Chapter 18: When The Levee Breaks
AN: This story was the third from the last one I'd updated. I can't let it fall any more behind. :D Sorry for the long wait, guys. I'm almost positive the next one will come sooner, because I already have some of it written, and wow, I really do need to update faster, because I, the author, had to go back and double check some things.
I do have some legit excuses this time, however. First of all, a lot of shit has happened to me, and none of it was good. I just got over with semester testing, well, ALMOST, I still have one more to go, like fuuuuuuuuq. -.-" What the hell. I'm going to get gray hair soon (not the attractive kind) and I'm only eighteen. I swear to god. Dx I even skipped school today because I KNEW I would be a nervous wreck, because my mom is staying over, and she made me drive her around all night long, and I didn't get a chance to do my homework, and uuuugh. I'm a failure.
My options for life are narrowing down to being one of those old people who greet you when you walk into Walmart or...a mental patient. This is the author of HITB.
I have, however, worked semi-hard on this chapter for the last few days. I just wanted to pound one out, because I knew this one would be boring, and I just needed to do it whether I wanted to or not. The next one will be so fun to write! Probably.
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"...Ethan..."
"Ethan?"
"..."
"Ethan!"
The brunet looked up from his bowl of milk, startled. Blinking, he realized it was only Tasha calling him, with Katee giving him a concerned look from just behind her.
"Yeah, guys?" Ethan asked, his throat a little scratchy as he lifted the bowl up to his mouth with his non-injured left hand. "What's up?"
"Well, Tasha's been calling you for the last minute or so." Katee expressed concern from behind her spiky-haired friend with worried blue eyes.
"Are you sure you're okay to stay by yourself once Jason comes back?" Tasha asked, in what Ethan guessed was her best tentative voice. "We have to leave again soon, but if you want, I can try healing your hand a little more before we go. Silver burns are nothing to joke about."
As she spoke, Katee had come around the small table and had taken Ethan's hand gently in her own slim fingers.
Not for the first time, Ethan found himself wondering how such a delicate creature as Katee could turn into such a fearsome beast...or how she could have such a monster as Sylvan for a brother. She seemed to be his exact opposite- where he was callous and ruthless and dark, Katee was kind and patient and bright.
Where the blonde ran her fingers, Ethan found himself both wanting to flinch away from the gentle touches, but wanting her to continue as well. Katee hummed sympathetically and leaned down as though to nuzzle the irritated skin, but stopped short and instead blew across it softly. Ethan's skin where he had gripped the silver knife was no longer blistered, but was still red and raised, the veins showing dark and thick, branching out in violent splotches of purple, several inches up his forearm. The immediate area where the metal had been gripped was a dark crimson in color, shiny and gooey looking where the flesh had yet to heal itself and unbearable to the touch.
However, it no longer looked burned to a crisp, and Ethan had soon come to find that werewolf breath, and more effectively, werewolf saliva were great healing agents, both to humans and more so to the creatures themselves.
It was awesome, and had been a complete and utter relief when Katee had taken one look at Ethan's hand and had immediately begun licking gently at the skin of his wrist and fingers. The saliva had seeped into his pores and over the next couple minutes or so, the excruciating feeling of burning in his flesh had ebbed away, far more effectively than it had in the water of the stream.
The little blonde had explained that she couldn't lick the wound directly and risk swallowing the residual silver, but the gentle heat and consistency of her saliva would open the pores enough for the numbing agents to seep in. She'd also expressed her apologies, because apparently this was something that only those most intimate with each other would do.
"You looked to be in so much pain." She had frowned and touched Ethan's forehead with cool hands when he'd been given the relief he'd so desperately needed. "I can't stand it."
Now, Katee had but to simply blow on the injury. Chemicals released in the lungs (and saliva glands) of werewolves could paralyze, numb or even render it's target unconscious. When used correctly, it could be a great weapon or simple tool of healing and comfort. Katee had explained that this effect was probably one that Sylvan had taken advantage of to further draw Ethan into the raw terror he'd experienced the night he was turned.
When Ethan had asked if this was like the hypnotism vampires had used in the past, Katee had 'hm'd and gone silent for a minute.
