All characters except for Annabelle Causley, Frederick Randal Laskaris and Rosa Maria de la Luna and a few others belong to Stephenie Meyer…and, of course, the writer is not receiving any profit for this story whatsoever.
AN: This was one of the hardest chapters I had to write. One of my characters made a decision and I couldn't talk him out of it. It was difficult to go through it but he insisted and told me no matter how much I stalled, it was going to happen. I am growing to love Marcos as much as Gabriel (I've copyrighted Gabe to protect him from all of you who've threatened to steal him) and it's hard to see him make a decision that might take him closer to the dark side. Please, for those of you who have also grown to love him, I beg you not to forsake him...he might still be redeemable. This is from me because Marcos has convinced himself that he doesn't care if he ends up standing alone.
Aside from that, I tried to do another spirit journey to have Seth and Rosa meet again but once I had it written out, it felt forced and I just didn't like it so I tore it up and started it again and came up with something different yet similar...seems like nature itself is in tune with their connection. I hope the end result is pleasing to all.
Remember, read, enjoy, and REVIEW!
PS Thank you Gaby, Ses, Lynn and Hilja for all your reviews on my Mattie/Lance story. It was fund write and I enjoyed the responses very much. Continue your reviews to this story, suggest ideas and feel free to share criticism as well. Love you all!
Chapter Twenty-Four
"You three look nothing alike," Seth said into the phone as he walked the path towards First Beach, one hand in his pocket while the other held the phone, "If it weren't for the purple eyes, I'd have had a harder time believing you're actually related at all."
Julie's laugh came through clear, "You're not the first to say that. Mom says I take after my father and Lyn definitely takes after hers."
"Your mom's pretty cool," Seth kicked a rock out of the way, watching it skip down the path, "Not to mention an amazing cook. The turkey was excellent."
"That's the reason why Derek and the gang always do the road trip from Idaho to California. I'm so glad you got to come, Seth. Did your family not do anything?"
"Yeah, before I headed to your place," stepping over a log several feet away from the crashing surf, he sat down on the ground, leaning back against the smooth wood.
"My goodness, Seth," Julie's chuckle was low and smooth, "Where do you hide all that food? I've never met anyone that eats as much as you and your friends. It's almost like you burn it all away within hours."
"Pretty much," Seth stared out at the ocean, wondering what his little girl was doing…did she have someone in her life that made her smile?
"What are you doing?"
"Sitting at First Beach…just watching the sun set. You?"
"Working on this CD you asked for. Honestly, Seth, what's wrong with me singing to you over the phone?"
"Considering that my last cell phone bill almost made me pass out," Seth picked up a large pebble in his left hand, tossing it towards the crashing waves, smiling in pleasure at the lack of pain or tenderness in his shoulder, "I don't think it fair to keep you awake while you sing me to sleep. With a CD, I can just push play anytime I want, save myself some money and let you get your beauty sleep."
Julie laughed as the sound of music in the background filtered through the line, "I so can smell bullshit, even over the phone. You've got something up your sleeve, I just know it. Come on. Tell me what you want a CD of my own songs for."
"I already told you," Seth picked up another pebble, "For my use."
"Mmm," the music stopped for a few seconds before starting again, "Fine, don't tell me. Just know that if I am not happy about the outcome of your use concerning this CD, I reserve the right to hurt you."
"Sure, sure," tossing the pebble, he smiled in satisfaction as he watched it sail several yards before landing in the ocean, "I'm gonna let you go so you can concentrate…make sure it's all top quality, I don't like substandard music."
"Jerk," Julie insulted him good naturedly, drawing a quick breath, "Hold on. I was wondering if you'd go with me to an exhibit in Seattle on Wednesday."
"What kind of exhibit," Seth drew up his knees against his chest, staring out at the setting sun.
"Photography."
"Are they of naked girls?"
Julie laughed, the sound of tapping fingers coming through the line, "No, no naked girls. She's known for her amazing landscape photography…has never used live subjects."
"Who?"
"The photographer. Tell me you'll come…I'll even treat you to dinner…there's a great steakhouse several streets down from the art gallery where the exhibit is at."
"Alright, alright, stop bribing me," running his fingers through his hair, "I'll go just for the steak…I'm not much into the whole art gallery, photography exhibit thing but since you obviously want me there, I'll go…and I plan on eating lots of steak."
