“He -it- was a specter! I stepped back, stunned. ”

“I was stunned to see that he looked stunned himself, which was an exorbitant display of emotion for Barrons.”

“When Rydstrom shut the door, Cade stared at it for long moments.At length, he turned for the steps. "Fuckall," he said on a stunned breath. "Does this mean I'm no longer the bad brother...?”

“He takes two steps back. Closer to the portal.I can't stop myself. "Ben," I call. And I'm not even embarrassed about how helpless my voice sounds.Don't go."I'll come back for you." He takes another step back. "I promise."Stay."Janelle Tenner," he says. "I will always fucking love you." And then he takes one more step back. Into the portal.And the blackness swallows him whole.”

“Luck was with me. I saw no spiders.Luck was against me. I saw no specters.”

“He continues to smile expectantly. I take a step back. I don't want to catch whatever he has. He is a disturbing out-of-uniform Santa.”