I promise I'll write the third one as soon as I get through with re-editing Night Life. To any newcomers...let me know what you thought! To any old hands who reread to see what I'd added...I hope you're not too disappointed in me. Leave me a review and let me know?
Well here it is, the last chapter –sniff- I promised myself I wouldn't cry –tear- usual drill: read on and tell me what you think –runs off in tears-
Disclaimer: I don't own them please don't kill me I promise I'll give them back when I've finished torturing them. There's still a sequel or two to go though, so you'll have to be patient. I also don't own the song which is once again by Evanescence.
How can I pretend that I don't see
What you hide so carelessly
I saw her bleed
And you heard me breath
And I froze inside myself
And turned away
I must be dreaming
Tyler sighed and pulled himself out of bed as soft cries from the next room grew louder. He wasn't worried they would wake anyone, he hadn't truly been asleep anyway. He just wanted to check on the rooms occupant. He picked his way over the spotless wooden floor and out into the icy hallway. Only a few steps down the hall he left it again and entered another bedroom. The dim light streaming from the tiny lamp in the corner threw horrific shadows on the wall as Reid thrashed under the many covers heaped upon the luxurious bed.
Reid, among his other odd needs, seemed unable to sleep in an ordinary bed. Instead he nested. Wrapping himself in a fluffy blanket he would disappear into the pile of quilts and pillows which were mounded on the bed. Despite this desperate burrowing he also seemed unable to sleep without some form of light within the room. The dark seem to terrify him, waking him from his light slumber with apparent nightmares through which he would scream into the night. Yet a light left casually too near the entrance to his cave seemed to terrify him as well. Tyler suspected this might have something to do with the burns scars marring Reid's forearms and hands. He'd seen them before of course, but he had always accepted Reid's story of a foolishly left candle as a child, now he wasn't so sure.
We all live, we all die
That does not begin to justify you
The number of things that terrified this new Reid seemed innumerable. The abuse inflicted on him unimaginable. And still the others no closer to knowing. This bothered Tyler. He could handle not telling the authorities, the Covenant could handle things within itself. They had always protected their own where possible. The way he felt towards Reid's stepfather the man was lucky to be alive and he wasn't sure the others would be so lenient. It bothered him, splitting their knowledge like this. He didn't like lying to his brothers.
It's not what it seems
Not what you think
No, I must be dreaming
It's only in my mind
Not real life
No, I must be dreaming
How had he missed it for so long? Missed the signs that this was happening to his brother? His best friend? Reid had always been there for him. He knew every dirty little secret of Tyler's past. He even knew about the dreams her had of his mother coming back. And Tyler had thought he'd known Reid. But now he was seeing a whole other side to the blonde boy.
This new Reid was terrified of everything. Pitifully grateful for everything and anything Tyler did for him. He shied at shadow and jumped at sounds. Not only that but it was as Reid had described; he seemed unable to use his powers. It was a concerning thought, that fear could so completely rob someone of their will. Of their life. He hated to think what it would do to Reid should he see his stepfather after his ascension. He shuddered at the thought then firmly reminded himself that Reid would never have to go anywhere near his stepfather ever again.
Help you know I've got to tell someone
Tell them what I know you've done
I fear you but spoken fears can come true
We all live, we all die
That does not begin to justify you
It was impossible to know what to do with Reid. Tyler supposed he would have to go back to school when it started again. But how Reid would cope he didn't know. Would he revert to the old Reid? At least while others were around? Or had the strange things and apparently unknown kindness been enough to jolt him out of his routine? He seemed to manage well enough when the others came to visit but they had only been a few times.
Part of Tyler was furious at them for not caring about their injured brother more and not noticing his strange and slightly reclusive behaviour when they came. Another part was glad that they stayed away, removing the necessity of lying to them so often. He hoped Reid would let him tell them soon. But somehow he doubted it. The boy seemed to have a hard enough time talking to him, let alone facing the others. Yet a third and rather shamed part of him reminded him that until not too long ago he'd been ready to dismiss all Reid's obscure behaviour as well.
It's not what it seems
Not what you think
No I must be dreaming
It's only in my mind
Not real life
No I must be dreaming
We all live we all die
That does not begin to justify you
He carefully extracted Reid from his blankets which appeared to have collapsed on him, or perhaps he liked them that way, it was hard to tell, and held the boy in his arms. For a moment Reid thrashed unseeing, lashing out and caught Tyler a glancing blow on his lip. He felt the skin split and warm blood drip onto his chin, but he didn't let go of his friend. Gradually Reid calmed down until he was curled in Tyler's lap. Once again Tyler marvelled at how small and light his friend was without his blustering attitude.
"You projected such a huge personality we never noticed how little you grew or how much weight you lost." Reid blinked and opened his eyes. He relaxed for a moment then seemed to come to his senses. He tried to stand up and because Tyler wasn't ready for it he instinctively tried to hold onto his friend. This ended up with both of them lying on the cold floor beside the bed. Tyler sat up, laughter in his face and froze when he noticed the look of terror on Reid's face.
"I'm sorry." Tyler was still shocked at the unashamed fear in his friends voice as he curled up, even though this had happened a few times over the period of time Reid had been staying with him.
"Reid." He called gently, kneeling beside his friends curled form.
"Reid, I'm not going to hurt you. It's ok." Once again he pulled Reid towards him and simply sat there with his arms around him for however long it took. Eventually Reid uncurled slightly, tears pouring down his face silently as he fought to keep from sobbing. And Tyler sat with him, not demanding anything but simply being there. A warm safe presence in the darkness. As the dawn broke over the horizon that morning it found both boys stiff and sore but content, asleep on the cold floor of the bedroom. Tear tracks had formed on Reid's face and neither of them woke as a car pulled up in the drive and two figures in sombre yet causal clothes climbed out, having just shared such a scene of their own the boys below continued to the door ready to wake those above. But for the moment the two slept on, unknowing and happy.
Ok, so that's this story over with –sigh- I'm going to miss it.
Make sure you all check out my new one once I put it up, still not sure about the title but I'm certain that now Pogue has accepted and moved on Reid and Tyler will get their fair share of the attention. Probably more than. Anyway, let me know what you thought. See it you can get up to a hundred reviews. I doubt it but if you can the hundredth reviewer can send me and idea for a plot and I'll do my best to write it.
Yours truly,
Samantha Winchester
