BRR-BRR BRR-BRR BRR-BRR “Hello?” It had been a bit of a trick, but Leslie managed to swipe answer on his phone one-handed.
“WHERE ARE YOU?!” “Hi Karen!” “Leslie Anthony Winters, you tell me right this instant where you are!” “I’m about…
Fifteen minutes outside of Hartford.” And it’d taken two hours to get even this far!
“Hart?
Hartford?!
What are you doing in Hartford?!
How did you even get to Hartford?” “Well, in the order you asked, this is the only place I could find that had an animal shelter that specialized in abused animals.
And I got here by stealing a car.” He looked up, squinted a moment, and then turned on his right turn signal.
This was his exit after all.
“You turn right around this instant young man!” “I can’t.” “What do you mean you can’t?!” “U-turns are illegal, don’t you know that?” “Leslie Winters!” “Relax.
I’ve got the owner in the car with me.” “Put him on the phone!” “I can’t.” “What do you- Leslie!” “He’s in the trunk.” For the next few moments the only thing he could hear was half-started words and heavy breathing.
“Leslie.
Sweety.
What in the nine hells has gotten into you?!” “Well, depending on what you want, I’ve got two possible answers for you.
So, what are we shooting for?
Comfortable lie, or really, really unpleasant truth?” “This isn’t a game, Leslie!” “I mean, you’re not just a little bit wrong.
You’re a whole lot wrong.” “Goddamnit Leslie, do you have any idea how much trouble you’re in?” “Huh.
You sound like my mom.” “What?
Leslie, I am your mom!” “Yeah…
About that.
You remember I mentioned a really unpleasant truth?” This was every kind of a bad idea.
Unfortunately, the right thing often is.
“Leslie, what?
Leslie, what’s going on?” “It’s Tuesday by now, right?
Well…
About Five days ago, Leslie decided he was going to…
He chose to kill himself.” “If this is some kind of joke, I am not laughing mister.” She sounded confused, maybe just a little desperate.
“Really wish it was.
On the other side he met someone who made him a deal.
Not sure what the right title for it is.
Goddess, Titan, Eldritch half-wit.
You’d have to ask Wonder Woman which is appropriate.
Bitch is called Gaia, if you’re curious.” Leslie flipped back over to his directions and made a left turn.
“Way she told me, she did a little imaginative filing and got the suicide erased, but she got to use his body for her own project.” “And…
What?
You were just waiting to, to puppet my sons body?
Is that it?
Some, some disgusting body snatching-” “I’m gonna cut you off right there.
Real simple reason Karen.
I want to be here about as much as you want me here.
I was dead and ready to pass on when Gaia got a bug up her ass about making a champion, or avatar, or whatever word she wants to use instead of -Victim-.” There were two cars in the parking lot when he pulled in to the shelter.
Which was good, he didn’t want to have to wait.
“My, my boy.
My baby boy…” She was sobbing on her end.
Leslie couldn’t blame her, his eyes were burning too.
“I can’t offer a whole lot of advice Karen.
I…
Can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am.
For this, for the last few days, for your son.
I-” “Shut up!
Just shut up!” He just sits there and silently lets her cry and scream over the phone.
“…I need to hear it.
I need to hear his voice.
I want…” “…What do you need me to say?” “I’m sorry mom.
I love you.
Just, I need, one more time.
Please.” “…I’m sorry mom.
I love you.” —–