Page 152 of The Midnight Knock

Little Adeline gave Te’lo’hi’s shoulder another firm pat. Fernanda placed a hand on the back of the little god’s neck. She said, “I’ve always wanted to know what else was out there. As long as we do not suffocate in the vacuum of space.”

there are

there are ways to make the journey

“Then let us make it,” Fernanda said. “There is no time like the present.”

Te’lo’hi seemed to smile.

i have seen

many ways this night could end

i never believed

not for a moment

that this was the story you would choose

The silver light began to expand again, taking on as it did a new, softer color. It started to grow over the platform, heading toward Ethan and Kyla. Softer or not, Kyla had a feeling it would still be a bad idea to touch that light.

Te’lo’hi said,

will you two join us

or will you follow another story?

Kyla and Ethan traded glances. They didn’t have to ask each other. They already knew.

“I want to stay in this world,” Ethan said. “I want to live this life.”

Kyla said, “I want to finish what I started before I came here.”

very well

Te’lo’hi pointed a finger to the rim of the platform at their feet. Out of the lake, a long ribbon of quicksilver rose up and formed itself into a bridge that seemed to stretch away for eternity.

Fernanda looked to Kyla. “Get the film to the cartel. Make sure they take care of my brother. They made a deal.”

Kyla said, “I will.”

Ethan caught Adeline’s eye. He said, “I’m sorry for… whatever he did to you.”

With a startling wisdom, Adeline just said, “It’s the past.”

The column of light would overwhelm the platform soon. Te’lo’hi said,

you should go

No need to tell Ethan and Kyla twice. Turning toward the silver bridge, they found they were holding each other’s hands. They traded one more look. They looked over their shoulders. Adeline and Fernanda were already beginning to glow with their own silver light. Te’lo’hi’s long hair was floating around them like a shroud.

“Bye,” Kyla said.

Fernanda’s voice was already growing strange, like it bore the sound of its own echo. “Good luck.”

Kyla and Ethan were a step away from the silver bridge. He gave her hand a squeeze.

Here goes nothing.