Before he turned the light away Jack caught a fleeting glimpse of his eyes. Enormous and dark rimmed, they reminded Jack of Angie's haunted appearance. A thin blanket was draped over his shoulders but it was still evident that the once muscular frame was now reduced to bone and sinew. Jack took a step closer and went to put his hand out to Chase, then remembered he was still holding his gun and moved it back again. Chase saw the movement and tried to smile, although it came closer to a grimace, "So you've come to shoot me then Jack?"
"No," Jack said, kneeling next to Chase on the thin mattress. "I've come to take you home."
"I have no home," Chase replied in the same low monotone, his voice raspy from lack of use. "Everyone's dead. Kim... Angie... the baby... you're dead too."
"Listen Chase, I don't know what Liz told you, but Kim and Angie are alive. I saw them just two days ago, they-"
Chase turned towards him and Jack saw the tears in his eyes. "No, they're dead... I killed them. I don't know why, but I did... you're dead too."
Taking up Chase's trembling hand, Jack held it to his face, "Touch me Chase, I'm alive; and Kim is alive and Angie is alive too. They miss you and they want you home with them. Angie sent me, she said 'Grandpa Jack, please bring Daddy home'."
Chase looked at Jack doubtfully, "I hear Angie calling me. She says to come home, but they're dead so I don't know where to go."
"They're alive and waiting for you, I know where they are," Jack assured him. "I'll take you to them Chase, I'll take you home."
Chase began shaking all over and Jack wrapped him into his arms, then pulled him closer still when he felt the hot tears flowing. He ignored the sharp smell of his body, the feel of his fragile bones down his backbone, the iron shackles around his ankles, the impossibility of getting Chase through the heavy snow to safety. All he did was hold Chase close and offer him his love as he blinked away his own tears.
Kim added the chocolate kisses to the cookie dough and began stirring with the wooden spoon. For the first time in weeks Angie had slept through the night without a nightmare and she had even shown a good appetite at breakfast. She was now out in the garden playing with Danny; Kim could hear her laughter through the open door. She couldn't recall the last time she had seen Angie so happy... yes she could... when Chase was still with them.
Helen and the boys were stopping by after school this afternoon and Kim thought they might enjoy some chocolate chip cookies out in the garden. Angie came running in with Danny at her heels. "Mummy," she sang out, "I've cleaned up all the dead flowers on the lawn, so it's tidy for when Daddy gets home."
"That's a good idea honey," she smiled.
"Daddy will be home soon and I want to show him my work. Grandpa Jack is coming too, he's helping Daddy not be sad."
Kim carefully put the bowl down on the counter and knelt on the floor, taking Angela's hands in hers. "Angie honey, is Daddy with Grandpa Jack?"
"Yes," Angie laughed. She pulled back out of Kim's grasp to do a twirl around the kitchen. "I asked him to help Daddy and he is. I love Grandpa Jack, I'm going to make him a drawing," and she raced off to her bedroom.
Kim remained kneeling on the floor as she sobbed for her lost love. Danny whined and nudged at Kim who threw her arms around his neck as her tears flowed. If Chase was with her dad, it meant only one thing. Chase was dead now too.
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