: A/N: In this section I have a small POV change up. It doesn't last or anything, but just so you can see who this mysterious Ebay old guy is. He's not really old btw, well, in a strange way. -shakes head- You'll see.

Point a finger at me again.

Guilty by association.

I wanna run away.

I wanna know the truth.

I wanna know the answers.

I wanna shut the door and open up my mind.

Chester Bennington . . . I love you. XD :

Dead To The World

Chapter eight:

My apartment was cool from the hot and musky Southern Mississippi late afternoon/night. I welcomed it with tired eyes and a tired sigh to boot. I threw my tan messenger bag to the floor by the door, kicked off my black flops, pulled my hair from the tight poneytail. This was home. Quiet, cold, and alone. But home. I had friends who loved me like their own. They told me on a daily basis everyday they loved me, vise versa. I walked over to my stereo in the living room, clicking on soft Linkin Park where it rang out slowly and drowningly. Resting my sore screaming muscles.

I sat down in front of my computer screen, pushing it on to life. Squinting at the sharp white light it illuminated throughout the room. The window was creaked open, I thought I'd shut it when I left. Did I really care? Nope. The room was that dark blue/black it gets when the sun is down, but night isn't truelly prepared to take over just yet. The moon's out, but the stars haven't exactly woken just yet. I looked at my buddylist, preparing the Instant Message this time.

UnderMySkin: 7:32 P.M. Hello again.

AbstractoftheMind: 7:36 P.M. Sorry, had to get some coffee.

UnderMySkin: Long night?

Abstractofthemind: Very.

UnderMySkin: Same.

AbstractoftheMind: Why's that?

UnderMySkin: Work. Still working. Always working. Lol.

AbstractoftheMind: I know all too well.

UnderMySkin: Why, for you?

AbstractoftheMind: Not exactly that it was terribly long, but death's always seem to make everything more . . . tragic.

UnderMySkin: Death?

AbstractoftheMind: Unfortuanetly a friend had a death in the family.

UnderMySkin: Oh, I'm very sorry. Is she alright?

AbstractoftheMind: Yes, she's alright. A wolf attack. Where did they come from out of the blue? It's strange. I

even got attacked by a wolf, just two days ago.

I tapped on the my mouse idly, waiting for a reply, my breath hitching when it finally came. I hadn't expected it, laughing at myself I clicked back onto the IM.

UnderMySkin: Are you serious?

AbstractoftheMind: Yeah, it was nothing really. It was just . . . I dunno strange? Yeah, strange.

A big wolf, black and brown. Beautiful, but I'd never imagining ever running into one.

UnderMySkin: Where were you to get attacked by that kind of an animal?

AbstractoftheMind Believe it or not, the city. I was at a club, it was rather random. In a parking lot, too. Strange, isn't it?

Do they have wolves were you are?

UnderMySkin: . . . Yes actually, we have suddenly had an . . . outburste of wolves around the area.

AbstractoftheMind: So, you do live in the South?

UnderMySkin: Yes, I do. Mississippi area, actually.

Would I take this as coincedence? Yes. Extremely ironic? Yes. Did my apartment suddenly seem a tad creepier? Yes. Did I know why? Nope.

AbstractoftheMind CHANGES THE SUBJECT

AbstractoftheMind: Interesting.

UnderMySkin: So, what is your current piece of work?

I looked behind me at the half-splattered abstract cavas I'd been working on.

AbstractoftheMind: Actually, it's a very personnal piece.

UnderMySkin: Oh, I'm sorry.

AbstractoftheMind: Oh no, don't worry. It's an abstract like more or most of my pieces but it's of a man

standing in the woods. It's hard to explain over this but, the trees are dark. Heavy colors, black,

grey,red. His body is nude, more tans, whites, greys. Very light earthly colors in a very dark world. Or that is what I'm

shooting for. His hair is long and very black, I made his face blank, hints that's where the abstract comes into.

This is a very . . . particular piece for me, if I don't like it I'll end up selling it. I don't really keep my pieces, truthfully.

UnderMySkin: Amazing, what was your inspiration?

What was my inspiration. I could tell him of days, where as I only saw the man for minutes.

AbstractoftheMind A man I met, on a strange meeting. I only saw him briefly, tell you the trueth. But, I more

or less thought the details up. The color scheme, the feeling, the emotions . . . I don't know how to explain it.

