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A Fine Line: The Ancients (Part II) Third Book in A Fine Line Series
Transcript of Web viewThis book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products...
A Fine Line:The Ancients
(Part II)Third Book in A Fine Line Series
J C Brennan
Note to Reader:The following book is intended for adult readers. Violence, adult situations, and strong language
contained in the book are not suitable for younger readers.
Editing by and Back Cover Description: Claudette Nicole Melanson
http://claudettemelanson.wix.com/-cmelansoneditor
Cover by: Paul Michael
http://undeadfactory.bigcartel.com/
CopyrightTitle: A Fine Line: the Ancients (part II)
Author: JC BrennanThis book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places,
and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to
actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 JC Brennan.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
ISBN- 9781517009786ISBN-1517009782© 2015 by JC Brennan. All rights reserved
Dedicated toMy mother and father
Thank you both for being there for me.
Table of ContentsCHAPTER I: ENLISTMENT 1
CHAPTER 2: THE CLASH 30
CHAPTER 3: ALARICUS' REVEAL 67
CHAPTER 4: HOMECOMING 94
CHAPTER 5: UNSETTLING TRUTH 119
CHAPTER 6: A REVELATION 137
CHAPTER 7: MARANDA 157
CHAPTER 8: THE AMULET 182
CHAPTER 9: HIDDEN VISION 198
CHAPTER I0: CLANDESTINE CHILD 217
CHAPTER 11: TRUE BLOOD 243
CHAPTER 12: FUELING THE FIRE 266
CHAPTER 13: POWER ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH 288
CHAPTER 14: CROSSING THE LINE 321
CHAPTER 15: ANCEINT RIDDLES 343
CHAPTER 16: THE TIES THAT BIND 369
CHAPTER 17: THE BLACKEST HEART FALLS 338
CHAPTER 18: OVERCOMING THE DARKNESS 412
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Prologuehe A Fine Line story continues this third book, A Fine Line the Ancients Part II. The Crew had to leave their home town of Charleston, Missouri and found a new home near a small town called Ashcroft in Colorado. They believed they would be safe,
at least for a while. However, their reign of peace came to a crushing halt when the damn brutally killed Analisia and her unborn child.
TThe reign of terror didn’t stop there; Amarious and his of Damned had more malicious revolting acts in store for the Crew. They surprised on Cecil and Autumn, killing them viciously in the woods not far from their new home. However, the Crew encountered their newest threat at the scene of their murders.
Without a moment to breath from the deaths of Cecil and Autumn, a t battle broke out in the small town of Ashcroft. Amarious started this battle and died at the hands of William, but not without loss of Troy. Troy had given his life to save William. The more shocking reveal from the battle was a woman, a hauntingly beautiful but feral woman.
The Crew is shocked to learn the woman, Analisia, was one of a set of triplets derived from a wise and noble ancient ruler of their kind, King Albion. One of her sisters was Amarious’ mate, Aurora, the beast who had taken Cecil’s life in the wood. There other sister, Aureliana has not been seen since Analisia and she decided to sleep many years ago.
Analisia gave the Crew more information on their history but this has raised more questions for them. Buckner had finally found his intended with Analisia and they were married. Of course Aurora made an uninvited appearance with a young man none of the Crew had seen before. She
introduced him as Amarious and her son, Alaricus. Now the Crew has
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secrets to the Ancients still hold and how will the Crew handle them. Who will live and who will die in the enduring, A Fine Line saga, The
Ancients Part II …..
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Chapter 1Enlistment
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hirty years passed and the Crew were able to
enjoy life despite the necessity of always keeping
watch for the Damned. The tragic past seemed
like a distant nightmare that still haunted their dreams.
Though the Damned had left the Crew in peace for half a
human lifetime, William knew in his gut another attack was
inevitable. He could feel a darkness building down deep in
his bones. They needed to be ready for whatever the
Damned had planned.
T
Though they couldn’t know the details of an
impending confrontation, the men worked together to make
their home as safe as they could. Night watches were
adhered to religiously and the property was also patrolled
daily to pick up any signs of the Damned.
David became an excellent strategist. It was he
who’d suggested they build an underground shelter.
Though, at first, William and the other men had found this
suggestion comical, a revelation by their newest member
quickly changed their minds. David recounted for them a
vision he’d had, which had shown him the devastating
weapons of the future. Though the structure may not be
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necessary at the moment, he insisted it would save not only
the family’s lives, but those of several others.
“The future will bring weapons of mass destruction
not even our gifts can control. William, please trust me on
this,” he’d pleaded.
David said he hadn’t seen whether the weapons
would end mankind or not. But the Crew found his fear of
what his dreams had shown him to be very real. William
found that David’s recounting of his dreams reminded him
of the ones Buckner had many years ago. With every one
David recounted, William became more convinced they
needed to follow the boy’s instructions. When Buckner
began to have the same kinds of dreams again–that would
clinch the decision.
Buckner’s dreams focused around a world war—
one begun by a future president whose mission was to
transform the United States from a place of dreams and
freedom into a unrecognizable militant state. Buckner
warned that the government would betray its people on
unimaginable levels. He had nightmares every night for
two weeks about the devastation the bomb had caused. He
told William of the images had shown to him. He said
beautiful building were turned to rubble, whole towns were
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gone, bodies of the dead burned beyond recognition lying
everywhere, and people, even children, who would be
forever deformed. William was concerned about the
torment Buckner was going through again. He hated the
fact Buckner had these awful nightmares and found it
strange how he would not have them for a long length of
time but they seemed to start up when something was about
to happen.
Buckner cautioned that this war would make the
Nazi invasions seem like a Sunday picnic. Buckner had
vividly seen the people of their country fighting against
their own government in his visions, the fracture within the
United States had made it vulnerable, the ensuing attacks
exploding into world war.
Buckner was shaking when he told William of his
dreams. “It was the faces of the children that shook me up
the most Will. I cannot explain it, but the images I saw
were horrific and inhuman. The world is turned into a
forbidding barren place. I feel strongly that we are
humanity’s only hope.” Buckner wore a look of dread as
he continued. “David has had the dream, I’ve had this
dream, and, William, Analisia has had it too.”
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“Analisia too?!” William choked out. “Why didn’t
you tell me before?”
“I thought, perhaps they were merely nightmares,
but one day, when the three of us were talking, the subject
came up. We began to compare our dreams…and they were
too identical to ignore any longer.”
William decided they should begin breaking ground
behind the house in 1945; right after the United States
unleashed the atomic bomb on the Japanese in Hiroshima.
The night before the bombing, August 5th 1945, Buckner
woke the whole house with his screams. Sweating and
trembling, he recanted the devastation, an ocean away,
caused by the bomb. That very day the Crew’s
construction on their underground bunker began.
The shelter the Crew started building took years to
finish. Most of the design was created from Buckner and
David’s dreams. Many features of the bunker had to wait,
as the items had yet to be invented—such as air filtering
systems that protected against toxins from nuclear fallout,
radioactive iodine, weaponized biological carcinogens, and
warfare gases. These poisons weren’t available at present
time, but the Crew knew they would come. William began
to wonder if life would be simpler, had his family not been
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gifted with insight into the future. He’d always heard,
‘Ignorance is bliss,’ but he also understood ignorance could
be no weapon to help them save what was left of humanity.
As the years wore on, William became aware of
why their kind was brought back to mix with the human
race. He saw brother kill brother during the Civil War. He
watched as humans turned on their own environment…and
other people. The wars that came and went often reminded
him that men carry demons in their souls.
In October 1962, the Cuban missile crisis almost
brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. In 1963 the
Street bombing in Birmingham, Alabama took place,
killing four girls. Fueled by the Civil Rights movement, it
brought to life the racist views of the Ku Klux Klan.
Tragedy continued that year with the assassination of
President John F. Kennedy in November.
As with every emotional event throughout history,
J.F.K’s death would kick conspiracy theorist in over drive
—with every right, he may add. William had his own idea
about specific tragedies throughout time and all he was
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ever willing to say about any of them was, “They think we
don’t know or they believe we don’t care.” The ‘we’ he
was speaking of was the government of course, but those
few words were all he would share about his thought on
events such as these.
As each horrifying event passed, William’s heart
broke, the weight on his shoulder grew heavy…but his
willpower increased. He needed to stay strong, for the
future was in their hands—or so they’d been told.
Moreover, each act of violence served as a reminder of
what had happened to Cecil and Tyrone and he ached for
the void left in his family to be filled. Their strength
would’ve only added resiliency to his and the family’s
power. He continued to thank them for saving his life so
long ago. He’d walk out to the creek early in the morning,
to talk to them… He hoped their spirits resided in the
nature around him and they heard. But there were never
words for just how much he missed them both.
History also changed in more cheerful ways amid
the never-ending chaos. In 1964 the Beatles were a
household name in the United States with eight songs on
Billboard Top 100. Congress passed a law forbidding
discrimination based on gender. Americans were still
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recovering from the loss of their beloved President, and
Lyndon Johnson was the new commander in chief.
Women’s fashion became more risqué. The skirts grew
shorter, along with more modern hairstyles. Colors became
brighter and women’s heels stretched higher. This was the
year William broke down and bought a new vehicle.
Buckner and William set out to buy a new car even
though their van was still the family’s main mode of
transportation. This was because the van was the only
vehicle that could hold them all. When they pulled into the
car dealership and Buckner saw the Cadillac Eldorado
Biarritz convertible, his eyes began to dance. William
couldn’t say no to him when he saw how enamored
Buckner was with the car.
Under its hood was a 429ci v8 340hp engine. It was
equipped with all the bells and whistles: automatic
transmission, power brakes, power steering, black leather
interior, cruise control, Twilight Sentinel, automatic
climate control, AM/FM radio, and power windows and
door locks—no options available in any vehicle the Crew
had owned previously. William paid for the car in cash, and
they drove home, laughing, with the top down. They were
just like kids with a new toy. Buckner hadn’t stopped
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smiling from the moment he laid eyes on it until William
shut off the engine when they pulled in front of the house.
Everyone came rushing out to investigate the new
addition to the family. Just like Buckner, Caroline was in
awe of the car. She and the other women begged to go for a
ride. William thought he might just be driving around all
night, although, he didn’t mind.
The women squealed as the wind whipped through
their hair, and Rain stood up in the back, stretching her
hands out to the heavens, as they drove the winding roads.
The radio blared, We'll Sing In The Sunshine by Gale
Garnett as they all sang along. William considered this to
be a perfect day, the whole family laughing and smiling
without cessation.
William focused on Caroline, the wind blasting her
long hair back to highlight her stunning good looks. She
was wearing a burnt-orange shift dress with blouson
sleeves. The skirt hung down to mid-thigh exposing her
shapely legs. But it was her smile that gave William the
warmth he was feeling inside. Caroline’s smile was the
smile no one could resist—the smile that won his heart over
one-hundred years ago. William couldn’t believe it had
been so long since the first time he’d seen her standing
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outside the country store. He remembered how she touched
his heart, how absolutely beautiful she was. He still got a
shiver down his spine, as on that first day, from her smile.
William loved all the memories of their happy days
together and would call upon them any time hardships
would rear their ugly head. All too soon he would draw
strength from them once again.
Two days after buying the car, Zak announced he
would be leaving to join the army presently. From the time
war broke out, Zak had known he’d join, however, he never
said anything until it was done. He knew how much grief
the family would give him, and didn’t want to afford them
much time to attempt talking him out of his decision. He
joined out of respect he held for all the men who’d fought
in every war before this one…and for the overwhelming
sense of duty and out of honor he felt for his country.
Over the years that followed David’s appearance, he
and Zak had become closer than brothers. They shared a
bond William felt was somehow initiated by his son. It was
easy to believe William III wanted Zak to have someone
who was ales father figure and more friend–someone Zak
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could confide in about anything. The Crew had kept a close
watch on Zak after the deaths of Autumn and William III.
They knew the Damned wanted him dead and, as far as
they were concerned, that wouldn’t come to pass during
their lifetime. And William believed David to be as
protective of Zak as any other member of the Crew.
