Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Wallflower

Gabriel rested laying in the fetal position against the corner. Opening his eyes to the sun breaking through the blinds on the room. Upon further inspection of the room, Richard’s stuff was gone. He scowled; did they leave while he slept? Gabriel gathered his thoughts, standing up from the ground. His feet were on the cold wood floor. Walking over to the door, picking his shoes up from the rack. He slid the doors open, silence.

Gabriel went over to the women’s door, knocking on the door frame on the side of the wall. Expecting to at least hear Allison get up from her bed. Silence. Grabbing the door, Gabriel shifted the door open. Where he had expected to see his girlfriend resting, was nothing but an empty room. Not even a strand of hair was left behind. His heart pounded in his chest, where would they have gone? Besides the keepers of the temple, Gabriel was alone. Rushing out the door and down the stairs, in hopes of finding Aiden.

In the courtyard, Gabriel neglected to put on his shoes. Running across the wet grass, he panicked. Looking around himself. Taking a deep breath, he focused his mind to try to find a single thought from Richard or Allison. “Gabriel!” Aiden called out to him from the tree line. “I just finished walking the perimeter, all good out there still.”

“Have you seen my friends?” Gabriel asked.

“They didn’t tell you?” Aiden asked, “They left early this morning. Said they went to go help find the Wolves.” He held his normal smile.

“They didn’t tell me,” Gabriel looked around, “Are you sure?”

“I saw them off myself,” Aiden continued, “I’m surprised they didn’t say anything to you? Did you guys have a fight?”

“We did,” Gabriel thought about the night before. How he hated himself for overreacting.

“Maybe some time away from each other is for the best,” Aiden told him.

“I guess,” Gabriel said. “Do you think I can walk the perimeter with you one of these days?”

Aiden stopped, looking at the tree line. “I think it’s best you focus on your training, tell you what. Master your element and then we can go for a walk on the perimeter.”

“I’d appreciate that, I want to know what’s lurking out there,” Gabriel looked at the tree line.

“Danger,” Aiden said, “This is the last rift, I intend to keep it open.”

“I understand,” Gabriel agreed, “Who will keep it safe after you die?”

“I was hoping that maybe you would,” Aiden said, “Let your brother keep the Sanctuary, find your own destiny.”

“I’ve grown to feel at home here,” Gabriel looked at the sky. “There’s no pain or suffering here.”

“I’ve always hoped to find an apprentice strong enough to rid this lost kingdom of all corruption. To create a place where people like us can live freely without the worry of the normal human.” Aiden looked at Gabriel, “And I believe I have found the messiah of this world.”

Gabriel laughed, “I’m no messiah of anything. I’m just someone looking for a good fight.”

“The best leaders are those who don’t want to be one,” Aiden put a hand on his shoulder. “If you told the Brotherhood about this place, they would follow you until this world was free.”

Gabriel shook the hand off his shoulder, “The Brotherhood is selfish. They hurt the innocent because they profit from it.”

“From a certain perspective, the Brotherhood just wants to live free. God gave us this power, yes?” Gabriel looked up at Aiden, trying to understand what he was being told. “Why should we have to hide who we are?”

“Are you a Brotherhood sympathizer?” Gabriel said moving his hand down to his hip, close enough to quickly grab his sword.

“Any wise man will understand the enemy. The reason we are constantly at war and losing our fellow brothers and sisters is the simple reason that we all deserve to live free. Though the price of that freedom is innocent lives. That’s why we all in the Order fight to ensure the innocents are protected.” Aiden looked down at Gabriel, watching him move his hand away from his sword.

“So, the plan is to gather the Brotherhood here, remove all the creatures of sin, and then we can live happily here without humankind?” Gabriel thought about it, initially, it sounds like a good idea. “We’re men too. What makes you think this would be a utopia?”

“If you can get everyone to work against a common enemy, it would be easy. Though to prevent future wars here, it would be inevitable.” Aiden looked back at the temple, his eyes lowering. Staring at the basement.

