Blood and Love: Chapter 20

*** Daniel's story VIII

"Alex...."

The world had come to an abrupt halt. The slowly drifting mist that had parted to reveal the love of my life walking towards me was now still. There was absolute silence in the woods. All that I could hear was the sound of my heart pounding in my chest. How on earth could this be? After all these ears... Nay......centuries- how was my long lost love standing before my eyes?

He looked the same as he had so many years ago. A long cold flame seemed to have ignited itself within my soul. I couldn't believe my eyes. I opened my mouth to ask questions but no sound came out. I had forgotten everything and everyone around me.

Alex looked up at me with twinkling eyes and a soft smile on his lips. It was the same smile that had robbed my heart all those years ago, that made me utter words.

"Alex, I... I can't believe that.... I mean how? W..what is this? Where were you?"

But before I could finish my incoherent speech, Alex touched my lips with his finger. The touch sent a strong shiver of anticipation through my body.

"It doesn't matter how I am back. It doesn't matter how long it has been. All that matters is that at this moment today, after all these years of separation- you and I are back together."

With that little address, Alex stood on his toes and putting his arms around my neck, kissed me on the lips. I lost myself in his scent and the soft wet touch of his lips. My arms wrapped themselves around his body and I pulled him closer. Our kiss deepened as the flame of passion that had gone cold, enflamed itself and consumed us.

"No.... No!"

The low whimper struck me like lightning and brought me crashing back to the earth. I broke from Alex and turned to look at Aaron. Aaron had tears streaming from his eyes as he stepped back slowly, disbelief and denial etched on the very features of his face. The realization of what had happened brought my temporary euphoria crashing to the ground.

Alex's return had made me forget everything that had happened in the last few months. I had forgotten that I had committed to Aaron. Aaron- the guy who had brought me back from my despair and solitude to the beautiful world of love. In my darkest phase he had been my redeemer. And now in an instant I had deserted him.

I turned to him and extended my hand for his. At that moment I felt Alex's hand taking my left hand. I saw Aaron's eyes travel from my outstretched hand to the other in Alex's firm hold. A sense of dread filled my heart as I saw tears swelling up in his eyes as he continued to retreat further.

"Aaron.... I.... We can talk." I tried to console, to say something but words abandoned me.

"We are sorry, Aaron that it had to end this way. This is just not in our control." I heard Alex suddenly speak.

This was the final nail in the coffin. Aaron turned and ran away from us. I tried fo go after him but Alex held me back. I turned to him.

"I need to go after him."

"No Daniel. Nothing you say now is going to change anything. He is heartbroken. He needs time. Leave him alone."

I looked into Alex's eyes and decided he was right. I should leave him alone for now. I looked in the direction he had run away. The mist had covered the path now.

**** Aaron's story IX

This can't be happening. No! This is impossible. How on earth can this happen out of nowhere? We had just started to be together! It was just last night that we had vowed to never be separated. And now Alex was standing holding his hand! How the hell did all hell break loose on my life?

These questions raged my mind as I ran through the woods. I had no idea where I was going. I had no idea if I would stop. I had no idea what I would do now. I had no idea what was going to happen. I had no idea when I'd stop. Fuck! Did I have any idea?

My side started hurting and I stopped. Panting, sweating and crying I leaned against a tree for support. I was too wound up now. I needed to clear my head. I needed to get myself together. After a couple of minutes my breathing eased and my fuzzy brain started to clear up.

"Aaron!" I heard Sean's voice and turned to find him scampering towards me. I quickly wiped my face but the cold air had already frozen the tears. I gathered as much composure as a guy who has just lost his much sought relationship to an ex after a mere twelve hours could possibly be. Turning to Sean who was finally next to me and breathing heavily I managed, "Hey!"

Without a word Sean pulled me into a tight hug. I felt tears swell into my eyes again but managed to dissolve the lump forming in my throat. I cleared my throat and tried to console Sean.

"Hey Sean! It's okay bro. I'm fine."

Sean pulled back and looked at me squarely in the face. "Are you?" He spoke in almost disbelief.

"Yeah man! You know I'm not a wimp. Fine if Alex is back. I know you'll say I loved Dan." At this point I felt my throat choking with emotion but I quickly finished. "But Alex is back and I know how hung up he was on him. I know when to step back Sean. Guess this was all I could have with him. I can live with it."

I managed a faint smile. Sean looked at me for a moment, scrutinizing and processing all I had said.

"Well. Let's go home broda." He put an arm around my shoulders and we turned to walk into the now more obscure fog.

