Page 83 of Immersed
Asher pressed a quiet kiss to Levi’s temple and pulled back. There was a renewed vigor on his face, like he found a sense of purpose thathadn’tbeen there before.
“We’re going to find a safer place,”he said with frightening confidence, reaching for Dr. Faine’s journal. He studied the sketches on the ground, comparing them to the schematics.
“How can you be sure?”Levi asked, wiping his eyes.
Asher looked up at him, those mismatched eyes bright with determination. “Because I’m not going to let anything else hurt you.”
The promise should have been terrifying, but Levi found himself craving the refuge Asher offered—not because he believed in the protection, but because he didn’t know what else to do.
I just want something to feel normal again.Even back in his real life, streaming to his tiny audience and making coffee for strangers, nothing felt quite right. Ethan’s death left everything hollow and wrong. And now, trapped in this nightmare, the twisted solace of Asher’s arms felt better than facing everything alone.
Maybe itwasn’tabout believing in Asher. Maybe itwasjust about having someone—anyone—act like he mattered, even if that personwasthe source of half his trauma.
I need him.
I’m so pathetic, but I need him.
30
Check the Map
Levisatonthefloor drinking water, his breathing finally steady after the breakdown. The tears stopped, but a hollow feeling in his chest remained. Beside him, Jasper was going through his baggy pockets that seemed to produce endless empty food wrappers and three different lighters.
“Here,”Jasper said, pulling out what looked like a pot gummy.“This might help you calm down, man. I always carry a few for emergencies.”
Levi took the gummy but slipped it into his pocket instead of eating it.Maybe later. If things get really bad.Which, knowing their situation,waspretty much guaranteed.
“Thanks,” he said quietly.
“No problem. I also have beef jerky, a backup phone charger, and like six different kinds of granola bars. My mom always said I pack like I’m going to get stranded on a deserted island.”Jasper’s easy smilewasinfectious.“Turns out shewaskind of right, just replace ‘deserted island’ with ‘nightmare hospital.’”
Despite everything, Levi found himself almost smiling.“Your mom sounds smart.”
“She is. She also thinks I’m a professional disappointment, but she’s usually right about the practical stuff.”Jasper settled more comfortably against the wall.“You know, Iwasthinking about life and stuff while wewererunning from those... things. Sometimes I get sad that I don’t get to hang out with my friends as much as I want to. Work, you know? Life gets in the way.”
He gestured vaguely at their surroundings.“But Iwasreally excited when you called me to come work on this paranormal investigation project. Even if it’s turned into a literal horror movie.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I got you into this.”
“Are you kidding?”Jasper laughed, but itwasgentle rather than mocking.“This is the most interesting thing that’s happened to me in months. Sure, we might die horribly, but at least it’s not boring.”
He paused, studying Levi’s face with that perceptive gentleness that made him so easy to like.“Besides, it’s nice to know that if my last moments on Earth are going to be at the hands of some horrifying monster or getting smashed between walls, I’drather have it be with friends and people I like being around. Even if sometimes they’re dicks.”
He pointed toward where Asher, Tyler, and Elliot hunched over scraps of paper on the ground.
“Tyler’s been complaining about the lighting for ten minutes straight,”Jasper continued.“And Elliot keeps checking his watch like we’re late for a dinner reservation. Your boyfriend over there is the only one actually focused on problem-solving, which I respect.”
Boyfriend.The word made Levi’s stomach lurch, but Jasperwasalready moving on.
“You feeling any better? Because you looked pretty rough there for a minute. Not judging—this whole situation is fucked up beyond belief—but you seemed like you needed to get that out.”
“Yeah,”Levi said.“A little better. Thanks for... you know. Being cool about it.”
“Man, we’re trapped in a death maze with fucked up monsters. If you can’t have a breakdown now, when can you?”Jasper grinned.“Besides, Ihada full-on panic attack in the bathroom at work last Tuesday because the coffee machinewasbroken. This is way more justified.”
“Speaking of which,”Jasper added,“looks like they figured something out.”
Asher looked up from the papers, his eyes bright with excitement.“We think we have something.”
