The Soul Takers

By Dwayne Rice

The three Lantz boys have a way of protecting each other. The oldest, seventeen-year-old Dante, watches over the twelve-year-old brother, Damian; Damian watches over the six-year-old brother, Draydon; and their father watches out for all three of them. Then one day, everything changes. Their father is killed in a mysterious car wreck, and Draydon is injured severely enough to be sent to the hospital.

Draydon develops a bizarre fear of mirrors, and he starts seeing thingsstrange things. Damian swears he saw a boy in the road, right before the car accident, and a burn in the shape of a handprint has appeared on his body. Dante, now the man of the Lantz household, has his own problems: terrible nightmares that confuse his sense of dream and reality. The Lantz boys dilemma seems to heighten with the arrival in town of a carnival.

Abel Lantz has been forbidden to see his grandsons, but hes old enough to remember the last time the carnival came to town, over fifty-five years before. Last time, something bad happened to all the twelve-year-old children of town. Abel fears for his own family, while the boys fear for each other. Is there a connection between the carnival and the mysterious difficulties of the Lantz family? And if there is, will Dante figure it out in time to save their livesand possibly their souls?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462001156

Dwayne Rice

Dwayne Rice is the youngest of three brothers. Growing up in Fordsville, Kentucky, they protected each other from demons like their dad taught them. Dwayne and his wife, Ruth, have taught their children the same. When the carnival returns, he will know what to do.

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The

Soul Takers

SKU-000452756_TEXT.pdf

Dwayne Rice

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

TheSoul Takers

Copyright © 2011 Dwayne Rice

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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4620-0114-9 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-0116-3 (cloth)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-0115-6 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 3/16/2011

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

In memory of my brother

Sherman Rice

who protected us both

Chapter 1

October 4

Thursday

It was neither a cry of pain nor a shriek of fright. It was a scream of terror in its purest form. A scream so shrill that it brought Dante out of his quiet slumber and onto his feet before it pierced the walls and echoed down the second floor hall of the community hospital. The sleep that had overtaken seventeen-year-old Dante just a couple of hours ago had lulled him into a false sense of security and, for a brief instant, his surroundings looked unfamiliar. Only after the memory of all that had happened in the last week slammed him back to reality, did his feet move him toward the bed of his youngest brother. It’s okay, he heard his mother whisper as she lowered the side rail and wrapped her trembling arms around the small boy. Dante stole a glance at the other hospital bed before he locked eyes with his little brother.

The scream stopped as suddenly as it had started and Dante clearly saw the terror in the boy’s wide eyes.

As the six-year-old patient was rocked back and forth in his mother’s arms, he held out his right hand and reached for his big brother.

Dante walked around the foot of the bed and held the frail hand. The cast that covered the boy’s entire right leg and foot and the tubes that protruded from his bruised left arm prevented him from pushing his mother aside and jumping into Dante’s arms like he had always done before the accident. A small whimper escaped his throat. Dante released his brother’s hand and walked around the bed. Let me hold him, Mom.

Sapphyra turned and looked at her oldest child through weary eyes as she stood and walked away from the bed. She observed Dante’s posture as he approached the bed and knew he was struggling to mask the sadness that he was experiencing. His tall, thin frame looked inches shorter. The dark circles under his deep-set hazel eyes made his naturally tanned face seem pale. His shoulder-length hair hung loosely in his face. From this day forward, she knew she would look at his face and always be reminded of his father. She turned her head to keep him from seeing the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. She quickly swiped the back of her hand across her face as she pushed her light-brown hair behind her ears.

Dante sat on the bed and pulled the tiny boy closer with his muscular arms. Hold onto me, Skeeter. I will protect you. He held his brother until he felt the tension slowly dissipate from the frail body. The boy leaned back and looked into his brother’s eyes. Dante saw the fear buried deeply in those sad, brown eyes. He ruffled his brother’s curly blonde hair. The door opened and made them squint against the light that spilled into the room from the hallway.

The nurse tiptoed into the room. Draydon, my little buddy, she said as she drew closer to the far bed, did you have another one of those nasty nightmares?

The boy buried his face into Dante’s chest.

Dante covered his brother with his arms and looked at the night shift nurse. It wasn’t too bad this time.

The nurse smiled as she uncapped the syringe she held in her hand. It’s going to take time.

Do you have to knock him out? Dante asked. I can get him back to sleep.

This medicine will help him sleep, she looked at Dante for emphasis, without the nightmares. She eased the needle into the closest port on the IV tube and pushed the plunger on the syringe.

Dante felt Draydon’s body surrender to the drug. He gently tucked him back into the hospital bed.

Don’t leave me, the boy slurred as he struggled to keep his eyes open.

Dante leaned closer to his brother’s ear and whispered, I’ll be right here when you wake up.

Draydon’s eyes rolled white as his body succumbed to the sedation.

Dante kept his focus on his brother as he straightened his back. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

You love your little brother and he knows that, the nurse observed. That’s nice to see from someone your age.

The boys’ mother edged closer. Dante was eleven when Draydon was born. He’s taken care of him since the day we brought him home from the hospital.

The nurse smiled. He’s going to need his big brother more than ever now.

Dante watched his brother’s chest rise and fall with each breath. I’m right here.

The nurse left Draydon’s bedside and walked over to the other bed. She checked all of the monitors before she placed her hand on the patient’s forehead. She pulled back the crisp clean sheet and visually inspected the wounds and the dressings. She sensed, more than saw, someone behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and looked into Dante’s exhausted face.

He looked back at her through tired eyes. Is he getting any better?

Everything looks good.

Dante attempted a smile.

She turned and faced Dante. In fact, he looks better than you do right now. You need to rest, Dante. Your two brothers are going to need you when they go home. Do I need to give you a knock-out shot so you can get some sleep?