"As far as I know, only the old or exceptionally powerful werewolves and vampires are actually able to take total control over their victims...and yes, I know from experience that Sylvan is more than capable of this." Why was Ethan not surprised? "You'll notice similarities between vampires and werewolves, such as the use of bioluminescence in the retinas when we experience strong emotion or utilize these abilities."
Oh yeah, Ethan had noticed alright. He still remembered the bright gold of Jesse's eyes, and the stark brightness of Sylvan's green werewolf eyes. Absently, he wondered if the second eye color was passed on from one supernatural being to another, because Erika and Sarah both had yellow vampire eyes as well. Then again, he'd seen Anastasia's eyes as well and other members of the council, and they were the same yellow/gold color.
"The release of anesthetic chemicals in the lungs, however, is an ability unique to werewolves." Katee went on. "The theory is that it was developed in order to counter the ability vampires have to seize brief control over their victims. Mind control, for a long time, was unique to vampires, but over time, those werewolves who became powerful enough eventually learned to do it themselves." Katee smiled an ironic little lifting of the lips. "Which would make sense I suppose, if you live long enough to learn the tools of the trade. I guess we can only hope that vampire lungs can't evolve enough to utilize our gifts."
Which, was apparently highly doubtful, since vampires didn't need to breathe, thus there wasn't a need for their lungs to be able to adapt to anything new. That was another thing- vampires were frozen in their bodies forever upon the bringing of their curse, whilst werewolves grew to full maturity before stabilizing and keeping that form.
The information would've made Ethan's head spin, had he been any less of a book worm.
"That's all nice, Katee." Tasha sighed. "But you can lecture him later. We've got the crystals, lets just go and see what we can do about the curse on the old farm, alright? Let the kid rest."
"Okay." The blonde turned to Ethan again. "You'll be okay here alone?"
"He's not a toddler, Katee."
"I just think I need some time to get my thoughts together." Ethan smiled gratefully at Katee. "Really, I'm okay...just a little shell shocked. This, uh...it'll heal on its own right?"
It mast have been the fifth time he'd asked. It wasn't everyday that your skin smokes and leaves major blisters and charred skin behind.
"It might take a few days." Katee answered patiently, and blew across his wound one last time before standing up. "But it'll get there."
The brunet stared down at his bowl dully before reaching out and taking a drink of his foul-tasting water that was supposed to make his stomach feel better. It didn't really, but it was the thought that counted.
"We'll be back by nightfall." Tasha smiled at him, slinging a bag over her shoulder as she turned. "While we can't keep you here, I highly recommend lots of that special water and rest. And put your new bandages on soon, Ethan. There's fresh root of moonflower paste you can use there as well for the pain."
"Got it." Ethan winced and took his discarded fresh bandages and unrolled the gauze before pressing it as lightly as possible to the wound and wrapping it around his hand. Gritting his teeth, he sealed the bandages with a strange textured ace tape and sighed as he left it alone.
Ethan was sure without a doubt that there were few things more painful than being touched by silver if you were a werewolf. He even thought he might prefer being burned with actual hot metal to being touched by the stuff again...which sucked, because he had really liked silver, prior to finding out that it gave him second degree burns with any light touch.
"I need to see them." Ethan stated out of nowhere, and the two girls paused in their steps. "The Weirs. Cody. I need to explain myself."
"I don't think-"
"Yeah, I know it's not a good idea to head back now." Ethan frowned. "Tyson shot first definitely, without asking any questions...I swear, I wouldn't have hurt anyone, but..."
Ethan remembered the agony his entire body seemed to have gone through, a hot and bracing pain that left his vision momentarily red. What would he have done? Why did he react the way he did? He'd never heard such a deep sound come from his own mouth. He didn't know human vocal chords could sound that deep...then again, he wasn't really human anymore. Was that what he had sounded like after Benny had accidentally hit him with the spell meant for David? In the basement, when he's transformed? Had he been a monster?
It had been almost fake back then, reversible. He hadn't hurt anyone, but at the time, Sarah and Erika had been there, and Rory too. But this time...there had been only humans in the room. Well, technically, a psychic, a sorceress, a spellmaster, and a hunter...granted, they weren't normal humans. And himself- a werewolf who still didn't know what he was doing with himself, four months after being bitten. What if he'd accidentally hurt someone in his momentary loss of control?
