Secrets in the Closet

Bill having heard the approach opened the front door to reveal Nan and her guards. "We've been expecting you," he chorused as Eric came into the picture.

"Hi Nan and gay storm troopers," Eric greeted in his typical smart ass fashion.

Matt couldn't help but snicker from his spot on the stairs where he had planted himself.

"Well this is perfect two birds with one stone. I see you've become quite comfortable here Northman clan," Nan replied.

"Ah yes, I'm a firm believer in 'it takes a village'," Eric quipped.

"Um cozy," she drawled.

"Matthew go to your room," Eric ordered. Matt didn't move causing Eric to turn around raise his eyebrows at his son.

"Fine," the boy grumbled ensuring he slammed his foot on each step as he passed over it.

Nan watched him go and shook her head. "You better call up all your villagers," she stated as she followed Bill towards his office.

Eric faked a smile and tagged along sizing up the guards. They sequestered themselves in the office and Nan filled them in on how she had gone solo and had been given the order to kill them both. Matt had gotten to the top of the steps and turned right back around and returned downstairs. He tiptoed to the closed doors and listened. He could feel the tension ooze out under the door as soon as Sookie was mentioned and he knew Nan's time was short. Nobody threatened Sookie and lived to tell about it. And now she had the audacity to call them puppy dogs…she wouldn't live for much longer. Suddenly Matt heard three distinct thumps as he leaned into the door followed by a louder thump and Bill saying something about not being a dog and Eric adding his own opinion.

Matthew couldn't stand it any longer he had to see the aftermath of what had gone on in that room. He opened the doors a crack and peeked inside. Unable to contain himself he leaned in further. "Whoa, holy crap is that blob Nan?" he asked as he pulled out his phone.

Eric's hand shot out his fingers flapping. "Give me the phone. This is not going to end up in your private gallery, youtube, tweeted, texted or e-mailed."

"I wasn't," Matt said defensively as he handed over the phone disappointed he wasn't going to be able to record the event. He took a step closer to get a better look and accidentally kicked one of the guards heads. "Oops, sorry."

"I think you need to go to bed," Eric declared.

"But it's like nine o'clock."

"Then grab a mop."

Matt suddenly yawned and stretched. "You know its been a hell of a day, I think I'll turn in early tonight," he said turning to leave carefully stepping over remains.

After Matthew departed Bill sighed as he looked at the mess all over his floor. "Will he be okay?" he asked Eric.

"Hmmm what?" Eric asked distracted. "Yeah, he's seen a lot of death; he did grow up in the seventeenth century. People just tended to die where they stood. These are not the first bodies he has stepped over."

"Right, I forget that he has been around for that long."

"He's just full of all kinds of experiences," Eric sighed.

Beth had watched the blond woman and three extras from Star Wars go into the house but so far nobody had come back out. She had a sneaking suspicion that all was not right in that house but she desperately wanted to talk to Matt. He had seemed so preoccupied lately and had even skipped a few classes which was unlike him. She had tried to talk to him but so far he hadn't been interested in talking to her about anything beyond the weather or gym class. She had gone to the house where she thought he lived but he never seemed to be there so finally she followed him after school to this place. She wondered if he had moved and if so why he hadn't mentioned it. Suddenly Matt was behind her. "How did you come up behind me so fast?" she asked breathlessly.

Matt unsure exactly how Eric and Bill were going to deal with the mess inside wanted Beth out of the way quickly. "I'm sly like a fox, come on up to my room," he said trying to gauge if the front or back would be the best route. He decided the back would work out and they silently made their way upwards.

"What brings you here?" Matt asked after he closed his door.

"I need to talk to you. What is going on, you missed Science class yesterday, why? And when did you move in here?" She asked. "Why didn't you tell me you moved?"

"I had something to do and I haven't been here long, besides I don't think it's going to be permanent."

"I see," she answered looking around. "But you love science. Besides you missed over two weeks last month, what was up with that?"

Matt sighed. "Look I have some personal issues I need to care of and that's all I can share with you right now."

"I think there's a lot more you can share with me," she whispered her eyes wide. "You once said something about a battle and werewolves and vampires, would you care to summarize that speech for me again?"

"Not really," Matt said as he stopped and stood still his ears at attention. "Get in the closet," he pushed her.

"What is going on?"

"Get in the closet now, my father is on his way up and will not be happy if he finds you here. Can you please trust me on that?"

Beth not at all happy with the turn of events headed towards the closet just before Eric walked in. "Can't you knock?" Matt asked.

"No," Eric barked back. "I was looking at the credit card receipts and noticed you did a bit of a dash over to Sweden."

Behind the closet door Beth mouthed the word Sweden. "I wanted to say hi to the Lundqvist's and my Swedish was getting rusty," he added using the same excuse he had fed Sookie. This time Beth mouthed the word Swedish.

