The Druid
By: Dark Shadow
(© 2006 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...


Chapter 7
House Guests

Bry continued to stare at me with a confused look on his face. I felt a mix of longing and regret rush through him like ocean waves striking sand. The pain would recede, only to be replaced again with a stronger onslaught of sorrow. I guess the gift of 'Balance' only worked when he was in battle, because now I felt only the turmoil in his broken heart.

"Well, that's if you want to stay." I diverted my eyes to the floor, because I didn't want him to see my fear. He had enough on his mind.

I began kicking myself mentally. I've been so selfish lately. I didn't stop to think how his adoptive parent's reaction might be affecting him. They are his parents, after all. It must be awful to be so easily thrown away like unwanted trash. Admitting his homosexuality had been so traumatic for him. For an empathic Druid, I sure was missing the mark these last couple of days. The fact that we'd been killed and I had murdered someone probably didn't help the situation either.

I took a small step toward Bry and pulled him into my arms. I pulled him as tight as I could as sobs began to shake his body.

"They'll come around." My lips brushed his ears as I whispered to him.

I rubbed my hand along the curve of his shoulder trying to sooth him. As sympathy often does, the action only reminded us of what we're feeling and made it all the more real. We stood there in each others arms for several minutes before I heard the subtle creak of wood as the uncles moved closer to where we stood.

The mood had suddenly shifted, and I didn't know what to do to help him. If I squeezed him any harder he wouldn't be able to breath. I would have done it, if I thought it would have taken away his pain. I felt his tears wet my neck as his chest heaved against my own. The anguish that rolled through him ate at my heart.

"Please don't be sad. We're here. I love you," I whispered to him.

He pulled back and stared into my eyes. The sorrow had snuck up on him and now bored into me like a dagger.

"They hate me," he sniffed and I felt a slight pull within him. He was trying to collect the shattered pieces of his heart.

"They don't hate you, Brian." Mark's voice was gentle as he cupped his hand against his flushed cheek. "They just don't understand. Give them time." Mark ran his thumb through the trail of tears.

Bry sobbed and buried his face into the nape of my neck. At that moment, I almost wished his foster parents harm. For a single second I struggled with my beliefs. I could see how people might kill out of love. I knew it was wrong, but my heart wanted retribution. They had hurt Bry so deeply his sorrow enveloped the room. How do you console someone you love when their soul has been shredded by those closest to them? How do you repair a soul?

The burning rejection was flooding into me and my tears climbed down my cheeks. My heart ached for him as much as if it was me who had been so heartlessly cast aside. His loneliness and despair swallowed me. I felt alone in the world like I had fallen down into a deep, dark well. I knew these weren't my feelings, but they felt just as real. My mind reminded me that I wasn't the one who was cast off, but my emotion prevailed.

I didn't notice the sun's light wane, or the delicate drapes billowing from the harsh wind that blew in through still open windows. I was in a place of shadow, and the world mirrored my feelings of loss, or rather Bry's emotional reflection through me.

Thunder roared with the pain I felt and vibrated the glass panes of our windows. It hadn't started out as my emotional wound, but it was mine now. It coursed through my body like a white fire fed by my heart, and it consumed me just as easily. I felt darkness falling around me and fought against it, but I was lost. A continuous barrage of fleeting images blurred my vision. They were snippets of joyous and bitter memory from Bry's past. The visions continued from his earliest memories as a toddler, to learning to ride a bike, and on and on, until a more recent memory flashed across my mind. It was the memory of coming back to me, when we stood in each other's arms sharing a precious sweet kiss. It was that shared instance in our past, when we stood wrapped in each others arms, thinking nothing could ever make us happier.

*****

Wait!!

I felt myself merge into the memory and animate the body that was mine.

'Let's focus on this memory, Bry. This single perfect moment'. My voice had a strange resonance that seemed to echo back upon itself. It was the difference between how my voice sounded to me, and how it sounded to him.

The image became more vivid and an almost luminous world formed around us. Every detail was intact, vibrant, with each image edged with a fuzzy aura surrounding it. It was as though someone had taken the world and turned it slightly out of focus. I could smell the earth beneath my feet, and the water of my tears cooling from the feathery brush of the wind. I knew then, that the strange hue I saw, was the life energy in all things. It was dazzling.

'Where are we?' I watched Bry's eyes widen upon hearing the strange dual tenor of his voice.

'We're in a memory, though I don't think we should stay long.'

'I like this memory,' The wind rustled his blond hair as his dimpled cheeks pulled back into a smile.

I wanted to stare into his emerald green eyes forever, but could feel the heat of worry pressing against me.

'We have to go back, Bry. Kent and Mark are worried about us.' I tightened my arms around him and savored the rhythmic beat of his heart against mine.

'How do we wake up?' There was a hint of tension in Bry's strange new voice.

I was beginning to worry about our current predicament too, when Galen's familiar gravely voice answered.

'You open your eyes.'

