I was asked what Pogue's sister died of and here's my answer: I don't know. Something lingering since she had it for nine years and was in and out of hospital before she died. I'm trying to keep the details vague because I don't want the story to be taken over by OC's as my characters are no where near as good as those from the Covenant and are only there as plot devices, not as anything significant. So there's my answer to JessicaRose, other review replies below.
Disclaimer: I don't own them and no matter how much I beg I don't think I'll be getting them for my birthday either.
animegurl715: Yes, I do like Evanescence songs. And no, probably no more suicides, at least this story…mwahahahaha
Shiek 2: lol, well here's your update. Don't know about Caleb but Pogue gets one more chapter and Tyler's issues will be resolved in the sequel, all the more reason to read it. How come you'er so sleepy?
Shadowmayne: don't we all just want to hug all of them –sigh-
exitlight: yes, I seem to use rather a lot of Evanescence songs…creepy that.
Reid limped out of the hospital, not really sure what to expect. The nurse had just poked her head around the door and told him his lift was here. He hadn't even known he was going to be allowed out today. He wondered who was here to pick him up. Certainly not his mother, she hadn't left the house since she'd remarried. And not Him, he probably hadn't even noticed that Reid had disappeared. He never noticed when Reid spent days away from the house. Whether he was at his friends' houses or drunk into oblivion somewhere on the streets after a really bad beating He never cared. So who else could be here to sign him out? Caleb perhaps, come to interrogate him about his injuries. Reid didn't think he'd believed the story he and Tyler had come up with. But then he had swallowed every other story Reid had fed him over the past four years. Maybe not Caleb then.
He reached the sterile waiting lounge. He didn't remember coming through here. He would have been unconscious at the time, if they'd brought him through here at all. Maybe the others had sat here. Had Tyler been forced to wait in this cheerless room while he waited to hear if his friend had survived or not? Had it been here that they had told him they were rapidly losing control of Reid's condition? Tyler had used all the leverage supplied by the long wait to winkle Reid's story out of him. Had it been here he had decided to use his own powers to pull Reid back from the edge? Or had the come later, in the room, forced to watch his friend slip away while knowing he could at least try to stop it.
He wondered, if it had been Caleb sitting beside his bed last night, would he have done it? Would the most powerful of them have reached out to try and stop the darkness finally claiming the friend he had fought so hard to protect from its pull? He wasn't sure. And he wasn't sure if Tyler should have done it either. He finally reached the tinted doors and had to pause a moment, gathering his strength before pushing them and stepping out into the sunlight. It hurt his eyes a little. After the dim, sterile blue lights of the hospital and the dark comfort of his room and unconsciousness it seemed so bright even through the clouds, which hid the clear sky. He looked around. Relief swept over him as he spotted Tyler, leaning casually against the wall next to the door. His friend strode over and took hold of his arm. Despite his protests Reid was glad of the support. He had lost a lot of blood and his body had taken so much abuse, had so little nourishment, that it was taking time to recover.
Tyler carefully helped him into the car before climbing into the drivers seat and starting the engine. They drove in a somewhat awkward silence. Every few minutes Tyler would glance over at Reid, as if making sure he was still okay. Still breathing. Reid pretended not to notice, leaning his head back on the seat and angling it so he could look out the window. Pretending to watch the scenery somehow made it easier to pretend that everything was still normal. That Tyler had just picked him up and was driving him to school like he did at the start of every term. But this time there was no bag in the back. None of his belongings. It wasn't like he had anything special. Nothing at the house anyway. He wasn't stupid enough to leave things that mattered where they might be smashed, or used as impromptu weapons, in the heated throes of his stepfather's favourite game.
Eventually the scenery changed and Reid noticed they were heading out of the town and into the countryside. He glanced across at Tyler. They hadn't actually discussed where Reid was going to go, he had simply assumed he would go back into the dark hell that was his home, had been his home since he was fourteen. And they weren't going to the Danvers colony house, or their mansion, they were both in the other direction.
"Tyler, where are we going?" Tyler almost visibly flinched at the quiet submission in his friend's voice. Reid Garwin was not supposed to be afraid or submissive. He was brash and bold and frequently lied and cheated just to annoy. He wasn't quiet and he wasn't supposed to be the one meekly following. He always told Tyler what they were doing not the other way around. This Reid was different. This was the Reid who came out late at night, when he was asleep, or so close it didn't matter. The one who asked Tyler to turn on the light. Who fell asleep holding onto Tyler's hand and who cried out in his dreams. He was like a little child again. So desperate for approval and for someone to care.
"We're just going out to my house Reid. You can stay there until we can deal with this." Reid sank back into his seat. Immensely reassured by not only what Tyler had said but how he had said it. No shouting or anger. Just soft reassurance.
They pulled up at Tyler's house some time later, the uncomfortable silence eased somewhat. Neither spoke as Tyler half walked, half carried Reid into the house and up the stairs. In a room at the top he carefully propped his friend up on the bed before leaving to get some lunch. By the time Tyler got back Reid had fallen asleep. He stayed for a while to be sure he was alright. Bustling around and checking his pulse among the other things the nurses had taught him when he'd first asked if he could take Reid home. They hadn't wanted Reid let out yet but suspicion was arising and Tyler wasn't sure Reid was ready to talk yet. It had been hard enough lying to the rest of the Covenant, the authorities would have to wait until Reid was comfortable enough to talk to his brothers. At the moment talking to strangers would only make the problem worse.
So now there's only two chapters to go. Who's going to read the sequel? Review and let me know.
Sammy
