Chapter 27: Returned Favors
Summary: After discovering some bad news while reading Alex's mind, Dakota makes a decision.
PLEASE Read and Review!
* * *
Dakota sat and stared at his book mark.
A picture of Julia.
Most school pictures were hideous, but nothing could alter Julia's beauty. Her coffee brown hair fell in soft curls about her shoulders, not tight, frizzy curls like Riley's, but ringlets. Her almond shaped green eyes had the look of wonder that a small child has when they stare up at the sky.
While Dakota was with Julia, his appreciation for nature had grown, and now nature was the one thing that comforted him. She had taught him to slow down, enjoy simple things. Her pouty lips parted to show pearly white teeth, not perfect teeth however, a few at the bottom were crooked, but Dakota had grown to love even her little flaws. The green shirt she wore accentuated her eyes and shadows formed on her arms where the muscles curved.
Julia was strong, very strong, but never masculine.
However, Dakota had always felt the need to protect her. In a way, she reminded him of Cody. Julia loved going to the gym with him and even took kick boxing classes.
He sighed.
She was so trusting and understanding. When he told her about his powers she had smiled and laughed, like a little girl. She told him that he had been her Superman before, but now he was the world's Superman too. On the back of the picture in blue ink the words were written; "To my Superman, I love you. Jules".
Some Superman I turned out to be. I couldn't even protect her from a lousy werewolf.
His vision blurred.
Images of her lying on the snow in a pool of blood entered his mind. He watched her grabbing for a large stick that was just out of reach, he could feel Xander's hand tightening around his neck, and his words, 'You should have stayed away from her Stevens'.
More images came.
His mother and father running out on the porch. His father's shot gun with the silver bullets in it. 'Go back, there're too many', his own voice echoed in his head. He heard their cries faintly because he himself had been losing consciousness. Xander had tried to kill him, and nearly succeeded.
David should have let him, Dakota thought.
Dakota and his family lived a little ways from the city so there were a lot of woods around, and when the police found the bodies it didn't seem strange that they had been attacked by wolves. A thought entered his mind, If they find you they'll do the same to your friends that they did to your parents and Julia. All he could see was blood, the smell, the feeling, the cries, the agony.
Alex opened the door and Dakota fell out of bed with a start.
"You OK?" They said at the same time.
"Why're you asking me? You're the one who fell outta bed." Alex said with a grin.
"You looked a little bit pale." Dakota climbed back into bed. "How was coffee?"
Alex stretched and yanked off his shirt. "Excellent. You should have joined us." The muscles in his back contracted as he knelt and reached under his bed.
"Hardy, har, har. I would have if there wasn't a price on my head." Dakota said throwing the bookmark back into his book. "Is it raining?"
Alex stood up with a pair of boxers from under the bed. "How'd you know?"
Dakota eyed his wet hair and glistening skin. "Good guess... Anything exciting happen that I should be worried about?"
The closet shrieked as Alex flung it open and threw in his shoes. "Nope. Now if you don't mind, I'm a-goin' to sleep." He flopped face first onto his bed and shut his eyes.
"Alex?"
"Uhhhh?"
"Are you sure there's nothing you want to tell me?" Dakota asked.
"Oh yeah," he turned his face to Dakota. "Good night."
After a few moments Alex started to snore softly.
Well now Alex, let's see what in your mind, Dakota thought. He reached in. Inside, he saw Cody and all the people from the coffee house, and then he saw what he feared but expected none the less- Xander.
I knew it, he thought.
Well that settles it. I'm leaving, no one else is going to get ripped to pieces on my account. I don't know where I'll go, but it'll be as far away from anyone I care about as I can. He grabbed his back pack and threw in all the clothes and toiletries he could his money and his bible and book. Then he stood in the door and sighed. Thanks for trying Alex. But now it's my turn to do you a favor.