It’s too late for that. I’m already numb.

You haven’t left this room since they were brought in. Why don’t you go home and sleep in your own bed? They’ll sleep through the night and you’ll feel better when they wake up tomorrow.

Dante shook his head. They might wake up and I want to be here when they do.

You are a rare breed, Dante Lantz.

It should have been me. I’m supposed to be the one lying in that bed right now.

You can’t blame yourself for this. It was just an accident.

Dante shrugged his shoulders.

The nurse spoke with genuine concern. Is there anything you need? Anything I can get for you?

He looked directly at the nurse. Can you bring our dad back?

The nurse was momentarily speechless. I’ll be back later to check on everyone. Try to get some sleep. She glanced at Sapphyra before she slipped out of the room.

Dante stood silently beside his twelve-year-old brother and stared at his bruised, swollen face. He tried to recall the color of his brother’s eyes. His short, dark-brown hair looked like his dad’s. A feeling of dread and helplessness crept into Dante’s mind as he stared at his brother’s expressionless face.

Sapphyra Lantz joined him at her middle child’s bedside and put an arm around her eldest son.

He looks broken, Dante whispered. The accident was bad enough. Then the doctors had to cut him open.

Damian is as strong-willed as you are, his mother whispered. He is going to be fine.

Yeah, Dante said without much conviction. Everything is going to be just fine.

Once the doctors stopped all of the bleeding, his condition went from serious to stable. He is improving every day. And when he wakes up and sees his big brother watching over him, he’ll get better even faster.

Is he going to wake up yelling like Draydon did?

I don’t know.

Dante looked at his mother. Dad’s funeral is tomorrow and they don’t even know he’s dead.

A tear slipped down Sapphyra’s face. I wish you’d change your mind and go with me.

I’m not leaving this room until Damian and Draydon leave it.

You need to say goodbye.

I said goodbye to Dad downstairs in the emergency room. And I’ll take the boys to the cemetery when they come home so they can say goodbye.

His mother turned him around and hugged him.

In the quietness of the room, they held onto each other’s strength, what little there was to share.

After several minutes, Sapphyra released her son. I’m going to walk to the snack room for a cup of coffee. Do you want to walk with me?

No.

Do you want me to bring you something back?

No.

She turned and quietly left the hospital room.

Dante stood motionless for a moment before he turned and walked to the window. He parted the curtains and looked down at the stillness of the outside world. People beyond his window slept peacefully in their beds, oblivious and uncaring to the heavy burden that lay in his soul like lead. His eyes moved to the scene beneath the second-floor hospital room window. He studied the top of the roof that covered the hospital’s main entrance. Loose pebbles adorned the surface. Black tar showed through the thinner patches of rock. It was difficult to distinguish the light-colored pebbles from the pigeon droppings. Lost and abandoned objects decorated the flat surface. He counted three Frisbees, four tennis balls, and a single flip-flop. He wondered why the owner didn’t throw the mate to the flip-flop on the roof as well. It was no longer of any use. His eyes moved toward the sparse parking lot. He observed that blue was a popular color for vehicles in Myth. His father’s truck had been blue. And now, the interior was stained red from all of the blood that had been shed at the accident. Then, Dante saw something that didn’t seem to belong in the middle of the parking lot in the middle of the night. A lone figure stood in the center of the large white arrow painted on the asphalt.

Wearing an ankle length, solid black cape, the person faced the opposite direction and stood perfectly still, like a mannequin. The stranger appeared out of place, like he, or she, didn’t belong in a hospital parking lot in the dead of night. It wasn’t moving, wasn’t searching for its car. It just stood there like a pawn on a chess board: black, immobile, and useless.

Dante turned to the clock on the far wall. I didn’t know anyone else was awake at four in the morning, he thought as he turned his attention back to the lone visitor.

The figure turned and stared directly at Dante. There was no hesitation. There was no looking around. The figure knew exactly which floor, which row of windows, which particular window to find. It was like the figure knew where to look.

Dante felt vulnerable.

From his second-floor vantage point, Dante found it difficult to identify the age and gender until the figure stared directly at him. It was clearly a child, a boy with a pale complexion, almost alabaster. The word mannequin returned to Dante’s mind before he noticed something else peculiar about the figure. Its lips were moving. Even from the far distance, it was clear that the stranger was talking.

Questions ran through Dante’s mind.

Who is he talking to?

Is he talking to me?

As if the boy heard the questions, Dante heard the answer. The child’s voice echoed in his ear as plain as if he were standing next to him.

He is coming, the childish voice said.

The child pointed directly at Dante.

He is coming for you.

Without averting his gaze and with no effort at all, the child leaped from his spot in the middle of the white arrow and landed on top of the entranceway roof.

Dante’s heart rate doubled as the child continued to stare.

The child’s face was emotionless and his head tilted slightly to the right.

Dante saw the child leap toward his window. He threw the curtains closed and backed away from the window. He found his chair and sat down just as his mother returned to the room.

For the rest of the night, Dante stared at the covered window and tried his best to convince himself that his physical and mental exhaustion had just played a nasty trick with his imagination.

Chapter 2

October 5

Friday

Comfortably dressed in an old t-shirt and his favorite lounging pants that his mom had brought to him, Dante Lantz stood barefoot between the two beds where his brothers lay sleeping while their bodies slowly healed from the damage that resulted from Monday afternoon’s accident.

I need to be there, Sapphyra Lantz whispered from the open hospital room door.

I know, Dante returned.

Are you sure you won’t come with me?

I need to be here, was his only response.

She gave him an understanding nod. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

Dante did not move. We’ll be fine.

Tears formed in her eyes as she looked at her youngest two sons. I feel like I’m abandoning them. She turned back to her eldest. But I need to be there. She walked out of the room before she lost control of her emotions.

