Lance nodded. “I know.”
More so than you’ll ever understand.
“Anyway, that’s why I didn’t pick you up on the road, and why I followed you from the diner. Something told me I wasn’t supposed to get you until you’d had some time here, at his grave. Was I right?”
“Yes,” Lance said. “You were. Thank you.”
Alexa nodded, looking proud of herself.
They’d left town and were headed down the rural highway when Lance’s phone vibrated in his pocket again. He reached in to pull it out and slid both it and the letter he’d gotten from Meriam out together. He set the phone aside for the moment and remembered Quinten’s words. Read it sometime. It might help.
Lance unfolded the sheet of paper and started to read.
Quinten,
Do not feel guilty. This is not your fault. You have helped me more than anyone else could have. The goodness in you is palpable. Like the warm sun through the windows on a cold winter morning. You shed light into my darkness when I needed it the most and the rest of the world had failed me. You gave me the answers I’d needed. How much more would I have suffered? How much longer would I have clutched hope to my chest in an effort to believe my boy was still alive? I don’t have to fight that battle any longer. I know where he is now, thanks to you. And I mean that sincerely, Quinten. It’s all thanks to you. I am off to join him now. Because, as maybe only mothers can truly understand, I’d rather be dead with my boy, than alive without him. Again, do not feel guilty, Quinten. This is not your fault. All we can do is strive to help each other, because why else are any of us here? But in the end, we can only save ourselves. I will be forever in your debt, even in my death. Be well, Quinten. Thank you again, and I’ll be sure and tell my son all about the nice young man who brought me back to him. All my love.
Lance read the letter twice before folding the paper back in half and returning it to his pocket. One phrase in particular had burned into his mind.
But in the end, we can only save ourselves.
Free will, Lance thought. It did exist. Maybe not to the fullest extent that most liked to believe, but it was real, all the same. And this filled Lance with hope, a warm fire in his belly that burned bright and spread up to his heart.
Lance picked up his flip phone from the seat next to him and opened it. The vibrations from earlier had been text messages from Leah.
Helloooooo?
Okay, seriously. Are you okay?
Lance smiled. He looked to Alexa and asked, “Do you mind if I make a phone call?”
She looked back at him and winked. “Is it a girl?”
Lance laughed. “It is.”
Alexa nodded. “Thought so.” She waved her hand at him, telling him to get on with it. “Don’t mind me.”
Lance thanked her and pressed the speed dial number for Leah.
She answered on the first ring. “Where have you been? Do you realize I’ve called you, like, a billion times?”
“Sorry,” Lance said, filled with joy at the sound of her voice. “I had a really long night.”
* * *
Lance Brody’s adventure continues in DARK WOODS, now available!
Author’s note
Thanks so much for reading The Lance Brody Series: Books 3 and 4. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did enjoy it and have a few minutes to spare, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review saying so. Reviews help authors more than you can imagine, and help readers like you find more great books to read. Win-win!
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-Michael Robertson Jr
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More from Michael Robertson Jr
LANCE BRODY SERIES
Dark Woods (Book 5)
Dark Vacancy (Book 4)
Dark Shore (Book 3)
Dark Deception (Book 2.5 - Short Story)
Dark Son (Book 2)
Dark Game (Book 1)
Dark Beginnings ( Book 0 - Prequel Novella)
OTHER NOVELS
Cedar Ridge
Transit
Rough Draft (A Kindle #1 Horror Bestseller!)
Regret*
Collections
Tormented Thoughts: Tales of Horror
The Teachers’ Lounge*
*Writing as Dan Dawkins
The Lance Brody Series: Books 3 and 4 Page 41