But when I'm finished I'll put a picture up on the new site I'll have up. Hopefully.

UnderMySkin: I can't wait.

AbstractoftheMind: . . . neither can I. Neither can I.

I couldn't keep the question of my head so I finally asked.

AbstractoftheMind: What region in Mississippi do you live?

UnderMySkin: Harely, MS. Jaguar Estates.

My heart pounded in my throat, I didn't ask him exactly where he lived, nor did I truthfully want to know. But what was said, was said. Couldn't change it or take it back now.

AbstractoftheMind: Oh, wonderful.

UnderMySkin: Don't worry, lol. You donot have to tell me where you live. I wouldn't ask.

AbstractoftheMind: So have you lived here your whole life?

UnderMySkin: No actually. I'm from the hills of Clifornia, that's where my heart is.

AbstractoftheMind: Ah, you're married?

UnderMySkin: Haha, no no. My heart is there because that is where I'm from. It's where I would call home.

AbstractoftheMind: LOL, oh I appologize.

UnderMySkin: Lol, it's nothing.

AbstractoftheMind: Hehe.

UnderMySkin: So, are you from the South?

AbstractoftheMind: No, actually. Me neither, I moved here in Elementary. Originally from the deserts of Arizona.

UnderMySkin: Hmm, how was that?

AbstractoftheMind: It wasn't home, and I honeslty couldn't remember if I tried.

UnderMySkin: Why wasn't it home?

AbstractoftheMind: Different reasons, but that wasn't where my heart was.

UnderMySkin: Where is your heart?

AbstractoftheMind: Good question, I'll let you know when I found out.

UnderMySkin: Ah, I see.

AbstractoftheMind: I don't mind, I've lived here most of all of my life, but it just isn't . . . home. These walls aren't home,

this just isn't it.

UnderMySkin: I can understand in a way.

AbstractoftheMind: It's confusing.

UnderMySkin: I can sympathize, I can only wish you find it one day.

AbstractoftheMind: Thank you, kind words, I'll take them to heart.

UnderMySkin: I hope you do. I'm only sorry they can't trully help.

AbstractoftheMind: They do, and they can. In the words of a stranger I find comfort, I thank you.

UnderMySkin: And I, you.

UnderMySkin: Did you know . . . they are holding a fighting pin in Harley with the wolves only a short

distance out of the city?

AbstractoftheMind: A fighting pin?

UnderMySkin: Yes, it's a more or less, convention. Bets, food, everyone gets together bringing wolves, lion cats,

different animals to fight in a ring for hours.

AbstractoftheMind: Isn't that illegal?

UnderMySkin: I believe it is.

AbstractoftheMind: That's terrible.

UnderMySkin: It being illegal?

AbstractoftheMind: No, forceing animals to fight eachother, I hate that.

UnderMySkin: Why?

AbstractoftheMind: I don't like seeing things hurt, or being hurt. Especially for someone else's

enjoyment. It's terrible.

UnderMySkin: I can agree on different leves, I have a cat actually in the pin.

AbstractoftheMind: . . . Is it to the death?

UnderMySkin: No, not to the death. One usually walks out harmed, although.

AbstractoftheMind: Still . . . I don't know. What kind of cat do you have?

UnderMySkin: A great cat, Jaguar.

AbstractoftheMind:

AbstractoftheMind: . . .

AbstractoftheMind: You have a Jaguar? How and why!

UnderMySkin: Lol, it's confusing, in all honesty, but he competes, and he is a warrior on the front lines.

AbstractoftheMind: You shouldn't force it to do that.

UnderMySkin: Why ever not? It's its instincts to fight other cats or wolves.

AbstractoftheMind: Not all the time, and if so that doesn't mean it has to.

UnderMySkin: I love my cat, I do care about it.

AbstractoftheMind: Liar! Lol you wouldn't force it to fight if you loved it!

UnderMySkin: It is actually a very kind thing, not rough unless its in the pin. I love it with all my heart,

and I fear that if another animal were going to try to do it anyharm, it would kill it. And I have no problem with that.

AbstractoftheMind: You speak as if you trully know it.

UnderMySkin: I do.

