Caleb walked through the forest at the back of Lucas' property, not saying a word. He had never been allowed to stray from the main area of the house and he had been excited when Lucas started leading him through the large garden towards the back of the property.
The Buck Mansion itself was exquisite; however, the garden had a certain charm to it and Caleb could not help but stare in awe. When Lucas led him to the back garden and he saw the large old fountain, he had to take a large intake of breath. He had previously guessed that the garden would be extravagant, but not to this scale. Lucas had caught him staring and had hurried him along, clearly he had a purpose and Caleb did not want to take him away from that, so he had continued to follow without complaint.
It felt like they had been walking forever, but then he caught sight of a clearing between the trees up ahead. The daylight shone bright through the trees, hiding what was beyond that point and Caleb could feel his excitement increase. He rushed forward trying to catch up to Lucas and stopped in his tracks when he reached the clearing. Caleb stared out into the hidden graveyard in awe, he should feel afraid or worried; however, he just felt at home.
Lucas was watching Caleb's reaction carefully, he had decided it was about time to introduce his boy to the family and it appeared by his lack of fear that Caleb was ready for this.
'Who are they?...Why aren't their names on the gravestones?' Caleb asked curiously and approached the first row of graves.
Lucas followed close behind Caleb, to ensure he was coping with what he was seeing. 'Our family has always been private...we never liked anyone snoopin' around trying to dig up dirt on us, so we ensured certain things were kept separate and secret. Besides, you don't need names to identify them son' Lucas smiled.
Caleb glanced towards Lucas confused, then felt a stir within him. He stopped at a grave, then closed his eyes and concentrated hard as he reached down and touched the gravestone. A flash of light surged through his mind and he saw a priest standing tall, when he pulled his fingers away from the gravestone and closed his eyes the imagine was gone. 'Malcolm...' Caleb whispered, '...he was your daddy'
Lucas nodded and let out a relieved breath, his boy was performing well for all their family to see. 'What else?' he asked, pushing Caleb to continue on.
Caleb walked down the second row of graves and stopped at Lucas' mothers. He decided he was not interested in that just yet and continued on, trailing his fingers across the gravestones as he past them. A lot of questions were floating through his mind, but he kept quiet and continued surveying the area. Something malevolent brushed past him and caused him to shiver, he shot a worried glance at Lucas; however, his father just nodded for him to continue on his path.
Caleb felt the darkness within him ready to take over if he got too scared, he shook off that presence inside and continued walking past the rows of graves. When he came to the final row he noticed a gravestone further away from the rest, it was situated in front of the first line of graves and was freestanding. Caleb regarded the grave suspiciously, it was as though it was an independent entity and looked over all of the other graves. There was something different about it and he could not place his finger on it, so he approached the grave cautiously and looked down at it.
Whispers began to surround him, which caused him to close his eyes and take a nervous gulp. He knew Lucas was close and trusted that his father would protect him, so he reached down and gently placed his fingers on the gravestone. A sharp pain surged through his head and a vision of Gail flew through his mind, his instinct was to pull his fingers back and break the connection; however, he forced himself to remain strong and stood his ground. More images flashed through his mind of Gail, as a child holding her mothers hand, as a teenager in Charleston studying in a library, driving in the Mustang past the Trinity line for the first time since her parents death and lastly of an earlier time in strange clothes standing by the Trinity River.
Lucas was watching carefully, allowing Caleb to experience what he required him too. When he saw the pain come across his boys face, he rushed over and pulled his hand away from the gravestone, careful not to touch it himself.
Caleb called out in agony when the connection was severed, then felt the pain in his head subside. He looked at Lucas confused and Lucas pulled him away from the grave. 'What happened?' he asked, upset.
Lucas placed two hands on Caleb's shoulder and regarded him seriously. 'I know what you're feelin', I've felt it every day of my life. It may try to convince you to act in a specific way and turn you against someone who you hold close, but son...believe me when I say if the target is who I think it is, you need to take control. I care for you, you're my first born and you'll always have that advantage. You need to quiet any other thoughts that you may be havin', as I ain't the only player in this neck of the woods anymore' He warned and looked towards the grave with indignation.
Caleb inhaled deeply and followed Lucas' glance. 'Gail...' he started.
