“It’s an alien,” said Aaron.
“Come on…”
“I’m telling you, it’s an alien. How can you even deny it? There’s nothing natural that can change a person like that. The corkscrew came from space.”
Ryan wanted to argue. If he had an alternative theory, he would have put it forward, but the truth was that he had no idea what was happening aside from the fact it was horrifying and unbelievable. Sean had gone from man to monster in a single weekend. It didn’t take a doctor to see how wrong that was.
“I don’t know what this is, Aaron, but mam made me promise to keep you safe, so, somehow, I need to get us out of here. I don’t think a pair of old mountain bikes is going to cut it.”
“What about this then?” Aaron nodded at the chainsaw.
Ryan had never used a chainsaw before, but he suddenly pictured himself revving the thing up and slicing Sean to pieces. It was an unpleasant image, yet strangely empowering. He lifted the tool from behind the rope holding it in place. “I just pull this cord, right?”
“Don’t ask me.”
Ryan huffed. “Okay, well, here goes.” He yanked at a small plastic loop attached to a nylon cord, turning his head away and wincing. Nothing happened. He yanked the cord again, several times, but all he managed to produce was a weak, throaty sound from the tool’s inner workings. Defeated, he hoisted the chainsaw and rattled it beside his head. “I think it’s out of petrol. Is there any in here? They must keep some for the generator.”
Both brothers searched, but it didn’t take them long to discover that there wasn’t any petrol lying around inside the shed. Ryan swore in disappointment.
“We could syphon it from Tom’s car?” Aaron suggested.
“If we could safely go outside and syphon petrol, we wouldn’t need the sodding chainsaw, would we?”
Aaron tutted and turned away, rooting through the various junk in search of a solution.
Ryan sighed. “Sorry, I’m just on edge – obviously. I keep expecting to wake up from this nightmare, but it keeps on going. Did I take some of Sean’s gear last night?”
“No, but it probably would have been better if you had. This whole thing is like a drug trip – not that I’d know.” He shared a laugh with himself, then muttered, “I should have stayed at home.”
Ryan was hurt for a second, but then he leaned back against the wooden slats making up the walls and let out a long sigh. “I shouldn’t have dragged you up here.”
“Why did you? Why did you even want me here, Ryan?”
“You having a laugh? You’re my little bro – of course I wanted you here. Cartwright brothers united, yeah?”
“United until one of them goes and gets married.”
Ryan groaned. “You really want me to stay at home forever?”
“Yes!”
Petulance was a natural defence for a fifteen-year-old, but it still managed to aggravate, and Ryan groaned at the display of selfishness. Aaron seemed to realise he was being unfair, because he quickly apologised. “Of course I don’t expect you to stay at home just for me, but I thought you would take a little more time before you upped and left. Why can’t you wait a while longer before you marry Sophie?”
“Because I love her!” Ryan almost shouted it, a sudden need to defend his choices taking over him. He had asked Sophie to marry him because he loved her, that much he knew. His reluctance had only arrived afterwards, as the wedding drew nearer, but on the night he had popped the question there had been no doubt in his mind. He had wanted to marry Sophie.
I wanted it more than anything else in the world.
It had happened at Alton Towers. They were riding Oblivion, suspended in mid-air and waiting to plummet into the smoky depths below. Ryan had been terrified, sure he was going to die, so he had reached out and grabbed Sophie’s hand. They fell and he screamed, but he never let go of her hand. A moment later, they emerged from a dark tunnel and whipped back into the light – safe and alive and deliriously happy. Right then was the moment Ryan had known with his entire being that the woman laughing beside him was the most important thing in his life, and that he wanted to spend decades sharing moments like this with her. Scary moments. Funny moments. Sad moments. He didn’t want any of it if it wasn’t with her.
Ryan had asked Sophie to marry him the moment they stepped off the ride. It wasn’t romantic or thoughtful, but it was real. Sophie must have felt the authenticity of his proposal because she had said yes. She had said yes, and a week later they were picking out rings.
Then the fear had set in.
“I know you love her,” said Aaron, “but it just seems like you’re rushing things.”
Ryan stepped in front of his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ve been with Sophie for eighteen months, but you’re right, it’s not that long. The thing is, though, when you fall in love, it only takes a second. If it takes any longer than that then you’re not doing it right.” Aaron tried to turn away, but Ryan wouldn’t let him. “I love Sophie, and I’m going to marry her as soon as I get the hell away from this cottage, but you know what, little brother? Nothing will ever replace my love for you. Till the day I die, I’ll always be your big brother; I’ll always have your back; but I need you to have my back too. I need you to be a man and be happy for me. Be happy for me because I’m finally moving forward with my life.”
Aaron seemed angry for a moment, but slowly he softened. Tears formed in his eyes, but he hid them by pulling Ryan into a hug. “I am happy for you. I’m just sad for me. That’s okay, though, because