Twenty-two years after David joined the family,
was when Zak made the decision to enlist. William still
could not believe so much time had passed. Time was so
much different for them now it seemed to slip by so fast.
As for Zak joining the army—he didn’t like it one little bit.
William had to wonder if Zak’s decision was based
more on honoring his father than a sense of duty. But his
choice sent everyone into a panic. Losing Zak like they had
William III filled the family with fear and anxiety. None
supported his decision to go, and not a word was uttered
regarding the subject, Zak knew how each one felt.
One evening, when the whole family was finishing
a too-silent dinner Zak couldn’t take it anymore. “Stop
avoiding the subject, please. Each of the men in this family
fought heroically for this country, and now it’s my turn.”
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“We only fought so you wouldn’t have to,” William
argued hoping to change Zak’s mind. Though, deep down
he knew it wouldn’t matter what he said, Zak remained
unconvinced.
“Grandfather, I love you and know you want to
protect me. But your good intentions don’t change the fact
I’ve made up my mind to go. Please don’t make this any
harder than it has to be. I’m a century-old mind housed
within a twenty-year-old body. I possess wisdom far
beyond what my physical appearance belies.
“I don’t wish to avenge my father, nor to hurt any of
you. Grandfather, I must do this; there is a force, inside me
telling me I must go. I do not go blindly. I have all the
knowledge each of you has imparted to me regarding
warfare, including my father.”
William knew at this point it would be a waste of
time, trying to sway his grandson’s decision. “I know, Zak,
I know,” William finally said. “But you have to make me
the promise you’ll come back to us. Promise you will.”
Caroline rose to place a comforting hand on her husband’s
shoulder. Her touch alone gave him the strength he needed.
Teary eyed, he fought to regain his composure. “Promise
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you will keep in touch, and let us know if you need
anything. Can you do that for me?”
“I cannot make the promise that no harm will come
to me. I’ve never broken a promise to you, and I don’t wish
to start. I can promise to keep in touch, Grandfather, and
will do everything in my power to make it back home. I
promise to fight proud and true, and can assure you, no
matter the outcome, I will always be with you.”
William embraced his grandson powerfully and
looked deep in his eyes. “You’re a good man, Zak, and
wherever your father is, I know how proud he is.”
On October fifth, the Crew made their way, before
sunup, to the airport. Zak and David sat in the back of the
van talking quietly. Zak told David he’d let him know
everything that was happening, but asked that he gave the
family the lighter portions of his letters, only.
“I will, you know that, Zak.” David paused for a
moment, then queried, “Are you going to tell me the real
reason you’re doing this?”
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“What do you mean?” Zak replied, curious as to
how David could sense his true intentions.
“You know exactly what I mean; stop playing
games.”
Zak put his head down for a moment. “Yeah, I’m
sorry, David. But I’m being honest when I say I’m not sure.
There’s something powerful calling me to this war.
Something so strong gnawing at my gut I cannot explain it.
All I know is that I need to be there. I know this makes no
sense, but I must go.”
“Well, just keep in mind you don’t need to be a hero
over there.”
“I will do my duty, David, but will also do all I can
to come back. I promise you that.”
“I’m holding you to that promise, Brother.”
The whole family went to the airport to see him off,
each offering their own words of encouragement and
strength. William believed Zak’s leaving was hardest on
Caroline. She didn’t want to let him go. “Zak,” she said,
“Be brave, strong, and true, but above anything else you
do...” Caroline had to stop and breathe deeply. She didn’t
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want Zak’s last memory of her as he went off to war to be
of her crying. Nevertheless, she couldn’t stop her eyes from
glassing over. “You come home in one piece.” Holding
back the tears, she kissed Zak softly and watched as he
boarded the plane.
As the Crew stood, watching the jet move from
ground to sky, William couldn’t help but reminisce about
the first flight of the Wright brothers back on December 17,
1903. It made him realize just how different the world had
become in the last sixty-one years. He wondered if the
Wright brothers had ever dreamed the extent their invention
had altered and expanded the world.
So much had changed since that day in the Georgia
woods, lying inside a rotted tree, wondering if he would
ever see his sweet Caroline again. Whenever William
thought on it hard enough, it felt as though it might drive
him mad. William hadn’t realized how loud his thoughts
were until he felt Caroline’s hand on his shoulder.
Fillmore chuckled and said, “Yeah, it sure has been
an interesting ride, hasn’t it, Brother?” Fillmore had never
been big on showing his emotions, but William could see
his eyes were misty. He rebounded with, “You all know if
anyone can make it through this war without a scratch, it’s
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that boy.” The rest of the family knew Fillmore had stated
this more for himself than anyone else. He moved on,
changing the subject. “Do you remember how impossible it
was to keep out of the woods in Missouri? That boy is as
stubborn as an ol’ mule. He’s just like his old man…and his
grandfather, I might add. He definitely inherited those
characteristics, honestly.”
This made everyone laugh a little, and even William
cracked a smile. The family could replay their memories of
Zak’s childhood through their minds. As amusing as these
were, William once again felt an uneasy emptiness grow
inside him. He and the rest of the family understood why
Zak believed he had to go, but it didn’t make his leaving
any easier on them. If he were lost, William couldn’t be
sure if the family could withstand another loss of that
magnitude.
He recalled the demise of family the Crew had lost
throughout the years. Losing the ones they loved ignited a
pain was relentless and difficult to diminish. Each member
of the Crew handled loss in their own way and all
experienced a multitude of emotions. Sometimes they
deemed the pain and sadness would never cease, forever
leaving a hollow space inside their hearts. These
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whirlwinds of emotions were normal reactions to a loss.
But William would always desire to bring each one of them
back.
These thoughts ignited his yearning for affirmation.
He wanted some kind of reassurance that Zak would come
home unharmed. He knew the family wouldn’t be the same
without him. Once again, William’s thoughts were too
loud, prompting Buckner to say, “He will come back to us.
I know he will, Brother.” Buckner patted him on the back,
then they all turned to walk solemnly back to the van.
The ride home was too quiet. William was
tormented by the silence, but was unsure what to say.
Everyone was fast-forwarding their thoughts to the day
they could pick Zak up from the airport and bring him
home safe and sound. The silence was thick and heavy,
like an impermeable fog penetrating the van. Finally, David
couldn’t take it anymore. “He will come back to us. All of
you should know he has the upper-hand when it comes to
battle. I know he will be safe, I can feel it.”
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Fillmore spoke up. “That is true. He does have more
skill and ability than the other boys he’ll be fighting with.
We have to remember that.”
Everyone agreed, but with little enthusiasm. It
wasn’t enough to know Zak possessed a greater knowledge
about battle tactics or even that he had access to his
abilities. They wanted the one thing they couldn’t have—
the guarantee of Zak’s safety.
Silence fell over the van once again, remaining as a
fellow passenger for the rest of the trip. William’s thoughts
kept going back to what the men had experienced during
the Civil War. Those sights and the emotions that came
with them were embedded into each soldier’s soul.
William, Brimmount, Fillmore, and Buckner all kept the
horrors of war they’d observed running through their heads,
as if by some possessed projector they were powerless to
turn off. He knew Zak would never be quite the same when
he managed to come back home. William couldn’t bring
himself to say if he made it home.
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It was the morning of November thirtieth, 1964 that
the Crew received their first letter from Zak. His letter was
short, but the length didn’t matter whatsoever. He was safe
and that was enough
Dear Family,
Thank you for all of your letters; they are all that keep me going. Each letter I receive makes my day so much better than it may have been otherwise. I want you to know I’m alright and find boot camp isn’t as bad as I’d heard. I am not crazy about our Drill Sergeant, but I figure he’s just doing his job. We’re up at 4:00AM every morning, sometimes earlier if he gets a hair up his ass. Every morning consists of dressing, making up our bunks, and then PT–pushups, sit-ups, a two-to-five mile run, along with other “wonderful” exercises. I believe I’m developing muscles I didn’t know I had!
I was called into my commanding officer’s office on Thursday. He told me I’ll be going through special training soon, but the why hasn’t been established. It is different here. There are many young men who wish they were home already, but we press on and do our duty. I love and miss all of you.
All my love,
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Zak
William read the letter aloud as the family sat
together in the parlor. The Crew listened in silence, all of
them wordlessly imploring the powers that be to watch
over Zak when his platoon was called into a dangerous
area. William reviewed the letter again, then left the parlor
and went outside. He worried about Zak, even though he
hadn’t finished boot camp yet. William wished to bring him
home before he ever saw battle.
Buckner joined him outside. He didn’t speak a
word, only letting William know he was there if his friend
needed to talk. William asked Buckner if he would walk
with him. Buckner agreed, and the two hiked up onto the
mountainside in silence.
William broke the stillness surrounding them. “I
just miss him, you know?”
“I know, Will. You don’t have to explain yourself.”
The men continued up until they reached the silver
mine, where they sat among the large rocks scattered
around the entrance. They sat together for a long time
before William spoke. “You know something, Jonathan? I
would give every dime we have just to bring him home. I
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realize how selfish this sounds, but I really don’t think I
could cope if he doesn’t come back.”
Buckner understood his friend’s worry. “He’ll be
back unharmed. I know he will. Shoot, Will, he has more
knowledge of war than his commanding officers.”
Buckner paused for a moment, for he missed Zak
just as much as William did, but wanted to be strong for his
best friend. “William, you know he’s endured some
terrifying moments while fighting the Damned, and I’m
sure nothing he experiences could be worse than what he’s
already been through.”
“I know he’s going to be a good soldier. But you
know as well as I do, even the best of men cannot ward off
death if he has called your name.” William took on a look
of disquiet. “It’s not just his safety I worry about, you
know.”
“What do you mean?” Buckner asked curiously.
“I remember the war as if it were yesterday,
Jonathan. I can still hear the blood-curdling cries of men
and the thunderous howl the cannons and muskets made. I
have nightmares of shattered, blood-stained men lying on
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the ground. My memories are like scenes from the
demented pages of an author’s horror story.
“Buckner, do you remember how the earth beneath
our feet seemed to tremble like an earthquake? How the
cannons roared with a deafening sound that could’ve raised
the dead?”
“Yes I do, and I have the same dreams, Will. I have
woken from dreams fighting the instinct to run as fast as I
could away from all the carnage. Nevertheless, I remember
what we were fighting for. We made it through; we made it
home, and so will he.”
“Yes, we did make it home. We fought for
something we both believed in and made the world a better
place, I know. I just don’t want reams of war to sully the
soul of my grandson. I don’t wish for him to carry those
black remembrances with him, or to worry if the one he
loves will see the demons he carries within. Buckner, I
would give anything to keep his mind free from them.”
The pair sat on the cold, hard rocks for some time
with only the memories of a war long over passing between
them. For as long as they lived, and no matter how many
battles they would fight with the Damned, the horrific
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memories of the Civil War would forever reside, rooted
deep inside their minds.
As time passed Zak’s letters told the ongoing story
of war, without sharing details that would alarm the family.
Zak’s letters were obviously written in such a way to create
the illusion of some twisted vacation instead of a war.
William wasn’t fooled by his grandson’s ruse though. In
one of Zak’s letters he recited his division’s motto, “No
operation is too demanding, no sacrifice too great. Duty
and honor first.” He also wrote about the men he’d become
closest to: Ralf J. Bishop—aka Wheezer, Peter R. Madding
—aka Bomb Shell, John J. Warshaw—aka Little Bit, and
Marcus T. Allen—aka Lover Boy.
Zak described Wheezer as a black man from
Kentucky who’d had his nose broken, while defending his
sister’s honor, right before he’d enlisted. Mr. Bishop had
found three men attacking his little sister—two of whom
were shouting encouragements to a man who was trying to
rape her. Wheezer fought off all three of the men, luckily,
before any of them had violated her. He’d emerged from
the scuffle with some bruised ribs, a broken nose, one black
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eye, and, more importantly, an untarnished sister—well,
physically untarnished anyway. She’d had terrible dreams
for a while afterwards.
