Merciless (40 page)
Alex alone knew the truth.
“All of those people—Collin, Guardian, Oblivion, the Bringer . . . They’re all gone,” he admitted slowly. “I’m still not really sure what that leaves.”
“It leaves you, sweetie. And that’s enough for me. But you didn’t bring me all the way down here to tell me that. So what are we really doing here?”
“Actually, I want you to meet someone,” he replied cryptically. “He’s arriving on the next bus.”
Alex smiled mischievously at him, enjoying watching him have his little mystery.
“And does our mystery guest have a name?”
“His name is Mark,” he replied.
“That was my little brother’s name,” Alex said, looking away, lost in thought.
“Yes, I know,” he went on. “He was frequently in your thoughts when Oblivion had you.”
Her head snapped back up. She nearly laughed out loud. “Don’t tell me how you did it, I don’t care!”
She threw her arms around him and kissed him long and hard. He returned the gesture.
“Are you sure it isn’t weird?” he said when they broke apart. “To be kissing Daniel’s lips instead of mine?”
Alex rolled her eyes. “I know who I’m kissing when I kiss you, sweetie.”
He smiled, weakly. “I still can’t shake that feeling that I owe the world . . . something. I mean, I know it wasn’t me. I wasn’t even here, I was
dead
. Or whatever. But I remember all of it, and in some weird way, even though it wasn’t me, it
feels
like it was.”
“We’ve been over this,” Alex said. “You’re responsible for no actions but your own.”
“But even at that,” he went on, “the world governments are still looking for a scapegoat for all of the terror and death and destruction that Oblivion wrought. Maybe if I offered myself to them, it might bring everyone some kind of closure. I mean, look at you. I don’t care what you say, I know those scars still cause you pain. How could I ever make up for that; it could never possibly be enough—”
“Stop it,” Alex said firmly. “It’s not up to you to offer penance for the pain of the whole world. Now get this through that head of yours. And if you hear nothing else I ever say, I want you to hear this. Forgiveness is not something that can be bought or earned. It’s a gift, free and clear. And I for one have already given it to you.
“Now that business is over and done with. And I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
With those words lingering in the air, hand-in-hand they sat and waited, and never spoke of it again.
THE END
Thanks to
. . .
Karen, my one true love, my soul mate. You’re the most amazing person I know.
Evan, my precious son. I’ve waited so long to be a dad, and you made me one. I adore you and I always will.
My family and all my friends. Your love and support mean the world.
My agent Beth Jusino and everyone at Alive Communications. You rock.
My genius editor David Long. Your instincts and attention to detail are impeccable.
My Father above. I’m always amazed by all the little ways you show me how much you love me.
Last but not least, I would be remiss without offering endless appreciation to a man I revere but have never met: Philip Yancey. His writing is among the most important of our time. His book
Disappointment With God
helped me make sense of the nature of the universe and our existence, and I am eternally grateful for it.
More Page-Turning Action
from Robin Parrish
The return of NASA’s first manned mission to Mars was supposed to be momentous. But when the crew loses touch with ground control before entry, things look bleak. Safe after a treacherous landing, the crew emerges to discover the unthinkable—every man, woman, child, and animal has vanished without a trace. Alone now on their home planet, the crew sets out to discover where everyone has gone—and how to get them back—only to discover they may not be as alone as they thought.
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by Robin Parrish