| CHAPTER ONE, And So Their Flight Begins |
"Two weeks, Baby-Boy," Reid Garwin said, lifting his mug in a toast-like gesture.
Tyler smiled, lifting his as well and following suit in taking a drink. Tyler was the only Son of Ipswich that had yet to ascend, and in one week and six days—to be exact—it was finally his turn. "Have you heard from Pogue or Caleb?" he asked, the two of them sitting at one of the tables at Nicky's.
"Pogue said they were five out. That was 15 minutes ago."
Tyler shrugged and took another sip of his beer. It was still their senior year. Close to the end. Late April. And graduation couldn't come soon enough. The Chase saga had been the excitement of the year for sure. The Fall had transitioned into Winter rather quickly and by Spring they still hadn't heard or felt anything from Chase Pope. They all took that as a good omen.
The old jukebox switched to another one of its older tracks and Reid smirked. "There they are," he said, standing as Pogue entered first, followed by Kate, Sarah, and finally Caleb, who looked a little unhappy. Reid clasped hands with Pogue first and Tyler stood, joining in the greet-fest.
"What's up, Caleb?" Tyler asked, greeting him last.
"Nothing. Just family shit," he replied, giving him a drop it look before making his way to the bar to order drinks for the four who'd just arrived. Reid's eyebrow lifted, missing the not-so-conversation, and Tyler just shook his head.
"Aaron's here again," Tyler said.
"Now don't fuck with him," Pogue said, "Reid doesn't need more glass on his face."
Reid rolled his eyes and motioned a silent and sarcastic laugh.
"That one's really getting old, Pogue," Caleb said as he took his seat next to Sarah, placing the newly poured drinks onto the table.
Suddenly, the jukebox shut off and the volume of the CNN anchor's voice rose. "Breaking news," came a brunette woman's voice, "the Department of Homeland Security has just released classified information confirming the existence of two non-human species that have been living among us."
"The fuck?" Reid said, looking at the worried face of Soledad O'Brien.
"In a few moments, President Bush and Secretary Chertoff will be addressing the nation to properly inform the public and what will be expected within the coming days. All we can say for now is that it appears that two distinct species may be coexisting within our society."
At once, chairs began to skiff on the floor and everyone began to flood from Nicky's, including Nicky himself, who grabbed his bat from behind the counter. The Sons of Ipswich and their girls were no exceptions: Tyler and Reid hopping into Tyler's jeep and the other four into Caleb's Camaro. Somewhat blocked in by the traffic of the parking lot, Reid's eyes flashed black. "Reid, don't," Tyler said. Suddenly, all of the cars that were blocked in lost power, giving Caleb and Tyler both a window to take a turn to leave the lot.
The two cars soon found their way on a one-lane road, both cars zipping over the two yellow-solid striped lines when they could, around the slower moving cars. And although it took longer than it should have, the six teenagers found themselves at the Parry estate, where each of the Sons had received a text telling them to convene there.
Pogue led the way in after the Parry's butler opened the door for the six to walk in. "They're all in the study, Pogue," he said when the last of them walked in. They made their way up the stairs and found the study door closed. Pogue knocked once and they each entered, finding Caleb's mom, Reid's aunt and uncle, and his own and Tyler's parents each within.
"What's going on?" Pogue said, skipping the pleasantries he would normally commence with upon seeing the heads of the four families together.
"We're not alone," his father said, seated behind his desk, Pogue's mother behind him.
"Care to elaborate?" Pogue furthered.
"The Book of the Damned spoke of others," began Mr. Simms. "Others that had power, though very different from our own. The kind that only existed in myth and legend until now."
"How 'bout a straight answer this time," Reid said.
"Reid…" his aunt said, looking disapprovingly at him.
"They're called vampires and lycans," Mr. Parry said blatantly.
Caleb and Pogue exchanged glances before Reid snorted first and then continued into an awkward laughter. "Vampires and…werewolves?" he said through his laughter.
"Yes, Reid," Mr. Simms said with disdain, joining Elizabeth Garwin in her look of disapproval, though he seemed to always look at Reid with that face as he never cared for the Garwin Son.
"So what happens now?" Caleb said, looking at his mother.
"Did you listen to the President's address?" Mrs. Parry asked. Pogue shook his head and Tyler followed. "They're calling them 'infected.' And you know what they do to those they don't understand." Caleb, Pogue, and Tyler each nodded, Reid only listening further, still trying to suppress the humor of the big revelation.
"We're leaving Ipswich," Mrs. Danvers said, looking from Caleb to Sarah. "Girls, we want to offer you the choice to come with us. Just know, that if you don't, you must never speak of us with anyone." Sarah and Kate nodded, understanding Evelyn Danvers' warning. Caleb motioned his head to the door, opening it and following Sarah and Kate into the foyer, Pogue behind him.
"When do we leave?" Tyler asked, looking to his father.
"Tonight," Richard Simms replied. "Do you need anything from Spenser?" Tyler nodded. "I'll take you and then we'll meet up with the others."
"It's fine," Tyler interjected, "Reid and I both need to get things. We'll go together and meet up with everyone."
"We need to grab some things, too," Kate said as the four reentered the room.
"You have two hours," Randolph Parry said, looking at Pogue and then at Reid.
The six made their way back to the vehicles, Tyler hearing Linette Parry calling out for Pogue's younger twin sisters, checking to see if they had gotten dressed.
"What're we gonna' do with two hours?" Reid said, smirking seductively at Tyler as they hopped in his jeep.
"Not that," Tyler replied directly, starting up the engine and following Caleb. "Besides…we just did it this morning."
"So?"
"So…can't you take this seriously?"
"I am. Well, I'm trying to take this seriously. It's hard not to laugh. Vampires and werewolves."
"And witches," Tyler pointed out.
"Oh my?"
Tyler snorted, shaking his head at the awful pun.
"C'mon, Baby-Boy. Neither one of us has that much to pack."
"No, Reid. We can fuck later. When we're not on the run."
"How 'bout when we're taking a break from being on the run?"
Tyler rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it."
Reid smiled, taking the little victory as a full promissory note for the future.