"It's a date," a clicking sound followed her words, "Alright, I gotta go. I'm done with my third recording. I've got like five more songs to add to the CD…I'm picking my favorite ones, hopefully you'll like them."
"I'm sure I will. Especially if you use your voice to its full advantage."
"I have one song where I actually do that…work my way up and down the scale that is. Well, gonna let you go."
"Okay, then. Take care Jules."
"Seth."
"Yes?"
"I love you…while I still can; I just want you to know that."
Seth smiled in response before replying, "I love you too…as much as I can…I need you to know that."
"I do…that's why it won't be so hard to let you go…"
Kingstree, South Carolina
Rosa stood at the edge of the pier, staring at the currents in the water as the river flowed under her feet, the breeze moving softly through her dark hair, brushing her skin with cool little currents.
It was starting to get cold in South Carolina…kind of surprising it had taken almost to the end of November before she had to wear a light jacket on her trips out around the small cabin.
She walked through the trees, took pictures of the flowers she found, already mentally putting together a collection of flower pictures but somehow, without her consciously deciding to, she always ended up at the pier, staring at the river as the moving trees seemed to whisper secrets she could hear but not understand.
She had spent the last few weeks wondering if that moment –that warm peaceful moment when she didn't feel alone or afraid –had simply been the stress of so much responsibility –a moment created by her subconscious to give her a respite, however short lived.
A part of her deep inside refused to doubt.
It was what brought her to the pier every day, had her standing at the edge to wait…
He would find her, wherever he was…
To stop believing that, however minutely, would send her careening back to that dark place…
She couldn't afford to do that and for that reason, she kept believing…kept hoping…
And waiting.
"Where are you," she whispered into the breeze, hoping it would carry her heartfelt petition to wherever he was…she needed to know –to feel him again.
Seth stared at the crashing waves as the golden sun began to paint the water into hot brilliant colors, the reflection of the sky.
Raising his legs to his chest, he wrapped his arms around his knees, wondering how she was doing, if she was alright.
He knew, instinctively, that she hadn't handled his sudden departure all that well.
The echo of her pain had stayed with him throughout the past weeks –it had somehow overshadowed his own pain.
He needed to find a way to her –it was driving him crazy; no dreams, no sudden overwhelming feelings, nothing.
He was so damn close to going to Julie, so damn desperate in seeing his little girl that he was actually contemplating being a complete asshole to such a great girl.
"Where are you," he whispered into the wind, resting his forehead against his forearms as he closed his eyes, breathing in deep, the smell of cherry blossoms drifting in the breeze as he continued to breathe.
He had to find a way.
"I wish you could be here," she whispered, a lone tear slowly sliding down her smooth cheek as the breeze ruffled her dark hair, carrying the scent of the sea with it, "I'm waiting for you…"
Taking another breath, she closed her eyes…it wasn't the same as before but somehow, she could feel him…
"I want to be with you," Seth stared at the setting sun, wishing he could tell her this while he looked into her beautiful eyes, so big and full of fear, "I ache to hold you…I've never met you but I already love you."
Breathing deep, the scent of cherry blossoms grew stronger along with the sudden feeling he wasn't alone.
He didn't know what was happening, it definitely wasn't the same as before but he would take it…
"Don't give up on me…" he whispered, the breeze carrying his words to where they belonged.
"I can't…" she took a deep breath, watching the breeze as it moved through the trees, able to hear the ruffling sound of them as they moved with it, "I can't give up on you…I can't stop believing that you're real…that it's more than just a feeling."
Moving her eyes down to the water running under the pier, she looked through the clear water, thinking how beautiful it was.
Raising her camera, she took a picture, knowing the riverbed rocks would show through the water despite its currents, it was just that clear.
"I don't know how this works," she whispered at the breeze, lifting her camera to take a picture of the far off view from where she was standing, "I don't know how it's possible…I can only think of it as magic…good magic…it actually does exist…"
"I'm here, I'm real," Seth kept breathing in the scent of cherry blossoms, "It doesn't make sense but its true…nothing in my life makes sense and it's all true, so this is true too."
He sat still, listening to the crashing waves, the sun more than halfway into the ocean, the sky starting to get that dark blue tint to it.
