Resurrecting Elliot by Cate Ashwood

Author:Cate Ashwood
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2015-07-02T23:00:00+00:00

AS THEY had the day before, they started off slowly. Colt let Elliot set the pace as they ventured their way from living room to doorway, doorway to porch, porch to steps, and finally steps to walkway. Elliot knew for sure his blood pressure spiked as he set foot on the smooth concrete path, but he was still relatively calm. His hand was in Colt’s, and it fit there so perfectly that he chose to concentrate on that rather than how far they were from the safety of his house.

Colt acted as his very own personal life preserver as they moved in inches toward the gate at the front of the property. He felt the squeeze as Colt reassured him through touch. Although it felt like it took hours, eventually they made it to the end of the path where his lot met the street.

They stopped, and Elliot turned to face Colt, Elliot’s cheeks flushed and his heart speeding. But it wasn’t the desperate feeling of panic that filled his veins this time. Instead it was the intense sensation of triumph. He wasn’t completely calm, and in fact his palms were sweaty enough that it was a wonder Colt was still able to grip his hand, but the fear that lived in his chest was eclipsed by the enormous feeling of accomplishment.

“How are you doin’?” Colt asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

“I’m good, actually. Unbelievably. I’m not going to melt down into a puddle of panic, which is pretty amazing. Thank you,” he added, the last two words little more than a whisper.

“You got nothin’ to thank me for. This is all you, Elliot. You did this. I just stood beside to watch.”

Elliot flushed with pride. He knew it was a little silly. How many people were proud of themselves for walking ten feet from their front doors? But then again, how many people nearly fainted at the thought of leaving their houses?

“Do you wanna keep goin’?” Colt asked.

Elliot thought about it. There was a chance he was going to lose his shit, but then again, there was a chance he wasn’t. He was feeling emboldened and empowered by the progress he made. “Yeah. I’ve made it farther today than I’ve made it in almost a year, and I want to keep going. I want to be able to walk down the street with you, or visit you at your place, or go for dinner with you. Let’s go.”

Colt beamed at him and pushed the gate open. Snickers darted through ahead of them. Still holding his hand, Colt led him through. Elliot beamed back. He could do this.

The sidewalk was cracked and a little jagged, but in the middle of the fissures that bisected each of the sections of concrete, irrepressible little plants had sprouted through, decorating the cracks and crevices. He counted them as he stepped over each one. Four… five… six….

He concentrated on the feeling of Colt’s hand, warm in his, and the solid thunk of his feet hitting the ground as they walked.

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