Dante walked to the edge of six-year-old Draydon’s bed. He watched as his brother slept the dreamless sleep, compliments of his late night drug injection. He knelt by the bed and picked up Draydon’s left hand and gently placed it in the palm of his own left hand. With his right hand, he ran his index finger along his brother’s fingers. The scratches had healed along the small appendages, but the bruises and scrapes that ran the length of his left arm would take a little longer to fade. Skeeter, Dante whispered. I’m here.

The boy did not respond. The sheet that covered his body barely moved as he breathed. Dante’s gaze followed the IV tubes that led from Draydon’s arm to the half-full bag that hung on the cold metal hook.

When you wake up, don’t scream. Okay? He slowly withdrew his hand and stood.

He turned and walked the short distance to the bed that held his twelve-year-old brother. The twenty tiny stitches above Damian’s right eyebrow were the first thing that caught Dante’s attention as the black thread stood in stark contrast to the boy’s ashen face. Dante knelt beside the bed. Damian, he whispered. It’s time to wake up. It’s too quiet in here. You have to wake up. I need to talk to you.

After several minutes of silence, he got to his feet and cautiously strolled over to the closed curtain. He quickly recalled the strange child and hesitated before he opened the curtains.

The parking lot was almost full. The sunrise on this Friday morning brought a lot of visitors to the many patients at Myth Community Hospital. Dante found the rooftop void of jumping boys in black capes. His eyes moved to the painted white arrow in the center of the lot and found it empty. He noticed that the color blue still dominated the front parking lot of the hospital. People of various sizes and ages walked toward the entrance while some walked away from the building. Just a normal day out there, Dante thought, until his gaze settled on the sidewalk across the street.

Pappy? he said aloud as he recognized the tall, thin man who stood at the corner of the crosswalk and studied the numerous windows of the building. He waved his arms in the hopes that his father’s father could see the movement.

It worked.

Abel Lantz returned the gesture and Dante faintly saw the smile on his grandfather’s face.

Dante knew that his grandfather had been forbidden by Sapphyra to see him. His grandfather must have taken a chance that she would be at the funeral home.

Dante motioned for his grandfather to come into the hospital, that the coast was clear. The old man waved again. No, Dante whispered. Don’t wave. Come inside.

For the first time since he received the phone call about the accident, Dante smiled when he saw his grandfather step into the street toward the front entrance. He stood at the window and watched as the old man walked across the parking lot. Abel looked up at him and Dante held up his fingers to tell the room number, two-six-six.

Abel gave him a thumbs-up and disappeared under the roof.

Dante turned toward the door and waited forever for his grandfather to walk through the door. Pappy! he almost shouted as he ran into his arms for the first time in four years.

Dante, Abel smiled as he put his old, but still strong, arms around his oldest grandson. He stepped back to get a better look. Look at you. You have shot up like a weed. Looking more like your father as you get older.

Dante noticed the wrinkles in his grandfather’s face. It’s what Dad would have looked like in twenty years, he thought. How did you know we were here?

I have my ways of keeping up with my boys. Abel’s attention turned to the beds. I can’t stay but a minute. I should be at the funeral home and when your mother discovers that I’m not there, she might come here looking for me.

I don’t know why she won’t let us see you.

Abel passed the statement off with a wave of his hand. No time for that today. Let me see my other buddies before I have to go. He walked to the closest bed and leaned down. Pappy loves you, Damian, he whispered. He spoke to Dante while his eyes remained glued to his second grandson. Tell me quickly what we have here.

He was sitting in the middle of the truck and didn’t have his seatbelt on. His right side hit the dashboard. He had a huge gash over his eye, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding which turned out to be a lacerated liver, and two cracked ribs. The liver was fixed, the lung got better, and they sewed up his head.

My gracious. He whispered to his unconscious grandson, You’re on the mend now, boy. You’ll be up and about in no time.

He hasn’t opened his eyes yet.

He will. His energy is needed to fix what’s broken, but he’s going to be just fine. The old man turned and patted Dante on his shoulder. He’s got you looking after him. He walked quietly to the other bed. Pappy loves you, too, Draydon. He kissed the small forehead as Dante described his condition.

He was wearing his seatbelt. The truck hit a tree on his side and he has a lot of scratches from the broken glass. He broke his right leg in two places and his hip was dislocated. He has a cast from his toes all the way up to his hip.

Bless his heart, Abel uttered.

And he’s been waking up screaming five or six times a day. Dante noticed his grandfather’s expression change from sympathy to fear before the old man turned his head and hid his emotion.

Abel cleared his throat before he spoke. He’s been through a traumatic event. Maybe he’s replaying the crash in his dreams, he lied. He hoped it was an explanation that his oldest grandson would believe.

The nurses have been giving him some kind of drug so he won’t have the nightmares.

He needs the rest to help him get well faster.

I guess.

He has grown so much. He’s not my little two-year-old spitfire anymore. Abel turned to his oldest grandson. And how are you?

I wasn’t in the truck.

Abel took both hands and placed them on Dante’s shoulders. I know that, but your eyes tell me that you’re hurting inside.

Dante looked away.

Look at me, Dante. I know when you’re hurting.

He looked at his grandfather through teary eyes.

Your heart is full of guilt because you are standing here healthy while your brothers lie broken in a hospital bed. You always did worry more about them than you did for yourself. Abel watched as a tear ran down his grandson’s cheek. And now, you are the man of the house. In an instant, you went from being a teenager, with little to no responsibility, who has had someone to tell you what to do, when to do it, and how to do it, to being a teenager who must become the responsible one to guide and teach your two younger brothers.

Dante did not attempt to control his emotions. Do you hate me because I’m not at the funeral home?