"I want you to be here with me," Seth leaned his chin against his forearms, staring at the sky, painted wild with such beautiful colors, "No other place would be safer than by my side."
She turned towards the west, staring at the setting sun over the white pine trees, capturing the moment of glory before it completely sank into the horizon, the colors so beautiful, so wild and free.
"I know I'll be safe with you," she whispered as she lowered her camera to her side, "Wherever you are, I know I'll be safe with you."
"Tia Rosa!"
The sudden disappearance of the seawater smell made her heart ache but this time, she kept herself strong…she couldn't break, couldn't fold in on herself…
Not just because of the twins but because of him.
Turning around, she watched as Viviana waved from the door of the little cabin, "Tia! Minerva's on the phone for you!"
Taking a deep breath of the pine scented air, she looked over her shoulder at the setting sun one last time, letting out a soft whisper, "I'll wait for you…however long it takes."
"Hey Seth!"
Seth's head snapped to the side, the sharp pain at losing the tentative connection he had to her as the scent of cherry blossoms abruptly disappeared spearing through his chest.
Collin moved across the beach towards his friend, wearing cut off jeans and nothing else.
"Soon, my little girl," Seth whispered softly, hoping the breeze would carry those last words to her before he pushed himself to his feet.
"Were you talking to yourself," Collin gave Seth a strange look, as he stopped several feet away from him, the breeze ruffling his hair –he desperately needed a haircut.
"Just…reminding myself about something," Seth shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, "Got done with patrols?"
"Yeah, gonna head home and get some homework done," Collin ran his fingers through his hair, "I saw you on my way there and thought I'd stopped…haven't seen you or Embry in a while…you both must be busy with your girls."
Seth gave Collin a smile, "Jealous, much?"
"Naw," Collin flashed back to the day he had looked into Julie's purple eyes…there was something about them that seemed to tug at him deep inside but he didn't know what, "I got my own source of entertainment."
Seth chuckled, his shoulders shaking, "Your left hand?"
"You fucking asshole," Collin couldn't help the slight blush crawling up his face, "Anyway, you needed my help moving Julie's little sister down to Port Angeles, remember? I'd be nice to me if I were you."
"What, you want me to step aside and let you have a try at my girl," Seth gave Collin a side grin, "I don't think so…but her sister's pretty spunky. You'll have fun trying to get to her."
"Oh please," Collin rolled his black eyes in disdain, "She's still a kid. Anyway, when were you planning on going to Trinidad?"
"Two weekends from this one," Seth took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, "She's done with school in two weeks and wants to move in with Julie as soon as its over…she's really chomping at the bit at getting out of Trinidad…makes me wonder if that stupid ex-boyfriend of hers is giving her any trouble."
"Her problem, not mine," Collin stated matter of factly before turning towards his house; "Anyway, I'll meet you and Embry at your place in the morning. I gotta go and get homework done."
"Alright," Seth watched him as he jogged across the beach, turning back to the darkening sky.
The connection was lost, he could feel it…there was nothing there for him to continue talking to…
Turning around, he headed towards his house, his step slow and dragging.
He needed her with him…and he had to find a way to make it happen.
Kingstree, South Carolina
She sighed softly as she listened to Minerva's chatter over the phone, only half paying attention while she looked over the numbers on the computer, wondering to herself if Marcos had been right.
Perhaps a ten percent commission on each sold photograph was too much –considering the price tags her art manager attached to them.
"The tour is going exceptionally well, Rose. We sold five of your photographs in New York, two in Chicago and we'll be in Seattle this week. From what the art gallery manager there has told me, there are quite a number of interested buyers."
"Uh-uh," Rosa clicked open the spreadsheet attachment, "That's good."
"I think between Seattle and San Diego, we'll sell about ninety percent of your remaining photographs. That will only leave about two or three unsold."
"Good," clicking on each image of the unsold photographs, she suggested absentmindedly, "Maybe if you lowered the prices a couple of thousand dollars, you might sell them all."
"It's not just the talent we're selling, Rose. Not anymore. We're also selling your name."
"Right," closing the New York spreadsheet, she pulled up the one from Chicago, "Why was the turn out in Chicago so low?"
"I made the mistake of thinking the gallery manager would do a good job on publicity. It won't happen again."