AbstractoftheMind: I'm guessing you love cats, eh? lol

UnderMySkin: Lol you could say.

AbstractoftheMind: Well . . . I have a kitty whom I love with all of my heart and his name is JC!

UnderMySkin: You like cats? I'm glad. Lol, JC?

AbstractoftheMind: It's been with me for years, it's actually old and fat. But Shh! I didn't say anything

JC means Just Cat. Lol, I couldn't think of a good name.

UnderMySkin: That's cute

AbstractoftheMind: I like to think so.

UnderMySkin: Well, if you're in or around the area, you could see. It's a glorious event.

AbstractoftheMind: Ya know, no one talks like that anymore. Not for a whooooole bunch of years. Lol

UnderMySkin: I forget, I'm sorry.

AbstractoftheMind: It was a compliment in a strange way. So, how old are you anyways?

UnderMySkin: Old.

Funny, I pictured him young.

UnderMySkin: 24

AbstractoftheMind: LOL. That is NOT old, you strange man!

AbstractoftheMind: Well, then I guess that makes me a child. : I'm 20

UnderMySkin: That's not a child, that's just young.

AbstractoftheMind: Well then you're young, too.

UnderMySkin: Ah, but I am different. Much older than my years.

AbstractoftheMind: Psh, you're crazy.

UnderMySkin: As I've been told.

AbstractoftheMind: What's your name anyways?

UnderMySkin: Alexander. At your service

AbstractoftheMind: No need to be so old, old man. Alexander, I like that.

UnderMySkin: Thank you.

AbstractoftheMind: Zowie, and you're welcome.

UnderMySkin: It's a pleasure to be aquainted Zowie.

AbstractoftheMind: Pleasure's all mine Alexander.

AbstractoftheMind: And now, I think I'm off to bed, I'm actually very tired. Ttyl?

UnderMySkin: I think I'll be off, too. Last minute things to do. Ttyl? Sorry, lol.

AbstractoftheMind: I meant, talk to you later. You old man, catch up on computer slang. Lol

UnderMySkin: Again, my mistake. Goodnight Miss Zowie.

AbstractoftheMind: Goodnight Mr. Alexander.

UnderMySkin has signed off 8:51

"Goodnight Alexander."

On the other side of Harley, Jaguar Estates sat Asher Alexander. The light from the computer screen shutting off as it went dark all around him.

"Goodnight Dearest Zowie." He listened as the door closed in the dining area.

"Brother!" He yelled out, getting up from his claw legged wood chair. Knowing exactly where to step in the dark of the dining hall, kitchen, resting area, living room.

"Brother?"

"What?" Came a tired sigh, sounding more growled than normal.

"I need to speak with you."

"Of what?" He said tiredly, making his way back into the resting area, holding the computer and the 17 foot wall to wall of nothing but leather bound books. His sactuary.

"Please listen to me." He said with a plead, watching in the dark as his Brother slumped in the large leather sofa, closing his eyes tiredly. His black curls falling to his knees, but heald back in a low poney tail coming loose, swinging over his shoulder to lay in his worn blue-jeaned lap.

"Come tommorow, I beg of you. Please." Hearing his more dominant Brother growl he stepped back, settling on his knees, head bowed.

"Please Brother."

"Why?" Came the angry voice in the corner.

"Because I need you there Asher. Ash." He said quietly, pleadingly.

"To watch you harm yourself yet again? I donot wish to accompany you to that shit-hole. I've better things to do." Alexander's head shot up at him, glaring.

"What? Stalk your human in the middle of the night?" He bit his lip for his own bravery, lowing his head; letting out the breath he didn't notice he was holding when his Brother yawned.

"I donot stalk her, we keep . . . what's the term? Running into eachother. That's all." He scoffed, rolling his large hazel eyes swallowed up by his matching Magnolia skin. The only thing trully seperating the two was the hair color and the attitudes. While Asher was 6'3 he matched him in height, Alexander was built more lilthe than his older Brother. Where as Asher was more built for war, his brother was built for art. Even though Asher hated what he was breeded for, Alexander loved the game of war. Loved it like it were art. It was his passion, among other things.