'Gail is one of ours and always has been...' Lucas interrupted, '...It's your job to protect her and your younger brother, we have a duty to look after our family regardless of what other emotions we may be feelin''
Caleb nodded to show his understanding. No matter how much he felt bitter towards his cousin or the new addition to their family, he understood it was his responsibility to protect them.
Lucas smiled when he saw the realisation on Caleb's face. 'Now that that's settled, what's say we head to the Pool Hall and have a few games before your sister and cousin start to miss you?'
Caleb smiled and followed Lucas away from the graveyard.
Merlyn was walking down the street casually, holding a large bag of cleaning products. She had decided to clean out her mothers old place of work and try to make it suitable for her family, in case they decided to visit. She wanted Caleb to spend more time there; however, she could not allow that in it's current state and she was finally going to do something about it.
Merlyn had found a Store a few blocks away which had everything she required, she was on her way back when she spotted the blood red Mustang further down the street and cursed to herself. Merlyn had wanted to spend some time on her own; therefore, she had convinced Abe to allow her to leave work early so she could complete her errand, she had not expected to see Gail in this part of town and sighed as she headed towards the car.
The Mustang was parked at the end of the street, in a secluded. Merlyn instantly recognised the Wicca Store and felt her heart skip a beat, she had managed to forget about this evil place; however, as usual members of her family managed to force her into uncomfortable situations and she clearly had to go in to check on her cousin.
Merlyn approached the building cautiously, she could sense the malevolence here and it caused her unease. Part of her wanted to leave her cousin to whatever stupid thing she was getting herself involved in; however, it was not in her nature to abandon someone who potentially needed help and she knew Gail would be there for her, if she ever truly needed her.
She let out another long sigh and opened the door, upon quick inspection she confirmed there was nothing visible waiting for her in the large room and stepped fully inside. Merlyn was taken aback at how fresh this place smelt, the last time she was here it was musty and covered in dust. Now it appeared the place had been aired out and you could actually breath properly in here.
Merlyn let out a small cry when she heard a noise from upstairs, she stared at the stairs with wide eyes and hoped her cousin had not been fool enough to snoop deeper into this property. 'Gail?' she called, but no answer came.
Another creak from upstairs was heard and she shook her head, if something happened to her in this place she would ensure she came back to haunt ever one of her so called family. Merlyn shrugged off her unease and rushed up the stairs without thinking, she could feel the through breeze up here and spotted the open window. She glanced down the corridor and saw the end of a tail wagging, sticking out of a room. She shook her head again and let out a quiet laugh, then headed towards the open door. Merlyn let out a sigh of relief when discovered Gideon laying by the entrance guarding his Master and spotted Gail sat behind an old large desk.
'You're the last person I thought I'd see snooping around here' Gail said without looking up from the book she was reading.
'And you're the last person I thought would be shacking up in a questionable property, when you're in that condition. I wouldn't have thought this'd be in your best interest' Merlyn said judgmentally.
Gail glanced up from the book disapprovingly, she did not need a child telling her what her best interests were. 'What's in the bag' she asked, changing the subject in an attempt to tame her darkness.
Merlyn stared at Gail suspiciously, the glanced down at her bag. 'I thought my momma's place could use a clean' she shrugged.
Gail smiled and stood up carefully from her seated position. 'Well, it's your place now...It hasn't been your mothers place in a long while'
'I know that Gail...' Merlyn started defensively.
'Do you?...' Gail interrupted, '...I bought that property and signed it over to you months ago. Now albeit I've not been there in a while, I bet it's still in exactly the same condition as it was the last time, with no indication that anyone has been staying there'
Merlyn looked defiantly at Gail. 'You of all people should understand why I wouldn't want to disturb the place my dead momma held so dear. I seem to recall a certain Summer cabin that has not been touched, since Lucas Buck took you there the other year.
Gail narrowed her eyes at Merlyn and shook her head. 'Firstly, don't bring my parents into this. Considering your father is the reason they're dead, you're lucky I've made peace with it all. Secondly, Goat Town is dying, buildings have been left to rot here. Businesses could've thrived here if they hadn't been abandoned and discarded...You had an opportunity to think outside the box, no other young woman your age owns a property and all you can do is mope around in it, holding on to the past'
Merlyn thought for a moment and sighed. 'Isn't that what you're doin' here? I mean, you don't own this place but you're drawn it and all you appear to be doin' is sittin' around'
'Touche...' Gail let out a small laugh and nodded. '...Alright, I wanted a subject matter for an article and I've already reported on the decline of Goat Town...How about we try and turn it around? I'll help you financially and won't interfere with your property plans, providing you help convince other participants to take part in this venture. It's about time we got you socialising properly in the real world anyhow. What do you say?'
