Affirmation rolls off the shadowy figure in waves, and it begins to walk toward them, taking shape before their eyes. Still, it's a struggle to comprehend what they're seeing. Details shift and change, and the only features the boys can say they saw for certain are his delicate hands, and his eyes like deep, cool water.

Two, he says, voice rustling like aspen leaves, in a way that almost sounds like laughter. No. Yes? I told you two because we were two. My brother and I are two.