"Tensions must still be high." Ethan stared at the table, plywood and nails thrown together, with dust from its recent sanding still sitting on top of the table. "I can't believe it took something as simple as a butter knife to expose me. I'm such an idiot! What would have happened if I was somewhere else?! Then I'd really be in for it."
"It's not your fault at all, Ethan." Katee looked at him with sad, earnest eyes. "A lot of mock silver can look like the real thing, and you said you didn't see it when you grabbed it. Of course you would grab it if Benny handed it to you, you seem to trust him completely."
Ethan slumped. Benny. Would his best friend trust him after this? He'd been about to tell him the whole truth, and then everything had gone south. And that HUNTER, Tyson. He had shot at him a mere moment after he'd exposed his werewolf nature...and although it still angered Ethan that the guy had had the guts to face him and try to nail him with those darts in the Weir's kitchen, he had to admit...
"I have to thank Tyson." Ethan stated ruefully, looking down at the plywood table and the dust from its recent sanding. "I know he shot at me...but the truth is, I don't know what would've happened if he hadn't given me a reason to run."
"The guy is still a jackass." Despite her Tasha had a small, approving smile on her face. "But hey, when your in the business we are, you almost need to be."
"That brute is brave but stupid." Katee scowled. "Even so, I'm more stupid than he is. I should've kept a better eye on you."
"I can handle myself, Katee." Ethan smiled at her with as much brightness as he could. "You might need to wait for me a little, but I'll make it."
"If you need anything, just call, Ethan." Katee smiled, and though Ethan had no idea what she meant, because she was terrible with technology and didn't have a cellphone, the seer-turned-werewolf smiled back.
Honestly, even long after they left, Ethan did feel tired, but when he tried to sleep, he found that he could do no more than sit there and stare at the stone ceiling.
He had a feeling he should be outside for some reason. Well, maybe it was just that he'd been tucked in that hard bed for so long, without any fresh air or anything other than cereal and powdered milk to eat. He was getting cabin fever.
But it was three in the morning.
He'd slept all day and night, what did those three expect? Normally, Ethan wasn't a busybody, but right now he felt crawly, and he was sick of seeing gray and brown. The walls and ceilings were partially made of stone, but he was sure that it was raining outside, and it wasn't helping things. It was suddenly starting to feel very stuffy, and even if he knew it was humid outside, he figured it couldn't be any worse than what it was like within the enclosed space.
So, it was around three thirty that he mustered the will to get up and head out opposite the way Tasha and Katee went. Before the girls had set out for the first time earlier in the day (or, technically yesterday) they had shown him the basic layout of the tunnels. As it turned out, they were created by sorcerers and sorceress' in the mid 1700's who needed a way to get to and fro from the main areas of worship and meeting places of Whitechapel back when vampires were just beginning to take over the town.
The vampires back then made the vampires now look tame. The vampire council now compared to the first ones were like house kittens to wold lions. Anastasia and the council of vampire elders had been the few already ancient vampires who came from France and Italy and had readjusted to the customs of the newly forming country. But even they had only come about a hundred years ago, and taken the little town away from the original vampires of the area.
The ones who couldn't be trusted to evolve to the ever-changing society of the modern era. Namely, Jesse Black and his flock of two hundred and nineteen vampires. So, with the help of the town's magic folk, the malevolent flock whom the villagers despised had been either driven out or killed.
As if that humiliation hadn't been enough, they had even renamed the town from Black Church to Whitechapel.
That wasn't the whole story of course. Jesse had come back and had been forgiven briefly for a mutual interest between he, his Flock of 219 and the Council. He was welcome in the town again from that point up until a few years ago, when he'd tried to take back Whitechapel by resurrecting his flock via the Cublie Animus.
The tunnels let out all over town through various paths, but most of them had been blocked off either by past wizards and such or by Tasha herself. The lightning sorceress had told Ethan that some of them had been broken and caved in with the construction of new buildings or overgrown with harmful magical plants. The list went on and on, and now there were about five entrances within reasonable vicinity from where they had set up somewhat of a safe house.
