Chapter 48: Chapter 49

“You’re damn right I am,” Dustin said quietly. “And you will never get rid of me. You will never make me go away.”

Emil dropped his hands and a sound almost sob-like escaped his throat. “You are not good enough, boy. Even if that repulsive organ didn’t dangle between your legs you would still not be enough for him. Your heart does not beat hard enough. Your belly is not strong enough. Your soul is weak and your constitution is lacking.”

Dustin lifted his chin. “I’m here aren’t I? That has to mean something.”

“You are unclean.” Emil lifted both arms, as if pointing out the obviousness of his words

“I can change,” Dustin said. “I have changed. I mean, I can’t change how I was born but I have changed what I do with it and how I do it.”

“He is too good for you,” Emil said, dropping his voice as if speaking to a child. “He deserves more.”

Dustin lowered his head. “But he picked me.”

That’s when it hit him.