Page 17 of The Night Vision
“What is it?” Nelson asked when he caught up with Silas but sucked in a gasp when he saw the other man.
“That’s him! It’s Tighe Ossor!” Nox said in an excited whisper and went to call his name but Silas stopped him.
“Let me. I don’t want to scare him,” he said quietly.
Although, the other man appeared to be totally at ease as he splashed water onto his face and let it drip through his short beard. His flannel shirt was open and he was kneeling in his briefs as his cargo pants dried in the sun next to a pair of hiking boots and a backpack. More water splashed onto his shoulder-length, strawberry blond hair before it was swept back and received a wild shake.
Silas opened his mouth to call out but the other man turned and a wide, bright smile filled his beautiful face.
“It’s you!” Tighe said as he rose and waved at Silas. “You came!”
“Me?” Silas waved back awkwardly as his feet carried him forward. “Do you know who I am?” he asked and received a bemused chuckle.
“I don’t know your name,” Tighe said as he approached and held out his hand. “But I know you,” he added, his nose wrinkling. “You’d think I was out of my mind if I told you how, though.”
“Try me.” Silas was spellbound. He felt tipsy as their hands touched and laughed, delighted and relieved as Tighe stepped closer. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you how we got here, but I’m so glad to see your face.” He was particularly grateful that it was still attached to its skull and was shaking as he cradled Tighe’s jaw.
“Me too.” Tighe made a dreamy sound as he nuzzled Silas’s palm, then leaned in and offered his lips. “What’s your name?”
Silas’s head lowered and he’d swear the ground tilted as their lips brushed. “Silas Shelby. Most people call me Shelby but you can call me Silas. Or Shelby. Whatever you want,” he mumbled and it turned into a groan as Tighe’s lips parted.
“Hello, Silas,” he whispered, the sweet, soft huffs giving Silas goosebumps and making him dizzy.
There was a cough behind them, making them jump and blush as they parted.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Nox said apologetically and offered Tighe a friendly smile. “It’sgreatto see you alive and well but could we continue this…elsewhere?” he suggested with a loaded look at Silas.
Nelson nodded as he scanned the clearing. “We can make it back to the parking lot before sunset if we leave now.”
“Leave?” Tighe shook his head and laughed. “Why would I leave? And who are you?”
Nox smacked himself on the forehead, then held out his hand. “I’m Nox MacIlwraith. I teach anthropology at Georgetown and help the FBI whenever they catch something that involves cults or the occult,” he explained before cocking a thumb at Nelson. “This is my soul’s mate and the bureau’s finest, Agent Grady Nelson. We just call him Nelson.”
A soft grunt and a nod answered as Nelson checked his watch. “Your name is Tighe Ossor and you should come with us. We have very good reason to believe you’ll die in this location.”
“Oh.” Tighe drew back, swallowing loudly. “Okay. Let’s get away fromherebut do I have to leave the mountain?”
“I’d advise it,” Nelson replied and waved as he turned and headed back the way they had come.
Nox flashed Tighe a dazzling smile and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll explain everything if you’ll come with us. We’ve been looking for you for a few weeks because we want to prevent your death and the safest place I can take you is to my home in Georgetown. I can explain that as well.”
Tighe’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “No. I can’t go to Georgetown. I don’t know where that is but I can’t leave?—”
“Shhh!” Nox gripped Tighe’s shoulder and stared into his eyes but Silas felt a sudden rush of calmness and hewantedto go.
“Okay…” Tighe said, dazed as he nodded, glancing at Silas. “You’re coming too?”
Silas gave himself a shake, clearing his head, then went to work on the buttons on Tighe’s flannel. “I came here for you and I plan to stick as close to you as I can until we’re sure you’re safe. Don’t forget your pants and boots. And you’ll probably want to grab your backpack.”
“Right!” Tighe rolled his eyes and went to finish dressing.
Like Nelson, Silas felt uneasy as he searched the woods around them for any sign of danger or a hint to what would kill Tighe. The sooner they got away from the stream and away from Mount Rogers, the better.
“Have you been having dreams too?” Tighe asked as he knotted the second boot and stood, dusting off his hands.
“You had a dream? About this?” Nox whipped around, his eyes wide as he studied Tighe.
His face turned red and he cast Silas a nervous look as he went to his backpack, swinging it over his shoulder. “I’ve had a lot of dreams but not about this,” he said as he waved around them. He cleared his throat and offered Silas a quick, shy smile and held out a little bundle of blue flowers. “Just you. I made this today because I knew you’d come.”
