Chapter 4 – Choices

The sun had finally set and the newborns were outside, training with Maria. The moonlight glinted off of their bodies, making them look like an army of ghosts as they tackled one another. Jasper made his way slowly up to the top of the hill and stepped into the shadow of the trees where Peter had been told to take Charlotte, ready for her execution.

Jasper could smell the sweet scent of his friend and the newborn as he stepped into the trees. Peter stepped out first and Jasper could feel the waves of anxiety flowing off him as he spoke,

"Jasper".

"Where is she?" Jasper asked as he leaned forward into a crouch, prepared to fight the newborn if she chose to be difficult.

Peter straightened and Charlotte dropped silently from a nearby tree; she stepped forward and took Peter's hand, a wave of adoration for Peter passed through her, causing Jasper's vision to blur slightly.

Jasper frowned, "What is this Peter?"

"I can't do it Jasper. We're going to leave". Peter turned slightly, ready to walk away with Charlotte but Jasper hissed and placed a firm hand on his shoulder,

"No! I can't allow this".

Peter turned back to Jasper, as did Charlotte. They looked into one another's eyes and the feeling of love, of total and utter adoration for one another, washed over Jasper like a thick, sticky liquid. He swallowed hard and tried to concentrate,

"Peter, why are you doing this? She's a newborn and she's of no use to you now".

Peter grasped Charlotte's hand tighter, "Yes, she is".

Charlotte smiled, her face opening up as she did so, "Come with us Jasper".

Another wave of adoration pooled between the two newborns and Jasper staggered back slightly, overwhelmed by the emotions. He nodded slowly, "Okay, go. But I can't promise Maria won't come after you".

Peter smiled, "Thank you friend. Thank you!"

Jasper's face turned bleak, "I can't come with you though. My loyalties lie here".

Peter nodded, "I understand. Thank you, again Jasper".

"Go", Jasper turned, looking for anyone who might have heard their conversation, and when he turned back his only friend in the world was gone.

The years passed and Jasper remained at Maria's side; he continued to hunt and kill and discipline the newborns, as well as tear them apart when they became of no use. But all the while his ability was progressing and he could feel every emotion, every change in the atmosphere in the army he was creating. He felt every pain that he caused any human as if it was his own and he began to hate the life (or death) he was leading.

One evening, when the sun had almost disappeared beyond the horizon and the sky was a deep orange, Jasper decided to take a break from the bickering of the newborns and the constant angry atmosphere of the large warehouse they were currently staying in.

He walked along the dusty path, watching as small clouds of orange-brown dust floated up around his feet. He tried to concentrate on the scents and sounds around him but his mind kept going back to his time in the warehouse, with the unruly newborns and their tedious arguing and fighting. As he turned a corner to walk towards the city - the smells of the humans were too tempting – he noticed two people standing on the opposite side of the road, a man and a woman. Their skin seemed luminous in the orange glow of the evening and Jasper immediately knew they were vampires.

He braced himself for the inevitable fight that would ensue if they saw him as they turned their heads in his direction. He hissed through his teeth and a low growl formed in his chest as they crossed the road towards him. Their emotions however were not aggressive; they seemed placid, almost happy.

"Jasper?"

Jasper immediately knew the voice, it was Peter. And the woman beside him was the newborn, Charlotte, although she wasn't newborn any longer. Jasper remained tensed as they approached but their faces were open and they were smiling as they stepped onto the dusty path next to him.

"Jasper Whitlock, it's really you!" Peter exclaimed.

Jasper stood up straight, "Yes".

"It's good to see you again after all these years!"

"And you Peter", Jasper was starting to relax as Peter's joy washed over him.

"And you're still with Maria I see", Peter sniffed the air once, catching Maria's scent.

Jasper nodded, "Yes. Our armies have been strong".

Charlotte looked up into Peter's eyes and whispered, "Tell him".

Peter nodded and his smile faded slightly, "Jasper. Since we left, Charlotte and I have been to the North. You don't have to fight anymore. There are no wars there, no armies! There is no fighting and no reasons to be afraid! Come with us Jasper, please".

Jasper shook his head, his blonde hair falling on his eyes slightly, "I can't, my loyalties-"

"-your loyalties are false!" Peter interrupted, "Up North, there are no armies, no fighting. You could come with us and be safe, be free from all of this. Free from the scars, the death, the pain".

Jasper winced at the last word, he knew that it would be wonderful to be around people with no pain, no anger. He stood silent for a moment as Charlotte and Peter waited patiently. Finally Jasper nodded,

"Yes. I'll come".

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