The Demon's Mark

It Should Be Paradise

The hum of the airplane engines was a low, constant drone as Jack sat beside Kyle, his hand laced with his. The plane had been in the air for hours, but Jack hadn't been able to stop his mind from wandering to the looming expiration date hanging over his head. His contract with Alex was nearly up.

One month. That was all he had left in this world before the demon would come for him.

Jack always told himself he had no regrets about the deal he made, but now, as time slipped through his fingers, the gnawing fear began to take hold.

Kyle had been acting strange for weeks, secretive even, but Jack trusted him. When Kyle suggested a trip—insisted, really—Jack didn't argue. He had quit his job, gotten a good severance, and with the settlement money from the emotional damages lawsuit Jack had pursued for Kyle's death, they were set, at least financially.

Jack made sure Kyle wouldn't struggle after he was gone. That had been important to him.

Jack glanced over at Kyle, who was fast asleep, his head resting against the seat. His heart ached at the thought of leaving him. Two years hadn't been nearly enough time. How was he supposed to say goodbye?

Eventually, Jack's exhaustion got the better of him, and he drifted off with Kyle's hand still intertwined with his.

He wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep when he felt a gentle shake on his shoulder. The stewardess smiled politely, her voice soft as she said, "We're preparing for landing. Please fasten your seatbelt and put up your tray table, sir."

Kyle stirred beside him, grumbling something unintelligible as he followed the same instructions. Jack stretched, then glanced over at the window, hoping for a clue as to where they were landing. But Kyle, ever the secret keeper, had his hand firmly on the window shade, keeping it down.

"Come on, babe," Jack teased, tugging at Kyle's hand. "You're no fun. I just want to know where we're going already."

Kyle chuckled, shaking his head.

"Patience. I have gone through great efforts like covering your eyes as we walked, stealing your phone from you, not letting you see boarding passes, and using nose cancelling headphones to keep this secret. You'll find out soon enough." Kyle said firmly.

He grinned, his eyes dancing with amusement. Jack couldn't help but smile back. It was rare to see Kyle this excited, and for once, the tension between them was replaced with something lighter—something close to happiness.

When they finally landed and the seatbelt sign clicked off, Jack tried listening for clues as the captain's voice came over the intercom, but Kyle had slapped that damn pair of noise-canceling headphones on him before they even touched the ground, and he was blaring music so Jack couldn't hear a thing.

It wasn't until they were off the plane, walking through the terminal, that Jack got his first real hint. Sunshine streamed through the airport windows, mountains and beautiful greenery everywhere, the smell of ocean air surrounding them.

Jack stopped in his tracks, his breath catching.

"Hawaii," Jack said in disbelief.

Kyle winced at the volume of Jack's voice, then he smiled warmly at him.

Jack apologized. He knew he couldn't hear himself think, so he must be unintentionally screaming.

"Yes baby. Hawaii." Kyle said as he reached over and took the noise cancelling headphones off Jack.

"You brought me to my dream place for the last month of my life." Jack said softly, swallowing the limp in his throat.

Kyle turned to him, a soft smile spreading across his face once again.

"I did. I rented a house for the month. I wanted you to leave this earth in paradise." Kyle said tenderly.