Abel smiled. Child, I couldn’t hate you even if I wanted to. You are my son’s son and I love you just because of that. I don’t love you because of what you do or don’t do. I love you because you are Dante Lantz. Don’t you ever forget that. And as far as not going to the funeral, let the dead bury the dead. Your place is right here among the living.

Between the tears, Dante managed to speak. Damian and Draydon don’t know that Dad is dead. I have to find out some way to tell them when they get better.

Abel patted his grandson on the back. When the time comes, you will know how to handle it.

Grandfather and grandson stood silently in the middle of the hospital room. Abel comforted his grandson as the boy released five days of pent-up emotions.

After several minutes, Abel cleared his throat. I have to go before I get caught.

Dante nodded as he took the front of his t-shirt and wiped his face.

Do you remember the oak tree at the bottom of Piper Hill where I used to take you fishing?

Yeah.

When the boys get better and go home from the hospital and everyone is settled in, put a note inside the knothole of that oak tree. I will check there everyday until I get word from you that all is well.

Okay.

And when you leave the note, return to the tree twenty-four hours later and you will find a note from me telling you where we can meet and see each other again. There are things I need to tell you.

I’d like that.

I have to go. Abel walked to the door and stopped. Maybe it’s best the boys don’t know I was here today. That way no one gets into trouble.

Okay.

Take care of yourself, Dante.

I’ll see you soon.

You can count on it, he said before he left the room.

Dante wiped the last of his emotions from his face with the back of his hand and walked to the far side of Draydon’s bed. He picked up the boy’s right arm and began to bend it at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist like he had been shown by the physical therapist. After moving each joint ten times and massaging the muscles, he moved around the bed and pulled down the sheet to begin the range of motion on his left leg. As he bent the leg at the knee, he looked at Draydon’s face and found him looking back. Morning, Skeeter.

What are you doing?

I’m doing your morning exercise.

Why?

You’ve been in this bed for four days and since you can’t walk, I’m walking for you.

I can do this, the boy announced as he lifted both arms over his head.

A soft knock came at the open door. Breakfast, the dietary aide said as she carried two trays into the room.

Dante watched as the young woman set one of the trays on Draydon’s bedside table.

This second tray is for you. The woman looked at Dante. I’ll set it over there on the other table.

Me?

The night shift nurse sent the request to the kitchen before she went home.

Dante nodded. Thanks.

Sure thing.

Does Damian get a tray?

If he wakes up, have the duty nurse give us a call. We’ll send something up. And then she was gone.

He turned to Draydon. Are you hungry?

Uh-huh.

Do you want me to feed you?

No.

Dante raised the head of the bed and moved the tray closer. Knock yourself out, big boy. He left him alone and walked over to Damian.

His brother still slept. He sighed as another knock echoed from the door. He turned and his face immediately lit up. Anya.

She met him halfway and they stepped into each other’s arms.

I have missed you, she whispered into his ear.

Shh, he whispered back. Don’t talk. Just hold me.

Against the coldness of pain and hurt, her warm body felt good in his arms and she felt him slowly melt in her embrace. He inhaled her scent and let it carry him away from the tragic place that smelled only of alcohol, betadine, and disinfectant. Her shoulder length black hair, sparkling brown eyes, and slender body were a welcome diversion from the starkness within the room.

The last time he had seen her, touched her, kissed her, was when his father was still alive and his two brothers were running free and healthy across the front yard. Dante’s heart hadn’t felt heavy then. His body hadn’t felt worn out.

Seventeen-year-old Anya pushed back and gazed into her boyfriend’s eyes. Buried deeply in his eyes, in a place where all of his secrets were kept, in a place only she had been permitted to see, she found a different Dante, a changed Dante. I love you, she whispered with her mouth, but he heard her with his soul.

I love you, he returned as he drew her close to him again.

She placed her arms around him and held him until he was ready to let go.

Dante stepped back and held both of her hands in his. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at school?

I had permission to leave. I went to the funeral home to be with you, but your mom…

Dante stopped her by quickly covering her mouth. He shook his head. He leaned into her ear. Don’t say anything. They don’t know.

She nodded that she understood and he removed his hand. Let’s go for a walk, she offered.

I can’t leave them alone.

They’re in a hospital, Dante. They’re hardly alone.

I won’t leave them alone.

Let’s go in the hall.

I’m not leaving this room, he insisted.

Anya glanced at Damian before she turned to the other bed. Hey, Draydon. How are you feeling?

Okay, he managed to say through a mouthful of food.

Is breakfast good?

No, he stated matter-of-factly before he shoved another spoonful into his mouth.

Dante and I are going to sit over here by the door. Okay?

Okay.

Anya led Dante toward the open door.

I told you I’m not leaving this room.

I heard you, she returned. She backed through the door and stopped. She sat on the floor just beyond the threshold and tugged on Dante’s hands. I’ll sit right here and you sit in the doorway. We can talk and you will still be in the room.

Dante joined his girlfriend on the floor. Are you happy now?

She leaned forward through the door and kissed him on the lips. Now I’m happy.

What did Mom say? Dante whispered.

That you were glued to this room and not coming to the funeral.

They are my brothers, Anya. I’m not leaving them.

Anya held up her hands. I didn’t say that. Your mom did.

Were there a lot of people there?

Every seat was taken and there was a long line leading up to the casket.

Dante looked away when she spoke the last word.

Anya placed her hand under his chin and redirected his gaze back to her. Do you regret not going?

No, was all he said.

Anya fell silent.

Have I missed anything at school? he asked after a minute.

No. Everyone’s asking about you, though. She held his hands. I told them you were doing just fine.

I’m sorry I haven’t called, but I’ve had a lot on my mind this week.

Anya smiled at him. I know. And I haven’t called or come by so you could have time to sort through it all.

I’m still just as confused now as I was Monday night when I got here.

I think they call it shock.

I thought they called it insane.

So, talk to me.