"I'm sure." He said, rolling his eyes. Biting his lip, hopeing Zowie would take his advice and ask around about the fight. Wanting his Brother to finally take the woman he so stayed up late through the night talking about. Which he never did, about anything, or anyone. The only emotion he'd ever saw through his Brother, was for him. And on a rare occasion, at that. Spread wide and far out.

"Alexander I tire. I donot want to watch you get ripped apart, yet again. Don't you tire of it, also?" He asked, looking through his hand which cradled his head against the arm rest.

"No, I do so love a challenge. I am the chapion, donot make me sound such of a dunse."

"Because you are."

"Am not."

"I won't argue and neither you. Shut up, I've a headache." Knowing he wouldn't leave the real subject why he was even speaking to him alone, he'd just turn the subject a bit.

"Did you find the hound that attacked her?" He asked quietly, edging to rest his chin on his older Brother's knee.

"Indeed." His Brother said quietly, he couldn't hide it although. He could hear his heart beat faster, his breath heavier, the atmosphere heavy. His Brother, Asher, had been there the night she got attacked, in fact. He wouldn't tell him much, but of what he did he got through snarls and K-nine snaps. Apparently one of the wolvens had attacked her, mangy animals. He couldn't piece together why'd the dogs would do so, but he didn't have all of the puzzle pieces. He intended to collect them later by God so help it. He would figure this out.

Why couldn't Asher just let himself enjoy the smaller perks of life? Especially 'their' life. He did, somewhat. But not Asher, it was always business business business. Work and business. All the time. He angered over all the bullshit his Brother caught on purpose. Did he get off on it? Alexander didn't know, but wanted to change him so desperately. For his own good, he needed this woman he showed such heart-filling, but small emotion for. If he could only add gas to the small flicker of light, he could bring it to life. Just the littlest spark was needed, and he had it. He could do this, he could.

"One of the Western Nooks on our territory. I handed the mut over to his pack leader, I know Gregory, he'll take care of him." He said through slightly clentched teeth. In the dark, Alexander hid his smirk.

"I . . . fight that Mut tommorow. If Greggory gives him the traditional punishment for harming the Hunt on another's territory."

"She is not a hunt." He said under his breath. Growling; under his breath. Blinking slowly he smiled.

"Why do you smile?"

"I wish to make a deal?"

"What kind of deal?" Asher asked with a sigh.

"I'll kill him, I'll kill the mut if you come."

"You don't even know if Greggory will put him in the pin. I'd waste my day flogging off with you."

"It'll be worth your while. If he does not show, I will repay you somehow. As of old, remember?"

"Yes." He said quietly. "I suppose . . . we could arrange something." The only reason Alexander even caught the words, was because of his sensitized ears, otherwise all that would have been recognizable would of been a snarl.

"Alright. I'll kill him, if you only come."

"Why do you want me to come so badly Alexander, what have you done?" His breath hitched, closing his eyes he forced himself to calm. His Brother couldn't smell lies as good as he could, but none-the-less he could.

"I've done nothing." He said, honestly and blandly. As if saying it were raining outside, like it was everyday. Nothing behind his words, or he hoped so it would.

"That is not what I smell of you. I smell fear. What do you fear Alexander?" He was quiet for a moment, as he started to rise from his kneeling position.

"I've done nothing Asher."

"Come here."

"No. I tire also, I'm going to bed."

"Now." He said, Alexander actually thought he growled which was the only reason why he turned around, tears in the back of his eyes. He only wanted to help. If his Brother found what he'd done, he'd be punished, he really only wanted to make his Brother happy. The deep and low warning growl of his name made him edge towards his Brother. Kneeling in between his Brother's legs he lowered his head as he listened to the stretch of leather and blue-jeans as he felt breath on his forehead.

"Brother-"

"Silence." He said through clentched teeth, his breath would have tickled on his ear if he weren't so scared. His Brother wouldn't mind punishing him dearly for what he'd done, even if he found out he lied about anything. Especially the woman . . . he knew his Brother loved him, loved him dearly. But, he would none-the-less hurt him, enough for him to get the point.

"What do you fear, Dear Alexander?" Suddenly his Brother was soft, a callused large hand lifting his cheek to look up at his Brother as tears fell from his unclosed eyes freely.

"You." He said quietly, all that gorgeous, curly thick mane of Alexander's hair falling around his lower back. It had always grown so slower than his older Brother. Hazel eyes locked onto honey eyes.