One about a mile outside town, in the forest behind Ethan and Benny's neighborhood, and another next to the cemetery a few blocks down. Another was in the middle of town and two more were spread out somewhere by the school and somewhere else in town.
The one next to house had opened up from a well-like structure
The mist that drifted down from the dark clouds above the trees was cool, but the best thing Ethan had felt in what seemed like ages. There was a gentle and warm wind blowing and it just made everything seem peaceful. It did little to ease the anxiety in his heart, but for the moment, he could smell leaves, wood and the earth and along with the gentle pattering of raindrops on the leaves, it put his senses at ease.
He wondered where the odd trio was. The morning before, they had mentioned a church, where they'd found a medical relic, but they'd come back later talking of a new one they'd found near an old farm.
It wasn't long before his home and the Weir's came into sight. Strangely, his home was dark- were his parents gone?
The Weir's house, however, was lit up in several rooms, including the laundry room and Grandma's room. Benny's room, however, was dark and Ethan sighed as he debated whether or not to climb up to the window or simply knock on the front door.
Against his better judgement, Ethan climbed up the gutter using his new strength to grip the slippery metal enough to gain leverage and leave dents. When he reached the same height as Benny's window, he got his bearings and jumped to the right, to Benny's window sill, only to discover that Benny's window was already open, but covered with a dark tarp-like blanket that blocked all light.
"Thank God..." Ethan panted, relieved that the window was open without his having to struggle to get it open. It wasn't HARD, per say, the climbing, but he was still getting used to being able to do all of this, as he never could before. Adrenaline coursed through him, through newfound lean muscles, and he pulled himself up until he could sit on the sill and lean into the well-lit bedroom. He moved the tarp aside.
"Benny-" The werewolf paused and blinked as he studied Benny's form, lying on his side, facing the window. He looked peaceful at first, until Ethan saw what looked like tear tracks on his cheeks.
Worry clouding his deep brown eyes, Ethan wondered if Benny was having one of those nightmares Grandma had told him about, and debated whether to wake him. The spellmaster, however, also had dark bruises under his eyes from what was probably lack of sleep already.
And Ethan couldn't very well try to touch him or sit on the bed to comfort him- he was all wet! His hands were probably cold too.
Fretting, Ethan pinched Benny's blanket with two fingers and covered the spellmaster. From his wet head, Ethan could only guess that the teen had just gotten out of the shower. Looks like he'd fallen asleep pretty quick too, if the wet spots on the pillow yet to dry and the lights were anything to go by. The shower could have probably explained the tear-looking tracks on Benny's skin, but Ethan had known Benny for almost as long as he could remember being alive. Benny had been crying.
Especially now, with his super hearing, he could tell that Benny was congested, he was breathing just a fraction harder than normal, and the skin around his eyes and the tip of his nose was pink. The tears on his face and eyelashes confirmed it.
And Ethan could only wonder what had made him that way.
But having the window open and catching pneumonia would do no one any good. Neither would waking him at this hour. So, the young werewolf simply made sure the other teen was covered and then turned off the lights before jumping out the window and then slapping himself in the forehead.
He'd forgotten to close the damn window!
Growling to himself, Ethan set to the slippery task of climbing up the rusty gutter and almost lost his grip as two voices suddenly called up to him.
"Ethan?"
"What are you doing?"
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"This place is seriously awesome." Wide blue eyes surveyed her surroundings with childish wonder. "Why don't we visit airports more often?"
"Because a plastic fork and spoon costs ten dollars. Stay close Jane." Ross grabbed his daughters hand as they walked through the crowded airport. As they went, walking on the electric walkway that propelled them forward twice as fast as normal, they passed small shops and cafes on either side.
"Can we stop to get ice cream?"
"Can't bring outside food or drink on a plane." Sam turned and smiled at her daughter, pulling her Dusk themed suitcase and duffel bag behind her. "Besides, we just ate!"
"But we didn't have dessert."
Conversation continued in much the same way all the way through the boarding line and until they reached their seats on the plane.
"See, they'll be bringing our pretzels and cookies soon enough." Ross sighed deeply and leaned back, placing a pink eye mask over his eyes. Sam turned to her daughter and raised her eyebrows. Jane only giggled and leant against her mom, as she too was tired from a long day of driving and sightseeing.
