Twenty-Two

Cole

Anna explained everything she knew about Nox and what she thought his powers were limited to. "Right now, he's not as much of a threat. I don't believe he's even a spirit, more like his energy is all that's left, but if he can shove you out and take your body, there's nothing that can stop him. No barrier will hold him."

"How can he just be energy?" Bobby asked.

"It has to do with the spells and rituals he was using. He didn't care if he survived them, only that there was enough of him left to carry on in another form. His obsession with power took over his life and destroyed him." Anna stared off, lost in thought about who knew what.

"What do we do? I didn't know anything about the mind reading until the other night. And honestly, I prefer not having that ability," I said, and took Bobby's hand. "I don't want to know what everyone is thinking. But it hasn't been nearly as intense as it was those first moments. Maybe he was wrong, and I don't even have the ability? Or it's fading."

Anna turned her gaze on me again, and I tried not to look away from her. "Carnivals are unique places. Some are just what they appear to be, while others are places where true magic can be found. Maybe the one you went to had a stronger magic than Nox and when you entered, his magic was stripped away."

"Can that happen?" I asked, making Bobby laugh.

"After everything we've seen the past few weeks, this is not the strangest idea we've heard. Tell her about how it changes when we're together," Bobby said.

"I guess there's nothing I can't believe now. Bigfoot, the Easter Bunny, everything is real," I said, and Bobby laughed again.

Anna smiled. "You two just met the day you were injured?"

"Yeah, I was on my way to town to make a delivery and Cole was out jogging. I hadn't been to Hickory Crossing before that," Bobby said.

"Almost like something intervened to make sure you were both at the same place at the right time," Anna said.

"Do you really think that's possible? I mean don't get me wrong. But you know how it is around here, nothing ever happens, and just the fact he was driving down your road at the same time I was jogging along it seems like just a strange coincidence."

"I'm not sure. Although I don't know what role you would play in all this," she said to Bobby.

"When we're close he can quiet my thoughts. But only when we're close. It feels like he's able to help me repel the voices." I tried to explain something that had no explanation. I hoped it made sense.

"That may come in handy if Nox tries to hurt you when you two are together, but you need to find more ways to protect your thoughts and yourself. He'll be probing your mind for information to use against you. Things you're afraid of, things you've done that you don't want to think about. He may even haunt you in your dreams."

"He's started coming to me in my dreams. I haven't had any dreams that I knew were him, but there's been a heaviness when I fall asleep. Like I know something is just out of sight and if I let my guard down it might be the last time," I said, and I knew Bobby wouldn't like that I hadn't told him. I turned to him. "I didn't want to scare you. There's nothing you can do to protect me when I'm asleep. Anna's right, I need to find more ways to protect myself."

"I put an app on my phone that's supposed to mess with brain waves and make it harder for you to read my thoughts," Bobby said, and his face tinted pink. "I was desperate, and I wanted to see if it stopped you from reading my mind." He shrugged and grimaced.

"Did it work?" Anna asked.

"He couldn't read my thoughts on the way here, but I wasn't sure if it was because of the app or other reasons," Bobby said and glanced at me.

"I don't know if something like that would work, but right now I'd say you should try everything you can. You also might want to find someone connected to the other side that can give you some protection. I can help a little, but Nox will be doing all he can to make sure you lose. You'll want to do all you can to protect yourself." She took my hands in hers and looked me right in the eye. "There won't be a second chance, Cole. Once you're lost there won't be a way to come back."

"I don't have any idea where I'd find someone like that. This is all new to me," I said. My throat was dry, and I sort of wanted to throw up, but at the same time I knew it was time for me to step up and take control of my destiny and not allow anyone or anything else to decide for me.

"We'll figure it out," Bobby said. "I'm sure there are people who can help. I'll do whatever I can." The sincerity in his voice didn't surprise me, but it did worry me. I didn't want to put him in danger simply by association.

"Bobby, this isn't your fight. You're stuck in this because of me, and I care too much about you to let you risk yourself."

"I didn't ask your permission. I told you I'd help, and I meant it. I'm more than capable of making my own decisions." He was angry, and I understood that feeling. I took the choice away from him and that made him fight it even more.

"Bobby, I couldn't live with myself if you were hurt. I just want to keep you safe." He stood and paced across the small living room. His fists tightened and flexed as he tried to control his emotions. Finally, he moved back over to me.

"It's my choice. My choice," he said and pointed at his chest.

His eyes met mine and were filled with too many emotions to sort through, so I pulled him into my arms instead. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"It's my choice, and I choose you. I won't leave you vulnerable."

He was so brave and deserved far more respect than I'd given him. Everything in me told me to trust him but I hated the idea of him being hurt in any way. I needed him, and I decided that maybe together we had a better chance of both of us getting through this. "Thank you," I said, before kissing him hard. "I really do need you."