The sound of his voice comes grating across my ears, causing a pang in my chest that I hate knowing that I feel. 

"I'm not coming back. I'm here for formality, Kade. Why are you here?" The wicked grin that stretches across his face makes me feel nauseous, my stomach doing somersaults. 

"Formality, my dear. Formality. And how is our dear Anthony? He's still doing just fine, I hope." Something tells me that there's a plan behind his grin, but I don't want to lose face now. Although I can feel the lead in my shoes, I turn and walk away, silently praying that Anthony answers me when I text him.

"Don't run too far, Dante. I don't want to have to come and get you."

The letters won't scroll across the screen fast enough, my fingers fumbling to tap out the words, but failing as it feels like sweat is rolling down my back.

D: Anthony, please be careful. Is everything okay?

I'm waiting as patiently as I can for a response as I walk aimlessly around the room, avoiding everyone in an attempt to calm my nerves. When the services are over, he still hasn't responded to me and I'm now more jumpy and nervous than ever. Each breath I take makes my head ache and when I make it into the parking lot, I scan the cars for Daniel's Honda before my eyes rest on Daniel and Kadence talking at the other end of the lot. Daniel nods in agreement to something as he gets in his car.

"Wait! Daniel!" My yells fall on deaf ears as I see him drive off. I cast glances around at my other family members, my fingers fumbling together as a lump forms in my throat, their disgusted faces giving me no other options to get home other than to walk. My feet bounce off of the pavement like I'm running a marathon except that my body doesn't allow me to go that fast. As if like a gift from heaven, I find my way out of view and away from everyone. Gazing across the area, I'm alone and once I can breathe again, I check my phone.

A: Yeah everyhtings fine.hows the funeral?

D: Great. Everything is just great. I'll be home by nightfall. Are you waiting at the station for me?

A: I wouldnt miss it for the world.

Little did I know that when I looked back up, Kade was there, leaning against a tree as I gripped my phone in my pocket. There's nothing nearby that will help me get away except maybe a bike rack, but I've yet to figure out how to use it. As he lights his cigarette, he tucks his lighter in his pocket, drawing in the tar and smoke before releasing it out into the open air.

"I told you not to run far. Didn't I? It's like I somewhat remember saying it, but then I also remember telling you that I didn't like it when you ran away. Either way, I really don't remember saying I was okay with an open relationship. How could you cheat on me and move away without saying anything to me?" As he saunters closer, I take a step back, matching him step for step subconsciously until my back hits a tree and wakes me from my stupor. I don't have long before he's right on me, his hand around my throat as I claw and kick, trying desperately to bring my knee up and connect with anything that will set me free. I don't think I succeeded, though, as my hands fall limp and everything disappears.

---

As I come to, I find myself strapped to a bed that I've tried to forget for so many years. The sheet that is tossed over me is thin enough that I'm freezing and it does not help that I'm naked beneath it. A piercing pain shoots through my head and I struggle to breathe as Kadence walks around the edge of the bed, a dark chuckle carving its way out of his chest as he walks his fingers along my side.

"You know, Danny, I didn't think that killing your father would draw you out. I expected your heartless response to leave him behind just like you left me. Imagine my surprise when I ran into you at the funeral."

I try to yell at him from behind the tape, painfully wrapped around my mouth and securing my jaw shut. My attempt only manages to send stars dancing through my vision as I choke out air through my nose, tears welling in my eyes.

"Nooo, don't try to defend yourself now, Dante. You've broken my heart. How can I possibly recover?" The large blade that he pulls along my side, barely grazing my skin, sends shivers down my spine and goosebumps across my skin as I panic. I can feel the room spinning around me and the air becoming so thick that I can't draw it through my nose fast enough. Everything is happening too fast and the only thing I can think about is Anthony waiting for me at that train station.

---

Anthony 

I have been waiting for an hour on this bench. Honestly, I'm still early. Waiting for Dante to come home even just after a few days has left me in a state of mind that scares me more than it ever has. I have to bring him home. Each day is a struggle just to look at those walls. Although it has been a while and everything has been decorated and repainted, I can still see it all. Dante is the only person, or thing for that matter, that keeps me away from that mess. As I check my watch, I can hear the train pull into the station and I check my watch. Right on time. I stand, shaking my hands together to chase away the chill as I roll back on my heels. When the train attendant takes his place on the platform he smiles, waving at me as he sees that I'm the only person in sight.

"Are you planning to board, sir?"

"No, sir, I'm waiting on my partner. Dante?"

As he steps into the car, he looks back and forth, checking the seats for a moment before he steps back out.

"Sir, there's no one waiting on this stop."

He looks over me with worry as I brush past him, frantically racing down the aisle's while calling Dante's phone. I can't hear a thing and as I confirm the attendant's response, I jump out of the car, running along the platform as fast as I can. I can't hear what the attendant says and I'm out of sight before the train even leaves the station.

"Dante, I need you to pick up. Answer me, please!" His voicemail continues to pick up until it no longer rings when I call. I keep pushing myself, racing into town until I realize I left the car at the station and curse myself for running. It's too late now and as I come upon the diner, Mike sees me sprinting around the corner, huffing as I burst through the front door.

"Whoa! Whoa, boy! Where's the fire?!" Mike's stupid jokes fall to the ground with his smile as I gasp out, "Dante . . . Dante's not on . . . the train . . ."

I collapse on the floor, huffing as the room spins. Mike pulls me up into a seat, giving me a glass of water as he tries to calm my nerves.

"It's possible that he missed his train. Maybe he slept through it."

"He's not answering his phone, Mike. Straight to voicemail."

As he pulls me into a hug, he nods to the Beth, telling her to run the store as he takes me home, helping me call a few people to search for him.

