Page 42 of Private Exhibit (Gentleman Hackers #4)

DEVON KNEW right away that something had changed.

He heard muffled voices. Just an odd word here and there. It felt like listening through water, like he was slowly slipping further and further away from life.

Devon was almost ready to let go. To have it be over with already. Then something had touched on his mind, something familiar yet oddly beyond recognition. Devon had reached for it, trying to make sense of it. A pressure—one he'd never truly realized was there—suddenly fell away.

He heard one distinct word, spoken in a voice he somehow recognized yet could swear he'd never heard before. The voice was low and almost sinister, but also comforting and safe. Fight!

Before Devon could ask what that meant, the floodgates opened and everything poured in.

Devon couldn't even scream. It was too much. Like the whole world was trying to cram itself into his brain.

But in the midst of it all? He felt a small sense of peace flow in. A tiny shred of home.

Andy? Devon asked.

Oh my gods , Andy gasped, his voice cutting through all the chaos. Devon? Baby? Can you hear me?

Andy! I'm here! I can hear you!

Thank gods , Andy gushed. I thought–

There's too much , Devon cried. He searched frantically, trying to find some tangible evidence that Andy was near, but there was nothing beyond the incorporeal voice. Gods. Daddy? Make it stop. There's too much!

Before Andy could say anything, another familiar voice cut in.

Devon? It's Doctor Crawford. Everything's going to be alright.

Devon felt like he was panting, like he'd run a mile. Doctor Crawford? What's going on? How can I even hear you both? What happened? Where am I?

You're in the hospital , Dr. Crawford answered. And the barrier around your mind has been removed.

Devon felt like he was trembling. What? How? And how bad is it?

What's important right now–

How bad is it? Devon insisted.

Dr. Crawford sighed. Your heart stopped. You're hooked up to a bypass machine, circulating your blood, and a ventilator is helping you breathe.

Devon's trembling got worse. Andy?

It's true, sweetheart , Andy murmured. Gods, I'm so sorry.

So it's over , Devon realized. The dark void felt suddenly heavy. If his heart wasn't beating, it really was too late.

Not yet , Dr. Crawford said. Devon? I need you to listen carefully. I know there's a lot flooding your awareness right now, but I need you to try to stay calm, alright? Try to focus on Andy, if you can. He's sitting right beside you, holding your hand.

He is? Devon whispered. He could easily picture it, but it wasn't enough. Devon wanted to feel it. To have concrete proof that it was really true.

I am, baby , Andy cut back in. I'm right here. And I'm not going anywhere.

I'm scared , Devon whispered.

I know, sweet boy , Andy murmured back. I know. I'm scared, too. But I'm not letting you go. Not yet. I need you to fight for me, sweetheart. I need you to hold on just a little while longer.

Devon trembled. He winced against the assault of strange pressures and voices that seemed to swirl all around him, and his very soul felt drained, exhausted almost to the point of collapse.

With every passing second, and now with the whole world feeling so loud, it was tempting to just give up altogether. But he didn't want to die. Not really. Not if there was a chance.

Alright , he quietly agreed.

That's my good boy.

Devon? Dr. Crawford cut in. I need to borrow Andy for a few minutes so we can study your nervous system. He paused. You're going to be tempted to follow us, but I'd advise against it.

Why?

For some people, seeing your own anatomy that close up can be disturbing. You know Brendan? He almost gave up halfway through the treatment to regenerate his fingers because he couldn't stomach the sight of his own tendons and muscles.

What about Hayden?

Dr. Crawford laughed. Oh, he wanted his hand back so desperately, he didn't care.

Devon mentally nodded. I want to live , he whispered, not daring to raise his voice in case it couldn't come true. But he didn't want to just live. He wanted to live free.

But he couldn't dare hope that might actually happen.

I know , Dr. Crawford murmured. But we need to do some assessments first. So while we do that, I want you to think about this: Pretend you're at home, lying in bed.

Or pick a place you love. A place that makes you happy.

I want you to live in that place for right now.

Pretend Andy is there with you, if you want.

Just focus on that, and try to stay calm.

Think about the jacaranda tree , Andy cut in, his voice low and gentle. Or the willow by the fishpond in Divinity Square. There's nobody else around. It's just us, sweetheart. Just us and all your favorite plants.

Despite the panic and the chaos, Devon found himself smiling. Alright , he whispered.

That's my good boy .

Ready? Dr. Crawford asked, and Devon knew the man wasn't talking to him.

Ready , Andy replied.

Devon braced himself, trying to think of that happy place, and felt their voices fade away. Darkness flooded back in.

He was all alone with an endless sea of ghosts.