Aside from his heroic attributes, apparently,
Wheezer was somewhat of a smartass. Zak wrote, “‘He
reminds me of how you describe Buckner back in the day,
Grandfather. However, no matter how rude he acts
sometimes, I have to say I wouldn’t trade him for anyone
else when I need someone to cover my back.’”
Bomb Shell was from the Bronx. He had such a
strong accent, that every once in a while Zak had difficulty
understanding him. Zak explained the meaning behind his
nickname, “‘Bomb Shell landed our unit in big trouble on
his first day with that temper of his. We ended up spending
the day running eight miles in the rain.’” Zak had written.
His letter went on to tell the Crew about Little Bit and the
man he called Lover Boy. Little Bit was Jewish, standing
only 5’ 1”. Zak elaborated, “‘This man is smart, very
smart. He reminds me a lot of you, Grandfather. He’s
trying to tutor Bomb Shell in speaking Vietnamese, but it’s
not going well. Bombshell has no patience but Little Bit has
it in spaces. I have to say I’m impressed with his
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determination. Even when Bomb Shell ‘goes on a nut,’ as
Wheezer would say, Little Bit remains amazingly calm.’”
Zak wrote that he’d even picked up a few words of
the language himself, even growing proficient with several
full sentences.
“‘It’s a huge benefit to have someone who knows what the people here are saying. It helps to avoid conflicts cause by misunderstanding one another.’”
Then there was Lover boy. Zak said the first time he
met him; he’d taken out his wallet, spilling a slew of
pictures—each of a different girl.
“‘His nickname is quite fitting, considering the women he’s associated with. What amazes me most is that he seems devoted to each one and writes to them all regularly. I’m not sure how he keeps them all straight or remembers all their names, but he does.
‘Wheezer and Lover boy are the smokers in our group. The rest of us tease them saying, Don’t ya know those things will kill ya? Wheezer always replies, “Not if the Cong gets me first”. We always laugh when he says it, but, really, the thought of dying at the hands of the Cong carries no humor.
‘Oh, and I have been bestowed with the nickname, Ghost.’”
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Zak explained his unit came up with the impromptu
title after they were sent to Phuoc Vinh. They cited his
ability to enter a room without complete stealth, sneaking
up behind those inside without being noticed. The men had
remarked that even when he moved through jungle he
didn’t make a sound. It was Wheezer who’d begun calling
him Ghost…and it stuck.
Zak’s letters always ended with:
“‘Remember, I miss you and love you all. Try not to worry about me; I’ll be home before you know it.
Love always,
Zak.’”
With the frequency Zak spoke of them, the Crew
began to think of the men in Zak’s unit as an extended part
of their family and even wrote to them, sending letters to
them they wrote back to Zak. A few of the men didn’t have
families who wrote to them, and the Crew wanted to let the
men know there were people back home who were thinking
of them. It made the whole family feel as if they were
helping in whatever small way they could.
The Crew, especially the women, were diligent in
sending their letters, hoping to brighten the soldiers’ days.
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Zak had written to let his family know how appreciative he
felt for what they were doing. He said all the men waited
eagerly for their letters, sharing the written sentiment with
the whole group. It didn’t take long before the Crew was
receiving letters from each of them. One letter they
received was from Wheezer. He was almost poetic in his
writing.
“‘I may not know any of you personally but all of
you are in my heart and thoughts. Each letter we
receive from this family gives us a reason to smile
through this hellish war.
I know you worry about Zak but you need not, for
he is the bravest, big hearted, most tenacious man I
have ever had the pleasure to meet. He is a good
man and keeps our heads were they need to be.
But, from your letters, I can see where he gets his
good heart from.
I hope one day, after all this insanity is over, I will
have the privilege of meeting the wonderful people
we hear Zak talk about. We live for his stories of
you.
Keep your hearts full.
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Forever grateful, Wheezer’”
At Christmastime the women sent Zak baked goods,
homemade candies, and pictures of the family. Each of the
men in his unit received an identical package—Wheezer
and Lover Boy’s contained a carton of cigarettes each.
As the family received more of Zak’s letters they
began to realize what details he was leaving out of them.
He never recounted the details of any attacks his unit
suffered, any missions they engaged in, or deaths he had
seen. He only mentioned the victories, though, lacking any
detail about the people involved. This worried William. It
bothered him to remain in the dark about what Zak was
actually going through. William suspected David had more
insight into the darker details of Zak’s life while thrust into
the throes of war.
David showed signs of sleeplessness under his eyes
from time to time. When William asked if he was resting
okay, David would always respond, “Oh, yes! I’m fine.
Too many bad dreams last night.” William would regard
him with skepticism, knowing he was lying. David always
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lowered his head, hating that he couldn’t tell William all he
knew. But David felt determined to keep the promise he’d
made to Zak.
One morning, William woke up unusually early to
work on bedroom furniture special-ordered by Mrs. Janelle
R. Fitz, the wife of a wealthy real estate tycoon. She’d told
William she wanted a bedroom set like no other in
existence. When William walked into the workshop, David
was working at carving a bedpost for Mrs. Fitz’s set. “Good
morning, David; you’re up early this morning.”
“Good morning, Will. I just wanted to get an early
start on these carvings. Mrs. Fitz sure is a particular
woman isn’t she?”
William chuckled. “Oh, yes, that woman is quite…
well, let’s just say she’s eccentric.” William had hesitated
about bring up what was really on his mind, but decided it
was time to broach the subject. He was very direct when he
said, “You know what’s really happening with Zak, don’t
you?”
William could tell from the look in his eyes David
was well aware of everything Zak was going through.
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“Will,” he said, hesitantly, “I made a promise, so please
don’t pry.”
William pressed, “A promise? What promise was
that?” David fiddled with the chisel in his hand. William
could tell he considering spilling the beans—but didn’t
wish to betray his loyalty to Zak. “Come on, David, he’s
my grandson. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Will, I can’t. Zak made me promise to keep the
things I see to myself. He doesn’t want you to worry about
what he’s going through.”
“And I respect your conviction, but, Son, I’ve seen
my share of war and know its horrors.” William paused.
He did respect David’s loyalty to Zak and made an effort to
respect the promise David was trying to guard. “Can you at
least tell me if he’s alright? I don’t mean physically… How
is he handling the violence and death around him? Is he
okay emotionally?”
“Will, all I can say is he’s handling things a hell of
a lot better than I would,” David said with conviction. “You
know I never really experienced the carnage that war
elicits, and to be honest, I’m quite happy about that. When
the attack at Pearl Harbor occurred, I hadn’t been serving
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long. I’d just gotten out of boot camp. The Japanese took
us by surprise, and I never had the chance to see much of
what happened, because I was wounded. I never had to
engage in hand to hand combat…” David paused to choose
his words carefully. “William, I was grateful I never really
had to experience war firsthand.”
William put his hand on David’s shoulder. “I
understand, Son, I understand. I do.”
William recognized that David was the gate keeper
of all Zak’s experiences. Zak’s time on the battlefield
transferred to David via unwelcome dreams he fought
desperately to keep locked away like some vicious animal
—ready to spring forth and injure at any moment. William
could see the depths to which the young man was tortured
reflected in his eyes, agonizing over the fact he could do
nothing to protect him…or either of them.
William didn’t question David further though his
desire to do so flamed inside him. Zak’s enlistment in the
service was a choice formed of pride and honor, William
knew this. What he hadn’t considered was that the bond
between David and Zak would be so powerful they would
endure the anguish together…though so many miles
separated them. William was troubled not only by the
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knowledge of David’s suffering, but, most disturbingly, by
the part of him that was overjoyed by David’s nightmares.
Although his guilt was insurmountable, no matter how
horrible they were, they also let him know Zak was still
alive.
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Chapter 2The Clash
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s the days faded into months and the months
into years, Zak’s letters kept up the illusion
that everything was peachy over in Nam.
William was surprised by how long he was
able to keep up the facade. Even the other men from his
platoon never hinted at any of the horrors they must have
been facing. Even the women were quite sure the words
written in his letters were chosen carefully to protect them
from atrocities he witnessed daily.
AOthers may not be able to see the torment in these
men at first glance but the scares of war would eventually
show through if one was around them long enough. These
men could never truly conceal the scares for they would
eventually push to the surface—vivid and without mercy.
William had seen men try to bury the scars left
behind by war deep inside themselves. But there was
always something within them that died away slowly,
receding so as to reveal their existence. William drove
himself mad with worry, wondering how deeply Zak’s
heart had already been etched by the war. He would come
to regret his desire to know Zak’s true feelings once the
tone of his grandson’s letters changed.
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By 1967, Zak could no longer hide his true feelings
from his family any longer. William couldn’t believe he’d
been gone for three years already. Knowing Zak would be
home soon was the only thing keeping him sane. Zak’s tour
was nearing completion and William held fast to that
thought. However, when Zak’s last letter arrived, he
couldn’t erase its content from his mind, and it haunted him
in both his waking and sleeping hours.
Dear family,
Thank you for your undying
commitment in writing me and my platoon.
Each letter we receive makes the miserable
days much brighter. However, they can’t
keep the fighting completely at bay.
Somehow it had been carrying over to occur
among the men in our platoon, no longer
isolated to our common enemy.
It is a silent war going on between
the men, and I fear they may be unable to
resolve their petty differences. Their
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incessant animosity isn’t helping and only
serves to fuel my fear that we won’t make it
through this damned war.
I won’t go into tiresome detail, but
yesterday Wheezer and I pulled some of the
men off a couple of young Vietnamese girls.
Those girls couldn’t have been more than
fourteen years old, and I was so angry. I’m
surprised I didn’t knock those boys out cold.
It took me some time to find my calm after
the incident. I can’t believe some of the
behavior that is displayed here.
We sleep when we can but it’s never
a restful sleep. We’re constantly on alert
and sleep isn’t a luxury we can afford. The
other day, a rocket-propelled grenade and
some machine gun fire ripped up my
rucksack, and I actually felt the wind from
the bullets pass over me. I don’t believe I’ve
ever been so scared in my life. Not even
when I saw Angelica’s body lying on those
rocks do I remember being this frightened. I
have to hide my fear deep inside though.
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Fear can be contagious here, and I need to
stay strong for the others.
For instance, a couple of nights ago
the five of us were sent out on patrol, and,
before we knew it, we ended up in the middle
of a group of VC. We were hiding, and
Lover Boy began to panic. It took both
Wheezer and I to calm him until Little Bit
call for illumination. Once the sky lit up and
we could see what we were firing at.
When we started this battle our
platoon was forty-five men strong, but we
only have twenty of those original men left.
We once lost our platoon leader and a whole
squadron in a VC attack. These VC soldiers
fight to the death. They booby trap the
bodies of the dead, innocent children, and
even themselves, so that when we approach
they not only kill themselves, but take our
men with them. This type of warfare is so
brutal, I’m unsure if I will ever be able to
wipe away the sights I’ve seen here from my
memory.
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On a positive note, we’ve lost no one
in my unit, because we watch out for one
another and use our brains. I watch the
others’ actions in case I ever need to keep
their minds focused on who the real enemy
is. I do believe the men I’m with are the
reason I’m still alive. They’re good men,
strong men, but even the strongest of them
can lose sight of what’s important in battle
from time to time.
I have to apologize to all of you,
because I had to use my abilities a couple
days ago. I just thank the powers that be that
it was nighttime. While cutting through the
jungle, Wheezer tripped a booby trap—a
spike board. These lovely little contraptions
are placed in a pit and consist of a treadle
board, which release another board covered
in spikes. When the men step on the first
part the latter flies up to hit the men in the
face or chest. I was able to stop the board’s
momentum, although poor Wheezer was
scared shitless. He asked me how I did it. I
told him I really didn’t do anything, that the
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contraption must have been flawed, besides
his being very lucky. I really don’t think he
believed a word I said. Those traps are
faster than the eye can detect, and even if
there’d been a design flaw, no human
could’ve caught it with the speed I
employed.
Even though I saved his life, I am
still forced to take so many others. I won’t
lie to you, with each life I take, I feel like a
reaper collecting souls for some unseen,
cruel god. When men say war is hell I know
they must have had some insight to this war.
I’m sorry this letter doesn’t contain happier
news. I cannot wait to be back home with
you all.
