“I know, but I need some fresh air, and I think my parents have had enough for one day.”
His mum went to protest, but Cole reached over the table and grabbed both his mum and dad’s hands. “I think we’ve covered the essential points, don’t you? I can update you later if there’s anything else that comes up. I just need to get out and clear my head a bit, okay?”
They both nodded.
Cole led the way out of his house and into the warmth of the sun outside.
He stopped, face tilted upwards, and took a moment to just breathe it all in—the scents from the flowers in his mum’s garden, the fresh bread from next door.
To Cole they were pleasant, soothing. What was it like for Logan?
“What can you smell out here?” Cole took a couple of steps forward, arms outstretched as he turned in a circle.
If Logan was surprised by the question, he didn’t show it. Closing his eyes a moment, he made a show of breathing deeply, a small smile appearing. “Your neighbour’s baking granary bread.”
“What? You can smell what type of bread it is?”
Logan laughed. “No, he came outside as I was about to knock on your door. I asked what the wonderful smell was.”
Cole rolled his eyes, mostly at himself for believing him for even half a second. “Arsehole.” The mood had lightened a bit, and Cole wanted to prolong it. They’d have to return to the heavy stuff again soon, but he needed a break. “What else?”
“Um... flowers, trees. I tend not to try too hard unless I’m searching for a particular scent. Not everything you smell is pleasant.” He grimaced, and Cole laughed.
“I guess it’s not. Come on.” He walked to the gate at the foot of the path, Logan’s soft footsteps sounding behind him.
“Where are we going?” Logan asked, falling into step beside him.
“The park.”
They walked the rest of the way in silence, until they got to the entrance.
“Are we alone?” Cole murmured. There were a few people out walking their dogs, but he hoped Logan got his meaning.
“Wait a moment.”
They walked along the path towards the lake, neither of them saying anything. Then Logan bumped Cole’s shoulder. “Now we are.”
A bench overlooking the water caught his eye, and Cole headed over to it.
They both sat.
“Is there really no other option for me?” Cole slumped back against the wood, head tilted up to the sky.
“I wish there were.” Logan sighed. “I’m really sorry, Cole. I tried. I promise.”
Cole believed him.
Something, instinct maybe, told him Logan was telling him the truth. “Motherfucking bastards.”
“Yep.”
Another few minutes passed in silence.
“Will they want me to take the bite?”
“Yes. Sooner rather than later. They won’t want a human on their team for long. Affiliated or not.”
How he wished things had turned out differently, wished his body had cooperated and tested negative for whatever fucking thing it was they looked for.