ANDY FOLLOWED Crawford as the man's presence seemed to take a step back, drifting away from Devon's consciousness.

What do I do? Andy asked.

We're in a sort of in-between place right now , Crawford quietly explained.

It's an overlap between the physical world and the telepathic plane.

We're going to drift more into the physical while keeping one foot in the other, so to speak.

We'll be able to dive down from Devon's mind to his actual, tangible brain.

From there, we'll be able to travel anywhere in his body and get an up-close look at exactly what's going on.

Andy trembled. Gods. Really?

I won't lie to you: It could be disturbing. Nothing in medical school or surgical experience can truly prepare you for something like this. Honestly, I shouldn't even be allowing you to participate. It is technically surgery, for all intents and purposes, and it's invasive as hells.

Then why let me? Andy asked, thinking of their blow-up in the E.R., discussing Lydia's case.

One, he needs to know you're here. I don't think he'd stay calm enough for this otherwise. Two, we may not have enough time, depending on how bad it is. You and I may need to work in tandem to get the job done if there's any chance of saving him.

Gods , Andy gasped.

But if we can really see what's going on , Crawford continued, his voice infused with hope, there may be a chance.

Andy felt like he had to blow out a heavy breath.

Ready? Crawford asked.

No , Andy thought, but this was Devon. He didn't have a choice. He'd have to do whatever it took. Yes .

Then follow me.

Andy felt Crawford move, so he concentrated on trailing after him. He felt his own physical body slipping further and further away as his awareness moved down into Devon's body. Andy's soul shuddered. Crawford hadn't been kidding. The experience was disturbing.

But it turned out, that was only the beginning.

They dove down through colors and textures and lights that made no sense whatsoever.

It looked like something out of a movie, when a character was experiencing some kind of twisted acid trip.

Nothing was either up or down, and Andy felt himself stumbling along, both blind and blinded by what he saw.

Just as panic was about to set in, everything slowly began to sharpen. Shapes and colors took on definition. Small pieces of a puzzle began to click together.

Andy stopped and stared in awe.

Oh my gods . They were literally inside Devon's brain.

He was surrounded by the various folds of tissue. Saw sparks of electricity zinging all around him. Andy accidentally bumped into something and heard Devon cry out in pain.

Shit , Andy gasped. Baby?

Devon , Crawford cut in, everything's alright. You may feel accidental touches. Try to ignore them as best you can.

Andy felt like he held his breath until he heard Devon quietly agree and drift back away.

What was that? Andy demanded.

Accidental contact is almost unavoidable , Crawford explained. But you didn't hurt him. More like it tricked his brain into thinking something hurt. He'll be fine. I promise.

Andy grumbled, but kept his thoughts to himself. Now what?

Follow me.

Andy followed along. They explored all through Devon's brain, Andy picking his way carefully, trying not to touch anything. After a few moments, he found worry giving way to awe. This is insane .

He felt something like a nod come from Crawford. But his brain looks completely intact. That's a good sign. Now let's move down to the spinal cord.

Andy silently agreed, trailing after Crawford until the man's consciousness came to an abrupt stop.

My gods , Crawford gasped.

What? Andy moved closer, then felt the spiritual equivalent of his stomach dropping out as he took in the sight that greeted them.

Devon's nerves weren't just faulty. They were shredded .

Andy moved closer, trying to take it all in. The damage was so fine, it was beyond what the naked eye could see. On a cellular level, Devon's nerves looked like a rope that had been frayed almost beyond recognition.

No wonder the signals couldn't get through.

My gods. How did he live this long?

I have no idea , Crawford replied, sounding just as shocked as Andy felt. Let's keep going. We'll need to see the extent of it.

Andy followed again. They traveled throughout Devon's entire body, giving everything a quick survey. All the way down to Devon's fingers and toes and back, not a single nerve was whole.

Crawford stopped. Alright. We need to pull out and discuss a game plan.

You don't sound hopeful.

Crawford didn't answer. Let's go check on Devon, and then take this outside.

Andy's entire being tensed. Oh gods . He knew it. There was no hope.

Don't give up yet , Crawford murmured.

Andy shook his head. He'd never give up. But he couldn't help thinking it was already far too late.

They drifted back up to Devon's mind, pulling away from the boy's physicality.

Devon? Crawford asked. We're going to pull out for a few minutes to give your mind a rest. But we're not physically going anywhere. We'll be right beside you the whole time.

Alright , Devon answered, his voice tight with worry. Andy?

I'm right here, baby. We'll be right back, I promise.

Devon didn't respond, but Andy felt his thoughts all the same.

One way or another, the boy wanted it to be over.