Remember that I miss you and love you. Try not to worry about me; I’ll be home before you know it.
Love always,
Zak.
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William blamed himself for his relentless desire to
know what Zak was going through. He remembered his
father saying ‘Sometimes you need to be careful what you
wish for, you just might get it.’ He wasn’t sure what his
father meant. He was only twelve at the time his father told
him this and what do kids really know at that age. Though
he had learned, what his father was speaking of long ago,
when the letters came telling of the horrors Zak was going
through. William could not help but kick himself for
wanting to know more.
Everything Zak was experiencing was tormenting
enough for Unfortunately, William’s worry for Zak caused
his guard to drop where the Damned were concerned. The
patrols around the property were still being carried out,
although the thoughts of each member of the Crew were on
Zak rather than the Damned, as they walked the perimeter.
The distraction of Zak’s perilous assignment and
weakening state of mind all the Damned needed to reignite
their own war with the family.
It had been a long while since the Crew had seen or
heard anything from the Damned. But just as the battle in
town had erupted so unexpectedly, the battle to come
would take the Crew by surprise as well. The Crew had
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made the mistake of offering the Damned a way to catch
them off guard…and their enemy would seize this
opportunity to hit them fast and hard.
It was a clear, cool night in August and Brimmount
was finishing up the first half of his turn on night patrol.
Fillmore and Rain were resting up before taking the second
half of the night shift, while Savannah pieced together a
quilt that was serve as a welcome home gift for Zak once
he returned. Analisia and Caroline were in the kitchen
planning his welcome-home party.
Analisia had just put on a pot of coffee for
Brimmount and began kneading the dough for breakfast
croissants. Caroline was rolling out the dough to cut
biscuits. William could hear the ladies’ conversation shift
from the topic of Zak’s homecoming to what preparations
should be made for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Brimmount’s blood-curdling shriek broke the peace
of the house in an instant. “Damn Aurora and her
abilities!” Caroline bellowed as she dropped the rolling pin
and ran to the doorway with Analisia.
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When they reached it, it was already thrown wide
open. William, Fillmore, David, and Buckner were
speeding towards the screams, then Fillmore howled,
“Rain! Savannah! Damn it, get back here!” He glanced at
William, “Damn it, how did they get out here before us?”
“I’m not sure Fillmore but Aurora’s waiting out
there we have to get to them.”
The men plunged forward as fast as they could.
Savannah was nowhere to be seen. Caroline moved to the
porch, she could see Rain running, just in front of the men
screaming, “Savannah stop; please stop!”
Caroline moved to join the chase, but Analisia
grabbed her by the arm. “It’s Aurora and her pack of
demons. You cannot go, Caroline. They’ll rip you apart!
Please, go back in the house and lock the doors.”
Caroline wanted to help, but she knew Analisia was
right. She knew the Damned’s main objective was to hurt
William, and her life would hurl Will past his breaking
point. So, she obeyed, scurrying back into the house to
help Zachariah secure the doors and windows. “What’s
going on out there? Is Brimmount… is he okay?”
Zachariah asked.
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“I don’t know, Zachariah. I really don’t know.”
Caroline flipped the outside lights on. “Come with me. We
might be able to see better from upstairs.”
They threw open the balcony doors in the upstairs
bedroom to survey the scene below. Caroline would have
seen anyway, as Aurora was no longer blocking her vision.
But at the moment she could see with her own eyes. She
gripped the railing of the balcony in fear, terrified to lose
another of their family members. “Brimmount is alive, but
he’s hurt real bad,” Caroline called to Zachariah in a
panicked voice. Zachariah wrapped his arms around
Caroline as they watched the Damned materialize out of the
night.
The men had caught up with Rain, not far behind
Savannah, when one of the Damned appeared from
nowhere. The beast flew through the air, latching onto
Savannah’s neck with its vicious jaws. Caroline screamed,
“Help her! William! Someone, help her!”
Zachariah pulled his arms tighter around Caroline.
He could feel her body shaking and could sense her fear.
“It’s going to be all right, Caroline.”
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Caroline knew Zachariah was trying to stay positive
and strong for her but he was doing it just as much for his
sake as hers. Caroline did not even know if William or any
of the others could hear her screams but it was the only
thing she could do. She grabbed on to Zachariah crying,
“Please let them be safe, please.” Zachariah did his best to
comfort her while they watched in horror out the window.
David, who was closest to Savannah, shifted into
his wolf form. He sprang onto the back of the beast,
clawing and ripping at its flesh. His opponent was very
powerful, but David was relentless in his attack. After a
fierce struggle, he was finally able to close his massive
jaws around the monster’s throat, ripping the wolf away
from Savannah.
Fillmore yelled to Rain, “Get her back to the
house.”
“I have her. You just tear these sonsofbitches to
pieces!” Rain shot back. Her legs lost their strength at the
sight of the blood seeping from her sister’s wounds. The
scarlet fluid had never bothered Rain before this moment,
but seeing Savannah hurt so badly wasn’t something she
was prepared for. Rain gazed lovingly down at Savannah’s
face. Her sister managed a small smile, bolstering Rain’s
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fortitude. She bent to gather her sister up, but heard
Buckner shout, “Rain! Behind you!”
In complete amazement, Buckner watched as Rain’s
body began to contort. Rain felt heat rise from the bottoms
of her feet up through the last hair on her head like an
inferno. A faint, reddish-yellow glow formed around her
and her deepened to crimson. Rain spun and grabbed the
Damned who was charging at her throat. With just a touch,
the wolf’s neck melted away.
Buckner was taken aback for a split second, along
with the Damned he was fighting. As much as Buckner
despised the Damned, witnessing what Rain was able to do
to this one, almost made him feel sorry for the wicked
beast…almost. Buckner could tell by the expression on her
face she was just as shocked by this turn of as he was.
Buckner quickly tore the throat from the creature he was so
he could propel his thoughts into Rain’s rage-muddled
mind. Rain! Snap out of it! You need to get Savannah to the
house.
It took Rain a minute to cool her body down. She
was surprised by how she instinctively knew how to bring
herself back to normal…though at present she was
questioning her former definition of normal. She felt
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slightly weak from her bizarre transformation, but managed
to lift Savannah off the ground. She cradled her in her arms
to carry her back to the house. Rain didn’t like the pallor
Savannah’s skin had taken on, and increased her gait to a
jog, trying to move Savannah back to the house as
expediently as possible.
Zachariah and Caroline ran down the stairs to meet
Rain. “Caroline, stay here. I’m going out to help Rain bring
Savannah into the house.”
“Be careful,” Caroline said. She watched as
Zachariah ran out to take Savannah from Rain’s arms.
Zachariah had never displayed any abilities and no one
knew whether he might have any lying dormant.
“You shouldn’t be out here, Zachariah,” Rain
scolded.
“Let’s just get her into the house,” Zachariah said,
ignoring his scolding from Rain’s. Caroline led them back
to the guest room where he laid her down.
“I have to get back out there. Are the two of you
going to be alright?”
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“Yes, yes go… but Rain…” Caroline looked at her
with pleading eyes. “Please be careful.”
Rain promised, “I will, Caroline. Just take care of
Savannah.” She ran from the room to rejoin the fight.
Savannah’s wounds were deep and she’d lost a lot
of blood. Caroline welcomed her current state of
unconsciousness. Even with the shot of morphine
Zachariah had given her, Caroline knew she would have
been in agony. Morphine helped, but, because their bodies
ran at a higher core temperature, the relief never lasted
long. Still, it was the only medication that alleviated their
pain at all.
Caroline looked down at sheets on the bed, already
soaked with blood. Savannah sustained a head wound,
when she was jumped by the evil beast that attacked her. It
bled profusely; however, it was the wound in her neck that
worried Caroline the most. Its bleeding was slow but
continuous. Zachariah voiced her concerns. “Her wounds
are very deep, Caroline. We have to stop the bleeding
before we can get the wounds cleaned and dressed. Grab
the supplies from the closet.”
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Caroline went to the hallway closet to gather the
large cotton pads, tape, and gauze. She returned and handed
them to Zachariah. He folded one of the pads over on
itself, applying pressure to the areas where the wolf had
torn open her neck and shoulder.
“Caroline, fold the other pads in the same way.
Hmmmm… I can’t tell if her jugular has been nicked or
not.”
Caroline gasped, covering her mouth with her
hands. “No, no, not Savannah.”
Zachariah said sternly, “Don’t you fall apart on me
now, Caroline. I need your help if she has any chance at
all.”
Caroline tried to push her emotions aside, though
the tears began to flow freely down her cheeks. She
concentrated on folding he pads and placing them within
Zachariah’s reach on the bedside table. He grabbed up
another and placed it over the one he was still pressing
against, which was completely saturated already. He didn’t
speak the dark truth he was thinking, but Caroline heard
him resoundingly clear, nevertheless. They both knew
Savannah wouldn’t make it through the night. She was too
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far gone for healing after such massive blood loss…which
steadily continued.
Outside, the Crew had finally reached Brimmount
who’d sustained grievous wounds. They were powerless to
help him, though, as the Damned had surrounded
Brimmount–their teeth bared, fur bristling, and muscular
haunches poised for attack. The wretched demons were
using the wounded Brimmount for bait, knowing the Crew
would come to his rescue.
When the Crew stood their ground, the Damned
stormed toward them and the battle raged once again
furiously. The Damned significantly outnumbered the
Crew, but none were concerned with that fact. Deliberating
about anything other than getting Brimmount to a safe
place wasn’t a luxury they could be awarded at the present.
William glanced to his right and made eye contact
with Aurora. She charged William with a fury that told him
she was here for his life. Leaping, Aurora shifted into her
massive Jaguar form in mid-air. Her left claw connected
with William’s face, carving a deep gash across his cheek.
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This triggered William’s transformation into what Analisia
called Sacra Unum–or Sacred One.
His body immediately tripled in muscle mass. The
muscles protrude up in strappingly along his arms and legs
and across his chest. His fingernails became elongated
razor-sharp claws. His hair sprouted into a mane, forming
around his head and emerged down to the middle of his
chest. Then gigantic fangs and his eyes turn a chilling ice
blue. The orbs began to glow with the force of the sun in
uninhabited rage.
William didn’t hesitate to attack Aurora in return,
but never got the chance to meet the challenge she’d lain
before him. Analisia made sure of that. When William
spun to confront Aurora, transformed into his colossal,
inhuman form, his face twisted in a snarl, Analisia blocked
his path.
In a flash, she was standing between him and
Aurora. William was astonished. Like a flash of lighting, he
thought. Why am I still surprised by these supernatural
abilities? Analisia didn’t turn her head to look at William.
Her eyes were firmly fixed on her sister as she said calmly,
“I will deal with her, William. Go help the others.”
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William wasn’t about to argue, so he left the pair,
rushing over to snatch the wolves from Fillmore, who had
him pinned to the ground. Fillmore was thankful, though
unnerved by seeing William in his beast form once again. It
would take time for Fillmore to become accustomed to
seeing William so changed.
Suddenly they heard Rain howl. “Marcus, go
protect Brimmount! He is badly hurt.”
Fillmore glanced at William, ensuring his friend
could handle the Damned moving in to assail him. William
nodded at him, then, in a feral rampage, thundered toward
the Damned, ripping and tearing at them in a violent rage.
Fillmore had never seen William in such a sadistic state
before, and, even though the object of this fury was the
Damned, it bothered Fillmore at some level. He knew
William was protecting him from the Damned so that he
could protect Brimmount, who was still lying motionless
on the ground. Still, William’s actions and form were
disconcerting.
He would never reveal it to the others, but Fillmore
used to have nightmares when he was younger about a
mysterious creature. He was never able to see it clearly, but
he felt sure now that the creature from his dreams was the
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beast William morphed into. Fillmore realized all his
mixed emotions had been conjured from the terror his
dreams had brought in his youth. At this point, he could do
little else other than try to reign the fear in. He knew in his
heart that William was purely noble inside and out. So, the
thing he turned into had to be, as well. Right?
