Page 10 of New Beginning

“The angel of death.”

Teddy was quiet for several minutes before asking, “Does he know me?”

“He knows enough.”

“What happens when we get to wherever we’re going?”

“You’ll be somewhere safe.”

“I don’t want to be somewhere safe.”

Mikkel linked his little finger with Teddy’s. “Why not?”

“Because then I’ll have to remember.”

“Yes.”

Teddy looked miserable. “Then what’s the point?”

“The point is that remembering doesn’t have to mean drowning. You learn to cope.”

Teddy stared at him for a long moment.

Mikkel could see the words forming before Teddy spoke.

“I don’t want to forget them,” Teddy whispered.

“You won’t.”

“Promise?”

Mikkel considered the word. Demons were not known for making promises lightly.

“I promise.”

Teddy nodded. They walked on.

The purple-black horizon that had once seemed endless was beginning to pale. Somewhere ahead, beyond the fractured remnants of Teddy’s guilt, there was a door. Mikkel could feel the boundary between worlds drawing closer.

And then Teddy stopped.

“Who’s that?”

Mikkel followed his gaze. A figure stood in the distance. There shouldn’t be anyone here. Teddy had brought him.

“No,” Teddy whispered.

Mikkel’s attention sharpened. “Teddy?”

“I know him.”

The figure took one step forward. Then another.

Teddy’s breathing turned ragged. “That’s Jon.”

Jon was one of the three friends Teddy believed he had killed. Then there were three figures.

Teddy gasped. “Piotr and Geo.” He turned to Mikkel and smiled.