Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

whispered. “When you brought me back, when you put your hook into my
chest, I felt it. They’re yours, Wallace. And you’re theirs. Make sure they
know that. You don’t know when you’ll get the chance again.”
“I will,” Wallace whispered back.
Cameron kissed his cheek before letting Wallace go. Hugo grabbed the
leash, eyes soft and sad.
Cameron breathed in and out once, twice, three times. He said, “Hugo?”
“I’m here.”
“I found my way back. It took a little while, but I did. Thank you for
believing in me. I think I’m ready now.” And with that, he grasped the hook
Wallace couldn’t see. Cameron grimaced as he pulled it from his chest. He
gasped in relief as he opened his hand.
“It’s gone,” Hugo said quietly. “It’s time.”
“I feel it,” Cameron said, looking up toward the door. “I’m rising. Hugo,
please. Open the door.”
Hugo did. He reached up, fingers grazing against the doorknob. He
gripped it and twisted it once.
It was as it’d been with Alan. Light spilled down, so bright Wallace had
to look away. The whispers gave way to birds singing. Wallace heard
Cameron gasp as his feet left the floor. He raised his hand to shield his eyes,
trying to make out Cameron in all the blinding light.
“Oh my god,” Cameron breathed as he rose in the air toward the open
doorway. “Oh, Wallace. It’s … the sun. It’s the sun.” Then, the moment
before he rose through the doorway, a great and powerful joy filled his voice
as he said, “Hello, my love. Hello, hello, hello.”
The last Wallace saw of him were the bottoms of his shoes.
The door slammed shut behind him.
The light faded.
The flowers curled in on themselves.
The leaves shrank as the door settled in its frame.
Cameron was gone.
They stood under the door for what felt like hours, the leash in Hugo’s hand
as Wallace floated. It was almost time. Not yet, but close.