When Fillmore reached Brimmount, he raised his
shield so Brimmount to protect him from further harm. A
quick examination told Fillmore Brimmount’s throat was
still intact, but he’d suffered extensive damage to his leg
and body down his right side.
“Is he okay?” William yelled.
Fillmore glanced over to see William, back in
human form, bodies of the Damned strewn all around him,
and shouted, “It looks like he’ll make it, but he’s hurt real
bad. Will, we have to get him to the house.”
William glanced over his shoulder and observed
Analisia and Aurora facing off. They must have been
locked in that position during his fight with the Damned.
He was more than a little stunned to see them standing
there, just staring one another down. But he had a feeling
this uneasy peace wouldn’t last much longer. The look in
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Analisia’s eyes told him she wouldn’t back down from
Aurora. She was intent on putting a stop to the depraved
revenge that Aurora sought—no matter how many lives
were lost or how much blood was shed.
Analisia stood no more than ten feet from her sister,
glaring at her, unafraid, unyielding. “You don’t want to do
this, Aurora. I love you with all my heart, but I will kill
you if you leave me no choice. Right now, I am begging
you to offer me one.”
Aurora’s jaguar form was intimidating to most, but
Analisia was not frightened in the slightest. Analisia had to
admire the beauty of the magnificent cat. Her strong,
powerful front legs and muscular shoulders helped to
construct an impressive physique. If Aurora hadn’t been
trying to kill her at the moment, Analisia might have been
in awe of her beauty.
Any thought that Aurora might retreat was fleeting.
Her sister backed a few steps, then the muscles in her front
legs and chest became more pronounced. Analisia could
see every fiber grow taut, alerting her of Aurora’s
impending lunge forward. Analisia didn’t brace herself or
assume a stance of attack. She stood before her sister with a
benevolence that shocked William.
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Aurora sprang at Analisia with the rage and fury of
Hell itself. It took everything William had to keep from
racing over to protect Analisia from the monster springing
toward her. William knew he needed to respect Analisia’s
wishes, and that his intrusion would represent a lack of
respect for Analisia’s ability to fight her own battles and
she would not forgive him easily, no matter how honorable
his intentions may have been.
Aurora’s razor-sharp claws extended. Her sharp
fangs were exposed, glowing with an eerie white luster.
Analisia didn’t flinch nor show an ounce of fear. William
had to wonder if her heart rate had bothered to rise in the
slightest. She simply raised her arms and pulled them back.
The ground began to tremble and, a pulsating wave
emanating from Analisia’s fingertips. As Aurora reached
her, a great pulse of energy sprung from Analisia throwing
Aurora back with powerful force. She bounced violently
across the ground. Phasing to her human form, Aurora
screamed, “You bitch!”
Analisia didn’t react to her sister’s hate-filled
words, but sternly stated, “Sister, you need to stop this
now.”
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“You, my sister, can go straight to Hell,” Aurora
cursed as she charged Analisia again.
The two women grappled, human to human, for
quite some time. William couldn’t be sure how long the
two sisters fought, for he had his hands full, as did the rest
of the Crew, with a group of Damned who’d appeared
when Aurora initiated her attack.
William fought through what seemed to be an
endless horde of maddened Damned. He only paused when
he saw Buckner held down by three of the wretched
monsters. William held out his left hand, and a ray of
white light shot through the air, turning two of the Damned
to ash in an instant. Buckner finished the one remaining
off, then looked to William, who could hear Buckner
thinking. Where in the hell did that come from? If they
weren’t otherwise engaged, he would’ve let Buckner know
just how shocked he was himself. But the strangest thing
part was that he’d instantly known he possessed the ability.
The Damned kept coming, and the Crew fought
back with all the strength they could draw from inside.
Each of them ran the same thought through their minds:
none had any intention of allowing these consorts from the
depths of Hell to harm one more member of their family.
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Each monster they eradicated equated to one less that was
capable of taking another life. But from which demented pit
of sin did they arise from? Just how many of them were
there? The Crew’s thinking was now linked, synchronizing
their thoughts.
It wasn’t until they heard Aurora’s cries that the
fighting came to a halt. William finished off the wolf
who’d rushed him, and Buckner promptly broke the neck of
his opponent with a quick jerk of his hands, before turning
toward to the shrill cries echoing through the air. They
expected to see Analisia as the triumphant victor of the
fight. But there was an added component they hadn’t
anticipated.
The Crew’s mouths hung open as they observed
Alaricus offering Analisia a hand up. They also caught
sight of Aurora running toward the mountain. William
looked at Buckner, both of them rendered speechless and
bewildered.
Aurora’s cries signaled the Damned that were left to
retreat, and, when the dust settled, the Crew was battle-
worn but alive. Analisia ended up with a huge black eye, a
few dozen scratches, and a peppering of bruises. William,
Buckner, and Fillmore had their share of battle scars–
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Brimmount was still unmoving. “Where’s Rain?” Analisia
wondered aloud, wiping the blood from her bottom lip
while holding on to Alaricus’ hand.
“She was just right here fighting …”
William stopped in mid-sentence when he saw Rain
lying on the ground to the far left of where he’d been
fighting. Fillmore jumped up and ran over to her. “Rain,
Rain!” he bellowed. His knees buckled and he turned her
over. At first, Rain didn’t move. Fillmore’s face had that
look, one of complete and utter terror so rarely
encumbering him. Then, she lifted her head, opened her
eyes, and, in a weak voice, said, “That bastard sure packed
a wallop.”
She managed a smile, and Fillmore’s face relaxed
as his pushed her hair back from her face. “You scared the
living shit out of me, Baby. Are you alright?”
She put her hand up to her throat as she cleared it.
“He was trying to latch onto my neck.”
“Okay, let me see.” Fillmore inspected Rain’s neck
for bites or tears, but all he found were a few scratches.
“You’re going to be just fine, Baby.”
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Though slightly relieved, Fillmore knew Rain was
hurt pretty badly. He gently picked her up, then noticed
William at his side, carrying Brimmount. Fillmore’s lips
twisted into a crooked little smile as they made their way to
the house. “You do realize that you and I need to talk
about some things after we clean up this mess.”
“Yeah, I had a feeling you might want to have a
conversation,” William responded. He could see Fillmore
wouldn’t be satisfied until they discussed his newest
“ability.” However, William was realizing that some of his
abilities could only be used once or rarely. He wasn’t
positive how he knew but the knowledge was there—
another gift he supposed.
“Is everyone else okay?”
“I believe so. Most of us have some cuts and
bruises to tend to. At this point, I’m more worried about
Savannah and Brimmount,” William said. He glanced over
at Buckner, Analisia, and David, who were looking each
other over for wounds that requiring immediate attention.
“Come on.” William adjusted his grip on Brimmount.
“Let’s get these two into the house.”
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Caroline was waiting for them at the door, tears
running down her face, blood covering her dress and
smudging her cheeks. Her grief gripped her tightly. David
came up behind William and Fillmore, nursing his own
share of wounds. When he saw Caroline’s puffy, red eyes,
his gut twisted into a nauseatingly painful knot. “No, no!
Tell me Savannah is alright,” David whispered, as if he
didn’t intend to vocalize what he'd been thinking.
Nevertheless, everyone waited apprehensively for a
response.
Caroline took a deep breath to compose herself.
“She is alive, but I’m not sure she’s going to make it.” Her
voice broke as more tears streamed. “I just don’t know.”
William shifted Brimmount again, directing
Fillmore, Buckner and David to follow him. The men
walked into the guestroom where Savannah lay. Now that
she cleaned up, she looked frightfully, peaceful. William
walked over to the second bed by the door and laid
Brimmount down carefully. “Fillmore, lay Rain on the bed
by Savannah,” William said.
Zachariah examined her wounds, cleaning and
wrapping them. “How do you feel?” he asked her.
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“I actually feel fine. My neck is a little sore. I guess
that knock to the head put me out for a moment.” Rain put
her hand to her throat and said, “My throat is about as dry
as the desert sand, but, all things considered, I do believe I
will live.”
“Caroline, would you mind getting a glass of
water?”
“Of course not… Be right back…”
“Wait,” Rain said, throwing her legs over the side
of the bed. “Caroline, let me go with you.”
“I’m not sure…”
“I’m fine and would really like to get out of this
room for a little while.”
“Oh, yes, I see… Zachariah, what do you think?”
“Rain, are you sure?” Rain nodded her head, and
Zachariah confirmed it should be alright.
“Well, let me help you.” Caroline approached Rain
so she could lean on Caroline for support, and they left the
room together. Analisia met them in the hallway.
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“Here Rain,” she said placing her hand over Rain’s
wound. In a heartbeat the wound was healed but Rain was
still feeling the weakness in her legs.
“Thank you Analisia. Do you have anything in
those magic hands of yours to bring my strength back?”
“No, that I don’t but it will come back in due time.”
While the women were out in the hall, William
called the men over to the bed where Savannah lay. They
gathered around to hear what he had to say. “Listen, I’m
not sure how severely Savannah and Brimmount are hurt,
but we all know they’re in dire shape.” They all nodded
their heads in agreement. “Fillmore and Buckner, do you
remember how Cecil touched Tyrone, then another
person…”
“Yeah, yeah, I do,” Buckner said. “She connected
us somehow to make our powers stronger.”
“That’s right. We’ll need to join our powers if we
hope to save Brimmount and Savannah’s lives.”
“But, William, we don’t know…” Buckner stopped
in mid-sentence when Analisia entered the room.
“I can help,” Analisia stated.
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“What do we need to do, Analisia?” William asked.
“We need to join hands and form a chain. All of you
concentrate on healing, while the two people on each end
of our chain place their hands on Savannah’s body.”
“That’s it? It’s as simple as that?” William
questioned in surprise.
Analisia smiled and said, “Yes, that’s it. However,
depending on how much blood she has lost, this still may
not work.”
After all of these years, William was still amazed by
the things the Crew could do, but he was most surprised by
how simply those miraculous things were executed. The
men followed Analisia’s instructions, first healing
Savannah’s wounds, and then Brimmount’s. Savannah’s
wounds closed, but retained her pallor, and her breathing
was very shallow. The Crew worried whether she would
pull through; she’d lost so much blood. When Brimmount’s
wounds were closed, he opened his eyes for a moment, one
word slipping from his lips. “Savannah,” he breathed,
before fading to unconsciousness again.
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“We need to let them rest,” William instructed, and
everyone left the room except Fillmore. William asked
him, “Are you coming?”
“No, William, I’m going to sit here with Brimmount
for a while.”
William understood why Fillmore wanted to be
with Brimmount. Fillmore had been looking out him, just
as a big brother would, for a long time now. If Brimmount
didn’t make it, Fillmore would surely fall apart.
“No problem, Marcus. I’ll ask David to walk the
grounds, though I can’t see those bastards coming back
tonight. Zachariah and I will check on both of them later to
see how they’re doing.” William reached the door and
paused. “Marcus?”
“Yeah, Will.”
“He’s going to be okay.”
“I know, Will. I know.”
William didn’t know if Brimmount would survive,
but he needed to keep Fillmore and everyone else positive
at the moment. He wondered if his words were spoken to
comfort himself, as well as Fillmore. William left the room
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and was greeted by Rain in the hallway. It was the first
time William had ever seen Rain cry, and it broke his heart.
“Marcus is still in there?” she asked.
“Yes, I don’t think he will leave Brimmount’s side
tonight, Rain.” The tears began to flow a little more freely
down Rain’s cheeks. “William, are Savannah and
Brimmount going to make it?”
“Rain, I wish I could say yes, but at this point, I’m
not altogether sure what’s going to happen.” William
wrapped his arm around Rain’s waist gazing at her neck.
The bandage had been removed and no signs of trauma
remained. “Let me guess, Analisia?”
“Yeah, she is amazing.”
With a sallow smile William grasped Rain a little
tighter, “Come on, why don’t we go and get some tea? All
we can do now is wait and hope for the best.”
None of the Crew thought sleep would come, so
they all sat silently in the parlor, waiting to see what the
night would bring. It was nearly 2:30 in the morning when
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William was nudged awake by Fillmore. “William,
William, wake-up,” Fillmore whispered.
