Page 134 of The Other Side

“Nothing’s going to hurt,” Kit said quietly. “If at any point you want me to stop, just say so.”

Will gave the smallest nod. “I don’t understand any of this.”

“You don’t have to.”

The kitchen fell completely silent. Kit put his other hand on Will’s face too. Osian folded his arms tightly across his chest, trying—and failing—to hide how nervous he suddenly felt. He glanced at Drum, who stood near the doorway, his eyes shining.

Will’s brow furrowed. “Wha—” The word died in his throat.

Drum moved to Osian’s side and took hold of his hand.

“I feel warm,” Will whispered and blinked. “It’s as though sunshine is filling me up.” His right foot jerked and straightened. “Oh my God.”

He pushed to his feet holding onto the table, then let go and stood all the way up. Not hunched over. Not favouring his worse leg. Kit took his hands away. Will’s breathing hitched.

“I’m standing up. I’m straight.”

“We noticed,” Osian said.

“All those years of aching, my knees burning, the grinding pain in my hips, the exhausting effort required for every fucking movement I made… How? I can’t…”

He let go of the table and took one cautious step. Kit backed away and Will took another step towards him, then another, then fell into Kit’s arms, burying his face in his shoulder.

“Thank you, thank you…” He repeated it over and over. Then, “Is this a dream? Not real?”

Kit let him go. “It’s real.”

Will walked across the kitchen, then back again, straight into Kit’s arms again and he hugged him. “How?”

“I can’t easily explain it.”

“Oh God.” Will collapsed and Kit sat him down at the table.

“I can’t get my head around it.” Will was caught between laughter and sobbing.

Kit crouched at his feet.

“Twenty-nine years of frustration and exhaustion and it’s done? Gone? Over?” Will wept, wracking sobs that had him bent over the table.

After a long moment, Will reached out blindly and grabbed the front of Kit’s shirt, holding on as though he might otherwise wake up. “Who are you?”

Kit smiled sadly. “Someone who had the chance to help.”

Will shook his head violently. “No.” His voice was filled with stunned certainty. “People don’t do this.”

“No,” Kit agreed. “People don’t.”

Osian wondered how much Kit would tell him. He thought he’d have to tell him almost everything. But was that allowed?

Will stood again. He bent, touched his toes and laughed. Then, laughing through his tears, he jumped. Both feet left the floor. A tiny, astonished smile spread across his face. “I jumped.” He laughed harder. “I actually jumped. I’ve never jumped in my entire life.”

Osian smiled at Drum.

“It’s not going to come back?” Will looked panicked. “It’s gone for good?”

Kit nodded and stood up.

“Now comes the difficult bit,” Osian said quietly.