"Why fear me? What have you done? Tell me, please Alexander. I honestly am tired, I have had a hard day. But I donot want to harm you, I so hate doing it. I love you with all of my heart Brother. Tell me what you've done now, see if I can't mend it. Please." Alexander shook his head slowly.

"I've only done it for you, please believe me. I love you Brother." He said, crystaline tears falling down his soft cheeks. Long auburn lashes brushing his tear-stained cheeks, soft smaller callused hands laying limpy in his lap. Toes curled into the hardwood as his knees began to ach.

"Tell me Brother. Please tell me."

"It's about the woman." He slowly started to crack as his Brother's had fell away from his cheek aggitatingly. It seemed as though the only sound in the entire room was the breathing of himself, hard and rough.

"What of her?" Asher said, voice emotionlessly dull.

"I've . . . talked with her. I've asked her to come to the pin tommorow." He was sure he was the only one in the room for a few moments, as he listened to his Brother's footsteps.

"Brother?"

He was left alone in the silence as he was punished, sometimes silence was so much more harmful than words could ever be. He shouldn't have done what he had, he knew. But this new Zowie, this woman, seemed to fill his spirits more than any other he'd let inside of his Brother's very hard life. They'd been through hell on Earth with eachother, they'd seen death, they'd heard, watched, smelled, cried death. While Asher grew quiet and far, Alexander grew angry and rebellious. Determined to fight against these bad forces that plagued their old life. Finally they managed to get away with their lives, or as much as they had left.

But this new joy, oh this new joy in his life! This oh so small flicker that lit fire behind those hazel eyes! He lived to see that fire in his Brother's eyes, he'd die to keep those empty pits lit. Anything to make his Brother happy . . . anything. Even if a small trechory would was the price to pay. A debt and a memory would be laid against him on this, trust would be taken away. But, it was worth it as he was shunned away from his own Flesh and Blood.

As Alexander rose from his knees he wiped the tears from his eyes as he walked over to his desk, lifting the small photograph of his Brother and himself back in the slavery years. Yes, those were not the years, but even then the two had big boyish missing-tooth smiles. Even through those hard times they knew they had eachother, they loved eachother. As he brushed his thumb over his older Brother's arm, which was laid against his much smaller Brother's shoulder.

Oh yes, sometimes silence was so much worse than words. The tongue could set nations on fire, but when nothing is said, that means you are all on your lonesome. And being alone, was far worse than war in his oppion. Yes, being alone was true punishment after what he'd/they'd been through. Far worse than war or even death.

In one fluid motion he placed the picture back onto the desk and left that dark, quiet room to itself. Where he could go to his dark home, without the warmth of his Brother, yes being alone was far worse than any other punishment he could have been justified with.

And his worst fear, as Asher knew. As he flew through the streets in his Jaguar speed, he thought to himself, the sword is a double blade.

In his Brother's heart he knew, he feared the darkness, the aloneness just as much as he himself did. He silently prayed for forgiveness from his Brother. For making Asher hurt both himself for his own punishment.

He hugged his arms around himself inself insecurely as he flew up the stairs to slide into his bed, where he turned on his stomach and cried body wracklingly hard.

Yes, this is what they feared most.

: A/N: Yes, Asher is Asher Alexander's old Brother. They have the same names I know.

Older Brother: Asher Alexander Blacksheer the Second.

Younger B. : Asher Alexander Blacksheer the Third.

Older B. : Known as Asher. Or Ash.

Younger B. : You guessed, Alexander, or Alex.

The first is their Father, which is meant for later chapters strictly information/story ect. You'll figure out about Zowie's strange past later, along with theirs. Or at least in flash backs and small bits, until the end where you can put the pieces together. I actually am not 'very' certain where I'm going with this. Kind of the running in the dark senario, but it has a point, I just have to get to it. Thanks for reading, I'm officially fucking tired. Nai Nai to all. 3 :

: By the by, I really did spend alot of time spacing this whole thing out, and punctuation and all of those shananagans and it like TOTALLY effed it up. I just like . . . redid the entire thing. If there are any more errors that I'm too tired to read over and find for the fifth time, sorry. But I'm passing out cold and finger-cramped. Nai Nai Duckies. 3 :