Page 38 of Deader than Dead

He swallowed, the color on his cheeks growing more florid by the second. “It’s like he said. I felt compelled.”

The man nodded. “And it saved your life.”

“Wait.” I shook my head, trying to make sense out of the man’s words. “The mask brought him back to life?”

“Not entirely,” he said. “It needed a jumpstart. A reason to bring him back. And your connection provided it. It may even have had something to do with you two being brought together. Even I don’t know all of its secrets.”

“So, what? I can’t die now?” Bellamy asked.

The man’s laugh came from somewhere deep within his chest. It went on for a while, as if Bellamy had said something truly hilarious. “I wouldn’t test that out if I were you. It might bring you back, or depending on the method and circumstances of your death, it might deem that you’ve had enough chances.” He smiled fondly at the mask. “It can be both contrary and fickle. Many have learned that to their detriment.”

Bellamy gave a slow, considering nod. “I guess I better live my life as if it was a onetime only deal, then.”

The man nodded. “It would probably be wise.”

“What happens now?” I asked.

“I think,” the man said, “that the mask has had enough excitement for one day and that it’s time to go home.” He let go of the boy’s hand—the boy having watched the conversation unfold without making so much as a sound—and held out his hands. “May I?”

Bellamy looked to me, and I nodded. We’d been tussling with what we were supposed to do with it. Giving it back to its previous owner was the perfect solution. Bellamy wrapped it carefully back in the cloth and then stepped forward to pass it across. The man took it from him, his body language, and the way he held it, speaking of a great reverence. He cocked his head to one side, giving the impression that he was listening, Bellamy and me exchanging another look.

“I know,” he said. “And I’m sure they will.”

“It talks to you,” I said, unable to hold back the incredulity in my voice.

“In a fashion.”

“Did it…” Bellamy paused, looking embarrassed. “Did it speak to me? Before, I mean. Something kept saying my name. And then when I came back to life, I could have sworn something kept telling me to get out of the building.”

Had it? He hadn’t mentioned that. But then I needed to remember that although it might not feel like it, the time we’d spent together totaled less than twenty-four hours.

“Quite possibly,” the man said.

Bellamy’s relief was plain to see. I guessed he’d rather believe that a century old mask had spoken to him than he was going crazy. What man wouldn’t?

“What did it say to you?” Bellamy asked. “Just now.”

The man smiled. “It said you’ll lead long and happy lives together. And it asked whether we’d be able to call on you should we ever need your services?”

“Of course,” both I and Bellamy chorused in unison. My gaze strayed to the young boy. “What about—?”

He took the boy’s hand again, smiling down at him. “We’ll take him home. Would you like that?”

The boy nodded enthusiastically, and then they were gone. The air didn’t shimmer. There were no magic words whispered. They just ceased to be, leaving Bellamy and me blinking furiously at the empty patch of ground where they’d stood seconds before. I might have commented on it, were it not for the familiar sound of my ringtone from the bag the man had left. “I should get that,” I said. “It might be Cade. Whatever he did, he deserves to know his son is safe.”

It wasn’t Cade. It was my mother. She launched into conversation like the last twenty-four hours had never happened, and hadn’t been an absolute rollercoaster of highs and lows. “I was thinking about your date, John. Now listen to me before you interrupt and shoot me down. I was thinking, you need to give them more of a chance. One date isn’t enough. How about three?”

I sank to the grass cross-legged. “Mum…”

“No, listen… I’ve thought it through. People are tense on a first date. They’re not themselves. By the third date, they’re relaxed enough that you can get a better idea of what they’re really like.”

“Mum.”

“You need to at least consider if you’re compatible. I don’t want you to be alone forever while you search for this mythical man that you believe is out there.”

“MUM!”

“No need to shout, John.”

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