“Jarod, you don’t have a choice,” Jaron responded, trying to comfort him while knowing it was impossible. “She was given her options and she decided this is what she wants.”
“Because she doesn’t have any idea what she is agreeing to,” he snapped slamming his fist into the bed. “Do you really think if they take her and stake her out she will feel the same way?”
Jaron couldn’t help it as his eyes drifted to the scars on Jarod’s hands. He understood exactly what it was he was trying to protect this young girl from, but all he could think about was what would happen to his friend if he didn’t do the task the Shadows had sent him to do. “Would you have changed your mind? If you were able to go back, knowing all you have been through to this point, would you do it again?”
Jarod didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I would do it all over again, because we found her. We found K, and now because of it we have a chance to be rid of the Shadows for good.”
“Then who is to say she won’t one day say the same.”
He was about to point out the obvious differences between himself and Maya, when she appeared in the doorway. “I have to go,” she said, staring at the pair of them frozen in mid argument. Her eyes appeared to be glazed over, either from the pain or the medications Mikel had given her for it. Her hair was wet with sweat and clung to the sides of her face in a tangled mess, and her whole body read of nothing but complete exhaustion. “I tracked Sam to a bar down the road from our inn; he will only stay there about an hour before he goes home.”
“Are you ready?” Dirik walked up behind her, carefully draping her jacket over her shoulders.
“Yes,” she answered taking ahold of his arm for support, but as they turned to leave, she looked back at the bed and gave Jarod a weak smile. “Until tomorrow.”
Jaron watched his friend’s expression shift from the anger he had felt at him only moments before to dread. Dread of the events and pain sunrise would bring for them both. And it filled him with anger and bitterness that there was nothing he could help either of them.
With Maya and Dirik out of sight, Jarod did his best to clear his mind. He ran his hands up and down his face, and when he looked up he noticed Jaron was also heading out of the room. “Jaron, wait, don’t leave.”
However, Jaron wouldn’t turn around and face him. “What is it?”
“Help me stand. I can’t stay in this room any longer.”
Sighing, Jaron returned to Jarod’s side but refused to look at him. Jarod knew him well enough to know that something was troubling him, but he would never refuse to help him no matter how angry he was with him. He placed one of his hands on Jaron’s shoulder and was about to attempt to stand when Jaron stopped him. “I can’t do this,” he said, removing Jarod’s hand from his shoulder.
“What are you talking about? I need to stand up. Or do you plan on leaving me in this damn room all night as well?”
“I should. I mean, what are you thinking? You know better than get attached to someone, especially to a girl,” he yelled at him. “Do you have any idea the trouble this is going to create for you?”
So there it was, Jaron finally got it off his chest and now it was his turn.
“Back off, it’s not like I intended for any of this to happen,” he demanded, shoving Jaron in the chest and sending him stumbling to the other side of the room. “I have been in that Tower alone for fifty years, Jaron, hated and feared by everyone. And not once in all those years did I allow anyone to get close enough to see anything other than the Enforcer, knowing that if I did I would be risking their lives and my own. Meanwhile, you have been going about your contented life out at the camp, surrounded by people who love you and think of you as a damn saint.”
It was years of silence pouring out of him in one instant, an accumulation of feelings and events that had built up over the years. “I have spent my whole life in your shadow, big brother. All I heard growing up was about how Jaron ‘the healer’ saved lives, helped everyone, and sacrificed himself for others. Me, on the other hand, well I was useless, helpless, a second child that was never meant to be and was cursed merely for being born. Hell, if it wasn’t for K taking pity on me I would be dead already.”
Jaron stood across the room silent, allowing him to vent; he deserved as much for all that he had sacrificed for him. Pain was written clearly on Jarod’s face as he hung his head. “Perhaps it would have been better that way, but that’s not how things turned out. Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful, it’s just, I can’t keep doing this alone. I know it might seem like a lot to ask, but if by some miracle that girl survives and I find a friend, or dare I hope a companion in her, don’t you think I deserve at least that much?”
“Brother, huh?” The voice took them both by surprise, and their heads spun around to see Mikel standing in the doorway, hands crossed over his chest. “That actually explains a lot.”
“Listen here, if anyone finds—” Jarod started, but Mikel waved him off.
“I won’t tell anyone, no need to threaten.”
“I hope not,” Jaron interjected. “I am sure you can imagine how such information could be used against us both.”
Mikel nodded, he was well aware of the stories.
Everyone knew it was supposed to be physically impossible for a woman to have more than one child, but depending on who you asked you would either get the scientific or the religious reason as to why this was so. Some said that nature had designed people that way so that their numbers would not rage out of control and use up what little resources the land had available. Others took the religious path saying it was the Star’s way of teaching people to be grateful for what have. To him both sides sounded eerily similar, but being more of a medically inclined person he knew the true reason was much simpler, and like most things in Vanteria the answer was in the blood.
During the process of delivering her first child, the mother’s blood mixes with the baby’s and triggers an autoimmune response. The mother’s body, fearing it has been invaded, forms antibodies against the invasive blood, thereby preventing her from ever being able to carry another child ever again. Simply put, her body views any further children as an illness to be fought off, much like it would a common cold.