*****

It's been a week since Alex came back. A week? It seems like an eternity if you ask me. And what's more Dan has hardly spoken a word to me this entire time. I guess I didn't give him the chance to either. But hell he is the one whose ex is back from the dead! He should know what I'd be going through. He should have tried hard enough. Oh and don't get me started on that Alex! All smiles and charms. Everyone is totally smitten by him.

Dan just keeps ogling him. Sean and Evan remain silent in front of me but I can so tell that they like him too. And now he's joined school with us. He's out becoming Mr. Popular while I hang around in my sweats eating ice-cream out of tubs watching depressing shows. But I can see right through him. I can tell he's a supercilious fake jerk. And what a story he told of his return. Worth a Tarantino plot!

Apparently, the Nocti vampire took him after his death and held him captive thinking he had information on the founding families. I don't believe him. There are so many loopholes in his grand movie plot. But no one seems to notice. I guess you'll say I am just getting paranoid with jealousy. That is so not the case. I don't trust him because he is too good to be true. He could make you diabetic with all his compliments. And he knows I don't trust him. He gives me these smug smiles and keeps on pulling Dan in for smooches around me. What would I give to stake his heart right through his tongue and all the way down!

Anyway, life at Mysticus Domus has been very peaceful for the last week. In fact it's too peaceful. It feels like the calm before the storm. Something untoward is coming toward us; coming fast...

*****

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" I looked up from my laptop to Sean standing in the doorway. He's dressed in black jeans, white tee and a leather jacket. Hair all spiked he's radiating enthusiasm.

"Nah! Don't feel like it." I answered stretching lazily.

"'Kay. Rachel's birthday party would be a gala affair. Anyway, Amanda won't be here tonight so she's made you macaroni and cheese. Have it when you feel hungry. And don't hesitate to call me if you need me! I'll come running."

He winked and I smiled.

"You go have fun with Evan. I'll look after myself, brother."

Sean smiled once again and left closing the door behind him. A party wasn't really on my cards tonight. Well it hadn't been since Alex decided to drop in but the mood had still not lifted. I turned back to my laptop and started typing the assignment.

Suddenly, I heard a noise from the living room downstairs. No one was at home. Who the hell could it be? I lifted my laptop and got out of bed without making any noise. I grabbed my baseball bat and decided to go and check downstairs. I made my way down the staircase hiding in the shadows, tip-toeing to prevent the floorboard from creaking. I looked inside the living room but it was vacant. Suddenly, I sensed movement behind me and quickly flung my bat.

"WHOA!" Dan jumped back and the bat hit a vase which shattered into tiny pieces but not before a piece flew and made a home run at the mirror on the wall.

"Easy there Rambo." Dan muttered looking at me with wide eyes.

"What are you talking about? You sneaked into the house. Plus, the bat wouldn't have hurt you." I speak dryly.

He looked at me without speaking. He seemed apologetic but at the same time a little hurt at my lack of compassion.

"Why are you here anyway?" I quickly questioned. I had no interest in seeing pity for me.

"I... I just wanted to... to see you. To talk to you." He began.

"That's what you said last week too. 'We need to talk's. But I guess that didn't come around to happen. I guess your back from the beyond boyfriend keeps you busy."

Dan looked at me, assessing the situation and spoke in a measured voice. "Aaron, I... Frankly, I don't know what to say to you. I mean Alex's coming back has really complicated things and I just don't know what to do. I love you but..."

"But you can't leave Alex. He's the love of your life. He's alone in this century. He needs you. It's sunshine and flowers. Yes! Yes I know what the entire deal is Dan. I know it's all about what Alex needs." I paused for a moment and fixed him with a teary eye. "I just don't count, do I."

"No Aaron! No! You do count. I really love you. I just can't leave Alex." He beseeched.

I couldn't control myself anymore. "You love me? You Love me! No you don't! You love Alex. You care about Alex! Alex is the centre of your life! I? I am just a conquest. A one night stand that you worked for a long time!"

Dan looked at me dumbstruck and hurt. He opened his mouth to speak but the front door opened and Alex walked in. He stopped in his tracks and looked from me to Dan, understanding the situation.

"Alex? I was just..." Dan began.

"It's okay Dan. I just wanted to tell you we're getting late for Rachel's party." He spoke softly with a no-need-to-explain understanding look.

"Yeah. I guess we should get going." Dan said and without another look at me left. Alex looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. His lips twitched slightly. I raised an eyebrow.

"Is something amusing?" I snap.

Alex looked at me with triumph in his eyes. "Possibly."

"Get out!" I gesture coldly.

Alex's firmly purses his lips and turns to leave, banging the door behind him. That was all I had and I collapsed onto the sofa crying.