Dante looked confused. I am talking to you.

No. Talk to me. Tell me everything that’s happened since you left my house Monday.

Dante’s face turned somber.

Anya patiently waited.

He focused on his girlfriend’s hand that lay softly in his palm and began to recall. I was almost home when my cell phone rang. Mom told me there had been an accident and I needed to come to the emergency room.

Chapter 3

4 days ago

October 1

Monday

Dante closed his cell phone and tossed it on the passenger seat beside him as his right foot pressed harder on the accelerator. His mother’s brief and to the point message brought a touch of panic to the surface and he tried, to no avail, to suppress it. There’s been an accident, she had said.

Thoughts rushed his mind.

What kind of accident? A car wreck is considered an accident. Or a bike wreck. Or maybe the accident was a fall down the front porch steps. Or maybe someone had an accident in the kitchen cooking supper.

Dante paused at the four-way stop long enough to see that the coast was clear before he stomped on the gas again.

But Mom didn’t say who had the accident. Was it Dad just coming home from work? Was it Damian just coming home from his best friend Brick’s house? Or was it Skeeter playing in the front yard waiting for me to come home from Anya’s?

It doesn’t matter, he said out loud. Whatever has happened, it’s bad enough that I’m on my way to the emergency room to find out.

By the time Dante pulled into the first empty parking space he found, an infinite number of tragic scenarios had already raced through his mind. He ran across the parking lot and only paused a second while the electric eye triggered the automatic double sliding doors. He spotted his mother wringing her hands and pacing the floor at the far end of the emergency waiting room. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Straight from work, he thought. What’s going on, Mom? he asked as she turned and saw him approaching.

She stared at him with a vacant expression on her face. The truck ran off the road and hit a tree. The tone in her voice matched her expression perfectly.

How bad is it? Dante winced when he asked, afraid of the answer.

The ambulance is not here yet. The woman at the desk said she’d let me know when it got here.

Dante quickly surveyed the room. Where are the boys?

Another numb look. They’re not here yet. Weren’t you listening?

Dante ignored the question. They were in the truck?

Yeah. Sapphyra returned to her pacing.

Dante looked around the room again before he ran to the information desk. He didn’t wait for the customary, ‘May I help you?’

My name is Dante Lantz and my dad and two brothers had a wreck. Have they been brought here yet?

The woman looked up and offered a non-feeling, scripted reply. After their injuries have been assessed by the trauma team, one of the doctors will come out and talk to the family.

Could you let them know that we’re out here?

What’s the name?

Dante Lantz.

Is that the man’s name or the two boys?

That’s my name, Dante blurted with an edge of anger to his tone. The man’s name is Duel Lantz and the two boys are Damian and Draydon.

The receptionist reached for the phone. Just have a seat. Someone will be with you shortly.

Rather than causing a scene, Dante turned around and rejoined his mother. I still don’t know anything.

Sapphyra maintained her pace. They will be just fine. A couple of band-aids, a few stitches maybe, and then we will all go home together.

I’m going outside and wait for the ambulance.

No. Wait in here with me.

Dante ignored her and walked to the exit. He turned left around the building and bumped into a small boy. Sorry, he mumbled as he looked around the corner. An ambulance came to a stop under the canopy of the side door. Dante started in that direction as doctors rushed outside, but another ambulance turned into the unloading zone and its blaring horn sent Dante to the wall. He watched as people in white coats began to examine one of the victims while the ambulance driver maneuvered the gurney into the hospital. From where Dante stood, he couldn’t tell if the person was his dad, one of his brothers, or a total stranger. He only noticed that the patient was not moving.

Another set of white coats huddled over the second gurney as it was pulled from the rear of the ambulance. The shrieks of pain that echoed from the breezeway hit Dante’s ears and he knew instantly. Skeeter, he said out loud. He barely noticed that no one seemed to be making a commotion around the second ambulance as he ran inside and waited for someone to step through the gray door and tell him that everything was going to be fine.

Dante did not leave the waiting room to phone Anya, to get something to drink, or to use the restroom for fear he would miss the someone when he stepped through the door.

For the next two hours, Dante waited for someone, anyone, to talk to him while his mother paced back and forth over the same ten-foot path.

The Lantz family? someone finally announced.

Here, Dante replied with a crack in his voice. He stood to his feet and waved at Damian’s best friend’s father.

Come with me, Brick’s dad stated as he walked through the gray door.

A wave of relief washed through Dante’s body as he followed the man in green scrubs to where his brothers and father waited to be discharged.

The man in green stopped at the first door to his right and turned around. In here, please.

Dante and his mother walked through the door and Dante’s wave of relief retreated like the tide when he realized he stood in a small private room. The doctor closed the door behind him and the click of the latch made Dante’s knees buckle. He fell heavily into the nearest chair as his heart filled with dread and he lost all hope.

If asked later if he could pinpoint the exact moment in time when the life he had grown accustomed to changed, he would nod as he heard the haunting click of the latch inside his head.

Dante slowly looked at the doctor and waited.

Hello, Dante, Sapphyra. There was no friendly greeting in the way he talked or looked at his neighbors.

How are they? Sapphyra asked as she nervously pulled at the tissue she held in her hand.

Dr. Reece Webb turned a chair around and sat. He looked directly at her as he spoke. Damian is on his way to surgery right now.

Sapphyra slapped her hand over her mouth as the tears she had fought back for two hours flooded from her eyes.

Don’t you need parental consent before you can do that? Dante hoped. No one asked Mom so I guess Dad gave you permission.

Reece placed a hand on Sapphyra’s shoulder for comfort as he answered Dante’s question. In cases of life or death situations, permission is implied not required.

Dante didn’t respond.

