The only setback was how hopelessly in love Detrick was with his best friend. He’d always get queasy before they met up, and his heart would be racing the entire time they were together. It took all of Detrick’s willpower to keep from finding any excuse to touch Conner—any part of him—his rough hands, his soft-looking hair, even just brushing against his clothes. But the longer he went without touching him, the harder it was to keep his hands to himself. It was a strange kind of suffering…the kind that comforted you and taunted you at the same time.
What was more, he had no idea how Conner was interpreting their relationship. Did Conner feel any sort of romantic attraction to Detrick, or did he simply appreciate Detrick’s platonic company? It petrified him to even think of asking.
“What do you think is past those mountains?” Detrick asked. He and Conner had stopped for a rest at the bank of a stream.
“Mom says it’s basically nothing but tundra. Don’t ask me how she knows.” He tossed Detrick a sandwich from his bag, and then took one for himself. “You know about Etu, right?”
“No. What’s Etu?”
“The volcano. It’s supposed to be this massive, extinct volcano. That high peak, right there.” He pointed toward the mountains, and Detrick saw it. It was unmistakably higher than the rest of the peaks. Why hadn’t he heard of it before?
“Extinct, you say?” Detrick asked, turning back to his sandwich.
“That’s what I heard. Hopefully it stays that way.”
“Yeah.”
After walking for a few more hours, they spotted a small lake at the base of an embankment. They agreed this would make for the perfect camping spot, and so they began setting up their site.
Detrick unpacked the essentials from their bags, and Conner gathered stones for a firepit.
“Damn it!” Conner cried out suddenly. “Ahhh.”
Detrick shot to his feet, dropping a cast iron pan to the ground with a thunk. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing. Arm is acting up. It hasn’t really been the same since…you know.” He stood there massaging his shoulder, his face twisted up in a grimace.
“Oh. Let me finish building the firepit for you. You just worry about getting the sleeping bags set up.”
“No, no. It’s fine. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Do you need me to rub your, uh, shoulder?”
Conner cocked an eyebrow at him. “I’m good, Det. I’ll be fine.”
* * *
The afternoon was pleasant and tranquil. For a while they both lay in the grass and enjoyed the clouds and the warm breeze. They plucked the blades from the ground as they reminisced over their childhood memories together. The fishing line Detrick had set up at the lake drifted back and forth in the wind-sewn ripples.
“I remember you always wanted to stay up, even when I was dead tired. You wanted to keep playing, and I got mad at you for it.” Detrick laughed as he recalled Conner’s seemingly endless supply of energy.
“I was always so excited to have you over,” Conner admitted. “It got to the point when I’d ask Mom when you were coming over next.”
“I did the same thing!” Detrick said, laughing. “I used to ask when my parents were leaving town again. I loved staying over when they were gone.”
“Missed me that much, eh?” Conner asked, poking Detrick in the stomach.
“Not you, weirdo. You just had better toys than I did.” Good dodge.
“Uh-huh, right.” Conner said, glancing back towards the lake. “Detrick—the line!” Conner jumped to his feet, and Detrick followed. They reeled in a fish and tossed it in the bucket before exchanging high fives.
“I’m so good at this I don’t even need to be anywhere around to catch a fish,” Detrick boasted as he struck a heroic pose.
“Oh, right! You’re a natural. Fishing requires about this much talent,” Conner said facetiously as he held up his fingers an inch apart. Detrick waved him off dismissively.
Afternoon melted into evening, and after a hearty fish dinner, the two were beginning to wind down. Not long after, they saw that the skies were clouding over.
“Well, that figures,” Conner said. They continued to sit by the fire until the clouds started pelting them with big, fat raindrops. They escaped into their tent and leaned against the embankment at the back.
Their shoulders pressed together, Detrick’s head swam from the comfortable euphoria. But then he remembered—
“Oh, no!” Detrick cried out suddenly.
“What?”