“I will consider it,” Gabriel said, “Well, can you teach me how to form the fire now?”

Aiden smiled, “Of course.”

----------------------------------------

David grabbed his hoodie off the bed, slipping it over his body. When his eyes popped through the top, Eve was standing right in front of him. “I told you a hoodie and jeans were good enough for a party,” she smiled. Straightening out the bottom to sit perfectly. “It’s weird to see you without shorts and a tank top.”

“Sleeves slow me down when I’m trying to cut off someone’s hand,” David laughed.

“Promise me you won’t cut off anyone’s hands tonight?” Eve asked.

“You know if I have to, I will,” David took his sword, closing the blade down into his hilt. Shoving it on the pouch. Eve went to reach for it. “Woah,” David said, “What are you trying to do?”

“You don’t need that,” Eve told him. “Seriously, I never seen anyone with energy trails in this town.” She held out her hand, “Trust me.”

David handed the sword back to her, “Fine.”

“Thank you,” Eve replied, she placed it on the driver’s seat. “It’s here if you need it.”

“Alright,” David said, “You think we should’ve parked closer since we’re going in unarmed?” Eve sighed. “What?”

“It’s a normal party with normal teenagers. You’re not going to need a war plan,” Eve grabbed onto the door handle. “Are you ready?”

David looked around, grabbing his phone off the counter. “Not yet,” He closed into her face. Kissing her, “I’m ready now.”

Eve bit her lip, “I hope I never get tired of that.” Eve slid the door opened, a group of teenagers shrieked in fear of being abducted. To take a view of Eve and David getting ready to climb out of the van. “Relax!” Eve yelled back at their yelling. They ran off.

David shut the door behind himself, “I forgot to tell you, but uhm,” Eve started, “I kind of told Jessica that you’re my cousin.”

“Why did you do that?” He asked.

“Well, we just kinda started to you know, like dating,” Eve whispered, “I couldn’t come up with anything that would be weird or make her think we were dating. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

“Great,” David said as they walked up the hill to the house.

“That’s not the worse part,” Eve said.

“What’s worse than being at a party without people thinking we went all sweet home Alabama?”

“To continue playing the part, she asked for pictures of you and she asked for me to set you two up,” Eve admitted. David swiftly turned around and started back down the hill. “Dude, get back here.”

“I’m not going to a party to just play these games,” David said.

“I’m too far deep to tell her the truth now,” Eve said. A lightbulb appeared above her head, “I got it! Just tell her you like men.” David turned around again. Eve grabbed him before he could get out of arm’s length. “What’s your plan?”

“I’ll just ignore her,” David said.

“You can’t, she’ll think it’s a game. Women love the chase,” Eve argued, “Show so much interest that she is sick of you.”

“Suggest that again and I’ll just ruin your reputation with these people and kiss you.”

“Fine, fine, fine,” Eve looked around, “Can we hurry? It’s cold.”

“If only I can give you my sweater, but instead I’m tempted to shove you into the puddle on the side of the road,” David emphasized, “Cousin.”

Eve rolled her eyes, then laughed as she walked close to him. Walking up the steps and to the door, “Rich family,” David said aloud upon seeing the large house.

“You’re not used to seeing a house like this huh?” Eve laughed.

“My house is ten times the size of this,” David said.

“Not the Sanctuary,” Eve smiled.

“We have the money to live big, just don’t need anything like this,” David followed Eve up to the door.

“Act normal,” Eve told him.

David cocked his eyes, “Says the one who can’t control themselves.”

Eve swiftly socked him in the chest, causing him to cough heavily. “Oh my God, I’m sorry.”

“I hate being your cousin,” David spits on the floor.

The door opened, a woman with black hair appeared with light skin. “Eve!” She jumped out and into Eve’s arms as they embraced each other. “I’ve missed you so much!”

