In Hell We Dance

Debts

Connor trusts me on my own. Crazy thing. I do too.

I'm not squeaky clean, but I can get the job done. My first assignment: get us some coffee. I'm not allowed his car, so I have to walk into town. Like he thinks I'd crash it or drive off into the bloody sunset! Maybe, er, a couple of months ago. Fuck, it's a Mercedes!

The nearest coffee shop is seven minutes away. I don't want the coffee to get cold. The snow just keeps on falling and I'm easily distracted.

I wrap up in several layers and pull my beanie down way past my ears. All toasty and ready to hit the streets!

Hell is dead these days. A few people showed up when it started snowing. Now you're lucky to get more than two. They're cool. They just come to crash. Jodie and Dan have taken time off, so Hell is, for the most part: mine and Connor's. And Corin's. Of course.

I kiss Connor's forehead, leave him lying down on the bed, book in hand, and I rush to the door. He calls out after me, but I'm already off and running. I make it about halfway when I get that sharp chill of realisation. I forgot to bring money.

Why didn't you tell me, Connor, you fu—

Oh, right he tried to. Oops.

Wish I could hold the place up. If I just had my gun...

I'm kidding, I'm kidding!

Normally at this point, I'd swear real loud, but I'm feeling bubblier than usual. I don't mind running back to my rabbit. I find a smile and keep it, and even break into a jog until I reach the dismal bridge leading home. Something ain't right.

A shape lies still face down in the snow. A kid.

Not just any kid. I know him. I could almost laugh. So this is destiny. I didn't believe in that spiky bitch. Fate is for morons. But maybe this is the universe shining me its middle finger.

Shaking the train of thought, I hurry over and drop down lifting him by his shoulder, glancing around cautiously. Getting all paranoid now, like this is some kind of fucked-up test: Ryder hiding in the shadows, ready to spring out and knock the living shit out of me for touching his man. What primetime drama have I gotten myself snared up in?

I wrap my arms around him for warmth, muttering in my best reassuring voice. I never mastered that shit.

"Easy... easy. I've got you. Let's get you inside." I expect a reaction. Instead, it's like a puff of air has escaped, and now he's an empty sack. I gulp. "Easy. I'm here."

I give his shoulder a shrug, but he doesn't open his eyes. I tug harder but nada. Shit.

Please don't be dead, kid. He looks pale but not frostbitten, not lifeless.

Why the frick are you here, kid?! You should have stayed far away; I should have scared you off for good. You and Corin. We're all linked to Hell. It's a spider's web you can't quite shake loose from. Fuck, I need to get him inside and get the fuck away before he realises it's me. Being close to this kid is like standing too close to the fire. It's damn uncomfortable and I want to dive headfirst into an icy bath to cleanse myself.

"Connor!" I yell. There's no response for a few seconds, and I wince, glancing around again. Scooping him up easily—damn kid's light as a feather—I kick the door open and hurry through to the bedroom. Hey there, not what you're thinking!

Connor, still absorbed in his book, glances over lazily, eyes shooting open when he sees our unexpected guest. Dropping the book, he leaps to his feet and joins me at ground level as I lay the kid down on the couch.

"Holy shit!" Connor exclaims. "What the hell is this?"

"I don't know!" I scream, swallowing hard to fight back the panic. "I just... found him passed out outside."