“We left our packs outside. Now our clothes are all wet!”
“I blame you. That was your responsibility,” Conner said, smiling. He didn’t seem bothered at all; in fact, he looked amused at Detrick’s mini-freakout.
“You’re really scrappy today,” Detrick said, shoving Conner playfully. They spent a few minutes playfully jabbing each other in the side until Detrick found a small chunk of granite poking out of the dirt wall. He dug it out with his fingers. “So, in addition to being a master of fishing, I’m also a magician.”
“Really?” Conner asked, clearly pretending to be impressed.
“Yep. I can make this rock disappear, no problem.” He put both of his hands behind his back and set the rock down on the ground behind him. “Guess which hand.”
“Which hand? How about…neither.” Conner leaned over and reached behind Detrick. His cheek brushed against Detrick’s just as he recovered the rock, and he leaned back quickly, looking slightly alarmed. Oh, what a rush—Conner’s stubble had grazed Detrick’s skin, and now they were staring at each other. “Got it,” Conner said, perhaps trying to dispel the awkwardness.
“I suppose that wasn’t my best trick,” Detrick replied. He wanted to feel Conner’s face again. It had lasted only a moment…
The grass rustled outside their tent, and they both turned to see what had caused the noise. The rain had almost completely stopped. After a short while, they saw it: a red fox. She’d wandered into their camp after smelling the remains of the cooked fish.
Conner admired the fox, wide-eyed, but Detrick was distracted by something else. He realized he’d never been able to see Conner’s face this close before. His sandy-blond hair fell ornately about his forehead, and his eyes were so bright green that it caused Detrick’s breath to catch in his chest. The sharp-drawn breath that escaped him alerted Conner to his gaze.
They continued to watch each other, with Detrick deteriorating into a vulnerable mess of a person at the sight of this flawless man before him. Conner’s lips were parted slightly, and they were so inviting…so tempting that Detrick was seriously losing his grip on his surroundings.
As if by instinct alone, they both began to lean into each other, ever so slowly. But, for some reason, Detrick began to feel very afraid of what might happen, and a voice in his head begged him to pull away. He wasn’t sure why. Was it guilt? Was it fear of what might follow?
Their breaths were upon each other, but just as their eyes were about to close, they both jumped at the sight of the fox, who’d arrived at the opening of their tent. The animal was caught off guard by them and bolted away, leaving Detrick and Conner alone once more.
“Stupid fox. Mother above,” Detrick said as he rubbed his face. What had just happened? It was all so cloudy now, as if he’d just awoken from a dream.
Conner laughed a shaky laugh, and Detrick wondered what thoughts were racing through his head at that moment.
Detrick was relieved the fox had stopped them and silently thanked Lilith for sending it. He wasn’t sure why he’d become so apprehensive about kissing Conner. Maybe it was a sign from Lilith—maybe she didn’t want him becoming romantically involved with Conner. He tried to put his feelings out of his head as the two unpacked their bags to hang their dampened clothes.
* * *
The clouds eventually cleared and left behind a deep-black sky sprinkled with stars and nebulas. Detrick spotted the Weeping Wolf. He could swear it was watching hi
m. Had its eyes always been open?
The two sat by the newly built fire, deep in discussion.
“I almost forgot—I wanted to ask you something,” Conner said as he twisted a twig between his fingers. “I told you I stayed at this guy’s house after I was released. He reminded me a lot of someone, and I was wondering if you’d visit him with me. I just want to get a second opinion on it.”
“Who does he remind you of?” Detrick asked.
Conner sat in silence, still playing with the twig. “I think…I think he’s my dad.”
“Whoa! What makes you think so?”
“I don’t remember much about my dad, since I was a baby when he left. All I really have are stories from my mom, but sometimes…sometimes I think I can remember his voice. And Ned’s voice made me think… I don’t know. Maybe I’m completely wrong. Just wishful thinking. I want you to go back there with me, to Weston, and you can decide if you see any similarities between us.”