"Du är svenska bara är bra, vi kan tala närsomhelst." (You're Swedish is just fine, we can talk anytime.)

"Jag vet att jag ville bara visa Sookie ditt hemland." (I know I just wanted to show Sookie your homeland.).

Eric sighed and then smiled. "You're lying and speaking Swedish so that whoever is in the closet won't understand us. You are going to escort your friend home and then you are coming back and going directly to bed. Tomorrow we are going to talk about this," he said shaking the statement in his hand as he opened the closet door and smiled at Beth. "Good evening young lady."

"Mr. Northman," she stammered.

Matt smiled at the retreating form of his father as he gently shook his head.

"Who are you?" Beth asked.

"I am…none of your damn business that's who I am."

Beth had borrowed her brother's car so the escort ended at the street. "Please don't ask any more questions," Matt pleaded.

"You speak Swedish? Why do you speak Swedish?"

"It's where my dad is originally from, he taught me when I was young; you know cultural pride and all that."

"You can tell me," Beth said her eyes gentle, insistent.

"Maybe one day, but not right now. I'll see you tomorrow. Drive safely." He said as he slammed the drivers side door. Beth opened her mouth to day something but changed her mind and started the car and slowly pulled away from the curb.

The next day Beth was determined to hunt Matt down. She had seen him come out of his homeroom class but couldn't get to her class on time if she followed him to his math class so she had to wait until later when they both had English class. She ambushed him at his locker and boxed him. "Can't you just give me the benefit of the doubt? You look so unhappy; I just want you to be happy."

"Don't worry about my happiness; believe me it is far beyond you to make me happy." Matt instantly regretted his words as she looked as if he had just kicked her in the stomach. "Look I'm sorry, go onto class, I'll be there in a minute," he said reaching up to close his locker. "Ouch," he said pulling his finger away the end of it bloodied. "Damn door is bent and has a sharp edge," he explained holding his finger up as he tried not to bleed on the floor.

"Let me see," Beth said grabbing his finger. Drops were beginning to form and having nowhere to go began to roll down his finger and hand. She tried to corral some with her hand as they walked down the hall. "You should go to the nurse."

"No, I just need to wash it off," he said stopping at the bathroom. "You go ahead I'll catch up."

Bethany kept herself planted outside the entrance of the lavatory; their classroom was just across the hall and wouldn't take but a second to get there. She watched kids flow around her as they headed to their classes. She needed to wash the blood off her hand but didn't want to leave in case Matt came out. She looked at the now sticky substance beginning to dry on her fingers, she wiped some of it over the pocket area of her jeans and then looking around tasted what little was left. She had never really tasted blood, and was surprised how salty it was. The taste seemed disproportionate with the amount she tried but having nothing to compare it to she just finished off what was there and though it seemed to leave her with a slight tingling sensation. She sure couldn't imagine drinking an entire bottle of Trublood. Suddenly the hallway had gone from standing room only to just a few stragglers and still Matt hadn't come out. "Hey Hayden, did you see Matt Northman in there?" she finally asked as the boy came out.

"I don't think so, but I wasn't really looking around." He replied.

Beth pushed past him just as the bell rang and found the bathroom completely empty. "How could he have gotten past me?" she wondered to herself.

Matt stood behind the veil that he used for protection. His journeys had different levels, in some where he would choose not to be seen he could use what he liked to call a curtain, he would remain unseen by anyone and it protected his presence. Another level revealed his presence to all those around him and making it a more difficult leap. He had to be dressed appropriately and play by that era's rules and not tip anything off that he didn't belong. But there were a few a very few that he could show himself without repercussions; they knew of the magic strong enough to support what Matt was capable of. Once such person stood mere feet away looking right at the place where Matt had landed.

"You find me every time," Matt said as he appeared from behind his safety blanket.

"Ah, I'm glad you cloaked yourself though my boy as I just said goodbye to a nice young couple who would have been a bit shocked had you shown up in the manner that you do. What can I do for you son?"

Holden was a very old man and to live that long in the 1600's was a feat in itself. He had a long gray beard, was thin and appeared to be very frail but nobody knew magic like this man. He held secrets so potent that even the most powerful witch sought his advice.

"I need your help, I need advice on how to…"

"I know what you are seeking and I am here to tell you not to do it. You are who you are and it is your job to embrace that with all your ability."

"But I can't, not anymore. Please you have to understand that, this isn't what my mother wanted for me. She is allowed to be at peace but I have nothing like that so what I am asking for pales in comparison."

"Does it Matthew? You may not believe in your destiny but this may spell your doom."

"I'll take the chance."

"Well I have nothing for you as I will not take that chance."

"Have you ever thought it is the doom that I am seeking?"

"Then I will most definitely have no part in that."

"I am so lost Holden; I am simply looking for some kind of path."

"A path to where?"

"Redemption?" Matthew asked unsure of what the proper answer was.