Page 90 of Abdominal Snowman

“You can have anything you want,” the dad interjected, eyes still wide with disbelief and relief. He nodded once to Soren before pulling his family away. “Let’s go home.”

“It’s Tobin,” a familiar voice said, and Sage felt like a puppet with the way she turned to yet another person, expecting the worst but not getting it. Jane left to go to Brian’s side, peering into the smoldering car. “Someone grab Hal and the med kit. He’s out.”

Brian sighed, placing his hands on his hips and looking around. When no one moved, Brian lifted his hands as if to ask, what? Yet they still didn’t snap into action until Brian clapped his hands.

Sage didn’t know what to do but hold Soren’s hand. She was gripping it so tightly she worried about cutting off his circulation, except Soren held hers back just as firmly. Slowly, they tiptoed to the edge of the rink as more and more people moved in to help.

A younger man arrived in moments, his dark blue jacket proudly proclaiming “Berrysburg Volunteer Fire”. Sage couldn’t see into the car, but she heard when Hal pronounced Tobin alive and alright.

Brian’s head popped up over the crowd as he rose to his full height and scanned his gaze over the throng. His lifted a hand their way when he caught sight of Soren and slowly made his way through the crowd.

What the hell was going on? No one had pitchforks out yet to run them from town as Soren always feared. Sage could not make everything add up.

“Brian, I—” Soren started.

Brian waved a hand at him. “Soren, don’t start with me. You saved that kid. Now take this pretty lady home and put her in front of a fire. She looks half frozen.”

“Hey!” Sage interjected between chattering teeth. What? She’d never gotten her hot chocolate.

“But what about…” Soren motioned to himself, indicating the still ripped jeans and shirt beneath the layers of clothes he’d been loaned.

Brian blinked. “About what? The son of Sascha and Tomas Kanine should rightfully be the town hero, not the town hermit. You were probably too young to remember, but they raised this place up. We know all” —Brian emphasized the word with raised eyebrows— “about them. And you by extension. Now get out of here before seeing you jogs Tobin’s memory.”

Sage reeled. What the fuck? “What’s that mean?”

Soren interrupted with two flailing hands. “Hold up. Are you telling me that… that—”

“We already know, Soren,” Jane said as she appeared. “All of Berrysburg knows. We always have.”

Brian winked at her. “See? Nothing to worry about. And Jane took care of Tobin, so we shouldn’t have any loose ends there. She’s got all kinds of cocktails in that apothecary of hers.”

Sage froze, mouth dropping open in a very similar fashion to Soren’s. Brian patted Soren on the shoulder, smiling widely at their reaction.

“Your parents did so much for this town, Soren. We’ll help keep your secret.”

Soren shook his head, looked toward the skies, his eyes misty. “Thank you,” he choked out.

Jane poked her head around Brian, mischief running wild across her features.

“Tobin will be okay. Hal and I took care of him.” She winked toward Soren before making her way back to the still steaming car. Hal looked her up and down appreciatively before assisting Tobin from the wreckage.

“What the hell...” Tobin’s groan echoed across the snow as he was pulled from the car and sat in the back of an ambulance.

“Oh, Tobin, thank goodness you’re okay!” Jane cried. The woman deserved an Oscar for the way she took off to Tobin’s side, playing the worried citizen. “You took that corner so sharp, thank goodness you only hit the fence!”

Sage wrinkled her nose. That wasn’t right.

Turning from where she and Soren stood, she creeped up on her tiptoes and saw a small portion of the fence moved in front of Tobin’s car.

“That wasn’t there before,” she whispered to Soren, tugging on his arm and pulling his attention to the car and fence.

Let us help keep your secret.

Sage grinned, laughing aloud and grabbing her abominable’s hand. What were the chances?

Apparently the magic of Berrysburg didn’t stop with Soren.