“So much that you never called me?” Eve joked.

“Come on don’t do that to me, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to do anything. Not relaxing and living up that Cali sun,” Jessica argued.

“Yeah, I wish I could take a day off and relax, my boss never gives me a break,” Eve laughed.

David cocked his eyes, knowing well that Eve gets four days off a week. “And you must be Eve’s cousin?” She released Eve and walked up to David, “Daniel, right?” She asked.

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“David,” He corrected her, “David, the cousin of Eve. My mother is her aunt, and her father is my uncle.” Eve rubbed her eyes annoyed.

“You’re funny,” Jessica told David, “Come inside you both look cold.” She waved them to follow her. “Guys! Eve is here!”

The house filled from wall to wall was filled with people. All fell to silence looking at her, “Hey welcome back stranger!” One shouted. Eve smiled and waved at them.

“Someone’s popular,” David whispered into her ear as the party jumped back into a collection of different noises.

“Not popular just noticeable,” Eve turned to David, “All these people claimed to be my friend and haven’t called or texted me once except for Jessica.”

“I’m sorry,” David told her.

“Don’t be,” she said. Hoping that he understood that she was better off being with the Watchers. “They’re all fake.”

“Eve! Come with me to my room, I want to show you something,” Jessica said grabbing her hand.

Eve mouthed to David, “I’m sorry,” leaving him at the foot of the steps.

David smiled shaking his head, it was good to see that Allison and Jasmine weren’t the only ones who would manhandle her. David looked around, wondering what to do. He was out of his element, like a baby deer left alone in a forest that it wasn’t born into. “Hey bro, who are you?” One guy called out, dressed in a football jersey. David looked over, “Yeah, you!”

“Eve’s cousin,” David said.

“She ever done anything crazy?” He asked.

David smiled, “Nah man, nothing that I’ve seen.”

“Be careful around her, she might break your hand,” He laughed with a group of friends.

“What game are you'll playing?” David asked.

“Dice,” He answered, “You play?”

“Not without money,” David smiled.

“Make a seat for my boy,” David walked over. He was going to cheat but first, he was going to let them win a couple.

Eve sat on Jessica’s bed, “What did you want to show me?” Eve asked.

“Nothing really, I got a tattoo but don’t tell my dad,” Jessica told her.

“You better show me that tattoo,” Eve commanded.

“Fine,” Jessica lifted her shirt. To reveal a tattoo on her chest.

“You’re basic,” Eve replied.

“You’re crazy,” Jessica said, “Do you think your cousin would like it?”

Hearing David is called her cousin made Eve’s skin crawl, “David is very much into traditional women.”

“That’s boring,” Jessica said, “Anyways, how’s California?”

“It’s something I can’t describe,” Eve said.

“You graduated right? When are you moving back?” Jessica asked.

“I thought about it, but I think I’m better off down there,” Eve said.

“I remember you complaining that you were moving, not just complaining but crying.”

“I misjudged it, I found some really cool people. I think you would like them.”

“All the cool people are downstairs dude, don’t you miss some of them?”

“If you met the people I met, you would be thinking everyone downstairs is a bunch of losers.”

“Ugh, whatever. My best friend doesn’t even want to move in with me,” Jessica went into her closet to change clothes.

“You can definitely come live with me in California, but I don’t think you would be up for that.”

“This is my home,” Jessica said, “Some of us haven’t forgotten where we come from.”

“And some of us found places with people that love us unconditionally,” Eve fired back.

“I’ve always loved you; the hell you talking about?” Jessica asked.

“Yeah, you,” Eve said, “I’m not getting into this tonight. I’m trying to have a good time.”

Jessica turned around smiling, “Then you can tell me how do I get your cousin to like me?”

“He’s not going to go for it,” Eve answered looking out the window. Watching the view of the city. Eve finally understood that her home was only an illusion of love. Her friends weren’t great, just people she tolerated more than her parents. Jessica was still a child, while Eve had matured. Something Eve was forced to do after friends die and killed even more enemies. She sighed aloud.

