“Do or die time,” Gideon said softly.
“I prefer do,” I told him.
Chamuel hadn’t even noticed us talking. It was muttering to itself and rearranging the bone piles like Its life depended on it.
When Jennifer was satisfied that we were as far from her as possible, she stepped close to the door of the cage. “Chamuel,” she called out.
The being froze. Slowly, Its head lifted and turned to Jennifer with an expression of abject shock and confusion on Its face.
“What did you say?” It hissed venomously.
Jennifer didn’t flinch. She didn’t back away. She stood her ground and faced the horrible entity who’d tried to end her.
“Chamuel,” she repeated gently. “It’s okay. You’re safe now. Come to me, Chamuel.”
Chamuel screamed and pressed both Its palms to Its temples. Its body began to tremble and It went from pacingto sprinting around the cavern like It was on fire. “NO,” It shrieked. “NO, NO, NO.”
“It’s okay, Chamuel. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Not anymore,” Jennifer said in a tone so soothing, I believed her.
It didn’t matter if I believed her. Chamuel needed to believe her. That hadn’t happened yet.
“Fucker is whacked,” Candy Vargo whispered.
“Ya think?” I whispered back.
“HOW?” Chamuel bellowed at Jennifer as It came to an abrupt stop about three feet from where Jennifer stood. “How do you know my name? What sorcery is this?”
Jennifer didn’t answer. She simply held her arms out between the bars of the cage and stayed calm.
“You are CHEATING,” It snarled. “I will kill you. I should have ended you earlier. I will NOT make that mistake twice.”
Chamuel charged the cage. Jennifer was ready.
I was not. Swallowing my scream was one of the hardest things I’d ever done. Keeping my promise to Jennifer to stay back was making my entire body itch. I couldn’t even imagine how Tim felt.
Chamuel hit the cage with an explosive thud. The whole cave shuddered on impact. Zamirs fell from the ceiling and scampered away in terror. Without a shred of hesitation, Jennifer wrapped her arms around Chamuel and held the abomination tight. She whispered soothing words and refused to let go as Chamuel fought like a trapped animal to get free.
“I forgive you, Chamuel,” Jennifer told It. “It’s okay. Everything will be okay now. I’ve got you.” She continued to hold tight. Chamuel continued to fight. “It’s not your fault. I forgive you. It’s time to let go. I’ll take your weight. I promise. Let me take the burden from you. You’ve carried it for too long.”
Chamuel’s body quaked and convulsed like It was dying. The shrieks that came from It were animalistic and filled with a dark despair.
Jennifer didn’t let go. If anything, she held on tighter.
“You don’t have to carry it alone anymore, Chamuel,” she whispered lovingly. “It’s okay. You never stood a chance. It was taken from you. It’s not your fault, my friend. Let me relieve the burden. I love you. You’re worth being loved. You’ve waited for so long. I’m here now.”
Sobs came next. Weeping like I’d never witnessed. Chamuel was breaking before our eyes It wasn’t surface level. It came from somewhere so deeply personal that I felt like I shouldn’t watch.
“Let me be your home, Chamuel,” Jennifer whispered in a thick voice.
It was clear she was crying too. Hell, I was crying. Even Candy Vargo swiped was sniffling. The scene was heartbreaking and terrifying at the same time, but something was happening…
Chamuel stopped fighting. The minute Its body stilled the cage began to dissolve. It came down in pieces and turned to rancid black dust as it hit the stone floor. Jennifer pulled Chamuel even closer. The emotionally wrecked and broken being rested Its head on Jennifer’s strong shoulder.
“I’m so sorry,” Chamuel choked out, wrapping Its arms around Jennifer. “I’m so sorry.”
“I forgive you, Chamuel,” Jennifer repeated. “Your pain is no longer yours to carry, my friend. I will carry it with you. Let me lighten the load.”
“Why? Why would you do that?” Chamuel asked, truly confused.