“Did you ask him anything about his past?”
“He told me he left his family behind. He had a wife. In Edgewood, no less. That’s way too big a coincidence, right?”
“I’m not sure. How much have you talked with your mom about your dad’s disappearance?”
“To be honest, it’s not something I like to bring up. And she doesn’t ever mention his name. Said he was never meant to be a part of our lives. Besides, with all the shit she’s been through lately, I didn’t want to ask. That’s why I want you to help me,” Conner said, shooting a hopeful glance toward Detrick.
Detrick wrapped an arm around Conner’s shoulders and pulled him into a side hug. “This could be something big, Conner. Of course I’ll help you.” Detrick was so honored to be a part of this. They’d figure this out. Detrick had always felt guilty that he had both of his parents to turn to, and Conner didn’t. Though Gwenith was an amazing and resilient person, and a perfect mother to Conner; he deserved to find out what had become of his father. Maybe it would help to quell some of his anger.
They continued to talk until they both felt too tired to stay awake, so they retired into their tent for the night.
* * *
Conner was unable to get comfortable in his sleeping bag. Darkness was all around him, and it was staring him down, threatening to send him back into the chasm of lunacy that had almost claimed his life. He squeezed his eyes shut, his breaths unsteady.
“Hey, are you okay?” Detrick whispered.
Conner sat up and leaned against the embankment. “I don’t know. Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep. Ever since…”
“Ohhh. Hey, there’s nothing to worry about, alright? If I see anything, I’ll kick its ass.”
Conner chuckled, and was starting to feel better.
“Nothing’s going to hurt you, okay? I won’t let it.”
Feeling much more at ease, Conner settled back into his sleeping bag.
Detrick started to wrap an arm around him but pulled it away. “Sorry. I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“You can put your arm back,” Conner said.
Detrick obliged.
Conner wasn’t often one to desire comfort, but Detrick was now showing him why that was a mistake. It felt so good to be lying here with him, all his problems far away. It was another world—one he wanted to inhabit for as long as possible.
Soon both were fast asleep.
CHAPTER 17
REUNITED
“S
o, I’ve been studying this map. There’s a trail about a half mile into the forest. Let’s take that instead of the main road,” Conner said as he folded his map.
Detrick took the map and put it into Conner’s pack for him. The two were standing out back of Conner’s house, both chilled by the night air. It was barely four in the morning, and they wanted to maintain as much secrecy about this trip as possible. “Sounds good to me. Anything to keep us hidden,” he said as he drew the strings and tied them.
“Yeah. But the bad news is it’s going to take several more hours on that route. Seems like it travels through some rough terrain. You gonna be okay with that?” Conner asked, turning around to face him.
Detrick had indeed been interrogated by his parents upon his return from their camping trip a few days ago. Luckily, he hadn’t missed anything dire, but his parents had received the news that Victoria was recovering.
“You’re lucky we were able to cover for you, Detrick,” his dad had said. “Don’t pull a stunt like this again. Now that the Grand Magistrate is back on her feet, things are going to start picking up for us. No more disappearances.”
But Detrick had disappeared. The sooner he made this trip with Conner, the better. Though he’d agreed with his dad that it was too risky to disappear again, the time was now. If ever there was a chance to help Conner find his father, this was it.
Conner was worth the risk.
The morning progressed as Detrick had hoped—as uneventful as possible. Except for the fact that they couldn’t find the trail anywhere. They had to assist each other in traversing relatively rocky slopes and thick brush.
“Where is this damn trail you were so sure about?” Detrick asked breathlessly as he heaved himself up onto a boulder to scout the area. It was nearing noon, and both were growing impatient with what was clearly the worst map ever.
Conner scratched his head as he pored over the paper. “We should have hit it hours ago. This doesn’t make any sense. Here’s that smaller peak…there’s the clearing with the lake…” And then he groaned. “Oh, no.”
