Thirty-One

Bobby

I regretted not insisting Cole come here as soon as I hung up. Now it was sometime after four and I was still tossing around in my bed unable to sleep. Every time I nodded off visions of Cole being struck by lightning invaded my dreams. Only in most of them he didn't live, and he was either blown apart or burned alive. Finally, when the sun had barely begun to rise, I gave up and got out of bed.

There was no way I'd be able to sit at home, and I knew there was plenty of work at the print shop, so after a quick shower I got dressed and drove the short distance. Dad was already there as usual. It didn't matter how early I arrived, he was always there first.

"Morning, Bobby, you're here early," Dad said when I walked in.

"I couldn't sleep so I thought a little work would do me some good," I said, making him laugh.

"Well, there's always something to be done here." He set me up with a job that would take most of the day. Booklets that were fully printed and then I'd need to bind them all together. A few hours had passed, and I'd finished around half of the interior pages.

"Could you use some help?" a familiar voice said from behind me.

"Cole?" I asked, because I couldn't believe he was here. I pulled him into my arms and finally felt like my world wasn't going to shake apart. "I'm so happy to see you."

"I didn't sleep at all last night. There was no way I could work, and I knew if I sat at home, I'd be a mess by the time I could go to your place. I hope you don't mind—" He was a rambling mess; his eyes were bloodshot, and his hands shook as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Son, why don't you take your friend home. I think you both could use a little sleep," Dad said from where he stood by the print machine he was using. "I've got this, you go on now."

I took Cole's hand and led him over to where Dad was adding more paper to the machine. "Are you sure? I don't mind staying. Cole can hang out until we're done."

"I'm sure, you two go ahead." He smiled before starting to turn back to the machine.

"Dad, this is Cole Ryan. Cole, this is my dad Keith Sanders," I said, and the two of them shook hands.

"Nice to meet you. Bobby's told me about how you met. Are you doing okay since you were injured?" Dad patted Cole on the shoulder, and I knew he was probably as worried as I was.

"Nice to meet you, Keith. I'm sorry to meet you under these conditions but I didn't sleep at all last night."

"Now, don't you even worry about it. You two go to Bobby's and get some rest. Don't worry, I'll put you to work on a day when you're feeling up to it." Dad grinned and winked at me.

"Thanks, Dad. I'll make it up to you, I promise." He waved to us both and I helped Cole back out to where we were both parked.

"How did you find me?" I asked as I poured him into my car.

"I remembered the name of your business from the van. I googled." He smiled at me as I slid into the driver's side. "I'm sorry to just show up, but I couldn't sit at home waiting for something else to happen."

"You were on my mind all night. I couldn't stop worrying about you," I said, and kissed him. He looked up at me and even through his exhaustion I could see it. Fear. He was afraid, and I was almost too scared to ask why, but we were in this together and I knew he needed me.

"What happened?" I whispered.

"I cleaned up all the symbols. At first it was a relief. It creeped me out seeing them all over my house, and when you said they were not meant for protection I didn't see a reason to keep them there. As soon as I removed the last one, the whispering started. Only it wasn't the voice I'd been hearing. I'm pretty sure it was my neighbor. All night I could hear them in their dreams, everyone who was nearby, and some that were not so close. But I realized I can control it. I can push them down to where I can think over them." His eyes closed and I could imagine him just falling asleep right there.

"You didn't hear Nox?" I asked, almost afraid to know.

He shook his head. "I really need to sleep."

"Let's go then." I started the engine and made the short drive to my house. He'd fallen asleep so fast I was afraid he wouldn't want to wake up, but as soon as I turned off the engine, he jumped. "Sorry, we're at my house."

"Thanks, Bobby." The two of us got out of my car and I helped him to the front door.

"I'm amazed you could drive here."

"There were a few times I wasn't sure I could make it, but I made myself keep driving. I needed to be with you." I helped him inside, and right to my room. As soon as I eased him down on the edge of the bed he slid over to his side.

"Let me take your shoes off at least," I said and slid them off. He immediately pulled his legs up and patted the bed behind him. After stripping down to my briefs, I slipped behind him and pulled him close. Both of us took a deep breath and slept.