The visits continued, as did the training. While at his own house, with his family, he'd proceeded his average lifestyle as if nothing was out of the ordinary. At his grandmothers, he'd proceed her basic training, listening carefully as he taught him all she could remember about souls. No one suspected even the slightest that he'd been training, and when his muscles began to form he'd used "puberty" as his golden excuse. That answer either drove people away from the question, or out of the subject. Either way, it worked. He became more and more detached at parties and any events held at the house, not just because he liked going back to his grandmothers, he just never felt like he belonged. He brought a new meaning to the term "stranger in your own home". His home was somewhere far from here, he knew it, he'd just have to find it.
"How much longer..", he thought, situating himself onto the piano bench.
His mother nodded to him, signalling to begin the practice performance. He did, it was never good enough for her of course. A few times she'd invited Wes in, who would tell her he was improving very well. That was always his answer, never saying what was really on his mind. Eventually his mother would catch on and instruct him to play once again after he'd said it. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary though, he'd just have to endure it.
Tutoring, home schooling, work and lessons. All of it rolled up into one ball would be a perfect explanation for life at his parents home, if anybody asked. Nobody did though, he'd barely spoken to another kid his age. The only other people he'd seen were those at the parties, where he remained silent and stood in the corner, until Wes would walk over to him and encourage his little brother to chat, and mingle, just as he did. It never worked, he simply shrugged it off as he heard the whispers erupting from the chattering mouths of their guests. They would all say the same thing.
"Who is that?"
"Wes has a brother?"
"He never told me he had two sons!"
"I didn't know either!"
"I heard he's very skilled on the piano!"
"I would love to hear him!"
Basically all of the conversations around him seemed to repeat themselves, not that he hasn't heard similar chatter. The only thing that surprised him when ease dropping on an unsuspecting guests conversation, was the fact his Father never seemed to mention him. A part of him was fine with it, Soul himself didn't truly acknowledge the man as his Father, but the other part of him hurt a little. It was nothing though, he'd learned to turn off the pain.
His soul grew stronger, he could feel it. The only true thing the human soul had changed about him was his teeth, luckily. His sanity was spared, there was a still a human lingering there, even though Soul knew very well his Father only saw him as a monster. Though, the man didn't completely look at the fact he'd been the one to shove the soul down his throat, turning him into the boy he was today.
Another week at his grandmothers house. Though, something felt a little wrong. Her voice wasn't as musical or kind as it had sounded before. It was dry. She looked sick to the very depths of her soul, she'd begun a slight cough too. Whenever he asked her about it, she'd shrug him off and dismiss him back to his training. He was reluctant, but he trusted her more than anyone. He knew she was strong, whatever it was she'd beat and return to the strong Meister she once was. She still is.
"Soul.", she called to him, letting out a slight cough.
"Granny?", he asked, looking up at her.
"I bought you something, I want you to have it, you'll need it to get to Death City, in Nevada. I know you're growing fast.", she coughed a bit, fighting it off with a swallow.
"What is it?", he asked, a little worried about her cough, that had progressed a bit more.
"Come look.", she took his hand and led him to the garage.
Sitting in the corner, was a brand new motorcycle. He was a bit puzzled, she should have known he wasn't old enough to drive it yet.
"I can't drive, I don't know how.", he sighed.
"You don't need to learn yet.", she pat him on the shoulder.
He took a step closer to the bike, admiring it's colors. It was a type of yellow and black, with a pattern stamped onto the medal. It reminded him of the pattern that had been on Dimitri's outfit, which he was longing to grow into now. He imagined how cool he'd look on the bike, complimented by his cool outfit. He was practically drooling.
He sat on the bike.
"Here Soul, you can't quite reach the gas pedals yet but when you can you'll at least know what to do.", she began.
He looked up at her, and down at the bike, and back up at her. She explained the basics of riding a motorcycle, and instructed he'd need a helmet for the time being, and that when he was older he'd be able to use it. She couldn't get him a car, a car would be too hard to hide. A motorcycle was better if he'd be going on quick missions with his Meister. He listened, watched, and learned carefully as she told him what to do, and how to start the bike. He went on his first ride when he was twelve. He had to use a pair of Wes's shoes in order to maintain footing on the pedals, but other than that it fit him perfectly. His grandmother took him to the front yard, where he rode around to his hearts content, scaring her by popping multiple wheelies and nearly throwing himself off the bike twice.
He didn't care though, it didn't matter to him. He was happy, and he was all set for the academy.
Time passed by, things began to change, very slowly. His face had matured, his voice began to crack, his six pack had finally come in. He looked at himself in the mirror, acknowledging the very "cool" thirteen year old boy in his reflection. His first thought on his birthday, enrolling into the academy. He'd made it a point to misbehave at a previous party, where he'd most definitely be sent back to his grandmothers. His grandmother didn't mind, she loved having him come over. Having him over reminded her of the days she'd been a Meister. Her condition seemed to be getting a little better, he saw less and less of the cough as she slowly bought back her youth. Everything seemed perfect to him.
He'd never been so wrong.
"Soul?", a voice in the doorway asked.
"What do you want Wes?", he asked, still admiring his outfit.
"Well, Soul I have some..some bad news.", he hesitated.