“Yes?” Detrick asked, hands on his hips.
“Don’t be mad, but I think I’ve been looking at this map upside down.”
Detrick’s eyes widened. “What? Let me see.” He hopped down off the boulder and snatched the worst map ever away from the worst navigator ever. “Conner! We’re clear on the other side of the road from where we should be! That’s Weston, and that’s Edgewood. Didn’t you notice the writing was upside down?”
“It’s really small!”
“You need glasses. And I’m hereby revoking your map privileges.”
They spent a few minutes planning the quickest route to get back on course, but unfortunately for them, they’d have to spend the night on the wrong side of the road.
* * *
Detrick was shaken out of a deep sleep.
“Det, do you hear that?”
He sleepily rubbed his eyes but was interrupted by a loud crash that made both him and Conner jump. “What was that?” he asked, far too loudly.
Conner kneeled toward the front of the tent and pulled back the door flap. The moment he did so, he snapped back toward Detrick. “Shit. It’s a bear. Shit.”
Detrick shushed Conner and told him to stay still, but it was too late. The bear had heard them, and it had clearly interpreted the noise as a threat to its safety. In an instant, it had lumbered over to their tent and was swiping at it, leaving Detrick and Conner to withdraw as far back as they could. With ease, the bear tore open the tent with its jaws and began taking swipes at them. Detrick didn’t want to die yet, but here was his mortality, staring him in the face.
They were trapped, and they knew it. All they could do was fight back and hope to survive.
Their attempts at defense were pointless, which they were reassured of with every lightning-fast swipe of the bear’s huge paws and every ear-splitting roar that escaped its maw.
Suddenly Detrick knew what had to be done. Conner had endured the attack of a rabid dog, the delirium of the dark room, and the mysterious disappearance of his father. No more harm would befall him if Detrick could help it. “Conner, get behind me!” he yelled, blocking a blow with his forearm. An aching sting coursed through his arm as the bear’s claws scored it deeply.
“No, Detrick! It’s gonna maul you to death!”
“I’ll be fine. I know what to do. Just get behind me. Now!”
Conner forced his way into what little space there was behind him. “What’s
your brilliant plan?” he yelled, but he didn’t have to wait for an answer. Detrick was throwing punches right at the bear’s nose and eyes.
By and by, the bear’s temper waned and it began to retreat, ultimately running off into the night.
Detrick pulled the mangled tent off himself and Conner, and then swung around to see if Conner was alright. “Did it hurt you? Are you okay?” he asked, frantically checking Conner for injuries.
Conner pushed Detrick’s hands away. “Detrick, I’m fine. Really. I can’t believe you managed to fight that bear off. How did you know what to do?”
“I must’ve read about it somewhere. I just didn’t want you to get hurt.” He was still high on adrenaline. “I can’t even stand to look at those scars on you, Conner, so how do you expect me to sit here and let your life be risked again? I told you last time we went camping: ‘If I see anything, I’ll kick its ass.’ I can’t let anything hurt you, don’t you know that?”
Conner’s mouth was agape. “What are you talking about?”
Detrick took a deep breath to try and regain his composure. “Nothing. Just don’t go dying on me. That’s…that’s all I meant. Let’s get this cleaned up. We should take shifts to make sure that bear doesn’t come back. I’ll go first.”
Conner agreed with Detrick’s plan and, after a quick clean-up, he settled back into his sleeping bag.
* * *
The next day they managed to get back on course and arrived at Ned’s house on the afternoon of the third day.
Detrick saw it immediately—this had to be Conner’s dad. The way Ned’s eyes lit up when he answered the door and saw Conner, the similarities in their mannerisms and demeanor. Not to mention the fact that they had the same hair and eye color. They clicked instantly, and Detrick loved seeing them together. He also concluded that Ned knew exactly who Conner was but for whatever reason didn’t want to tell him. He therefore made it his mission to give them a proper reunion.
Powerless: Aeos Book One Page 12