“Huh? What? Is everything okay?”
“Ssshhh! everyone’s asleep.” William looked
around at the whole Crew, asleep in the parlor. Caroline
slumped next to him on the sofa, her lap supporting Rain’s
head. Buckner sprawled like an oversized ragdoll in one of
the cushiony, red-velvet parlor chairs. The carved cherubs
on either side of the arms supported Buckner’s dangling
legs on one side. David filled the other parlor chair,
crouched inside with his legs stretched in front of him.
To William’s right, Analisia lay on the stone floor
in front of the fireplace. She was curled up, her head
supported by one of the sofa pillows. Alaricus lay just
below her, using her legs for his own pillow. In all the
excitement of the night, William had nearly forgotten about
Alaricus and how he’d aided Analisia…and all of the rest
of them. Alaricus would be a conversation to be put on
hold for the moment.
William rubbed his eyes and stretched as he stood
up. He whispered, “Fillmore, what is it? Are Savannah and
Brimmount okay?”
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“Just…come with me.” Fillmore led William out of
the parlor, and, when he was sure no one else could hear
him, he said, “Savannah didn’t make it, Will.”
“What?!”
“Shhh! She isn’t breathing and I cannot detect her
heartbeat.”
William ran his hand through his hair, in the
quietest voice he could manage, said, “Shit, shit!” He stood
there for a moment with his hands on his hips, then said,
“Okay, let’s go take a look.”
The two walked down the hallway to the
guestroom, careful not to wake Brimmount. William knelt
down beside Savannah. She looked so peaceful lying there,
and William could see her chest wasn’t moving. He
grabbed the hand mirror from the nightstand and held it
under her nose—the mirror did not fog with her breath.
William then laid his head gently on her chest and heard
only hollow silence.
“She is gone,” William and Fillmore heard
Brimmount say from behind them.
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“Kyle!” Fillmore shouted, spinning to face him.
Brimmount flinched as he sat up on his arm.
“Don’t! Just relax, Kyle,” Fillmore insisted,
rushing to prop pillows under Brimmount, so he wouldn’t
strain himself. “I thought we might lose you, buddy…”
Fillmore was doing his best to keep his composure, but
couldn’t stop his eyes from watering. “I’m so sorry, Kyle.
I’m so sorry about Savannah.”
Kyle looked at both Fillmore and William, a single
tear running down the side of his face. Kyle took a minute
clear his throat. “Don’t… Don’t do that, Marcus. There’s
nothing any of you could’ve done to change what happened
to Savannah. So, please, for me, just don’t.”
William put his hand on Brimmount’s shoulder and
asked, “Hey, Brother, I’m glad to see you’re doing better.
You really gave us a good scare.” William didn’t want to
have to tell Kyle they needed to remove Savannah’s body,
but he felt it was best to get the worst of the situation over
with. “We need to take Savannah out of here. Are you
going to be okay with that?”
Brimmount put his head down and squeezed his
eyes shut tightly. William could tell Brimmount was losing
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the battle to fight his tears back. Brimmount opened his
eyes. “Can you help me over to her?”
Neither Fillmore nor William were going to deny
him, so they each gave Brimmount a shoulder and helped
him into a chair beside Savannah. Brimmount sat there for
a moment with his hand on hers, before he asked if
Fillmore and William to could give him a minute. William
and Fillmore headed out to the front porch. It was Fillmore
who finally broke the silence.
“Twice! Twice? How in hell does that happen to
one man? First Angelica and now Savannah…it’s not
right, William. It’s just not right. What in the hell is wrong
with this picture, Will?” Fillmore asked, pounding his fist
against the wood rail.
William placed his hand on Fillmore’s arm and
said, “That’s not going to help, nor will it take your pain
away, Marcus.”
“You may be right, but I don’t have anything or
anyone else to take my frustration out on. Damn it! Are
they ever going stop this? Are they ever going to stop
taking our family? Angelica, Savannah, why, Will, why?”
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“Fillmore, I wish I had some insight, some words
that could make this whole situation better somehow, but I
don’t. I cannot say why the powers that be have chosen to
take both Angelica and Savannah from Brimmount, and I
don’t know why the Damned are so relentless.” William
looked Fillmore in the eye, and his own held all the serenity
and conviction one man could muster. He continued. “What
I do know is that the Damned are not going to stop. They
will try to take us all out, even if they have to do it one at a
time. More importantly, Brimmount needs us more now
more than he ever has. We need to keep it together so we
can help him get through this.” William paused and leaned
against the porch rail, spotting the blood Fillmore left
behind. “I also know that I don’t want to lose one more
member of our family, Marcus, not one more.”
At that moment, Brimmount came out to the porch
with the help of David and Buckner. “She’s ready now,”
Brimmount said. “I told her I loved her…and I told her
good-bye.”
“Kyle, we’ll take good care of her, I promise. But
right now, you really need to rest.” William asked David
and Buckner, “Could the two of you take him into the
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parlor? I’ll ask Caroline to clean up that room, so
Brimmount doesn’t have to go up and down those stairs.”
“Thank you, William, but I could use a cup of
coffee, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, Kyle, sure, I’ll put a pot on,” William said in
a low voice. “I could use a cup myself.”
David and Buckner helped Brimmount into the
house with Fillmore following behind, while William
brewed the coffee. Everyone sat down at the table. Buckner
came into the kitchen just as the coffee was being poured
and asked William if he could talk to him outside. The two
men exited the house without a word, but William had the
suspicion Buckner was thinking the same thing he was but,
of course, Buckner was blocking his thoughts. Brimmount
was acting a little too calm after what had happened. But
then again, this wasn’t his first time losing a wife.
Buckner raised his coffee cup to his mouth when
they reached the porch, took a sip, and said, “Is it just me or
is Brimmount’s disposition a little too composed?”
William let out a small laugh. “I’m sorry, Jonathan,
but I was thinking the same thing. By the way why do you
block your thoughts for time to time?”
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“Do you think we need to worry? And to answer
your question about blocking my thoughts, I do because I
can.” A wicked little smile crossed his lips.
William had to laugh. “Yes, you can can’t you.”
Then more serious, he said, “I am not certain worry is the
term I would use, but we should watch him. He’s been
through a great deal, and, I would venture to say, more than
his share of heartache. I don’t believe it’s all caught up with
him just yet.”
“Yeah, I have to say he’s had some bad luck when it
comes to wives. I also know that Analisia is on edge right
now; she’s worried about all that has come to pass.” He
paused as another thought entered his mind. “We should
have a talk with her and Alaricus so the air can be cleared.
The family hasn’t said anything, but I know they’re all
wondering about him. We need to figure out what his true
intentions are…and what we’re going to do with him.”
“You’re right, and with Brimmount acting so out of
character, I’m not altogether sure how he’s going to react to
Alaricus being here.”
William had to wonder if Brimmount was merely
being strong for the family, or if the grief just hadn’t sunk
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in yet. Whatever the reason, William knew the Crew would
need to offer him their full support. William’s mind was
reeling. He wondered how much more the Crew could take.
He thought, Death is a part of life, but, damn it all to hell,
we’ve had more than our fair share.
All that Zak was going through suddenly came to
William’s mind. Since, everyone in the Crew shared
emotional experiences, especially a death, he was sure Zak
already knew about Savannah. William prayed Zak would
be able to handle all the devastation being hurled at him. It
was enough to be trapped in the middle of a war zone, but
Zak would have to suffer all the distress the family was
going through, while thousands of miles away. He silently
asked the power that be to give him the strength to get his
family through this.
Buckner broke William from his thoughts. “This is
not going to be a simple task is it?”
“No, my friend, I don’t think we’re going get off
easy. But we have to be prepared for the possibility that
Brimmount will lash out in his grief, irrationally.”
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“William, do we ever get out of these things with
ease? I’d do anything to change what has happened and
spare him the suffering he’s going through.”
“I know, Jonathan, I know.
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Chapter 3Alaricus’ Reveal
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ust as William and Fillmore’s conversation ended, the
two men abruptly heard angry words filling the air,
coming from inside the house. They looked at one
another in alarm, and Buckner said, “Holy shit, that’s
Brimmount.” They ran in the front door heading for the
screams coming from the parlor.
J When they were close enough to make out words,
they heard Brimmount shouting, “Why in the hell are you
here, you piece of shit? Why don’t you just go back to
those wretched Damned and leave this family alone.
Haven’t you done enough? Hasn’t there been enough death
for your kind!”
William and Buckner ran into the parlor, and saw
that Brimmount’s face was red with anger, and he was
shoving his finger dangerously close to Alaricus’ face.
“You and those fuckin’ filthy dogs took my
precious Savannah from me. You’ve taken good people this
family has loved and cared about, Tyrone, Cecil, Angelica,
and now Savannah! Get out! Just get the fuck out of here!”
“Whoa, hold on, Brimmount,” Fillmore said as he
grabbed him and pulled him away from Alaricus.
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“Fillmore is right, Kyle, you need to calm down.
You’re not in any shape to be doing this right now,”
William added.
“Calm down?! Come on, William, you can’t be
serious! This is one of the assholes who killed our family,
who’ve taken those we love from us. How in the hell can
you, of all people, stand there and tell me to calm down?!”
“Brimmount, you know I care more about you and
this family than anything else in this world, and, yes, our
losses have been great. But don’t you think we owe it to
Analisia and Buckner to find out why Alaricus is here and
what he wants? I saw Alaricus when the Damned were
attacking me at the silver mine. The only other time we’ve
encountered him was when Aurora brought him to the
wedding. I never remember seeing him at any other battles
we fought against the Damned. He was the one who helped
Analisia during the fight with Aurora tonight, Kyle. He
very well could have saved her life.”
Brimmount’s voice lowered slightly. “All good
points, but, William, he attacked you not so long ago in the
cave of the silver mine. Have you forgotten that? How can
we trust him? How can you have him in our home?”
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“Brimmount I’m not asking you to trust him, I only
want all of us to sit down calmly and hear what he has to
say. Do you think you can do that?” Brimmount looked
over at Alaricus, shook his head and walked out of the
room. William called after him, “He’s not the one who
killed Savannah, Kyle!”
William heard the front door slam and moved to
follow him, but Fillmore stopped him. “Will, let me handle
this one. Why don’t you get everyone settled, and I’ll do
what I can to get him to come back.”
“Are you sure, Marcus? He is pretty riled up.”
“Yea, well, I know how to talk to him when he’s
like this…or have you forgotten all the times we had to pull
him out of a fight. Our little Firecracker has just reared his
ugly head again and I can handle him.”
William smirked, shaking his head. “No, it hasn’t
been so long that those memories escaped me, yet. Go, but
if you need one us…”
“I’ll come get you,” Fillmore finished for him,
striding outside.
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He couldn’t see Brimmount, but he had a good idea
where he went. He headed for the barn and found
Brimmount sitting on the workbench, his hands gripping
the sides so hard, the knuckles were blanched. He could see
Brimmount waged a war inside himself, a battle that
wouldn’t be settled by a simple conversation.
“You know, if you break that bench, Firecracker,
you might feel better,” Fillmore said.
Brimmount smirked a little. “It has been awhile
since I heard that nickname. But, seriously, don’t joke
around, Marcus; I am not in the mood.”
“I know you are hurting, angry, and, most likely,
feeling like William let you down. I haven’t seen that
temper of yours for a long time. I thought maybe it was
gone. But, Kyle, after all we’ve been through together as a
family, don’t you think you’re being a little harsh with
William? You have to know we’re all are here for you and
would never choose anyone over you?”
“I don’t want to be cruel to William, you know that.
I know he’s doing what believes to be right. I just can’t
bring myself to…” Brimmount fell to his knees.
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Fillmore could see his friend’s anger was a mask
used to hide his pain. Fillmore had never been big on
emotional displays, but it killed him to see Brimmount on
his knees, sobbing. He sat on the ground beside him and
pulled Brimmount into his shoulder, letting him cry. The
pair sat like that for a moment. Brimmount was sobbing
and Fillmore holding him trying to be supportive.
