Seth never paused as he told his story. All the way through, he spoke in a neutral tone, even though the speed his breathing increased slightly, along with a tortured expression in his eyes, especially when he mentioned little Millie Wilkins.
Sal hadn’t been able to read him at all. He wanted to know more about Seth. There was a warrior in him, combined with a gentleness that made Sal want to reach out. Seth was a person he wanted to get to know better, though it felt they had never truly been strangers.
That day he'd first laid eyes on Seth, he knew there was something special between them.
“You saved those kids," Sal said, wary that Seth might get up and leave. "You’re a hero.”
“Not really. I was just in the neighborhood. Anyone would have done what I did. Humans can be so cruel.”
Sal dared himself to touch Seth’s leg. “What happened to your father, Seth?”
“I don’t know, and I don't really care. I haven’t spoken to him since that day. He never cared about me, anyway.”
“You must think I’m an immature, spoiled brat,” Sal said staring down at his shoes.
Seth brushed some hair away from Sal’s face. His touch was like liquid adrenaline being injected directly into his bloodstream, and he felt his body tingle all over “What makes you think that?”
“Some people would say I have it all, that I shouldn’t complain or act out. Not like you—you've come such a long way.”
“Then I'd say that 'some people' don’t know what the hell they're talking about," Seth said resolutely. “You have to bring yourself back before your light fades.”
Sal wasn’t completely sure what Seth had meant, and he hated to seem like an idiot, but he asked, “My light?” anyway.
“Yes, you have so much light, Sal, I'd hate to see it go out.”
Sal wanted his moment with Seth to last forever, but the weather seemed to have taken a turn for the worst.
Seth rose from his seat next to Sal and looked right at him with his magical, hypnotizing eyes. “Please, tell me you’ll let me take you to see Darwin.”
“Before my light fades?” Sal said defeated.
Seth laughed indulgently. “Exactly, my lovely. “I’ll text you.”
Sal just smiled, reconciling with the fact that he'd been beaten—he hadn't stood a chance against Seth.
When they parted, heavy clouds had gathered on the horizon; a storm was approaching.