Chapter Fourteen

A row of lights decorated the ceiling of the lengthy hall, encompassing every bit of space with light. Little puddles of blood sat in every place possible and made the white floor look brighter than usual. At the end of the hall stood Josiah with his camera, directing where Jonathan should stand. In front of Jonathan stood Sara with tattered clothes and corn syrup covering her face. She held the rubber knife prop in her hand.

“Y'all are going to have to sort of sprint without actually hurting each other,” Josiah instructed. “So, basically, just speed-walk down this hall toward me. Don't worry about stepping in the puddles. I've already gotten some shots of those.”

“Should I be screaming?” Sara asked.

“Absolutely! You're terrified! This guy is coming after you in this small space and one wrong step could mean the end of your life. Think about how this could be your last day on earth.”

Her face went white. “Ugh, I really hate to.”

“Let that hatred fuel the fear. Direct it at Jonathan. Before you reach the end of the hall, Mark will jump in and attempt to intercept. That's when you accidentally stab him.”

Behind Josiah was a shuffling sound. Mark came into view of the camera with a playful grin. “So, I should be terrified, too?”

“A mixture of terror and determination. This is where you want the killings to stop. You wrote these stories on paper and this wild fan—Jonathan—is making them all come to life. Not some supernatural being or demonic entity—a person. That means there's a chance it could stop.”

“That's a lot to embody in one moment,” Mark commented.

“I'm more than confident you can pull it off. Think about it. Pump yourself up. Jump if you have to. Just do it!”

When Mark left the shot, all Josiah could see was Jonathan and Sara at the end of the hall. Jonathan lifted his mask and leaned forward.

“How should my face look?” he inquired jokingly.

Josiah gave him a silly look. “Well, you should look menacing.”

The crew laughed.

“All right, boss. I can do that.”

“Very good. Places, everyone! Sound rolling?”

“Sound is rolling,” Connor replied.

“These are the last few scenes, folks. We're almost to a full movie!”

A round of whoops erupted and filled the hallway until Josiah lifted his hand. He held up three fingers and began counting them down silently. Just as he held one finger in the air, a tap on his shoulder interrupted him. Annoyed, he spun around.

“Do you need someone to clap this?”

Mouth agape, he found himself staring at Levi. The look on Levi's face was a mixture of hope and sorrow that shifted into a hopeful grin as he held up the scene marker. The scene and take were already written on it. Though it was incorrect, it made Josiah smile warmly. And just as quickly, his smile turned to a scowl.

“I thought you quit,” he grumbled.

“I came back.”

“So, it's that easy to leave and come back?”

The hallway remained eerily silent, as tense as any horror scene could possibly be. Josiah stood firm with his body slanted toward the cast at the other end of the hall, but with his gaze turned to Levi.

“I just thought...Well, I wanted to come apologize,” Levi explained in a low voice. “I wanted to talk.”

“We're sort of in the middle of something right now.”

“I know. I'm sorry. I'll be happy to stand aside and wait.”

“Maybe you should go outside.”

Levi nodded. “If that's better, I'll do that.”

“Go outside and leave.”

The look of hope diminished into one of hurt. Josiah immediately regretted his verbal stab and lowered the camera, turning his body completely around to face Levi.

“Just...” Josiah faded for a moment. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Everyone, take ten.”

Josiah set his camera on the tripod. He glanced down the hall at Sara and Jonathan who were exchanging worried looks. Connor was already making his way carefully over the expertly placed puddles, holding up his boom microphone as if it were a precious infant. When he reached the other side, the three cast members dove into hurried chatter as they scooted out of view. Josiah swallowed hard.

“Here, we can step into my room,” he offered as he returned his attention to the situation. “It's out of earshot.”

“I mean, I don't mind anyone else hearing this.”

“I do.”

Sullenly, Levi stepped into the bedroom after Josiah. There was a palpable tension between them that Josiah noted felt like stress and sexual tension. He wanted to pounce on Levi as much as he wanted to smack Levi, and he couldn't tell which one was going to happen first. As he sat slowly on his bed, he invited Levi to sit.

Levi sat tentatively next to Josiah. He placed his hands on his knees and drummed them anxiously, parting his lips soundlessly multiple times in succession. He looked incredibly nervous. Josiah sympathized with him and rested his hand upon Levi's dancing fingers.

“It's okay,” he whispered. “I'm listening.”

“I'll start by saying I'm sorry for interrupting your production. I didn't think it was still happening today. I thought maybe it would take a while for my replacement to come into town.”