However, once every year or two rumors would come through town of a woman being pregnant with a second child. Usually the child would be born dead, but if somehow they did manage to live through the birthing process, the result was always a weak and sickly child that would never lived to see adulthood. Most died of natural causes, the antibodies causing their tiny bodies to attack themselves until all its organs shut down. But just as many met their demise at the hands of their own parents, who fearing being banished and shunned by the other members of the community, would end the life that was perceived to be a bad omen. Either way the end result was always the same, and if what Jaron and Jarod said was the truth, then the Enforcer was definitely a Full-blood like no other.
“Don’t worry. Like I said, your secret is safe. I understand.” He walked over beside the bed. “Here let me help, if I can.”
He took a position on one side of Jarod, and Jaron rejoined the other side. The two of them braced themselves as Jarod attempted to stand up. When he managed to get to his feet very shakily, his weight was tremendous, and it was all Mikel could do to withstand the crushing weight from the large hand on his shoulder. In fact, it didn’t take long before it was more than he could handle.
“Okay, okay,” he said half laughing to block out the pain, “this isn’t going to work.”
Laughter came from the doorway where K stood watching them. “If you could see what the three of you look like.”
Mikel was barely able to breathe, but managed to chuckle at the situation. “Feel free to jump in any time.”
Jarod glanced down at Mikel and couldn’t help it as a smile crept across his lips. “You are asking a woman to come and save your butt, have you no shame?”
At this point Jaron, who was truly bearing the bulk
of the weight, couldn’t help but laugh as Mikel responded, “Right now, nope, no shame at all.”
“Where do all of you plan on going once he is up anyway, you going to haul him into the apartment?” K laughed, unmoving as she enjoyed the continued struggle of Mikel and Jaron.
“The only way he is going to get into that apartment is if we knock down some walls.” Jaron was laughing so hard he could barely keep Jarod up anymore.
“That’s right, make fun,” Jarod muttered, moving to sit back on the bed and watching Mikel as he collapsed beside him. “Just remember this if any of you ever need to be helped up.”
“If I ever need help up, you will be the last person I call,” Mikel replied laughing. “You would probably break me.”
Citera and Dirik, who had returned from dropping off Maya, came up beside K with bowls of soup in both hands. “What is going on in here? Did we miss the party?”
“Only if you wanted to watch your father prove what a weakling he is,” Mikel chuckled as he crawled off the bed. “Oh well at least I still have my rugged good looks.”
They were all having a good time; Jarod studied the smiling faces in the room and the sadness returned to him as his mind drifted back to what was to come the next day. Jaron watched as the moment of happiness slowly faded from his brother’s face, and wished he could trade places with him, if only for a day. The others also took notice of Jarod’s decline as well. “Anyone for lentil soup?” Citera asked cheerfully, holding up the bowels. “We have plenty.”
Yet that seemed to only upset him more.
Jaron walked over and took a bowl. “I will, thank you. But let’s go upstairs.”
“No, it’s fine,” Jarod protested quietly. “Stay here, please.”
There was something going on that she didn’t understand. “I’m sorry, did we do something wrong?” she asked as she scanned over their faces.
“No, sit down and eat, I would like the company.” Jarod motioned them into the room.
Citera and Dirik quietly distributed the rest of the bowls, coming to Jarod last. “Do you want some?” she asked holding out the bowl.
He grinned and shook his head. “No. Thanks though.”
“But they eat, why can’t you?” Dirik questioned as he planted himself in the corner.
“I’m not hungry,” Jarod answered. Citera noticed him giving a slight shake of his head to Jaron, silencing whatever he was about to say.
“Well, more for me then,” Dirik said as he hurriedly slurped his down.
Citera sat down by her father and looked around the room at the rag tag group sitting collectively together eating dinner. Jaron stood by Jarod and K, who had planted herself on the bed next to him, all three of them deeply wrapped up in conversation. Meanwhile Dirik and her father sat beside her laughing, telling jokes, and stories of the past.
Citera continued to watch the three Full-bloods, then after a few minutes leaned over and whispered in her father’s ear, “This is the first time since Mom passed that we have all sat down together and ate a meal.”
Mikel reached up and put his arm around his daughter then placed the other on Dirik’s shoulder. “I know, and I am so sorry it took something like all of this to make me realize I was shutting the two of you out.” He pulled them in closer to him and gave them both a big hug. “I promise that from now on I will do better,” he said before reaching down, picking back up the bowl, and taking a big sip. “Starting with us enjoying more meals together, as a family.”
“As long as you aren’t the one cooking,” Dirik added smiling, the three of them burst into laughter, catching the attention of their visitors across the room. Citera wiped the tears from her eyes from laughing so hard, and noticed K studying them somewhat intently, before returning her attention back to Jarod. She leaned over and began whispering in his ear. While she was talking to him, Jarod’s gaze met Citera’s. The look alone caused her heart to skip a beat. Fear gripped her as thoughts of what they could be discussing ran amuck in her mind. Leaning over, her eyes still locked on Jarod and his on her, she whispered in her father’s ear, “I think they are talking about us.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” he answered without looking their direction; he didn’t want to let on to his daughter how truly concerned he really was. “Earlier I heard Jaron and K say that when Jarod left in the morning, they would be leaving as well.”
