Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

place you’ll ever be before you cross, if you know what’s good for you. If
you can accept that, then we’ll be right as rain. Look. Here he comes.”
Wallace turned back toward the window. Hugo was walking down the
road, hands in the pockets of his apron, head bowed.
“Such a good boy,” Nelson said fondly. “Empathetic almost to a fault,
ever since he was a tyke. Causes him to take the weight of the world on his
shoulders. You would do well to listen to him and learn from him. I don’t
know if you could find yourself in better hands. Remember that before you
start hurling accusations.”
Mei waited for Hugo on the porch. Hugo looked up at her, smiling tiredly.
When they spoke, their voices were muffled but clear. “It’s all right,” he said.
“Cameron’s … well. He’s Cameron. Wallace?”
“Inside,” Mei said. Then, “Do you think it’ll bring the Manager?”
Hugo shook his head. “Probably not. But weirder things have happened.
We’ll explain if he does come.”
“The Manager?” Wallace whispered.
“Ooh, you don’t want to know,” Nelson muttered, picking up his cane as
he shuffled back toward his chair. “Trust me on that. Mei and Hugo’s boss.
Nasty fellow. Pray you don’t ever have to meet him. If you do, then I suggest
you do whatever he says.” He brushed a hand over Apollo’s back as the dog
rose. Apollo barked happily as he paced back and forth in front of the door.
He backed up as it opened, Mei talking a mile a minute as Hugo trailed in
after her. Apollo circled around the both of them. Hugo held out his hand.
Apollo sniffed his fingers and tried to lick them, but his tongue went right
through Hugo’s hand.
“All right?” Hugo asked even as Mei glared at Wallace.
No, Wallace wasn’t all right. Nothing about this was all right. “Why
didn’t you tell me I’m a prisoner?”
Hugo sighed. “Grandad.”
“What?” Nelson said. “Had to scare him straight.” He paused,
considering. “Something you probably don’t know a thing about, isn’t that
right? Because of the whole gay—”
“Grandad.”
“I’m old. I’m allowed to say whatever I want. You know this.”
“Pain in my ass,” Hugo mumbled, but Wallace could see the quiet smile
on his face. The hook tugged gently in his chest, warm and soft. Hugo’s smile