"Mmm," she stared at one of the two pictures sold, the colors of the climbing roses, aged stone and falling water from the old fountain behind the palazzo so sharp and vivid, even on her laptop screen, "I'm sure it won't. Anything else?"
"Yes. I got contacted by a couple of charities. They'd like to know if you would donate one of your photographs for a fundraiser."
"Send me the information, I'll look it over," Rosa clicked open the file where she kept her electronic copy of the contract with Minerva, finally being in the frame of mind to read it and think over possible changes, "If that's all –"
"Actually, I have one more thing. I know it's stated in your contract that you have no interest in publicity –"
"I don't."
"Fine. Also, about your fan mail –"
"Not interested."
"Rose, I normally wouldn't say anything to you about this…"
Rosa was already zoning out as she read the terms under which the contract was put together between Eduardo and Minerva.
If at any time, these terms agreed upon are violated by the paid party (Minerva Raymer), the payee (Rose de Lune) can demand renegotiation of the contract or terminate it completely.
"But I'm really concerned, especially with the last letter I received."
"Minerva," Rosa let out a long breath, running her fingers through her hair, "I don't mean to sound heartless, but I don't care about other people's problems –"
"Actually, I'm concerned about you."
"Me," Rosa finally focused on what Minerva was saying, her heart leaping in fear as the nausea began to slowly grow.
"Yes. This guy, he's been writing to you since your first exhibit. His letters were always sweet and full of praise for your talent but lately, he's been expressing some anger at your lack of response. It really wasn't that big of a deal because no one knows who you are or what you look like…"
Rosa's breath was coming fast and shallow, her mind going blank as Minerva's words sank in.
"His last letter, he mentioned being at the exhibit in Suwanee…he wrote that you looked beautiful with the flower in your hair –that it made you look innocent…almost childlike…the way he imagined you would look."
She lost the feeling to her hands as the phone slipped, landing on her lap as she tried to breathe, tried to think past the fear that was quickly consuming her.
"He doesn't know where you are now, Rose," Minerva's far off voice no longer registered in Rosa's consciousness as she sat huddled in the armchair, her body shaking as she began to rock in place, "But still…be careful okay?"
Her stomach flipped as the fear took over.
Trying to stand up, her legs gave out and she landed on her hands and knees, tears streaming down her face, no longer able to hold back the nausea as she threw up on the wooden floor of the living room, her breathing coming fast and harsh.
He had found them…she had failed.
Seth walked into his bedroom in time to hear the ding from his laptop.
Moving across the room, he tapped the enter button, sitting on his chair as his web-cam came on, Jacob's face filling the screen.
"Yo Beta!"
"Don't call me that," Seth admonished good naturedly, "Your face is kind of ugly when it's close up, Jake."
"I couldn't be ugly even if I tried," Jake grinned at Seth as he moved back, "How's it going over in that end of the world?"
"Peachy," Seth answered, hoping the small talk would not last long, "My shoulder's back to normal."
"Good," Jake grinned at him, able to see even through the screen that Seth had no interest in just talking, "Anyway. I showed the drawings of the church and priest you e-mailed me to Carlisle."
"And?"
"Carlisle doesn't recognize the church –"
"It's a cathedral," Seth interrupted, not knowing why it even mattered.
"Whatever. The point is...Carlisle's never seen it."
"What about the vampire priest?"
Jake chuckled at that, "What an oxymoron."
"Agreed. Does Carlisle know him?" Seth ran his fingers through his hair, feeling suddenly agitated as he waited for Jake to answer.
"Yes…apparently Carlisle met him some couple hundred years ago…in Ireland."
"Ireland," Seth's eyebrows lowered in consternation, rubbing the back of his neck as his entire skin began to get clammy…his heart beat was speeding up and he felt the oncoming surge of fear.
Something was wrong with his little girl.
"Yeah. Explain to me again about this leech and the church."
"A dream I had," Seth reached over to the keyboard, "Listen, I gotta go. I'm not feeling well."
"Yeah, you look like shit. Listen Seth, Carlisle said –"
Turning the camera off, Seth bolted out of his desk chair, making it to the bathroom in time.
Leaning against the wall, he flushed the toilet, trying to breathe through the nausea and overwhelming fear that was coursing through his system.