Citera scooted closer to Mikel. “Dad, I’m scared. They aren’t going to just leave, are they?”
Mikel held his daughter close. “I don’t know,” he answered truthfully.
Never in his life had he felt so incapable of protecting his daughter. He didn’t stand a chance with one of them, much less three. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in an effort to push the thoughts from his head. Citera leaned over, placed her head on her father’s shoulder, and closed her eyes as well. It was getting to be late in the day and her nerves along with exhaustion were beginning to take their toll. Dirik, as usual, remained oblivious to what was going on and went about collecting their bowls before heading back into the apartment.
“Go and help him upstairs, I’ll be up in a minute,” Mikel directed Citera, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
She obeyed, silently collecting the last of the bowls from K and Jaron before following Dirik into the apartment. Mikel rose to his feet and waited until she had disappeared up the stairs before he turned his attention to the three still relaxing around the bed.
“What exactly are your intentions?” he asked abruptly, trying his best to control the nervousness in his voice. “With us I mean. I can see the sideways looks and whispers. I am not stupid, so please respect me and my house enough to at least be honest with me.”
He stood firm as the trio’s gaze fell upon him with an intensity that made him catch his breath. In her emotionless voice, K was the first to speak up, “I haven’t and wouldn’t lie to you, you and your friend did me a great service when you brought me here and helped me.” She jumped from the bed and moved toward Mikel, who instinctively stepped back.
For a moment she appeared hurt by the action, but continued on, “The fact is we will be leaving here first thing in the morning when Jarod returns to town and while the patrols are distracted by his presence.” She paused, “But the fact remains that you and your family, including your Full-blooded friend, know more than we feel comfortable with, a problem that has forced us to try and come to a decision as to what needs to be done with the four of you.”
Mikel felt as if he were going to pass out, but he fought the urge; the last thing he wanted to do was to make himself appear any weaker than they already thought he was. Instead he allowed his anger to take control. Clinching his fists, he faced off with the white haired girl threatening those he loved. “After all we have done for you and them, this is how you are going to repay us? It would have been more merciful to let him finish us all last night while he was still on his rampage than to tease us this whole day with the hope that things might be able to return to normal.”
He was nearly in tears as he stared into the eyes of their expressionless faces, his mind replaying the image of his daughter laying wounded at the Enforcer’s feet bleeding and broken. “Do whatever you want to me, just let my kids go. If you want me to beg, I will. I know there is nothing I can do to stop any of you, but they are only kids. Please, please, find it in your hearts to let them live, they won’t tell anyone, I swear. Just leave them alone, I beg of you.”
Tears fell to the floor, but he no longer cared, all he wanted was to save his children and if crying and begging was the only way, then that was what he would do. Yet as he began to continue, he was cut off by Jaron as he approached him from across the room.
“Mikel, calm yourself, we don’t plan on killing anyone,” Jaron interrupted, extending a hand holding a handkerchief, but again, untrusting of the three of them, Mikel moved away. Jaron, however, was unphased by the rejection. “We just can’t leave you here.”
A sense of relief swept
over Mikel, followed swiftly by confusion as what Jaron had said sunk in. “Where will we go? We have no money, nothing. This is a free clinic, and the only reason they haven’t taken it away from us is because the patrols need us as much as everyone else.”
“You will come with us,” Jaron answered calmly, “to my camp in the borderlands.”
The borderlands? It was one of those places that everyone had heard of but very few had seen. It was composed of mile upon mile of forest so dense with trees that not even the slightest of the sun’s rays were unable to reach the ground below; making it so dark that one had to use a torch or lamp to navigate through its underbelly even on the brightest summer day. Many a fool had gotten lost in its midst, with no light and no landmarks to guide them, all it took was one step off the narrow trail which led to the other side to become hopelessly lost, forever wandering in the darkness with no way out. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there were the rumors and fairy tales. Mikel, like many others, knew the stories of the border being haunted, tales of screams and moans emanating from its depths had been the foundation for many a frightening campfire story. It was said that on the nights when the moon was at its fullest the sounds could be heard echoing from the forest for miles away.
“We can’t go there,” Mikel protested, “that is no place to raise a family. Besides, my life is here, everything I have—albeit not much—is here in this clinic.” He was pacing back and forth across the floor, the trio watching him closely but allowing him to vent. “Do you expect me to pick up and leave my whole life behind because I was foolish enough to let Rigar bring a … a …” He paused. K stood watching him with her white hair, blue eyes, and arms folded across her chest, awaiting his insult. He huffed, “I don’t even know what you are.”
“Careful,” Jaron warned. “We are trying to help you here, don’t test our patience.”
But Mikel had had enough. “You be careful!” he shouted pointing a finger at Jaron. “I am the one whose life is being turned completely inside out because of the three of you. Now you want me to haul my kids into a haunted forest on the edge of nowhere to live the rest of my life as a prisoner?” He turned and stormed toward the door. “No thank you.”
K: The Awakening (The Shadow Chronicles Book 1) Page 28
