Chapter 2
"So, how long has it been?" the man asked.
Gary looked down and refused to answer.
"Twenty years? Twenty-five?"
"Fifteen," he finally said.
"Just fifteen? Man. It feels so much longer, like an eternity really. I mean, just look at you. You're a man now. You look-"
"Why aren't you in jail?"
"Gary, that's not polite."
"But you're supposed to be in jail!"
The man sighed. "I only got ten years. I got out in five."
"You escaped in five years?"
"No, parole, good behavior."
"I don't believe you."
"Gary, I'm not a bad guy."
"I don't believe you!"
Meanwhile, Bill got Dr. Rosen out of his office. "He just came in, demanding to see Gary. I tried to send him out. Nina even tried pushing him, but he forced his way in." They joined the rest of the group that was stading outside the office and watching through the window.
"Oh no," Dr. Rosen gasped. "I can't believe it. I haven't seen him since '96."
"You know him?" Rachel asked.
He nodded. "That's Alex Bell, Gary's father."
"Oh, he was telling us about his father this morning. He said he was in jail."
"I know. I helped testify. This could be bad."
"What should we do?" Hicks asked.
"Bill, send Gary a text message that we are watching and we'll make sure he won't hurt him."
Bill did just that. Gary saw the message appear in the air to his left. He raised his head and turned.
"What are you looking at?" the man asked. Gary didn't answer and touched it to make it disappear. "Son? Are you still here?" Gary started to scan through his messages, just trying to get his mind off the terror. "Graham! What are you doing? Quiet hands!"
Gary looked at him furiously. "DON'T CALL ME THAT! And don't tell me what to do! They're my hands; I do what I want with them!"
"Alright, sorry!" He didn't look like he meant it, so Gary just looked away. "Do you still see them? The lights?"
"Yes," Gary answered with a huff.
"And do you hear the noises?"
"Yes. I always will."
"Have you ever been able to sleep with them?"
"Do you think I'd be alive if I couldn't? I got help."
"Did you? I'm glad. Can I come closer? I swear I won't touch you."
Gary didn't want him to, but then he thought about the text message and the promise that everyone was watching, and he silently nodded. Alex approached him slowly then fell to his knees as he came to Gary so that he could be at eye level. "Oh, you still look so young, just like you did when you were little." Gary averted his gaze. "No, look at me, Gary. Let me see your eyes. You have your mother's beautiful eyes." Gary still didn't turn to him. "Son, let me look at you, please. I missed you."
"No," Gary moaned.
"Yes. Yes, I did."
"Don't lie."
"I'm not lying. I missed you."
"Don't lie!"
"I missed you, Gary! I love you."
"STOP LYING!" He finally did look at him with fierce anger. "If you missed me, you would've looked for me. If you love me, you . . . you wouldn't have left."
"Believe me, Gary, I did it because I thought it was the best thing for you. I did it because I love you."
"NO!" He raised his hand, which touched some kind of signal, and suddenly a small jolt of electricity jumped out of his hand and hit his father in the chest. It was just enough to surprise both of them. Alex looked at him in pain and fear. Gary couldn't believe he just did that, but then he hid his amazement from his father, and he glared at him again. "GO AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE! DON'T EVER COME BACK!"
Alex started backing away, still keeping his eyes on his son. As he came closer to the door, Dr. Rosen spoke up. "Mr. Bell?"
Alex turned around and saw him, and he frowned. "You! I remember you."
"Yes, as I do you."
"Why are you here?"
"I wanted to suggest that we talk for a bit. I have some things to tell you about your son." Alex stared at him as he thought about the suggestion.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group gathered into Gary's office. Rachel started lighting candles, and the others started comforting him. "How you doing, buddy?" Bill asked.
Gary still turned away, refusing to respond to anyone, until Nina leaned over and asked him, "Gary, are you OK?"
He looked up at her furiously. "Why didn't you push him? Why didn't you make him leave?"
Nina answered him very gently. "I tried, Gary, I really did, but something happened. I don't know, it's like an override. It might be that he just can't be pushed like you, but I think, I think his will was just too strong. That happens sometimes, if someone wants something badly enough. I think he really, really wanted to see you. Gary, I think he—"
"Don't say he loves me! He doesn't. I'm not the son he wanted."
"How do you know that, Gary?" Hicks asked.
"BECAUSE HE TRIED TO KILL ME!"
The others looked at him in shock. Gary buried his head in his hands and wept.