*****

I found my self being pulled back to my physical body as if thinking made it so. I opened my eyes, to see Bry smiling back at me.

"Are you two alright?" Mark's laid his hand gently against my shoulder.

"We're fine, I think." I couldn't seem to stop smiling. The residual warmth I felt from Bry was almost intoxicating. "You okay, Bry?"

"Yeah, I'm good." It seemed he was having the same problem. His smile also appeared etched across his face.

"Teenagers!" Kent shook his head and looked at us as if we were some strange creatures.

"You're always welcome here, Brian. Shit on the floor, and you're welcome to the shed." Kent glanced over to me, smiling. "You did say he's potty trained right?"

"Language." Mark gave Kent a poke in the arm and an admonishing look.

"Well, you didn't seem to have a problem with swearing when you spoke with Thad last week," Kent grinned.

"Oh, you're really pushing it aren't you. You know I despise that fucker!" Mark cupped his hand over his mouth as soon as he had said it.

My eyes were wide with shock as I stared at Uncle Mark. Swearing wasn't such a big deal at our house, but we usually chose other words.

"Fucker. Nice one, Mark." Kent poked him back.

"Fucker," was said a third time and followed by a small giggle from Bry.

I took a step back and looked at the three of them smiling at me.

"Who the fuck is Thad?" I was totally confused. I stood, hands on hips, staring back at the three of them. I was glad the mood had taken a turn for the better, but I had fallen out of the conversation somewhere.

The three of them burst into laughter. I heard Shadow's nails tapping the linoleum floor as she padded through the doorway. She sat and stared at us with as much confusion as I felt. I guess the noise had woken her from one of her daily naps. Well, at least now I wasn't the only one wondering what the hell was going on.

"Thad Kard, your principal," Mark spluttered through stifled chuckles.

Then it hit me, the phone call when I was in Mr. Kard's office after the fight. Someone had called and ripped him a new ass. I thought it had been Trent, but it was Mark! I couldn't help but grin back at them and shook my head.

"Welcome to the family, Bry." I gave him a small poke in the arm.

"Thanks, uhh.. Do you think we could have an early lunch? I kind of missed breakfast." Bry looked almost sheepish at having to ask.

"Here are the rules, Brian. If you can find it, you're welcome to it. You're family now, you don't have to ask, so please don't consider yourself a guest."

We watched as Kent's expression changed a little, and I sensed a shudder of inspiration roll through him.

"Also... we share duties in this house, and I think I know just..." That was the last word Kent spoke before Mark cut him off.

"Oh no you don't, you're not getting out of laundry duty, mister." Mark folded his arms across his chest and tapped his foot. It was the look he wore when he meant business, and was not going to budge on the issue.

"But... but... I was just thinking..."

"I know exactly what you were thinking." Mark's voice changed from reprimand to tenderness almost instantly. "The month is half over, and a couple more weeks aren't going to kill you."

"It might..." Kent grumbled back, pouting at his latest defeat.

Mark shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"You two share chores for the next few months until Brian is familiar with our routine." Mark paused a moment to peek out of the corner of his eye to see Kent still pouting.

"Now that that's settled, there's still some 'almost bacon' in the fridge if you want to fix yourselves a BLT."

"So are you guys going to stay?" I had been wondering ever since their return, and I couldn't stand not knowing for certain. I didn't think I could handle it if they left again without some warning.

"Huh?" Mark looked at me as if I were crazy. "Oh! Of course we're not leaving you again. Why would you think we'd be leaving you?"

"Well you didn't exactly give me any notice the first time you know." I glanced from Mark to Kent and then back again. It still wasn't a fond memory.

"Ty, we did that because it was necessary. You needed contact with other people your own age. We had hoped the two of you would find each other, but we never dreamt that it would work out so quickly, or as well. We promise, no more disappearing acts."

Mark turned and walked over to where Kent stood sulking. "Come on you big baby. You know I always help you with the laundry anyway."

The smile on Kent's face was almost instantaneous. I began to wonder if this hadn't been his plan all along, and chuckled at the two of them as they went to the basement to begin the dreaded laundry duty. It isn't that it's difficult to throw the clothes in the washer and dryer. It's the seemingly endless trips up and down the steep stairs that make it such a chore.

"I'll toast the bread if you want to slice the tomato and shred some lettuce." I pulled the bread from the top of the fridge and manned the toaster.

Three glass plates for three people. Well, one dog and two druids, but I wasn't going to quibble. Before long we had thrown our BLT's together, and sat down for a small lunch. I noticed that everyone's BLT seemed to be missing the 'T'. I cut Shadow's bacon and toast sandwich into pieces and set it on the floor.

"You don't like tomato either, 'eh?" I nodded, indicating his sandwich.

"Nope, can't stand the seeds. You too?" Bry raised his eyebrows and tilted his head in my direction.

"Nahh, just don't like the taste of them. Never have. We can save the tomato though, Kent and Mark like them."