“Actually, I didn't call Brandon. I thought better of it.”

Levi smiled weakly before continuing. “I'm also sorry for the way I acted when we went out to dinner. I must have made a complete ass out of myself. You took care of me when you didn't have to and I'm forever grateful for your kindness. I didn't really deserve it.” Levi took a deep breath. His eyes looked glossy like maybe he was tired or on the verge of crying. Perhaps it was both. “I should have told you about my addiction. I'm sorry.”

Josiah stared. “I kind of guessed.”

“You guessed I had a problem?”

“Sure. I found the chip on your table.”

Levi chuckled. “Well, shit.”

“And I felt awful for letting you drink.”

“Oh, Jo, never feel bad for that. It was my decision and mine alone to make. Please, don't feel at fault for my relapse. It was my responsibility to be upfront about it.”

“But if I had known, I could have helped.”

“It's not your affliction. It's mine. I'm responsible for it.”

With little effort, Josiah leaned in and hugged Levi. “Okay, I'll accept that. And I forgive you. I honestly forgave you the moment it all happened.”

“Oh, Jo...”

Levi choked. As he rested on Josiah's shoulder, he shivered. Josiah hugged him harder. “If this is your affliction, I'll do my best to respect it.”

“I can't tell you how much that means to me.”

“I'm sure it means a lot. I won't drink around you, nor will I keep it in the house if you come over.”

“Oh, you don't have to go to those lengths.”

“I know I don't have to, but I want to.”

Levi shivered again. “God, you're amazing.”

“And so are you. Even if you fall down sometimes, I will always find you amazing and talented. I love the person you are.”

“It's so nice to hear that coming from you. It feels good to feel cherished.”

“I'd be a horrible boyfriend if I didn't cherish you.”

Levi perked up. “Boyfriend?”

Josiah grinned and stroked Levi's cheek. He let his fingers trail over the stubble along Levi's cheek and up over Levi's ear. There, he let his hand rest for a moment as he admired Levi's features. “Only if you want to.”

“There's more I need to do first.”

“Go ahead. I'm totally still listening.”

“I want to know how I can make things right.”

Still smiling, Josiah leaned in close until their lips were nearly touching. “You've already done that by speaking to me.”

Without another word, he kissed Levi. He leaned into Levi's mouth as deeply as he could, delivering a kiss so impassioned that it knocked them back on his bed. The hair along his arms had stood up at some point during their conversation. It was a delight to feel this hopeful sensation as if they were meant to have it. He rolled Levi over and pulled Levi on his lap, squeezing Levi's hips as their gaze met.

“I love you,” Levi whispered. “I'm sure of it now.”

Josiah smiled warmly. “I love you, too.”

Levi's face lit up. No more did he look mournful and unpleasant. The very skin of his cheeks was bright red, burning passionately in the light spilling in from the hallway. Chatter could be heard from the kitchen, but Josiah didn't mind it. He was happy, and he didn't much care about anything else.

Lovingly, Levi traced Josiah's cheek. “May I come back to the project?”

“Of course, you can. I'll be glad to have you back.”

“And dating—what about that?”

Josiah grinned. “That sounds like a fantastic idea, too.”

Levi bent over and met Josiah's lips. Josiah instinctively wrapped his arms around Levi's waist. He held him in place for a moment, delighting in the sensation of their bodies growing excited by the second. But the production was still in tow. He had to pause and control himself.

When he pulled away, he whispered, “We have to get back.”

“I almost don't want to.”

“I know, but we're already behind schedule. We can get together again later on. How does that sound?”

Levi smiled. “Sounds great, boss.”

Chuckling, Josiah nuzzled Levi's nose. “I'm not sure if I entirely like being called that in my own bed.”

“Well, there's plenty of other endearing terms I could call you.”

“Like?”

“Honey, darling, sweetie...”

“Whatever you feel works. Just maybe not ‘boss.’”

“Yes, sir.”

Grinning, Josiah rose from the bed and took Levi's hand. He led Levi out into the messy hall where they braved the corn syrup field all the way to the kitchen. He felt his face grow hot as he met his crew.

“All right, folks. Ready to get back to it?”

Everyone in attendance nodded.

“Great. Let's start from the top!”

As the room plunged into action, Josiah gripped Levi's hand. He hadn't released it at any point during their trek from his bedroom to the kitchen. He turned to Levi while everyone piled into the hallway, catching Levi's honey-gold eyes and smiling as a result.

“Let's finish this film,” Levi stated confidently.

“Together,” Josiah added. “Let's finish it together.”