"It's been a long time since we've flown, huh mom?"
"About three years." Sam sighed and patted her daughters hand. "Since your great uncle Dan's funeral."
"I still can't believe dad got a raise." Jane expressed and glanced at her already snoring father. "And a two week vacation. What's up with that? I mean, not that I'm complaining or anything."
"Well, it was very unexpected." The blonde woman nodded thoughtfully. "We haven't been on a vacation since you were a baby, Jane." The plane seats only came in threes, so hey blue eyes glanced over across the isle.
"You aren't still afraid of flying, are you sweetie?" She asked fondly. "It's been seven years."
"Oh, me?" Ethan sat up from where he had reclined in his seat and smiled sheepishly from across the isle. "Scared of flying? Come on mom, I'm not a kid anymore."
Ethan grinned. "In fact...I'd go as far as to say that I'm a whole new person now than I was back then."
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"Ethan?" Asked a surprised and chipper voice.
"What are you doing?" A second, less enthusiastic and more irritated voice asked.
"Ah!" Ethan slipped in his grip, and he wasn't sure if it was his desperation to keep his secret safe until he could tell Benny or if he actually slipped. Either way, he fell into the mud and splashed it all over himself, even in his eyes.
"Oh, my eyes!" Ethan squinted and then closed his eyes, tearing up as he tried to get the mud out of them. "Dammit!"
"What the hell are you doing out here this early?" Erika asked none too kindly, under a big black umbrella. "And what were you doing, trying to scale the dork's wall?"
"Yeah, Ethan, did you forget you have no arm strength whatsoever?" Rory asked from just behind her, appearing to be struggling with some kind of small animal- probably a squirrel or gopher. Unlike the female blonde, Rory too was allowing himself to be misted over, and by the looks of it, he'd been outside a lot longer than Ethan had. He was completely drenched.
"No!" Ethan answered quickly, maybe too quickly. While Rory remained oblivious, Erika arched a delicate eyebrow and gave him a doubtful look. "I-I was just...I...I forgot my phone in Benny's room!"
"Then why not just go through the front door?" Erika asked suspiciously.
"It's...locked." Was the lame answer.
"Did you try knocking?" Rory asked, and to Ethan's disgust, his lips were now bloody from the blood of whatever (now dead or stunned) creature was in his hands.
"Yeah. No one answered."
"What about the doorbell?"
"Benny's grandma is a light sleeper, okay?!" Ethan grumbled and shook his head as the rain began to pick up. His whole bottom half and his back were the same dark color of the mud, and he could feel it begin to slide down his skin rain washed it away. Now, he was no better off than Rory. He sighed.
"Okay, whatever." Erika shrugged. "Look, dork. I was just out looking for fast food and met this other dweeb on the way back from the bus station. So, take him off my hands would you? I'm going home, my hair is suffering."
Then she closed her umbrella and shot up into the air in a streak of blonde and purple from a jacket she'd stolen from a freshman several months earlier.
"Ugh." Ethan sat back in the mud and then caught sight of where he'd accidentally dug up some of Grandma Weir's garden. A few flowers lay uprooted outside of their stone barrier, and the werewolf sighed.
"Hey Rory. Can I ask you something?" Ethan asked as he removed his muddy shirt and threw it to the side. He might as well take advantage of the downpour.
"Yeah, totally." Rory mumbled as he sucked what Ethan presumed to be the last drops of blood from the gopher. Uncaring of the wetness or mud, Rory simply sat down on the grass and threw the bloodless animal into the trees.
"Well...do I, uh...smell any different than usual?" Ethan tried to approach the subject gently but he was really just uncomfortable. Sure, he was almost positive that Rpry wouldn't react to it badly, but you never know-
"Like wet dog?" Rory wrinkled his nose. "Well, yeah, kinda. I mean, I didn't want to say anything, but I thought I had bad hygiene..."
Ethan gave a small laugh. "That's not actually-"
"Even for a werewolf." Rory wrinkled his nose and Ethan almost choked on air. At the same time, lightning flashed above and the sky rumbled with thunder. "It smells like you've been buried underground for a week."
Well, not quite for a week...