Something had happened to make her so scared…he normally only reacted this way to his dreams…her memories…
Breathing hard, he felt himself shake as he turned away from the toilet.
He could feel the anger slowly growing, making his skin tighten, his heartbeat hitch up.
Something or someone was causing overwhelming fear in his little girl and he could do nothing about it.
Without thinking, he punched the bathroom wall, shoving his fist through the wall with the force.
"Seth!"
He looked up, barely able to see his sister through the haze of anger and fear that seemed to cloud his vision.
Pulling his hand out of the wall, he slid down to the floor, his shoulders shaking, his control breaking as tears began to flow.
"I can't…" swallowing back a sob, he buried his face in his hands, keeping a tight rein on his anger as he felt his sister's hands on his back, trying to give him comfort, "She's scared Lee…so damn scared and I'm not there."
Leah smoothed her hand over his hair before wrapping her arms around him, whispering into his ear, "Help her through it Seth. Give her the strength to get through it."
"How," Seth growled, trying to pull away from his sister without success, "I'm not there. How the hell am I supposed to help her?"
Leah moved to look into his eyes, wiping her fingers across his face, "By being strong…for her. You two have a connection…that should be obvious by now, don't you think? Just breathe…breathe and tell her it's going to be okay…tell her right here," Leah laid a hand over his beating heart without breaking eye contact, "Tell her she's strong…she can deal with what's going on and find a solution."
Seth stared into his sister's eyes, taking a deep breath as he thought over her words, his heart beat slowing down with every word.
Closing his eyes, he could feel her with every beat of his heart, could feel her despair, her hopelessness, her fear…
You'll be okay. You're strong, you can get through this…you're not alone.
Kingstree, South Carolina
She stared at the letter in her hand, her attempt at trying to connect the dots in Eduardo's logic completely failing.
Tennessee.
That was his next destination for them and she couldn't figure out why.
Looking out the window, she took a deep breath, swallowing back the nausea that had plagued her for the past day.
They were going to be driving to some backwoods small town in Tennessee as soon as Marcos got back in from feeding.
She had kept them indoors for the past twenty four hours while she tried to collect herself, tried to think past the fear to figure out what to do.
It was the sudden reassurance within her that made her get off the floor in search of the twins, make sure they were okay.
As she read through Eduardo's next letter, she kept reminding herself that it was going to be okay.
She was strong and was able to get through this…she could do what was needed to be done because she wasn't alone.
If only he were here to do it for her.
Folding the letter, her head snapped up in response to the knock on the door, her eyes widening as her niece came out of the kitchen towards the front door, "Vivi, don't."
"Tia, I'm sure if it was him, he wouldn't bother knocking," Viviana continued towards the front door, her long hair in a thick plait down her small back.
"Stop," Rosa dropped the letter on the coffee table, heading towards the front door, "I'll get it. Go back to the kitchen, Vivi. Whoever it is, I don't want them to see you."
"It's probably Mr. McGill," Viviana moved slowly towards the kitchen, not liking the idea of leaving her aunt alone to face the visitor at the other side of the door…she was already jumpy as it was.
"Possibly," Rosa stared at the door handle, taking a deep breath as another knock sounded, a little louder than the one before.
Taking the door knob in her hand, she turned it and slowly opened the door, a heavy breath escaping her as she looked into a pair of dark brown eyes, feeling a rush of relief as she gave the stranger a smile, "May I help you?"
He stared at her, his dark brown hair falling in slightly greasy hanks across his wide forehead, "You're Rose de Lune."
"I'm sorry, I…I don't know who that is –" she let out a gasp when he wedged his foot in between the frame and door, keeping her from closing it on his face.
"There's no need for you to lie to me," he gave her a smile that made her skin clammy, "I know who you are."
"I…" Rosa gave her head a small shake, "I don't know who you are –"
"I'm an admirer of your work," he slid his hand into the pocket of his tan slacks, pulling it out slowly, the setting sun glinting off the steel blade he held, "You can say I'm your biggest fan…but then again, you know that, don't you? After all, you've ignored every single letter I've sent you."
Rosa tried to breathe as she kept her eyes on the blade, her mind going blank…this she hadn't been expecting.