Damian is in critical condition. He was admitted with internal bleeding and a collapsed lung. A chest tube was inserted to release the pressure from the blood. Now that the lung has stabilized, surgery is required to locate and stop the bleeding. Once that has been done, we will take care of his non life-threatening injuries.

Okay, Dante whispered through quivering lips.

Reece looked back at the boys’ mother. He is in the best of hands, Sapphyra.

Her tears continued to flow.

How’s Draydon? Dante closed his eyes against what he might hear.

Draydon is a brave little boy. He has a lot of cuts and scrapes from the broken glass, but they will heal on their own. He has a dislocated hip and a broken leg in two places. He is going to be fine. We would like to admit him and keep him at least overnight for observation. We have had to sedate him.

How come? Dante interrupted.

We had a hard time calming him down to examine him and take x-rays.

He usually doesn’t cry when he gets hurt, Dante offered.

It wasn’t really a cry from the pain as much as it was a cry from fright. This experience has been very traumatic for Draydon and we want to watch him a day or two before we send him home.

Dante knew that his little brother didn’t scare easily, but he kept his comment to himself. Can I see him?

Sure. I’ll take you back there in a minute.

Sapphyra lowered her hand. Is Duel badly hurt?

The doctor tightened his grip on the woman’s shoulder and looked sadly at Dante. I’m sorry. There was nothing we could do.

What do you mean ‘nothing we could do’?

Duel didn’t survive the wreck. He died instantly at the scene.

Sapphyra drew in a quick, deep breath before she fainted into the doctor’s arms.

Dante’s vision blurred and he fought a sudden urge to vomit. Sadness filled his heart. It was immediately replaced with anger before complete sorrow consumed his body. He fought a losing battle against the tears.

Reece tended to an unconscious Sapphyra while he patiently watched his neighbor’s oldest son. He sat with them in the small room until they were able to speak.

I want to see him. Dante stated.

Sure, the doctor replied.

I’ll go with you, Sapphyra said.

No. I want to go alone.

His mother nodded. I’ll go to Draydon.

Reece added. He has been sedated. He may be asleep.

I can hold his hand, she whispered.

Dante stood. Don’t tell him about Dad. He doesn’t need to know yet. He stepped outside the room and waited for someone to take him to his father.

The hallway was quiet and the traffic was limited to emergency room staff delivering papers and messages to various locations along the sterile white path. Dante, still dressed in his school clothes, felt like an intruder amidst all of the white paint and green scrubs. At the far end of the hall, he noticed another colorful intruder in a sea of drab. A small boy leaned against the wall next to the nurse’s station. Another wave of sadness hit him as the boy reminded him of Draydon.

Are you ready? Reece spoke as he joined him in the hall.

Dante nodded and followed him further into the emergency department.

What sad news did they tell you? Dante thought as he walked past the nurse’s station and made eye contact with the boy.

The doctor stopped at a closed door. Are you sure about this?

The oldest son of Duel and Sapphyra Lantz nodded.

Reece opened the door. When you finish, I’ll take you to Draydon.

Dante edged inside the small room and his eyes immediately found his father, draped with a white sheet up to his neck, lying on a cold, metal table. He stood at the door, just out of reach of the lifeless body. Tears ran freely down his cheeks and he made no attempt to wipe them away. With his gaze fixed on his father’s motionless body, he slowly stepped deeper into the soundless room.

It’s not fair, Dad. None of this is fair. Damian is upstairs being cut open and he’s going to need you when he wakes up. You have to be there for him like you were for me. And Skeeter is scared and crying. He’s never been scared before. He needs you to tell him not to be afraid. They’re not done needing you. Dante’s sobs took away his voice. He fought hard to regain control. What am I supposed to do now? he whispered. He fell to his knees and buried his face in his hands and wept for several minutes before he slowly stood to his feet. I will take care of them just like you did. He leaned over and touched his father’s forehead. The coldness of his dad’s skin startled him. He brushed his hand across his own warm forehead and took a deep breath. He turned and walked to the door. He looked back at his dad for the last time. Goodbye, Dad, he whispered.

Dante stepped into the hall and found the boy from the nurse’s station leaning against the far wall. He stared directly at Dante, almost as if he had been waiting for Dante to emerge from the temporary morgue.

Not wanting anyone to see the tears that still rolled down his face, Dante bowed his head and walked down the hall. A whispering child’s voice found his ears. Dante. He wondered how the strange boy knew his name. He turned around to face him.

The hallway was empty.

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Chapter 4

Present

October 5

Friday

Anya wiped her face with a tissue as she listened to her boyfriend’s recall of the past four days.

Damian got out of surgery around midnight. We were already in this room with Skeeter when they wheeled him in. I don’t know if they’re keeping him drugged or if he just won’t wake up. Skeeter wakes up screaming and they give him something to make him sleep without nightmares. Dante sighed. He is getting better. They aren’t as loud as they were yesterday.

Do you suppose he’s reliving the wreck in his dreams? Anya wondered.

Dante shrugged his shoulders. He’s not scared of anything. He loves for me to hide in his closet or under his bed and try to scare him. He laughs so hard he stops breathing.

He was in a wreck and he never lost consciousness. He has a broken leg and a dislocated hip. He had to see everything until the paramedics cut him out of the truck. His dad was lying against the steering wheel and his brother was knocked out in the floorboard. For about twenty minutes, he was all alone in that cab. That’s enough to make a grown-up have nightmares for years.

Dante nodded. I guess the wreck was his door click.

Huh?

That one precise moment when you know life will never be the same as it was before that moment, he explained.

The couple’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a shriek pierced the air and shot through their bodies like a poison dart.

In response to the sudden halt to the quietness in the room, a small yelp escaped Anya’s throat as Dante jumped to his feet and ran to his youngest brother’s bedside and pushed the table out of his way.

Draydon’s skin-crawling scream reduced to a whimper. He raised both arms and buried his frightened face in his brother’s chest. His tiny body quivered with fear.

