The laugh was edging into sobs again. Of relief this time. And anger. But the grief from Hell was gone.

“I love you guys too.” He couldn’t actually cling any tighter, but he tried. “So, so much.”

They’d stuck with him. Even when his trouble went crazy. Even when he didn’t listen to them. Even when he —

He spotted what was left of the gremlin man, a mass of clothes and organic sludge, and felt the anger flare higher.

Even when a creep crawled into his head and made him into his emotionless slave.

“Thank you,” he said again. “Thank you. So, so much.”