Page 119 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“You need to go now,” Will said quietly. “And please, don’t come back.”

Oscar nodded, though the gesture seemed to take a great deal of effort. He wished Will a speedy recovery, gave him a forced smile, and left.

That wasn’t the only unwanted visit of the day. Toward evening, Norma appeared in Will’s room.

“Hey,” she said as she entered the room. She’d brought a small yellow potted flower, which she set on the table.

“Hey,” Will grunted, his voice guarded.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I got hit by a car.”

Norma smiled nervously.

“I talked to your doctor. I mean, he couldn’t tell me much, since I’m not family and all that, but he said it could have been much worse.”

Will grimaced at that exceptionally comforting remark. Norma sat down in the chair.

“Oscar was here,” Will informed her.

“Oh?”

“He said something weird. He thinks he’s the one who pushed me into the car’s path.”

“Aah…” Norma seemed to know what this was about. “Right. See, Abby rationally decided that instead of looking for reasons why Christine pushed you in front of a car, it would be better to wipe the memories of everyone not in the know. Luckily she was on the scene, because erasing the last few minutes of someone’s memory is no trouble for her, but when you have to wipe a longer period… Let’s just say it gets complicated. Anyway, in cases like this, the magic makes the brain fill in the gap on its own. So Oscar’s subconscious must have decided that the version where he accidentally pushed you in front of a car during a scuffle was the most likely. The driver bought it, too, and Blake took care of things, so there won’t be any trouble with the police. It sucks that Oscar is blaming himself, but don’t set him straight.”

Will had no intention of doing so. He felt that Oscar was, in a way, responsible. Maybe the feeling stemmed from his own grief and resentment, but he couldn’t help but blame him. Just like he blamed the person sitting right next to him now.

“In any case, the demon situation has been resolved,” Norma informed him, forcing a cheerful tone. “For good. You have nothing to worry about.”

“I’ve heard that before.”

“Will…”

“Is this visit over?” he cut her off harshly.

Norma sighed.

“I know you’re angry with me, and you have every right to be, but—”

“I have every right?” Will repeated mockingly. “You don’t say? I told you from the beginning something was wrong, but you brushed me off! And when I got really scared, you tried to make me out to be some paranoid, helpless idiot! You said nothing would happen. That’s just how demons are.” Norma shot him a warning glance, clearly signaling that he should lower his voice. “And now, while I’m lying here hooked up to machines, with an IV pumping drugs into my veins so I don’t howl in pain, you come here and tell me I have nothing to worry about? Oh, thank you, Norma! I feel so comforted that you handled the situation before it became a tragedy! Oh, wait. No, you didn’t.”

“I’m sorry,” Norma whispered. “I didn’t know it would end like this.”

“Right. But you did know a demon was following me, you were just too busy with your super-important parties to help me.”

“Believe it or not, I’ve heard plenty of that over the last few days, so you really don’t need to kick me while I’m down.”

“Oh, my heart bleeds for you, it really does.”

“Will. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t care!” Will exploded again. “You’re just like Oscar! You know you’ve done something wrong, so you come here, make excuses, and say the same thing over and over, and I really don’t want to listen to it!”

“What else am I supposed to say? I can’t turn back time. I made a mistake, okay? I realize that, but the only thing I can do at this point is say I’m sorry.”

“Great. Thanks.”