I’m right here, Skeeter.

Draydon squeezed Dante as tightly as his injured arms allowed and began to cry.

Anya joined the two brothers and watched as Draydon cried real tears. Dante turned his head toward her. He’s not a cry baby. He never has been.

She reached out and ruffled Draydon’s hair. It’s okay now.

Slowly, his sobs subsided.

Do you want to talk about it? she pressed.

He shook his head as he pressed harder into Dante’s chest.

Dante and I will listen if you want to talk, okay?

The boy did not respond.

When you’re ready, she finished.

The day shift nurse appeared in the room. She readied the syringe as she walked to the bed. Sweetheart, she said as she cleaned the IV port with an alcohol pad, you’re scaring the other patients on this floor. The doctor is beginning to get concerned about your nightmares.

It wasn’t a nightmare, Anya said to both the nurse and Dante. He wasn’t asleep. He was wide awake eating breakfast.

Dante pulled his brother away from him and looked into his face. Were you awake, Skeeter?

Draydon tried to answer but his eyes rolled back in his head as the medicine took away his awareness of his surroundings.

The nurse disappeared from the room without a word.

Dante covered his brother with a sheet and turned to Anya. What did he see to make him yell like that?

She shrugged. Are you sure he was asleep all the others times?

Dante paused. I thought so, until now.

A whisper, soft and low, in contrast to Draydon’s loud scream, startled the couple just the same. They turned to find Damian awake.

Hey, little brother, Dante said as he crossed the room to the other bed. He noticed his brother’s brown eyes. The same color as Skeeter’s, he thought.

What happened to me? his raspy voice whispered.

You were in a wreck.

It feels like it.

Dante turned to Anya. Will you go tell the nurse that he’s awake? He turned back to his brother.

I’m thirsty.

I’ll get you something in a minute. Do you hurt anywhere?

My stomach, he said as he turned his head and checked out the room. Draydon, he whispered.

He’s asleep, will be for most of the day.

Is he okay?

Yeah, Dante said. Everything’s going to be fine.

Where’s Dad? He was in the truck, too.

Dante felt the blood draining from his face and his mouth immediately went dry.

The day shift nurse was Dante’s least favorite employee at the hospital, but he was thrilled to see her when she walked through the door.

Good morning, Sleepyhead, she greeted. I thought you were going to sleep all month.

How long have I been asleep? Damian asked.

Today is Friday, she answered. You were brought in Monday night. You do the math. She busied herself with checking his IV site and his arms.

What’s wrong with me?

The nurse began to write in the chart. If I could ask the young lady to step into the hall for a minute, I will show you.

Anya left the room.

The nurse removed the covers and folded the hospital gown up to Damian’s neck and began her visual examination of the wound sites as she explained them to Damian. You have a couple of butterfly strips here on your side where they inserted a chest tube to inflate your lung. You have two fractured ribs here. She gently ran her warm fingers along the boy’s right side. You were bleeding on the inside and the doctors made this incision, she pointed out the twenty staples that ran in a straight line from his sternum down to his pubic region.

Dante looked over the nurse’s shoulder. That’s going to leave a nice scar.

Damian stared at his mutilated stomach. Anything else?

There are twenty stitches over your right eye, she continued as she lowered the gown and raised the sheet.

Damian looked at the nurse. What’s wrong with Draydon?

He has a cast on his right leg.

Is that all?

Other than some cuts and bruises, that’s all.

Damian looked at his older brother. Is she lying to me?

Dante shook his head. That’s all.

How does a broken leg get you four days in a hospital? The last time I had a broken leg, I didn’t even get to miss a day of school.

The nurse paused a minute before she answered. He is having a hard time dealing with the accident.

What kind of hard time?

Nightmares. The doctor is keeping him here for observation. The nurse finished her charting. Now that you’re awake, the sheriff may want to ask you a few questions about the accident so she can finish her report.

What kind of questions?

I don’t know. She’ll probably want to know what caused the accident since there were no other vehicles involved.

Why can’t she ask my dad?

The nurse looked at Dante before she answered. Maybe she wants everyone’s opinion. Do you remember what happened?

As the scene of the accident entered his mind, Damian looked at Dante with a terrified look on his face and found that his brother had a strained expression of his own. He made a quick decision to keep the accident quiet for a while. I don’t think I remember, he lied.

Maybe your memory will come back in a day or two. I will be back in a little bit to get you out of bed. Now that you’re awake, it’s time to start walking. She left the room.

Dante looked directly at Damian. You lied to her, didn’t you?

I’m thirsty, he said, avoiding the question.

Anya walked into the room and heard his request. There’s a pitcher of water on the table. Do you want me to get you a drink?

Yeah, since Dante won’t.

Dante didn’t move. He only stared at Damian.

Will you raise my bed a little?

Sure, she replied as she pushed the up button on the side rail. Tell me when to stop. I don’t want to hurt you.

That’s enough for now. May I have a straw? Damian looked at Dante and smirked while Anya returned to the table. My arms are still pretty weak. Will you hold the glass for me?

Anya held the plastic glass as Damian slowly sipped through the bent straw. He thoroughly enjoyed the attention he was receiving from his brother’s girlfriend. Do you want to see my staples?

Dante shouted. No! She does not! And you can hold your own friggin’ glass!

Anya turned to Dante. What’s wrong with you?

He’s just using you, he snapped.

He’s hurt, Dante. He just woke up after four days.

Damian smiled at his brother behind Anya’s back.

Dante saw Damian’s face and took a step toward him, but Anya’s expression stopped him in his tracks. It’s a good thing you’re hurt or else I’d be kicking your ass all over this room.

You’re just jealous, Damian said with an innocent face. If you be a good boy, then maybe Anya will hold the glass for you.