---

It's been a month with no word from Dante and I can't stay in this house anymore. I've been back to Eureka Springs for one week since I went to Hattiesburg to find Dante. I left two days after he didn't show at the station and what I found when I got there were no traces of anything. I'd alerted the sheriff and put out fliers. I spoke with all of his family, getting the nothing that I expected from such an ungrateful group. And after coming up empty handed, I returned home, sifting through what was left of my life. It's quite possible that Dante simply left me. 

Even as I think it, tears fall down my cheeks. I have refused these thoughts for so long and now that I have to face what I've lost, I can't take it any more. I crumple to the floor, sobbing and crying out through the empty house. I can't think anymore. I can't live through this anymore. 

As I scream and yell my frustrations to the world, I fail to hear the door open and close, nor do I hear the shuffle of soft feet across the wood floors until I see his mangled body drop to his knees.

"I had to. I had to return. To you." 

I pick myself up, dialing emergency services before I even make it to him. When he falls into my lap, his body is wet and cold, red staining his shirt everywhere and dribbling from his nose and mouth as I grip his face, turning it to me and gently brushing open his eyes.

"911-what's your emergency?"

"I need medical assistance. One person, it looks like exposure or maybe he was attacked. I don't know. He's been missing for a month."

"Where are you located?"

"1489 Whisper Road."

"I have emergency services on their way. Can you tell me what you see? Is he responsive?"

As I answer her questions, I can feel his weight becoming heavier and I shake him, his breathing slowing.

"No. No no no no. Dante! Listen to me! We're going to be okay. I need you to wake up. I need you to stay here." The more I shake his shoulders and slap his cheeks to wake him up, the more I panic until I've dropped the phone entirely, heavy sobs ripping through me as my eyes burn and I frantically squeeze him as if I can keep his soul inside of his body long enough for them to help him.

"Dante please, don't leave. Don't do this."

The sounds of tires coming into the yard barely reach my ears before they knock at the door and let themselves inside. When they drag us apart, I can almost see his body become a little bit lighter. I can see him leave me. And I know he'll never come back to me. 

---

When night falls, Mike comes back to check up on me and I fill him in. I haven't spoken to anyone since it happened.

"Son, I'm so sorry."

Mike's never been one for sad situations, but his big hugs suffice to break my wall of numbness and I can feel the tears rushing to my chin again. It is even harder to stop when I see the photos of us plastered across the fridge behind him. As I stumble out of his grip, the only thing I can feel is rage. A fury I've never felt before is scaling up my body and erupting from my chest in a vicious outburst. I swipe everything off of the counter, breaking the glass cups and sending candies across the floor as I drag down the storage rack beside the door, screaming until my throat hurts. I stomp up the stairs, banging my fists along the rails.

"It's not fair! Why can't I have him?! Why can't I have one person?!"

I throw myself into the door to my parents room, breaking the hinges as it swings back, the knob lodging itself in the wall.

"WHYYY?! WHY, YOU BASTARD?! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO TAKE EVERYTHING FROM ME?!" Mike's hands pull me from their room, dragging me into his grip as I hiccup and cough.

"It's going to be tough from now on, but you have to calm down, son."

When I turn my head away, I notice the door to my brothers room is open and I hesitate before leaning out of his arms. As I come to the door, I push it open to reveal walls covered in photos that I recognize and then also seem unfamiliar, the futon to the side is folded up into a couch to make room for a large table, lights framing the room on all sides and meeting together at the table on the far end of the room. When I come closer I see a note scribbled beneath a light switch that says flip me and when I do, the entire room begins to breathe and pulse with life. The trains begin to run the tracks, weaving between handmade mountains and rivers crafted from clay and painted to perfection. There are trees and shrubs outlining small stations and enclosures for tiny houses and small people. 

I find my legs growing heavy and I drop to my knees on the floor, the wind stolen from my chest as I notice my trains and my memorabilia set up all throughout the room. I pull a blanket from the couch and find Anthony's name embroidered on the edge.

"Did he do this?"

I nodded, the tears still falling even after I felt I'd run out of anymore to shed.

As I glance under the table, I notice a small box and I pick it up, turning it over to find a note taped to it.

Dear Anthony,

I know how much you loved your brother so I made this room for you. Anytime that you feel like you're alone and you miss him, you can come here. Happy Birthday, baby. I love you. -Dante

The more that I read over it, the harder my tears fall as I clutch what is left of my Dante. I turn the box to find a label, TO: Caleb FROM: Anthony.

I've never seen this box in my life and I'm afraid to open it. Can it really be from him?

"What's wrong, boy? What's that?"

"It's a gift from Anthony," I choke the words out as time feels like it stops and caves in on itself, "I never told him that Anthony was my brother, Mike. I've been using his name for so long that I couldn't bring myself to say it. I've never opened this gift before." 

I carefully unwrapped the gift, pulling at the top of the box where I find a note above tissue paper.

Caleb, paw told me that all you'll ever need is time. He gave this to me and I know how badly you liked it so I want to give it to you.

As I pull away the tissue paper, I find an old watch, the kind on a chain that hangs and ticks away at your side, a little hinge holding a tiny door on the opposite side just big enough to place a small picture in it. When I jump up, I startle Mike, running into the kitchen and tearing the photobooth pictures from the skating rink off of the fridge and snatching the scissors. I cut them to size and I stack them in front of each other inside the picture side with the one where we kissed on the top of the small stack. As I walk up the stairs again, I find myself smiling again and I stand at the edge of the door to my new favorite room. Although I love this room more than anything now, I'll not be fooled by those trains. There's no one in them. They're empty and dead inside. But I'll sleep in this room for the rest of my life.