"What is it Wes?", he turned around slightly, eyes wide opened as he noticed the tear stains on Wes's cheeks.
"Soul..", he hesitated again, granny is..", tears formed on Wes's face, "Granny is dead.", he finished, breaking off into another set of waterworks.
"What are you talking about Wes.", Soul flinched, she can't be dead. She can't be, stop lying damnit.", he demanded, clamping his eyes shut.
There was no way he was crying, not in front of Wes.
"Damnit Soul, I'm not lying. She's dead, they found her last week.", he frowned.
"I..I.. Why didn't you tell me sooner damnit.", he stuttered, feeling as if the walls would cave in at any second.
"Don't you think I wanted to? I found out this morning! They didn't tell us because they thought it would distract us! Damnit Soul I'm just as angry as you are! Don't you understand? They told me this morning, the funeral is being held today. The self centered bastards. Let's go Soul, we're going to granny's."
Soul clenched his fist, somewhat surprised, and pleased at his brothers remark towards his parents.
He cleared his head. No, he wasn't going to cry. He knew exactly what his granny would've wanted, he'd spent time with her the most. The training counted as good bonding time, as a few times he'd spill into a few emotional break downs. She'd always been there to comfort him. That was gone, but her effort wasn't going to just waste a way. She'd trained a weapon, and a weapon he'd become.
"Damnit, Wes I'm going but I swear to god. Don't say one damn word to me on the way there. I need to think.", he replied, refusing to give into his tears.
His deepened voice was much easier to take seriously. Wes frowned and nodded, wiping away his few tears, leading Soul to the car. They drove off to granny's home once more, knowing very well she was gone. She wasn't going to be there, no matter how badly they'd want to see her. It didn't matter, she would live on somehow. Soul knew it. There had to be a way.
Soul quickly changed into a black suit and tie, stuffing Dimitri's outfit and his favorite red and black suit into his suit case. He grabbed the very few things he needed, his clothes. The rest was at his grandmothers.
The car ride was long and silent, Soul planted his face into the window, thinking to himself about everything she'd taught him. He tried to remember the very crucial words she'd spoken to him about the academy, he knew it was time.
As soon as they arrived, Soul darted out of the car, immediately opening the car door on Wes's drivers seat.
"What is it Soul.", he asked.
"I need to show you something.", he held out his hand.
"What would that be, what could possibly be so important.", he stated roughly as a few more tears trickled down his face.
"I'll show you after the funeral", he walked into the house, noticing the bunch of cars that had been parked in the driveway.
The ceremony was long, the tears filling the room made it even harder not to cry in front of those people. Soul promised himself he'd be strong, for her sake at least. She had been a giant slap in the face, a good one. Not the kind his mother would give him when he misbehaved, the kind meant to pull someone back into sanity. It was unconditional.
He maintained his posture and sanity throughout the ceremony. There was no casket that anybody would be able to look at, she'd requested cremation. Her ashes would be free, just like her spirit, just like her soul. Even in death she was a brilliant Meister.
After the ceremony, Soul quickly grabbed Wes's wrist and led him outside, into the backyard. Once there, Wes took a seat on a nearby bench, underneath a shaded tree.
"Now I can show you.", Soul stated, his now grown hair covering a part of his eyes.
"What is it.", asked a curious Wes, taking in the fresh air.
Soul didn't respond, he simply held out his left arm. In a flash, it turned into a blade.
Wes was shocked.
"Amazing. I..I don't know what to say.", stated a fairly amused Wes, "Never in a million years would I have thought the blood of a weapon ran in the family veins.", rubbed his chin in fascination.
"This is my escape.", Soul narrowed his eyes.
"Escape? What are you escaping from?"
"This, the life of the Evans. I'm never going back."
"Soul, what do you know about being a weapon? When did you find out?", he trailed off.
"The same time Father started "spending time" with me. The same time he turned me into a monster,", he grit his teeth, "not at the same time, he forced a human soul down my throat. That's why my teeth are like this Wes, it had nothing to do with my adult teeth growing in."
"Soul, you don't have to escape from us. You can accept us, just like we accepted you."
"You didn't accept me, you tried to change me, until you felt I was something worthy. I'm not worthy yet, am I big brother?", he sighed, turning his back on his brother, still sitting on the bench.
"I don't know what to say.", replied Wes once more.
"I am a weapon, I have an escape. I know where I am going. I will train at the academy, and I will become a death scythe.", he said, raising the blade on his arm.
"Soul..I can't say I fully approve, but I can say granny would be proud.", he stated.
The next thing that happened, surprised Soul far beyond anything else he'd expected. He looked to Wes, who then stumbled up to him, giving him a firm hug, ignoring the fact the blade on his arm was still out.
"Go.", said Wes, "Make granny proud. Do everything you said you would, make this family proud. I know..", he hesitated, "I know we haven't been the best family, and I know they've underestimated you, but now you have this chance. Go Soul, get out, show them what you're worth.", he stated, fighting back more tears, patting his brother on the shoulders, until he finally released, dismissing him.
"Goodbye Wes.", Soul stated for a final time, running inside, where he changed into Dimitri's outfit.
Just like that, he hopped on his motorcycle, made his way to Nevada, and never looked back.
Don't be fooled, it isn't over just yet.