Brimmount finally stood, flushing with
embarrassment and wiping the tears from his face.
“Fillmore, I just can’t bring myself to go back into that
house with him there.”
Fillmore couldn’t blame Brimmount for the way he
felt. He knew damn good and well, he would’ve felt the
same way if Rain had been killed. Then again, he really
didn’t like the fact Alaricus was there, in his family’s
house. He had to admit he was curious about the reason
why, though.
“Kyle, no one is saying you have to like what is
going on right now. Shoot, none of us do. But don’t you
want to know why he’s here? Why he stood against his
own mother and helped Analisia? Doesn’t it all seem so out
of the ordinary?” Fillmore looked at Brimmount with all
the seriousness he could muster and continued. “You know
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it wasn’t Alaricus who attacked Savannah. Was he the one
who attacked you?”
“No, no it wasn’t him. I didn’t even see him,”
Brimmount said still wiping away the tears that kept
brimming over to fall in steady streams.
“Then, doesn’t it eat at your curiosity, even a little,
about why he’s come to us? I mean, he’s turned his back
on his own mother…his own kind. You know as well as
any of us, they won’t take him back. Aurora would kill him
first, no matter whether she’s his mother or not. So, he
took a big risk by staying here. He has no one to go to, even
if we didn’t let him in.”
Brimmount’s face adopted an air of inquisitiveness.
“I didn’t think of it that way. I guess the pain and anger
muddled my thinking. But I’ll tell you one thing; I don’t
trust him—not in the slightest.”
Fillmore clapped Brimmount on the back. “I don’t
either, my friend. Why don’t we go in and find out what he
has to say instead of sitting out here trying to guess.” They
moved together slowly, back to the house. Fillmore feeling
relieved he’d been able to talk Kyle into going back.
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When Brimmount and Fillmore entered the parlor,
everyone was sitting in silence. William rose and made his
way over to them. “Brimmount, how are you feeling? Are
you good?”
“Yes, Will, I’m fine. I’ll hear what Alaricus has to
say.”
William could see it took every ounce of control
Brimmount had just to be in the room with Alaricus,
though he could see he had calmed considerably. “Are you
sure?” William clarified, knowing it was a strained calm.
“Yes, I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t worry, Will, I’m going to be sitting right
beside him. Firecracker and I have worked a few things out,
haven’t we?” Fillmore asked, locking his arm around
Brimmount’s neck.
William smiled at the use of the old nickname.
“Okay, then, why don’t we all sit down and give Alaricus a
chance to tell us his side of the story.”
Fillmore walked Brimmount over to the sofa where
David was sitting. It was the furthest point away from
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where Alaricus and Analisia were sitting—just in case the
ol’ Firecracker surfaced.
William addressed the family once they were
seated. “I can’t believe how far this family has come, how
long we’ve loved one another, and how strong we’ve all
stood through the turmoil we’ve had to endure. I know this
is hard for all of you, but Buckner and Analisia would
appreciate your opening your minds long enough to listen
to what Alaricus has to say.” William sat by Caroline and
motioned to Alaricus. “Go ahead, Alaricus, tell us why
you’re here.”
Alaricus appeared understandably nervous, but all
the same, he told the Crew the story of his life.
“I, as you may or may not know, did not become
one of the Damned, as you have called them. I was born
into that world–I don’t recall ever living in any other place.
To be honest, I knew nothing of any of you until I battled
with William at the cave.
Aurora, my mother, kept me from the battles. I
would never have fathomed we had foes, until she forced
me to fight with William. She sheltered me and concealed
things from me. The reason I was present on the day
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William was attacked was because my mother had decided
it was time for me to earn my status as a warrior. I had no
knowledgeable about why we were attacking or why it held
such great significance to my family. What I observed that
night verified that my mother had been deceitful. She had
concealed that there were others and their alternate way of
living.”
“We are nothing like you!” Brimmount snapped.
William gave him a hard look and said, “Kyle, you
promised.”
Alaricus stated, “His reaction is understandable,
William. I understand the reason behind his angry words.
I’m sure his grief must be overpowering.”
Brimmount jumped to his feet. “The hell you do!
How could you?!”
Fillmore and David grabbed his arms. “Damn it,
Firecracker, let him finish what he has to say,” Fillmore
said through clenched teeth. “Now, sit down and listen.”
Brimmount reluctantly reclaimed his seat, with some help
from Fillmore, of course, before Alaricus continued.
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“I don’t wish to upset you. We all do have the blood
of the ancients. Some, like my mother, have chosen to use
their gifts for evil, but we are all related. I was never given
a choice concerning whom I would turn out to be. All I
know is that I never quite fit in with the rest of my family.
“My mother, Aurora, and my father, Amarious, kept
me in the dark my entire life. I’m uncertain why they
behaved in such a destructive manner, but it wasn’t until
my father’s passing my mother divulged any detail about
your family.
She portrayed all of you as dark, evil people who
were out to destroy our group. I listened to her speak, but
had little faith in the words she voiced. I believe my mother
knew I wasn’t convinced by her story. However, if you
knew my mother, you’d understand her way of thinking
was the only way.
“I used to have dreams, dreams of a past I couldn’t
possibly know anything about.” Alaricus looked to Analisia
and grabbed her hand. “I had dreams of you and your
sisters. When I asked my mother what the dreams could
mean, she would say they were only delusions and nothing
more. At your wedding when I saw the surreal resemblance
between the two of you and she called you sister, I was
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overcome by shock and anger. I knew then my life had
been filled with lies and deceit.”
Alaricus lowered his head, and William could tell
he was ashamed for failing to demand the truth from his
mother earlier. Ashamed he allowed himself be lead based
upon a pack of lies. Ashamed he didn’t question what little
his parents had told him. “I should’ve known. I should have
questioned…and I should’ve listened to my dreams.”
Analisia touched the young man’s head softly and
whispered, “It’s alright now, Alaricus, none of this is your
fault.”
“I have to ask, for my own clarification, there is
another sister? One who is a mirror image of you and
mother, is that right?”
Analisia looked at Alaricus with loving eyes. “Yes
there is, Aureliana. Why do you ask?”
“In my dreams I have witnessed three small girls
whose appearances were identical apart from their eye
color. They shared the beauty and grace of their mother—a
woman with a generous nature, unlike I’ve never seen
before, full of wide-eyed imaginings. The girls were full of
joy and very close, closer than most could ever hope to be
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with another person. But then a darkness fell, an
unspeakable, horrible shadow cast, unknowingly, by the
hands of mortal men that separated the girls. I always
awoke at that part of the dream in a cold sweat so I never
saw what happened after. I feel this has been shielded from
my sight.”
Analisia’s eyes misted, for she knew he was
speaking of the tragedy that had turned Aurora away from
any goodness in her nature. The Crew could see the pain
envelop her face at the memory of what had happened so
long ago; she could not hide it.
“I’m sorry,” Alaricus said as he looked at his Aunt’s
face. “I assume this dream is based in fact?”
“Yes, your dreams are showing you the truth. But,
please, continue. We can speak of the story behind it all
later.”
“After I met you at your wedding and realized my
dreams to be more fact then fiction, my mother and I
argued over her lies. She insisted her mistruths were
delivered with my best interests at the heart of them. But I
knew there was something more, something sinister about
the way she hid the past from me. My dreams became
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more vivid and disturbing. It was my last dream, two days
before this last attack, which confirmed what I knew I must
do.”
Alaricus took a deep breath and looked around the
room at each member of the Crew. William saw something
in man he hadn’t before. There was love and admiration in
his eyes as he observed the others in the room. But more
deep, more profound, was a yearning, a longing to be a part
of something that had been kept from him for so long.
William realized he was not the only one who saw these
desires awaken in Alaricus. Even Brimmount had relaxed,
and his eyes held a glint of compassion for the young man.
“Please, describe your dream,” William requested.
“It was pieced together of flashes from past
occurrences that didn’t make much sense initially. As it
progressed, the images became more vivid than they had
ever presented before. I saw a woman holding a newborn
who looked exactly like my mother and I saw you, Aunt
Analisia. The only difference in appearance between you
and the other woman was the eyes. Her eyes were a warm
sky blue full of love and happiness. However, there was a
sadness was present in her eyes, a prevailing sadness, as if
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someone she loved profoundly had been taken away from
her. I felt she was a part of me somehow.
“Next, there were flashes of a man running through
the woods with a baby in his arms. I couldn’t see his face,
but would wager my life it was my father, Amarious.
There were past images of battles involving people I’d
never met, and part of that included this family. I saw your
faces while in the midst of fighting with my family. I saw
gruesome images of death and blood. I felt overwhelming
loss and heartbreak. I struggled to awaken from these
visions but could not. When I felt driven to my breaking
point by the dream, everything inside my head went silent,
and I found myself standing in a forest I’d never before laid
eyes upon.
“I felt the coolness of the air around me and
squinted through the denseness of the mist among the trees.
I heard a voice softly calling my. The outline of a woman
appeared from out of the mist. She came closer, so that I
could see her more clearly. She was a slender, beautiful
black woman with striking, long black hair. The way she
moved made it appear as though she glided just off the
ground. She told me to be calm, and that she wasn’t there
to harm me. I wasn’t afraid. Her voice was soft and
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comforting. She said, ‘All you know is not what it appears
to be. Go to them and you will find your true self and the
truth about your past.’ When she began to fade back into
the mist, I asked her name and she replied, ‘Cecil,’ before
fading away.”
The room became so still, Alaricus could no longer
hear anyone else breathe. The only sound was his own
lungs taking in air, then slowly releasing it. The faces
looking back at him were of full of disbelief. He began to
feel a little uncomfortable. “Have I said something to
offend any of you?”
It was Caroline who spoke first. “No, you didn’t
offend any of us, Alaricus. It’s just that Cecil was a part of
this family and…” Caroline fought to hold back the tears
forming in her eyes. “You see, she was killed in a fight
with the Damned …I mean those in the family you come
from, some time ago, and we all miss her so much.”
Alaricus, with a bewildered expression on his face,
said, “This cannot be the same woman that you lost.”
“But you described what she looked like to a tee…
and Cecil was her name,” Caroline responded.
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Alaricus didn’t wish to upset the Crew, but he knew
that the woman who came to him in his dream was not
dead. “But, Miss Caroline, I know the woman I saw in my
dream is not deceased. She may have left her physical
body, but she still lingers.”
The Crew felt excitement and optimism growing
within them. It seemed too good to be true. The thought of
Cecil’s survival was more than they could have ever hoped
for. And the ashes…where did the ashes come from? Why
would she tell Tyrone good-bye? These questions ran
through family’s minds. Was it possible? Was she able to
escape before Brimmount pushed the lightning towards
her? Why hadn’t she let them know she was still out there?
Alaricus noted their expressions and could feel the
joy mixed with confusion flowing throughout the room.
Caroline couldn’t contain her emotions and spoke with
enthusiasm. “Do you mean she decided to sleep? I mean, it
is possible isn’t it, William?”
William looked at Caroline’s pleading eyes. “I’m
not sure; all we saw were smoldering ashes. It could have
been the ashes from a small tree or the vegetation, I
suppose, but we can’t be sure, Caroline.”
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Alaricus spoke up. “She doesn’t sleep. Her gifts are
unknown to me, but I’m certain she does not sleep. She is
somewhere else I just can’t say where.”
“But she is here; she is with us.” Caroline hesitated
for a moment. She didn’t want to be overzealous or have
unrealistic expectations. After composing herself, Caroline
said, “If she’s still here, why? Why would she leave us?
Why wouldn’t she come back when Tyrone made the
decision to sleep?”
The room went dead silent. The thought of Cecil
here, alive, but not coming to any of them was
overwhelming. William knew Caroline wouldn’t let this go;
it would eat at her until she found the answers she was
looking for.
David ended the unsettling, heavy silence. “You
said this dream told you we would be the ones to give you
the answers you were looking for, but I don’t believe we
have those answers. I haven’t been a part of this family as
long as the others, but the history I’ve learned doesn’t seem
to relate to this situation.”