She turned back to Damian. This would be a good time to close your mouth.

Damian turned his head.

Anya handed the glass to Dante. Here.

I don’t want it.

She forced him to take it. You hold the glass for him.

You heard the nurse. He can walk. If he wants a drink, he knows where it is.

You don’t have to take it out on him, or me.

I’m not taking anything out on anybody.

You have not left this room since Monday. You have taken care of your brothers more than you’ve taken care of yourself. You’re more worried about Damian’s body and Draydon’s nightmares than your own grief. You need to share the sadness. Anya held Dante in her arms and whispered into his ear. Tell him about his dad and let him grieve for himself.

Dante pulled her closer into his arms. He looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with his brother.

Damian saw the sadness in Dante’s eyes and face. Something else is wrong, isn’t it?

Dante nodded. He sighed as he released his girlfriend and stepped closer to the bed. He began to lower the rail. Let’s go for a walk. I think we both need to get out of this room.

Tell Anya to turn around. I’m naked under here.

Anya smiled. She pulled one of the straight-back chairs closer to Draydon’s bed and sat with her back to the other two. I’ll be right here when you get back.

Dante threw back the covers. With his right hand, he lowered the hospital gown as far as it would go.

Jealous? Damian joked to ease the tension.

Sorry, nothing there to be jealous of, Dante returned as he looked at his brother and faked a smile.

Damian stuck his tongue out.

Can you sit up? Dante asked.

Damian tried. Ow! It’s too sore.

Dante leaned over his brother’s body. Put your hands across my back and let me move your legs over the edge of the bed.

After several attempts and a lot of moaning and groaning, Damian sat on the edge of the bed.

Now, hold onto me and I will lift you off the bed.

One loud grunt later, Damian stood on his feet for the first time since he climbed into the truck Monday afternoon. His legs were unsteady and Dante held to him until he could balance himself.

Dante gripped his fist around the IV pole and held onto his brother’s hand with the other and backed up the length of his arm. Walk to me. Damian slid his bare right foot in front of him and edged closer to Dante. Good. Now take another step.

The door to the hospital room opened and the nurse stepped inside. Well, look at you.

It hurts, Damian forced out through clenched teeth.

It will for a while, but the more you walk, the faster the pain will go away.

Dante glanced at the nurse.

You’re doing a good job, big brother, she commented. But if you plan on walking up and down the hall, I would suggest tying the gown in the back. I’m not sure the other patients are ready for a view like that.

The boys heard Anya’s snicker echo across the room.

The nurse began to write on her small pad of paper. I will let the doctor know that you are up and about. After he knows that you can walk around the nurse’s station a couple of times and you are eating solid food, he will probably dismiss you from the hospital.

Let’s go, Damian said.

Not too fast, she added. Don’t push your body too hard.

I want to go home to see Mom and Dad.

Dante stopped his brother. Let’s turn around and get back in bed now.

I want to walk. He pushed forward.

Later, Dante said. He began to steer Damian around.

The nurse assisted her patient back to bed and gave Dante some advice on how to lift his brother without putting any strain on the staples. She patted Dante on the back before she left them alone.

Come sit with us, Dante called to Anya as he scooted a chair closer to Damian’s bed.

After the two were seated, he looked directly at his younger brother. I am sorry I yelled at you.

Damian knew that what his brother was about to tell him would be bad news so he kept silent, except to say, No harm done. It was something that he had heard his father say a million times.

Dante studied his brother’s face while he collected his thoughts. He wanted to tell him in a way that would cause the least amount of sorrow, but he quickly concluded there was no easy way. He took a deep breath and began. The wreck was a bad one. When the ambulance got here, you were knocked out and bleeding on the inside. That’s why they had to cut you open. You weren’t breathing well so they had to put in a tube.

Damian already knew this from the nurse’s explanation, but he remained quiet.

Skeeter was shouting at the top of his lungs and the doctor said he was scared more than hurt.

Damian knew why his little brother had been scared, but he chose to keep that information locked inside of him.

Dante’s throat tightened as he forced out his next sentence. And Dad’s head hit the steering wheel so hard that it broke his neck.

But the doctor made him better, the twelve-year-old boy whispered. Right?

Dante shook his head. No. There was nothing the doctor could do. Dad died in the truck.

Blood rushed to Damian’s face and anger took control of his emotions. You liar! He yelled. Get away from me!

Damian…

No! I’m not listening to you anymore! Damian tried to push himself toward the wall away from his brother. Liar!

Tears rose in Dante’s eyes. Please.

Shut up, liar! I hate you!

Dante reached out his hand.

Damian slapped it away. Don’t touch me! Get away from me!

Dante backed away from the bed and walked to the window. He fought a losing battle against his own sadness. The sorrow ran from his eyes and made salty paths down his cheeks. He didn’t try to wipe them away as they dripped onto his t-shirt.

After a few moments of thick silence, Damian’s eyes searched for Dante until his neck couldn’t turn anymore. He looked helplessly at Anya.

Anya looked at him with compassion.

Damian fought against his physical pain to get out of the bed. He struggled to gain control of his body. Help me, he said with a desperate edge to his tone. Anya lifted him to his feet. Damian took two steps, but his IV tube prevented him from going any further. Anya came to his rescue again and brought the pole to within reaching distance. He scooted the pole and his feet across the floor until he stood behind his brother. A wave of nausea hit him and his grip on the metal pole tightened. Dante, he said.

His brother turned slowly and faced him.

Damian saw the tears that glistened on his big brother’s cheeks. He felt the lump as it grew inside his own chest. His lower lip and chin started to quiver and his vision blurred. Is he really gone?

Yeah. A sob escaped Dante’s throat. He’s really gone.

Damian’s body swayed slightly as he brought his hands up and covered his face. He began to cry, silently at first, but when he felt his brother’s hand