"Rory, do you-" Ethan paused in his replanting of the flowers. "How do you-"
"You are, aren't you?" Large and earnest blue eyes looked at him through the rain. His hair dripped with water, the ashy blonde locks beginning to curl around his head, and his brightly colored clothes clung to him like a second skin. For the first time, Ethan realized that while he and Benny had certainly grown over the years, so had Rory. Even if he acted the same, even if his body had frozen in time, a little over a year ago...undeniably, he had grown with them.
"A werewolf, I mean." The blonde went on. "I don't think anyone else noticed yet, but I've known you for almost as long as Benny has, and I can tell. Your eyes have a strange undertone that they didn't before, like silver...and your hair looks shinier. Your skin is great, and when I go close to you, my skin tingles." He paused. "They're small changes, and I don't think the girls know. Obviously, you kinda smell like an animal, but it's not so bad, it's barely there."
Ethan could do little more than stare and gape like a fish for a moment. Then he shook himself, and Rory gave him a bright smile.
"So you're...okay with this?" Ethan asked meekly.
"Well, I'm an undead creature of the night!" The blonde didn't lose his smile. "Like I'm one to judge someone for something like that. One of my two oldest bros especially. I mean, it's wicked cool too, but everyone else acted like it was some big dangerous thing, and no one really knew...so I didn't want to come out and say something like that."
"Thanks Rory." Ethan slumped and could have cried that at least one person seemed to think that he was still the same person. "You don't know how much of a relief that is...but don't tell anyone, okay? I need to tell Benny first."
"I think he might already know." Rory said, glancing up in the direction of Benny's window.
Ethan looked too and saw the black tarp move just slightly.
"By the way, I wouldn't worry too much." Rory added and then stood up, looking somewhere towards the forest. "I hear from the council jerks that there are still some werewolves around here. I mean, I think a few even run businesses. They're immortal too you know?"
"Yeah...I know." Ethan stood as well and gave one parting smile to Rory as he too heard the rustling of one animal or another out in the forest. It was too late for most animals to be awake- it must have been the storm, stirring them up. "Thanks a lot Rory."
"It's whatever." Rory smiled back. "See you at school!"
Once he was gone, off into the trees, Ethan sighed and glanced up at Benny's window again. He marveled at Rory's complete disregard for all the things that scared normal people. Heights, the dark...even before he could see in the dark as a vampire, Rory was never afraid to run out into the woods at night and try to feel his way around without a flashlight. This was the same kid who'd jumped off of the tall slide at the park with an umbrella (and had broken his ankle). Now, he was tearing apart all of Ethan's expectations once again by treating Ethan's curse like it was something normal, like it was a cool tattoo he'd gotten.
It felt incredibly good to know that at least someone he trusted still trusted him in return. Now...
He turned to look at the window, and was shocked to see Benny now standing in the window, his bedroom brightly lit once again. His best friend was watching him with an odd look, but gave a little smile and a sheepish wave as he was spotted. Ethan turned to face him fully, and then walked quickly over to the house, where he quickly shucked his jeans off and then stepped out of his soaked shoes, pulling off his socks as well. Then, stepping on the grass instead of the muddy areas next to the gutter, he wondered if he could actually pull it off.
Deciding to try, he tensed his legs and jumped- ending up slipping on the slickness of the boards outside the house, but hanging onto the window sill. It had been easy enough, the jump to the second floor, but he'd almost butted heads with Benny, who was leaning out the window. After a moment of apparent shock, the spellmaster reached out and grabbed Ethan by the arms in order to pull him in. After a brief struggle of positioning, Ethan was hauled into the warmth of Benny's room.
Then, standing there, dripping wet, Ethan couldn't help but to duck his head guiltily, before looking up at his best friend, who wasn't exactly looking at him either. In the light provided by the lamp, Ethan studied Benny, unsure if the other teen was upset with him or not. The last time he'd seen Benny, he'd been red around the eyes and nose, which suggested crying, but now his cheeks were a light pink as well as the tips of his ears, and Ethan wondered if Benny actually was sick like he'd originally thought.
"Benny, do you-" Ethan stumbled, hit in the face by a towel, and then blinked as he begun to dry off. When he was dry, save for his still-wet boxers, he motioned to the closet. "You mind?"