“Have you been listening to anything I’ve been saying?” Jessica asked.

“I’m sorry I spaced out,” Eve said, “I guess I’m still tired from the drive.”

“I was asking where you work?”

“Oh,” Eve said, “David’s dad owns a mechanic shop. I just do secretary work. Answer phone’s or whatever.”

“Ah okay,” Jessica said, “Should we get back to the party?” She could tell her old friend was different. Distant.

“I should probably check on David, he’s not much of a people person,” Eve stood up.

“I’m glad you can make it,” Jessica told her. Eve smiled and embraced Jessica in a hug. Holding her, ready to sever this old life. “Why are you hugging me like you’re never going to see me again?”

“I just missed you is all,” Eve told her before they both headed back downstairs. Taking in the view of the party. A crowd gathered around the couch. All cheering.

“What the hell is going on over there?” Jessica rushed over. Eve followed taking to view David rolling a pair of die.

“Man, you aren’t going to learn are you?” The man asked, “I already won one thousand dollars from you.”

“Dude, what!?” Eve yelled at David.

The man looked up, “Ah is that your freak of a cousin?”

David looked at Eve, raising an eyebrow. Eve crossed her arms in embarrassment, after all this time and they still treated her like the dirt beneath their shoes. “You know what?” David asked. “I bet you not only a thousand more dollars and my truck against your car.”

The crowd laughed, thinking they were about to watch David lose once more. “What kind of truck you got?”

“Ford F100, red paint,” David said. “Has a couple bullet holes in it but it should be fixed by now.”

The man sneered, “Bro, say goodbye to your truck.” David knew by this time that the dice were loaded. Still, he was going to beat him at his own game.

“David you can’t just,” Eve stopped speaking upon seeing David’s eyes glow a sharp green. She smiled from the corner of her mouth.

“I got three, you’re going to need snake eyes to beat that.”

David snatched the dice from the table. Rolling them around in his hands. The crowd fell to silence as the teen was smiling at David. Thinking he had the jump on him. David dropped the pair of die to the table. Knowing well these dice were loaded to fall on twelves. His eyes glowed green again, waving his hand slightly. The dice bounced once more, falling on a pair of snake eyes.

The crowd cheered, David had won all his money back and more. Especially a car, “There’s no way! You cheated!” The kid yelled at him in anger, “Aw man my parents are gonna trip!”

“How did I cheat?” David asked, he looked up at Eve. Smiling. “I’m going to take those keys now.”

“What!?” The kid yelled, “You’re seriously going to take my car?”

“You can keep your car if you do everything Eve tells you for the night,” David stood up.

“No way!” The kid yelled.

“Alright then give me those keys,” David shrugged.

“Fine,” the teenager gave in. “What can I do for you weirdo?”

“First you can stop calling me that,” Eve said, “I want you to just leave.”

“But it’s the graduation party.”

“I don’t remember that being my problem.” Eve laughed as the kid grabbed all of his stuff before leaving.

Jessica walked up to David grabbing him around his arm. “Can you dance?”

David looked at Eve, “Not really, no.”

“Aw, c’mon,” Jessica pulled David. David kept his eyes locked on Eve. She appeared disappointed, wishing that she could dance with David. He wished the same. However, she understood this was her fault. If she had only been honest with Jessica, then she wouldn’t be standing alone right now.

David was forced into a dance with Jessica. Not caring for anything she was saying. Her hands felt cold against his skin. Feeling only but spite in her touch. Not like Eve’s. “You feel very strong, do you work out?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s so cool, do you do it to stay fit or like for your job?” Jessica asked.

“My job.”

“You’re very straight to the point. I like that. What do you do for work?”

David kept staring at Eve, “I kill people.”

Jessica started laughing, “You are so funny.”

