Chapter Twenty-Nine

I rushed to the door and picked up the phone, hanging it up inside and taking a quick look around in case Charles was still there. The place was empty. I ran back out to my car.

I drove to the grocery store as fast as I could without risking being pulled over; it was the only store I could think Charles had meant to tell me he was at. I found him in the bakery section; he appeared to be counting doughnuts.

I slowed as I approached him, but my arrival still seemed to throw him. His look of recognition upon seeing me was followed quickly by a slight wobble and an expression of what looked like nausea. Suddenly, he put one hand on the pastry counter for support and dropped to the floor. He landed sitting, and I rushed over to kneel beside him.

"Charles," I whispered, trying not to draw attention. "Charles, are you okay?"

He was crying softly and trying to hide it. "I'm-" He took a long pause. "I'm here."

I didn't know what he meant by that, wasn't even sure he knew. "Charles, come on, we've got to get up." He allowed me to help him to his feet, allowed me to walk him out the door, but none of it could have been called a decision on his part. I felt like a puppeteer.

We drove back in silence until Charles offered meekly, "They only come around when you're not there."

I glanced over at him. "What?"

"The only time I see them now is when you're not with me."

I didn't know how to respond, and we drove the rest of the way in silence.



I was afraid Charles wouldn't want to come back inside, but he didn't make any effort to avoid it. When I tried to leave for my room, though, he grabbed my arm.

"Wait," he pleaded. I turned around and saw dread in his eyes. "Please," he added.

I nodded, understanding. I couldn't leave him alone now, at least not this soon after another incident. Charles sat back down on the couch; I switched the television on.

I sat down on the floor next to him, taking in these newest developments. I couldn't even take half a shift at work without Charles experiencing another sighting. What would it mean for him to be so dependent on me, being tethered to me like this? What would it mean for me? Suddenly, I felt exhausted. Letting my head fall back against the couch, I fell asleep.