Page 7 of Homecoming: The Devil's Society

Nate grins, still leaning forward and now looking at me. “I got him that bat when he was five. At the time, I didn’t understand the significance behind him asking for it. It’s been attached to him since and now it’s a part of him. An extension of himself.”

“And he’s magnificent with it,” I proudly respond. My body relaxes more into the chair. Seeing how they are together, it’s comforting.

“That he is.”

E interrupts, impatient, still itching at his hand, “Are you going to continue to talk about me like I’m not here?”

Nate changes the subject, “What’s with the twitching fingers?”

You could hear a pin drop, the room goes absolutely silent. E doesn’t respond.

“How long?”

Elijah looks away from us, mumbling under his breath, “Two months.”

“I see.”

His dad’s facial expression remains neutral, it makes him incredibly hard to read. He can shut off his emotions as easily as his son.

Blowing out a deep breath, his head turns to Elijah, who is still not looking at us. “We’ve been saving them all for tomorrow. I don’t even have anyone I could give you tonight. I’m sorry, son.”

You can tell he means it. As unreadable as his face is, his voice is sympathetic to his son’s predicament.

This is a man who truly loves his son. I can feel it, I can see it, it’s so strong. It reminds me of my mom.

Turning his head back to us, his brow furrows, eyes squinting, and I can tell he is agitated. I’m sure this is a lot coming back here, plus knowing he can’t release his demons until tomorrow, I don’t blame him. “Is the shed still out back at your place?”

“It is,” his dad responds curiously while gingerly nodding his head.

“Good, I want to show her everything. I’ll bring her by tomorrow, before The Reckoning.”

I’m quick to interrupt. “What is The Reckoning?”

Nate smirks, questioning his son, “You haven’t told her why you both are here?”

E doesn’t respond, letting his dad continue, “It happens every ten years and always lands on the tenth day of the tenth month at ten p.m. on the tenth year. It is a rite of passage for some, like Elijah. This is his birthright. Others are forced to make a decision. The wrong choice could land them a grave deep in the woods.”

I sit with what he has just said. “Like an initiation?” I question as I am trying to understand.

“Sort of. I’ll let him explain it in more detail to you. Because this should really be coming from him since he brought you in.”

Looking over at E, he nods, blowing out another breath of exhaustion. “I will.”

As his dad stands, E follows, already anticipating the next move.

Nate looks at his watch. “I best go. Your masks are almost ready, I’ll leave them with Rogers. Grab them when you're done.” Then he looks toward me. “Rain, it was a pleasure meeting you.”

I smile genuinely back at him and remain sitting, allowing E and his dad to have a moment as they both walk to the door.

A few words are spoken, but I can’t quite make them out.

As the front door opens, Nate’s hand grips his son’s shoulder, squeezing it a couple times before letting go and leaving.

As E closes the door behind his dad, he turns around to look at me. “He knew I changed your name to Sinclair. Don’t let him fool you, he knows more than most. But…” He pauses, deep in thought. “You can always trust him. If anything ever happens to me, you go to him. He will help you. Do you understand me?”

Nodding my head, I take it all in.

Everything is starting to hit me at once.

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