"Tia…"
"Ah," he smiled at her, his eyes displaying a glint of evil pleasure, "There's my leverage. If you don't want her hurt, you'll follow me," his smiled grew as he slowly raked his eyes down her body, "You'll be coming back…eventually."
Rosa didn't know what he was thinking as he looked her over but she felt the need to run, to hide herself from his eyes.
"Tia," Viviana's voice snapped her back to the situation at hand.
Shaking her head, she looked to her right to see Viviana standing at the other side of the door where the man couldn't see her, "Quedate aqui adentro Viviana. Ahorita regreso." *Stay inside Viviana. I'll be right back.*
Viviana stared at her aunt as she walked out, the door closing behind her.
Standing still for a few seconds, she gnawed on her lip, trying to figure out what to do. Whatever that man wanted with Tia Rosa, it wasn't good…Vivian had caught sight of the switchblade in his hand through the crack between the door and frame.
Wringing her hands, she began to pace, thinking over what she could do…possibly call the police but that would probably make it easier for that other one to find them.
She could go after them but she didn't know what to do if she did…she wasn't sure she could hurt the man even if it was to protect her aunt.
Oh, if only Marcos would come back, she thought to herself as she paced the small space before the front door, he would know what to do. He wouldn't let fear take over.
Marcos couldn't help a small sigh of satisfaction as he slid the glass door open, momentarily thinking how stupid it was to put glass doors in a three room cabin.
Oh well, to each his own.
Sliding the door close behind him, his eyebrows lowered as he caught sight of his sister pacing back and forth, almost blurring with the speed.
"Vivi? Are we ready to go?"
"Oh Marcos," Viviana exclaimed, running over to him to grab his small arm with both hands, "This man came and took Tia Rosa away. He had a knife and he sounded upset with her and –"
"Was it –"
"No, no. He was definitely human. He smelled like rotten fish. I don't know what to do. We need to help her before he hurts her."
"You're going to stay here," Marcos shook her small hands off his arm, heading towards the kitchen, "I'll find her."
Viviana watched as Marcos pushed a chair up against the counter, climbing up to pull one of the large chopping knifes from the block on the counter, "What are you doing?"
"I might need a weapon," Marcos agilely hopped off the chair, heading towards the front door, "The only other one I have would turn him immortal and the last thing we need is another pain in the ass breathing down our neck."
"Marcos –"
"Make sure all our stuff is ready to go as soon as I get back," Marcos told his sister as he opened the front door, not looking at her as he walked out, the door closing behind him without a sound.
Viviana stood there for a few seconds, worrying about what her brother was going to do.
Shaking her head, she turned towards the bedrooms. Whatever it was, she hoped he got to Tia Rosa in time.
Rosa couldn't hold back the tears, swallowing the nausea as she felt his fingers touching her neck, moving over her shoulder and down her arm.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his hot fetid breath brushing against her cheek, making her gag, "So innocent looking."
A sob escaped her as she felt the cold of the blade against her throat as he moved it down her chest into the collar of her blouse.
"I knew you would be from the first time I saw the photographs," his mouth brushed against her jaw as he breathed in the scent of her hair, pushing her against the tree as he pressed his body against hers.
Rosa wanted to scream as she pushed her hands against his chest, ineffectively trying to push him away, her tears coming faster as he slowly, tauntingly, cut through the thread of each button, splitting her blouse open.
She was so confused, had no idea what he wanted with her but she didn't like having his hands or body so near her own.
She couldn't think, couldn't figure out what to do to get away…every thought she had was centered on how this was wrong…it couldn't be happening to her.
"Every time I look at a picture you've taken, I see the world as you see it…so new and pure and unblemished…but the world is not like that," he slid his nose against hers, looking into her wide frightened eyes as he moved a hand into her open blouse, touching her quivering stomach, "But you are, aren't you?"
Crying, she shook her head, strands of her hair sticking to her wet cheeks as he moved his mouth closer to hers, turning her head so his lips landed on her cheek.
Forcefully grabbing her chin, he turned her face to his, staring down at her with a hot look, "I want to taste you, Rose. You won't deny me anymore."
"Please don't," she begged in a whisper as his mouth descended to hers…she didn't want her first kiss to be his.
"Get your hands off her."