All of the Crew, even Analisia, agreed with what
David had said. They still didn’t know all there was to
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know about the past. Though Analisia had shed some light
about their gifts and hinted at what the Crew was meant to
accomplish in the world, many questions remained
unanswered.
One of the biggest for William was why he’d
acquired the ability to shift into…well, whatever beast it
was he transformed into. Had this ability been there all
along, lying dormant until he’d needed it? This question
tormented William. He was sure this question, along with
many others, the Crew had asked themselves a time or two.
Now, sitting before them was a young man who was
born to the Damned, but was never a true part of them. This
brought up other unanswered questions: How could
Alaricus stay with the Damned so long? Why did he break
free now? Was it fate that brought him into the family, and
if so, why? Why now, after so long? William could’ve
driven himself mad trying to figure it all out.
Buckner asking William if he was alright
interrupted his thoughts. “Oh, yes, I’m sorry. I guess I got
lost in my head for a moment. I, the same as all of you, I’m
sure, have so many questions without enough answers. All
of this is a little overwhelming.”
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“Yes we know.” But one thing is for sure; you’re
still the dreamer we know and love,” Fillmore teased.
“Very funny, Fillmore; just remember who saved
your ass on more than one occasion,” William said with a
chuckle.
The room fell silent again, all of this was just too
much to absorb and the thoughts of what they should do
now ran ramped. The silence in the room didn’t last long.
Brimmount stood, but Fillmore grabbed his arm, asking,
“Have you calmed down?”
Brimmount gave Fillmore a look that told him he
had. When Fillmore released him, Brimmount walked over
to where Alaricus was sitting and said, “I don’t know if I
trust everything you’ve said, but I can see you mean this
family no harm.”
He hesitated from a moment, and the Crew was a
little more than nervous about what he might do. It
wouldn’t be the first time Brimmount lost his composure in
a split second. He was notorious for going from a state of
soothing calm to one of raging anger at the speed of light.
The family watched intent on springing up to grab him if he
lost his tentative cool. Than Brimmount spoke, “I know it
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wasn’t you who took Savannah from me. I know it wasn’t
you who took Angelica either. I wanted to say I’m sorry for
the way I attacked you earlier.”
Brimmount held out his hand and Alaricus took it,
relieved Brimmount had stopped seeing him as a monster.
When Alaricus took Brimmount’s hand, Brimmount
stiffened and jerked uncontrollably. Fillmore and David
ran over to Brimmount, Fillmore shouting, “What are you
doing to him? Let him go!”
It appeared to the Crew Brimmount was being
shocked with quick, short bursts of electricity. “Let go of
him!” Analisia screamed.
“I cannot! He will not release me,” Alaricus yelped
in an alarmed voice.
Brimmount fell to his knees, Alaricus trying to free
his hand, while Fillmore and David struggled to pull the
pair apart. Brimmount’s voice was shaking as he told
Fillmore and David to stop. His face was flooded with
pain, and he stiffened and jolted again as some invisible
force electrocuted him. Finally, Brimmount’s grasp on
Alaricus released. Brimmount slumped to the floor.
Fillmore knelt beside him. “Kyle, Kyle, are you okay? Are
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you hurt?” He looked at Alaricus and screamed, “What the
hell did you do to him?”
Shocked and shaken, Alaricus responded, “Nothing,
I swear; I did nothing.”
Brimmount, panting in exhaustion, managed to say,
“Fillmore I’m not hurt. Stop yelling at him.”
It took a moment for Brimmount to catch his breath
and gain the strength to climb back to his feet with Fillmore
and David’s help. Brimmount’s face was red, his breathing
erratic, and tears ran down his cheeks as he looked at
Alaricus and said, “I’m so sorry. But why didn’t you tell us
everything?”
The Crew’s expressions of concern quickly turned
to ones of curious inquiry. They focused on Alaricus as he
asked, “What do you mean?”
“The cold damp room with books, the lashes of the
whip, the burning…” Brimmount wiped his brow and took
Alaricus by both hands this time. “You don’t have to hide
these things from us. You were abused…kept like a caged
animal for years…for a lifetime.”
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Alaricus’ dark-green eyes widened with disbelief,
and he lowered his head in shame. “How did you…You
couldn’t have…”
“Alaricus, what did they do to you?” Analisia
asked. There was such sadness in her voice; William
imagined the world must feel her sorrow.
Alaricus remained silent. From William’s point of
view, Alaricus appeared ashamed of all he’d been through,
as if he’d been carrying a burden meant solely for him to
bear. The man who sat before them looked, strangely,
boyish at that moment. A boy who’d been caught doing
something he shouldn’t. The Crew recognized his anguish,
but, more so, the loneliness that encompassed him.
Brimmount put his hand on Alaricus’ shoulder and
whispered, “It’s alright now. You’ll never have to go
through that again.” Brimmount gave Alaricus a look of
reinsurance and continued. “Show them. It’s okay, I
promise.”
William’s thoughts began to take over again; he
wondered, what could have happened? What had those
demons done to Alaricus and why?
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Before his thoughts could run any further, Alaricus
stood up. His look didn’t reflect embarrassment or shame
any longer, rather, it seemed to be more one of
mortification. To William he looked so desolate and
forsaken. Analisia touched Alaricus softly on his arm and
smiled sweetly at him. “It’s going to be okay, Alaricus.
You’re safe with us.”
Alaricus looked nervously about the room,
as though apprehensive. He, then, lifted and removed his
shirt. Gasps could be heard from everyone in the room.
The shock and sorrow in their eyes could not be concealed.
Caroline and Rain looked away, though they could never
wash from their memory the sight of the dreadful scars
covering Alaricus’ body. The tears ran without cessation
from Analisia’s eyes as she beheld the marks from the
torture her nephew had endured.
William’s thoughts flashed back to the first time
he’d seen Tyrone’s scars. Violent, deep scars, appearing
dark purple in certain areas, which had covered his back
and his arms. At that time, he never thought he would see
such devastating remnants of torture again—he’d been
wrong. A whip had left overlapping, raised scar tissue, like
the kind Tyrone had borne, but there were also old burns,
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as if the boy had been branded like a farm animal. Though
Tyrone’s scars had been horrid, there were still areas left
untouched. Alaricus’ scars didn’t display that kind of
mercy. His chest, back, and upper arms were one huge scar,
bearing no trace of forgiveness or compassion.
Analisia couldn’t contain herself, and as she
sobbed, she asked, “Why, why would they do this to you…
Who did this to you?”
Alaricus wrapped his arms around Analisia, trying
to comfort her, though it was she who wanted to comfort
him. She desperately wanted take away all that he’d
endured somehow. “Please, don’t cry, Aunt Analisia,
please. I am alive, and I’m here with you now.”
Analisia face twisted as she harshly wiped away her
tears. “No, you tell me why! Tell me what possible reason
that wretched man and my venomous sister could’ve had to
enact such cruelty. You tell me, tell me now!” Analisia
paced back and forth in front of him, her anger building
beyond her control. “They had no right! I promise you this
now that she will never lay another hand on you, but you
have to tell me why.”
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Alaricus shook his head, saying, “Amarious did this
to me. As for the reason why, I’m not altogether sure.
Sometimes he would beat me for no apparent reason, then
lock me away in my room for days. Other times, he and
the others would come home from battle, and he took his
anger out on me telling me—he would curse the day I was
born.”
“And Aurora did nothing to stop him?”
“No, Auntie, she did nothing.”
Analisia paced a moment more, taking deep breaths.
She grabbed Alaricus, holding him tight before she spoke.
“I’m sorry, so sorry, I raised my voice. I’m also sorry you
had to endure such ghastly treatment. I am overjoyed that
you are here with us now, Alaricus. I just don’t understand
how Aurora could stand by and watch while it occurred.
She was not always like this, you know. There was a time
she had a pure heart, a heart of gold. She was a good
person, Alaricus. She truly was.”
The Crew’s heads were reeling. The last twenty-
four hours had left them inundated with emotion. William
was amazed how perceptions among the Crew could
change so quickly once the truth had been revealed. He also
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wondered what Aurora’s payback would be in return for
Alaricus’ joining with their side in this never-ending war.
William looked at the clock and saw it was 9:30
a.m., though it felt much later, and he realized they had
been up all night. He looked around the room at the tired
faces of his family, knowing, tired or not, no one would be
able to sleep. It was time to take the situation to a vote and
find out what the Crew wanted to do about Alaricus.
William was pretty sure the vote would be in favor of his
joining the family, but he needed to make sure it was
unanimous. “Well, we’ve all had a long night, and I know
everyone is tired, but I feel it’s time for everyone to have
their say in this matter. Do you agree?”
Everyone assented, but it was Brimmount who
voiced his opinion first. “Everyone knows that I didn’t
think much of this man when he came in those doors last
night. But you know my view of him was overshadowed
by…” Brimmount took a deep breath as he pushed back
his pain.
Fillmore walked over to put his hand on
Brimmount’s shoulder. Brimmount wiped his eyes and
continued. “By the death of Savannah…” came out as a
muffled whisper. “However, I have been shown the truth,
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and I feel Alaricus has been a victim of circumstance. I
truly believe he means this family no harm. I vote that we
accept him as a brother.” Brimmount managed a crooked
smile, looked at Alaricus, and chuckled. “But, just so you
know, I’ll be watching you, buddy. So, you’d better keep
on the straight and narrow.”
The two men embraced, and Alaricus replied, “I
won’t let you down, any of you.”
The Crew agreed with Brimmount, just as William
had been certain they would. He suspected the others
needed to be sure of Brimmount first. The family all
gathered around Alaricus to welcome him. Of course, it
did feel a little strange to be welcoming a former Damned
into the family—one who tried to take William’s life not so
long ago, nonetheless. But the Crew was aware Alaricus
had done only what he needed to survive.
William couldn’t help but wonder how this young
man had lived with the Damned as long as he had. The
thought of the abuse he’d endured for hundreds of years
was enough to make William’s head ache. How long had
he yearned for a different life, the opposite of the one he’d
been born into? How many nights, had he prayed to be
saved from his torture? How often had he waited quietly in
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the darkness of his room, which William learned later was
more of a dungeon, wondering when the door would open
to deliver whichever unspeakable torture his father would
dish out that night.
While these thoughts dominated William’s mind,
the more demanding wonder of how strong Alaricus had
been moved to the forefront. He had to be more resilient
than William could imagine, to retain the virtuous
characteristics he’d shown, without faltering to follow in
the footsteps of the Damned. William wasn’t sure he
could’ve withstood all Alaricus suffered while preserving
his sanity and his principles.
The rest of the day was passed solemnly. Once
everything had settled down, the Crew was free to mourn
the loss of Savannah. Her death was difficult like all the
others that came before, but her loss seemed to hit the Crew
full force. William attributed much of this to the lack of
sleep and the emotional rollercoaster they’d all experienced
in a brief, twenty-four hour period. His mind was running
on overdrive, just trying to make sense of it all.
Brimmount, Fillmore, and Alaricus worked together
to dig Savannah’s grave. Brimmount decided he wanted
her resting place next to Angelica and his unborn child. He
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said it just felt right to have the family he loved together.
William didn’t find his decision anomalous. The fact
Brimmount chose to have Savannah and Angelica resting
together made sense to William. What seemed odd was
Alaricus helping him and Fillmore dig Savannah’s grave.
Brimmount had expressed his approval for having
Alaricus join the family, however, William wondered if
Brimmount still harbored mixed emotions concerning their
new addition. To see Alaricus digging Savannah’s final
resting place came as a surprise indeed. William figured
Brimmount wanted to talk with Alaricus further to find out
all he could about their newest family member.
Most of the day was overcast by the gloom of
Savannah’s loss. Though, just as with anything, the
dreariness of the day did not last. To ease the pain was the
thought of Cecil and the possibility she could still be with
them. Caroline suffered with trying to figure out where
exactly she may be and how she might have gotten there.
The Crew, who bore witness to her death that day in
the woods, recounted the events, trying to gain insight
about what they could have missed. They all felt they
would learn the truth in time…but time could be a funny
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thing, playing out into an eternity when one longs for
something lost, longing for its return.
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