Eve walked away, on her way to the kitchen to find something to eat. Opening the fridge to look at a stockpile of alcohol and old pizza. Reaching her hand into the box to find nothing but emptiness. “Ugh,” She groaned. Closing the door, someone was standing just to her side. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” Eve jumped, once she realized who it was. Tyler, her ex-boyfriend. “Ew.”

“That’s all you have to say to me?” Tyler asked, “It’s been a year since you broke my hand.” He raised his hand to her. “All fixed now.”

“What do you want?” Eve sneered in disgust.

“Just thought I say hi,” Tyler told her, “You left without ever giving me a goodbye kiss.”

Eve rolled her eyes laughing. “Yeah, there was a reason for that,” Eve said.

“I thought we had something,” Tyler argued trying to get closer to her.

“I broke your hand and you called me a freak,” Eve said, “Oh yeah, and you left me on the side of the road in the middle of a forest.” She shoved him back. “Get any closer to me and I’ll break the other hand.”

“Don’t be like that, I overreacted,” Tyler filled his voice, trying to seduce her into his will. His eyes filled with lust.

“Tyler, I will seriously kill you,” Eve said. “Leave me alone.” She threatened once more. He was the last person she wanted to see.

“I’m not going to let you leave,” Tyler said. He attempted to hand her a drink. Eve could sense it wasn’t just alcohol. It had been drugged.

“Don’t you even dare,” Eve said. Two other men appeared around her. One pressed a knife to her back. She paused, sending an echo to David.

“We’re gonna go for a ride, and we are going to have some fun. Like you owed me.” Tyler’s eyes filled with revenge. Planning to attempt the unthinkable on her.

“You’re going to what?” David asked standing behind him.

“Get lost dude, this doesn’t involve you,” Tyler said.

“Eve, let’s go,” David said waving his hand.

Tyler pressed a knife to David’s stomach, “I said get lost.”

David grabbed his wrist, twisting it. Breaking the grip from the knife. One of the men attempted to grab Eve, instead, she dropped to her knees. Snatching the knife from midair that Tyler dropped. Stabbing one in the knee cap. David smashed Tyler’s palm into his nose. Breaking his nose instantly. Eve rolled to the side, stabbing the other in the foot. David twisted Tyler around, putting him in a chokehold. The others collapsed on the floor.

It all happened so fast, the entire party fell to a halt just as it started. It was over quicker than it started it seemed. “C’mon man let me go,” Tyler pleaded, his nose bleeding.

Eve stood up from the ground, looking at David from behind Tyler. “I should tear you apart where you stand,” David said. His voice was malfested. His eyes were black. The veins around his eyelids to his temples were dark. Eve could tell the corruption was taking over.

“David,” Eve said, “Let him go, let’s get out of here.”

“Pigs like him deserve to be sent to the slaughterhouse,” David said. A disgusting and heavy growl filled his words. To others, it sounded like a deafening screech.

“Please man, please let me go,” Tyler begged. A mix of snot and blood rolled from his nostrils.

“David, this isn’t you,” Eve said, “Let him go.”

David thought about it, what kind of person deserved to live on this Earth. One who would try to take advantage of someone smaller than him. Not Eve, but eventually someone would fall victim to him. A battle waged in David’s mind.

“Let him go,” The one dressed in green said.

“Drop him off with the police,” The blue one said.

“It wouldn’t be right,” Yellow said.

“Tear off his arms,” The demon screamed. Eve didn’t recognize the man she was watching. David shoved Tyler to his knees, grabbing onto his wrists. Pulling with an extreme might. Tyler’s arms gave away, pulling from the sockets in their shoulder.

Eve ran up to David trying to stop him, “No!” She screamed.

David ripped Tyler’s arms from his torso. Blood spewing all over the ground. Spraying on the walls. The corruption left his eyes, he was now conscious. Standing with Tyler’s arms dangling from his hands. His face was covered in horror.