"Nah." Benny still wasn't quite looking at him. "Half the clothes in there are yours anyway."
"Thanks." Ethan gulped at the tension in the room, and dressed himself quickly, throwing his wet boxers into the hamper by the door while Benny looked away. Then, Ethan took another quick chance to ponder when the hell things had gotten so out of hand. The last four months had been a painful, disappointing blur...and somehow, in that time, he'd been introduced to a solemn, quiet and insecure side of Benny that he didn't know what to do with.
Benny Weir had once been all smiles and laughter and sparkling eyes. Now...that side of him seemed to have taken a break and made way for...someone Ethan wasn't used to handling. Did that mean Ethan himself had been acting different without realizing it? Surely they'd done something together in the last month? In the last two months? Three? Surely, they'd spent some time together...they'd had to have watched a movie or gone to the mall or...
"I have your phone and bag under my bed." Benny eventually spoke, derailing Ethan's train of thought. "And Tyson's gone, he hasn't been back since you left...if I have my way, he won't be back again."
"Benny-"
"Are you okay, E?" Benny was looking at him now, more specifically, at the bandages on his hand, now muddy and wet and completely unsanitary-looking. "You're hand..."
"I'm fine, Benny." Ethan's eyes were sad, fear lurking somewhere in his deep brown eyes. Mixed feelings almost too complex for him to comprehend. Whatever this feeling was, he was positive that he'd never felt anything like it before. "It's you I'm worried about...Benny, please...let me explain-" Ethan paused. "I was in here earlier...I came to see you, but you were sleeping. It looked like you-"
"I just got out of the shower before I laid down." Benny spoke quickly, and Ethan heard hi gulp like he'd done, a minute ago. "I got shampoo in my eyes, okay?"
"Okay, enough said." Ethan smiled vaguely. "Sorry...I thought you might have been sick, so I tried to come and close the window when I left, but Rory and Erika showed up."
"I saw Rory." Benny smiled back just as uncertainly. "I didn't hear what you guys were saying. The rain was too loud, just so you know, and E..." His smile was gone now. "Yesterday after you left, it was chaos. I was so worried, but everyone was arguing, and I almost let myself get out of hand..." Benny lowered his eyes. "When I got away from it, I'm sorry, E...I looked at the pictures in your phone, I got too curious, and I know I shouldn't have-
"No, no, it's fine." Ethan shook his head. "It's completely fine. Everything that happened yesterday, all of it was my fault. I left so suddenly...and violently, how could everything not have turned to chaos? I'm so sorry."
Ethan looked down, guiltily, unable to face his best friend.
"Your hand...is it...?" Benny reached out gently, only to stop short of touching his hand, and Ethan instead moved his hand so that it hovered just above Benny's. When Benny grabbed his wrist, Ethan held in a wince at the light touch.
"It's nothing that won't heal on it's own." Ethan shook his head. "Don't worry about it...listen, Benny...I know that you guys know...about me. And I can't tell you how much I regret not being able to tell you myself. I waited too long."
"I..." Benny blinked, before just staying silent and unwrapping Ethan's hand as lightly as he could. Ethan grit his teeth, but was willing to suffer if it meant Benny would talk to him. When the wrap came off, Benny gave a light gasp and stood up, letting go of Ethan's hand and heading for the door.
"No, it's okay." Ethan pulled on Benny's hand until the spellmaster sat back down. "Don't wake anyone- I know it looks bad, but it looks worse than it is."
"That's from silver." Benny's eyes were confused and slightly shocked. "E...you're a..."
"A werewolf?" Ethan smiled sardonically. "Yeah, Ben...I am. Four months ago, I was bitten by a werewolf."
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AN: Well! There's that. :D It was boring, but more than 6,000 words. It was originally going to be longer, but it would've been dragging on if I hadn't have cut it here. It didn't feel right. The next one will come faster, this time I promise!
BTW, since I don't update very often, I suggest going back to reread as reference for the next couple of chapters. Again. sorry! But this filler chapter had to happen. Please point out any mistakes.
Love you readers! -cries- Don't give up on me.
Uploaded: 03.21.17