“Besides,” Diego said, shifting in his seat. “I’d rather be taking you from behind when I slit your throat.”
Ricky laughed. He couldn’t help it. To his relief, Diego did too.
“Where are we going?” he asked, and not for the first time.
Diego shook his head. “You’ll see.”
“It’s just that you said not to eat anything.”
“We’ll have dinner, don’t worry.”
“And to dress warm.” Ricky was wearing a thick brown sweater that made him appear bulkier than he really was. “So are we going to be outside all night?”
“Nah,” Diego said. “I’ll take care of you. Don’t worry.”
God he loved the sound of that! The Trans Am slowed as the road curved to the left and ended. They had reached a small clearing just large enough for a vehicle to turn around in. They parked to one side. Diego shut off the engine. In the dark of the interior, he was reduced to a sinister silhouette. Which only turned Ricky on that much more.
“This is a great spot,” he said, crawling over the gap between their seats and attempting to kiss his boyfriend.
“We’re not there yet,” Diego said, holding him at bay.
Ricky returned his attention to the world outside the car. The clearing was ringed by trees, their leafless branches like skeletal fingers that clawed at the wanning moon. “That’s okay,” he squeaked. “I like it here.”
“You’ll like it better where we’re going,” Diego said before leaving the car.
Ricky slipped out right behind him so they would remain close. He glanced around and shivered before following Diego to the trunk. “You’re not going to leave Frankenstein out here all by himself, are you?” He intentionally referenced the car’s nickname to remind Diego of his affection for it.
“He’s not scared of the dark,” his boyfriend responded. “Are you?”
“No! Of course not.”
“Good.” Diego opened the trunk and took out a huge backpack, the kind that hikers used… complete with a rolled up sleeping bag.
“Not at all,” Ricky added as he imagined what they might need it for.
“Then let’s go.”
Diego shouldered the pack and walked them to the edge of the clearing, where a narrow path disappeared into the night.
“Wait,” Ricky said, fear making his knees not want to bend. “I am kind of scared. I don’t like being in the woods.”
Diego snorted and took a step forward. “Right.”
“I mean it,” Ricky said, grabbing his arm to stop him.
Diego looked over his shoulder before turning to face him. “Why would you be scared of a bunch of trees? If you’re worried about wild animals, don’t be. All the noise we’re making will scare them off.”
Ricky swallowed. “It’s not that either.”
Diego shook his head, not understanding. “I’ll keep you safe. Okay?”
Ricky nodded, but when he looked toward the woods again, he froze. Until he felt the warmth of a big strong hand envelop his own.
“I promise,” Diego said.
“Thanks.”
Ricky moved closer, wanting to cling to his arm, but the path was too narrow. Diego didn’t let go of his hand. Even when they were forced to walk single file. Ricky held on to him like a lifeline as the woods closed in around them.
“So if it’s not the dark,” Diego’s voice rumbled from ahead, “and it’s not animals, what are you scared of?”
“Getting trapped here.” Ricky said, the air thin in his lungs. “I used to have recurring dreams when I was a kid. They would always start in a clearing. And I’d feel safe there, but only at first. This slow panic would come over me until I’d feel the need to run. Not because of anything in the clearing with me. It was more like if your house was on fire and you had to escape. And I would try, but the woods never seemed to end. No matter how far I ran, but in the end, I’d always end up in the same clearing. And the trees would close in around me, or grab me if I tried to escape again, but I’d fight against them until—”
His voice strangled to a halt.
Diego stopped and turned around without letting go of his hand.
“I’m sorry,” Ricky said. “It’s stupid.”
“What about caves?” Diego asked. “You ever have bad dreams about those?”
Ricky blinked in confusion. “No.”
“Good. Come here.” He pulled on Ricky’s arm, and before he knew what was happening, he was swept up into Diego’s arms.
“What are you doing?”
“Carrying you. I know where I’m going. We won’t get lost.”
“But you’ve already got a massive pack on!”
“You help balance it out. Now close your eyes.”
“No way!”
“Do it,” Diego said as he resumed walking. “Imagine somewhere safe.”
He pictured them back in Frankenstein, where he always felt secure. Although when he leaned his head against Diego’s chest, that was all he needed to chase away his fears.
“This is nice,” he murmured.
“Yeah.” Diego’s voice sounded strained. “Why don’t we do this more often?”
“I bet you give great piggy back rides. Hey, we could try that! I’ll put the backpack on so you don’t have to carry it.”
“I don’t think that would help,” Diego grunted. “The pack is the only real issue. You weigh about as much as a wet towel.”
“If you put me down we could carry it together.” Ricky opened his eyes and could swear that branches were reaching for him. “Although I would have to walk with my eyes closed,” he said, squeezing them shut again.
“What do you imagine?” Diego asked him. “When you want to feel safe.”
“Being with you,” Ricky said. “In your car.”
Laughter rumbled against his ear. “I like that. Frankenstein does too.”
“Next year we can just park somewhere.”
“Or go on a road trip.”
Ricky lifted his head, despite keeping his eyes closed. “That would be so cool!”
“Yeah. I hope you like this too.”
“Like what?” Ricky swiveled his head around, trying to orient on a new sound. He heard running water!
“You’re not scared of creeks, are you?”
“Nope! Just creaking trees.”
“Good, because we’re there.”
Ricky risked opening his eyes and saw that the scene had changed. The woods were behind them and to the left. The land in front gave way to a creek with a strong current, judging from the shimmer of reflected moonlight. On their right was a craggy wall of exposed rock, a few bare bushes and spindly trees growing where it leveled out ten feet above their heads. The sky beyond was inky black.
“This is…” Ricky said, trying to find flattering words. “Umm.”
“Are you okay here?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.” Diego set him down. Then he began walking along the stone cliff face. He led them to where it disappeared into a line of trees, but he didn’t venture into the woods themselves, thankfully. Although his relief was short-lived when Ricky noticed a gaping maw in the rock large enough for them to step into. Which seemed to be Diego’s intent.