Chad Michaels's Arc

Chapter 6 of 9

Adam walks three blocks through the transformed city before he stops at a building Chad recognizes immediately. The crypt. Adam stands at the entrance for a long moment, then steps inside. Chad follows him through the doorway and watches as Adam moves deeper into the space where everything started. Adam carries a journal under one arm and a pen in his other hand. He sets both on a brick bench near the stone wolf, then steps back. "I know you're here," Adam says to the empty air. "You moved the picture. You broke the vials. If you can do that, maybe you can write." Chad stares at the journal. The cover glows with pink and blue light, and the open page shows words already printed there: I am always with you. Adam walks to the far wall and sits down with his back against it. "I'll wait," he says. Chad picks up the pen. The geometric glass feels solid in his hand, heavier than anything he's touched since dying. He presses the tip to the page and writes Adam's name. The ink flows orange and bright. Then exhaustion hits him like a physical blow. His hand shakes. He keeps writing. I'm here. I love you. The words drain something fundamental from him with each letter. By the time he finishes the second sentence, his vision blurs. He drops the pen and staggers back from the bench. The journal remains open on the seat, glowing words visible on the page. Adam stands and walks to the bench. He reads what Chad wrote and his face crumples. He picks up the journal and holds it against his chest. "Chad," he whispers. Then he looks around the crypt, searching for something he cannot see. Chad tries to reach for him but his hand passes through Adam's shoulder. The effort costs him even more strength. He sinks to his knees on the stone floor while Adam clutches the journal and cries. Chad proved he exists. He gave Adam the confirmation he needed. But the cost was higher than he expected, and the distance between them remains exactly the same.