Page 104 of Dead Serious: Case 3 Mr Bruce Reyes

Bruce reaches for him once again, sliding his arms around Dustin’s waist and pulling him in close. Without the insane heels Dusty wears, they’re almost the same height.

“Dustin… Dusty,” he whispers. “I love all the parts of you. Just as you are.”

“Really?” Dustin replies, a small, shy smile playing on his lips.

“Really.”

“I love you too,” Dustin says nervously, and Bruce’s grin is like the sun coming up as he leans in and kisses him.

I reach across and grab a tissue from the box on the table, slipping it under my glasses and wiping my eyes before blowing my nose very loudly. They break apart, sniggering when they look my way.

I’m a mess.

“You two are killing me.” I sniff. “I’m so happy for you. I mean, the world is going to end tomorrow and everything, but you guys are in love.” I sigh.

“Actually, the world isn’t going to end tomorrow,” Bruce says, “not if I can help it.”

“I really hope not,” I say, sniffing again, “because we just spent a fortune on a new fridge freezer, and it would be a such a waste if I was murdered by zombies and didn’t get to use it.”

“Uh.” Bruce blinks. “Where did the zombies come from?”

“I’m just covering all my bases.” I wipe my nose. “It’s not like the apocalypse comes with a handbook.”

My eyes narrow as I study Bruce. He looks a little better. Don’t get me wrong, he still looks like shit, but although he’s still alarmingly pale and his eyes heavily shadowed, they look clearer and more determined.

“I guess your unfinished business has been resolved then.” I drop the tissue in the bin and adjust my glasses out of habit.

“Yes.” His tone is sombre. “I remember now.”

“Your death?” I blurt. “Yeah, that probably sucks.”

“Not my death.” He shakes his head with an amused chuckle. “The gateway.”

“You remember how it was opened?” I ask hopefully, feeling a weight begin to lift.

“I should,” he replies. “Because I was the one who opened it.”

“You… what? Wh-how?”

“That’s not important right now.” He grabs hold of Dustin’s hand. “The important thing is that I know what to do to stop Chaos from coming through the gateway.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” he says determinedly, “and I’m going to need your help.”

“Anything,” I promise. “Just tell me what you need.”

He runs his free hand through his hair and gives me a slightly apologetic look.

“I need you to steal my bones back.”

24

The Apocalypse

T-Minus 3 Hours…

“This is a terrible idea,” Danny mutters for the twentieth time as I peer around the corner and watch the students mill about.