Merlyn considered for a moment, she did not have to change everything in her mothers property and it would be fun being fully in control of something. 'I'm in...' she smiled, '...When are we gonna start?'
Gail felt a sharp pain in her stomach, much like the sharp pains she had been experiencing for the last hour. Suddenly she felt a popping sensation and a slow release of liquid running down her leg. 'What the?' she asked startled and brushed Gideon away when he rushed towards her concerned.
Merlyn recognised the sign instantly from when her mother was pregnant. 'Gail, your water broke!' she exclaimed and went to her cousins side.
Gail allowed Merlyn to take hold of her arm and laughed in annoyance. 'Of course it did...' she sighed, '...I suppose our venture is going to have to wait'
Merlyn shook her head at her cousins lack of urgency and started to help her out of the room. 'Come on, we better get you to the hospital' she ordered and reached into her pocket for her mobile telephone.
Lucas sat on his side porch sipping an ice cold beer, with his son by his side. After they had visited the Pool Hall Caleb wanted to stay here, so he decided to put his feet up for the day and spend some relaxing time with his son.
Lucas thought back to when Caleb had been born, Judith had turned into something he could not forgive and he had to take care of it to ensure the Buck line continued on. Judith had seen the evil in Caleb, just like Gail had with their previous unborn child and she tried to terminate the pregnancy. Lucas had reacted as he always had, he attempted to calm her down and when that did not work he threatened those she held dear.
That had been a hard time for him, he believed he had cared for Judith and he had felt a small ounce of completeness when he lay with her. He thought that was the closest he would ever get to his soul mate, until he lay with Gail. At first he thought his obsession with her was just a desire to lay with an Emory, after all the hell Peter put him through he wanted to get one over on the mans pride and joy. When she finally gave herself over to him willingly, he felt a bond like he had never known before and he knew they were destined to be together.
Apart from her initial instinct to flee, Gail had conducted herself in a way that made him proud. She disregarded the bad she felt in their unborn child and she had accepted his presence around her. The true test for Gail would be when she gives birth, that would be when her true feelings displayed themselves.
Judith had fought his advances and made an enemy of him, she had even threatened to take Caleb down with her if he did not leave her and her family alone. Lucas had snapped in the hospital room when Judith had threatened their baby, he had cared for her and thought she would come around; however, he understood in the moment that she could not be trusted to raise his child.
Judith had already appeared paranoid, telling any nurse who would listen that someone was trying to take Caleb away from her. It was a good job he had his spies in place to warn him before she made any accusations against him, he was a highly regarded pillar of the community and if people found out at that time about their pairing, it would have tarnished his reputation. He could not take that chance and after she threatened to hurt the child, he took it upon himself to fix the situation and did what had to be done. He did not envision the same thing happening with Gail; however, if she reacted in a similar way, he would do what was necessary.
The sound of the telephone ringing caught his ears, it appeared Caleb's senses were starting to form as he heard the ringing also and ran inside to pick up the telephone. Lucas took a long sip of his cold beer and smiled, this was how his life should be and he was happy everything was starting to fall into place.
His smile faded when he sensed urgency in Caleb and turned towards the boy as he rushed out of his house. 'Where's the fire son?' he joked, then regarded the boy curiously when he did not laugh.
'Ben called, we gotta go' Caleb said as though he was in a haze and was struggling to find his words.
Lucas stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. 'We ain't goin' anywhere son, we just got comfortable'
Caleb shook off the unease that was rising within him and regarded his father seriously. 'We gotta go the hospital now Lucas' he ordered and watched as the realization hit.
Lucas froze for a moment, unable to comprehend what Caleb was saying and then it hit him. This was not right, he thought he had more time to prepare for this; however, the stern tone of his sons order indicated otherwise and it appeared it was time to go.
Caleb watched as Lucas downed his beer and grabbed his coat, then rushed with him to the car. He pushed down the bad thoughts flowing through his mind, his baby brother was going to be with them soon and he had to learn to accept that.
-To be continued-
