of this stuff.”
He leaned down and brushed a kiss over my lips. “Maybe, but you know what I wouldn’t have? You. Do you want to know how many nights I lay in bed, saying I would do anything if you were mine? Mom told me I needed to be patient, that things would come in their own time, but I didn’t understand that. While I would be happy not to have spooks and ghosties in our lives, I think the two of us having a purpose is what’s going to make life worth living.”
He undressed, then crawled into bed. Reaching over, he turned off the light, plunging the room into darkness. Then he took my hand and entwined our fingers.
“Do you want to know why I’m okay with us doing this now, when before I was so against it? Something that Sofia said clicked for me. She said we were going to have eternity together, and even though I don’t think that’s long enough, it’s a pretty damn good start.” He was quiet for a moment. “I know that Gideon said I hated you and how I wished you’d never come back. I’m not going to lie, because there was a time I said that to Mom. Wanna know what she told me?”
I admit, I was afraid, but I trusted him. “Sure.”
“She said, ‘You don’t mean that, and you know it. You’re lashing out because you’re hurt, and I understand that. But remember what’s in your heart, how much you care for him. Because one day he’s going to come back to you and then you’ll regret having said this.’ And I swore to myself I wouldn’t. I did my best to harden my heart against you, but when I would go to sleep at night, you were the only thing I dreamed about. So it’s true that I said it, but I don’t know that I ever meant it. Not really.”
I squeezed his fingers in mine. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I’m your lock. Destined to protect you. Gideon showed the ugly that was in my heart.”
“You were a scared kid whose best friend ran away because he wasn’t able to face up to what was happening to him and was too chicken to tell you about it.”
He sighed. “So we both screwed up.”
“Pretty much. Now shut up and go to sleep.”
“If I wasn’t so tired, I’d remind you who’s in charge here.” He yawned. “Always remember one thing, Scotty. No matter what anyone says, no matter what happens, I will always love you.” His voice got softer. “And not just because we were destined for each other. You aren’t perfect, but you’re just right for me.”