She took a deep breath as he stopped, his mouth only inches away, his breath falling across her face for a few seconds before his hand dropped to his side.
"Step away from her…now."
Rosa watched him take a few steps away from her, his brown eyes looking slightly glazed as she quickly grabbed the sides of her blouse, wrapping them tight around her.
She looked around but saw no one, although she could hear his voice…not with her ears but more in her head.
"Marcos –" her breath hitched as he responded again, his words weaving through her own thoughts.
"Go back to the cabin, Tia. Wait there until I return. Then we leave."
Blinking, she turned towards the cabin, stopping after taking a few steps, turning to look back.
The man was still standing in place, not moving as the wind blew through the trees, the afternoon shadows growing long as the sun continued to set.
"Marcos," her eyes moved across the trees, still not able to see him, "Come with me."
"Go. Now."
Without giving it another thought, she turned around and headed towards the cabin, keeping her arms wrapped around herself as her body continued to shake, the remnants of fear still running through her system.
Marcos watched her from his vantage point up in one of the trees, never taking his eyes off her until the door closed behind her.
Turning his head, he looked at the man below him, disgust roiling in his gut as he picked up the man's thread of thought, mentally connecting his own thoughts to it.
"You're a sick bastard. Touching an innocent girl like that. You don't deserve to live."
Marcos watched as the man turned to his right, slowly walking deeper into the woods, each step slow and measured as if he was trying to break free.
Marcos lips tugged to a smug smile as he dropped from the tree, landing agilely on his feet, the large knife still held in his left hand as he followed several steps behind the man, never letting up.
"You're a scum bag, a dirty asshole thinking you have the right to treat a girl like that…she's still a child in so many ways and you were going to callously tear her innocence apart…the little bit that she still has left."
Deeper into the woods, Marcos mentally made the man veer to the left towards a deep ravine he had discovered days after they had moved to Kingstree.
It was a thirty foot drop to the bottom, where the Black River made its way towards the ocean.
"A man like you doesn't truly deserve to live. You contribute nothing to society. You're a threat to innocent women everywhere and you really should end your miserable life."
Marcos' concentrated harder as they neared the edge of the ravine, the man's steps nearly dragging as he fought against the control over his thoughts.
"Jump. You'll be doing everyone a greater good by jumping."
Marcos stood several feet behind him, his small hand tightening around the handle of the knife, staring hard at the man's back, the pounding on his head increasing as he focused harder on him.
"It will be the one thing you do that isn't cowardly. Look at the bottom and know that this is what you deserve; this is what you've sowed with your evil intentions. Jump, you son of a bitch."
Staring hard at the man, the little boy took one step forward, stopping when the man moved forward, disappearing over the lip of the ravine.
Moving to the edge, he watched as the man fell, almost looking graceful as he tumbled through the air.
A small smile appeared on his small face as he broke the mental connection, the sudden screams of the man echoing throughout the woods right before he hit the rocks, his body twisted and still.
Staring down at him, Marcos took a deep breath, staring at the man's back…he had landed face first and even from this distance, the boy could tell he was no longer alive.
Looking down at the knife in his hand, he pushed back the primitive regret that he hadn't spilled the man's blood, letting it soak into the earth.
It was better this way, he told himself; after all he never touched him.
Lifting his eyes, he stared at the opposite rim, sliding his hand down the blade before he tossed it, hand over head, watching it spin through the air, sinking into a soft spot in the dirt, giving him a bit of satisfaction although he still wished it had been the man's back instead.
Looking down at the man's body again, he whispered into the breeze, "Weak minded bastard," before looking at his hand, noticing a thin line of blood across his palm.
Lifting his hand, he stared at the bright red blood, thinking how strange it was…he had killed a man yet the only blood spilt was his own.
Sliding his tongue over it, the venom in his saliva sealed the cut close but not before a drop of it fell onto his white shirt, making him frown.
Grimacing as he turned his back on the ravine, he headed through the woods towards the cabin.
He had gotten rid of the knife to not scare his aunt but now, the blood on his shirt was definitely going to make her uneasy.
Oh well, he shrugged to himself as he got near the cabin, he didn't regret what he had done and would do it all over again if necessary.
As long as he had the mental strength, and eventually one day the physical strength, no one was going to lay a hand on either his sister or his aunt.
That he could guarantee.