by Lisa Klink
After getting his arm, wrist, ankle, and jawbone set, Matt checked himself out against strong medical advice. His rapid healing would raise too many questions. His experience with Janey’s final illness had put him off hospitals anyway, a feeling that had only gotten stronger after he’d woken up in a morgue and later been abducted by a team of doctors who tried to dissect him while he was still alive.
Ryan planned to stay at his grandfather’s place for a while to rest and recoup. He offered Matt the spare room. Over the next week, Matt slept, drank copious amounts of water, and endured the unique torture of debriding his burns. Ryan got the patches he couldn’t reach on his back, apologizing constantly as he tore away the dead skin.
Matt resumed his work of checking news sites for clues to Mr. Dark’s activities. He came across a suspicious murder spree near Galveston, Texas. He had healed up sufficiently and decided it was worth the trip.
He showed the article to Ryan. “It might turn out to be your average psycho, but I want to be sure the Dark Man isn’t involved.”
The kid examined the accompanying photo of a bloody crime scene. “Wow. You never get a break, do you?”
Matt gave him a half shrug: that’s life. “I could always use a hand. You up for a road trip to Galveston?”
He said it casually, but as long as he’d been fighting the Dark Man, he’d been hoping to find some help, a partner to watch his back. He had met a few other people with special abilities. One was a carnival psychic whose powers became real when Matt was around. But without him, she could go back to a normal life. So he walked away. Ryan was different. Dark knew he was a threat. Normal was no longer an option.
Ryan stayed quiet for a moment. Then he told Matt, “No. I’m going to Nashville, to join Amanda.”
He’d been on the phone with her every night. He had told her about the crash and his trek across the desert, leaving out the undead corpse and everything about the Washakie Lodge. Amanda knew him well enough to realize he was holding back, but she didn’t push. That wasn’t her style.
“I know the Dark Man is out there,” said Ryan. “If he comes after me, I’ll defend myself. But I won’t go looking for him.”
He pointed to the gory photo on the computer screen. “I don’t want this to be my life. I want a boring job. I want to marry Amanda and have kids and go to school plays. And if it’s selfish of me to do that instead of fighting the forces of evil, then I guess you’re a better person than I am.”
Matt didn’t think so. If he had the choice to go home to Janey and let Mr. Dark wreak his havoc unopposed, he’d probably do just that. Could he really blame Ryan?
It was time to get back on the road. He sincerely wished the kid well. He obviously felt guilty about his decision. Matt wondered how much it would eat at him over the years, especially when he heard about something particularly horrible happening in the world. There would always be a slight shadow over his “normal” life. The Dark Man would be so pleased.
Matt drove out of Battle Mountain in the Ford F-150 that Ryan had insisted he take from Grandpa’s garage. It even had a GPS. He plotted out his route, got onto the I-40 heading east, and headed for Galveston. Alone.
Acknowledgments
Lisa would like to thank Lee Goldberg and Bill Rabkin for being great bosses, and inviting her to write for the “Dead Man” series.
About the Author
Lisa Klink has written books, television, graphic novels, and even a theme park attraction. She loves telling stories in all of them. When she’s not writing, Lisa works with Much Love Animal Rescue in Los Angeles, and volunteers with the local Red Cross.