I handed Shadow the last bite of my sandwich and stood up from the table. I rinsed off my plate in the sink and set it to the side. I heard Brian scoot his chair back. I looked back to see him hand Shadow the last of his sandwich, too, and then walk toward me. I held out my hand and took the plate from him and rinsed off the crumbs and shattered specks of bacon that didn't make it to his mouth.

I heard the dull thumps of Mark and Kent's feet climbing the stairs behind the hiss of water blasting down into the sink against the dish I held. The wind blew lightly through the kitchen window and tapped the small metal tubes of the hanging wind chime against each other. Shadow barked and ran toward the door.

The uncles were just barely in the living room and practically threw their baskets of clothes to the floor. They spun around as I spoke.

"Good afternoon, Galen."

"Good afternoon. May I enter?" His voice sounded like it had been around so long it had become riddled with cobwebs.

I glanced at Bry and watched the tension of his muscles play across his body. He gave me a curt nod signaling his readiness. I smiled at him to let him know this was not the time for battle. His body visibly relaxed. It was as if his muscles let out a subtle sigh when he heard my next words.

"Please come in, Galen, you are welcome here." I dried my hands on the nearby towel and took the few steps it took to get to the door and open it for him. I followed his bent body into the kitchen and pulled out the chair I had sat in earlier when we enjoyed our lunch.

"Please, be comfortable." I walked past Galen and then stood at the refrigerator.

"Would you care for a drink, or a sandwich?"

There was a knowing flash that seemed to roll across the shine of Galen's distant sapphire eyes, and he smiled. He almost seemed giddy.

"You know, young man, I think I'd like that very much." The wood of his staff scraped the linoleum as he drug it to a spot between the wall and himself. He rested it carefully against the wall so that it would not fall.

Bry, Kent, and Mark just stared as I prepared our guest a sandwich and then placed it in front of him. Though he had not asked, I placed a glass of ice water in front of him, and he seemed grateful.

Galen took his time eating his lunch as we looked on expectantly. It was, to say the least, odd that he had come to visit us. That he ate in our home was inconceivable. You have to remember, this is the head of 'The Circle'. The oldest druid, and the 'Eternal'

Galen finished, rose from his chair, and bent slightly at the waist. "Thank you for your hospitality."

No sooner than his words were spoken, Galen grasped his staff with lightening speed, and swung it against Bry's midsection. The blow sent him through the wall that separated the kitchen and the living room. Wood and plaster splintered into a white powdery combination of destruction as he fell to the living room floor.

Galen was now standing, staff in hand, his eyes shining with delight. "You should be more careful who you let in your door," he rasped.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Bry standing at the threshold to the kitchen. He was alright, though I could see the pain in his face.

"Your rebirth might have made your bodies more difficult to damage, but your training is still severely lacking." He staggered visibly and then looked at me in shock.

"And you should pay more attention to what you eat." It was my turn to smile as Galen dropped to his knees.

"Very good, young druid, there may be hope for you yet." Those were his last words before he fell to the floor, unconscious. His staff clamored against the linoleum.

Several hours later we sat in the living room around Galen as he rested on the couch. The sun had set and I had taken the last of the damage away with my healing hands. The Ricin, Belladonna, and Strychnine I had mixed into the mayo on his bread would have been enough to bring down a buffalo. Without care, his internal organs would suffer from the poisonous mix. All three were nearly without flavor except the Strychnine. Luckily, the mayo and strange taste of fake bacon had hidden the weak almond flavor of the poison. Separately they would never have been enough to slow Galen down but, combined, it had been just enough.

"I can't believe you poisoned a guest in our home." Mark was still pitching a fit about what I had done.

"Serves the old goat right, if you ask me," Kent grumbled as Mark shot him a warning look.

"Nobody asked you!" Mark snapped.

"He's quite right," Galen answered as he struggled to sit up.

We all jumped, hearing his words. Mark rose from his chair and went to Galen's side and helped him up. Bry and I were now on our feet as well, but not with any intentions to help the old man.

"My staff, please." His gravely voice was weak, but quickly regaining the strength I was used to.

"It's outside, leaning against the door. You can collect it on your way out." My voice was flat and without remorse.

"Ty!" Mark screeched my name and glared at me.

I looked at the hole in the living room wall and then back to Mark. "I don't think so. We're running out of walls. He can get his staff on the way out."

Galen chuckled and then rose from the couch without the slightest waver and walked to the kitchen doorway. His movement was graceful and a complete contrast to the facade he normally displayed when he trudged along with staff in hand.

"No more tests tonight then. Tell me. How did you know of my deception?" Galen paused and turned to look at me.

"It was the same lack of feeling you showed before you brought your staff down to bash in my skull after my rebirth," I said flatly.

"Was it only that?" His blue eyed intense gaze reflected his true interest. He was curious.

"No, Shadow barked when you arrived."

"And if you were wrong?" Galen shifted his weight and tilted his head.

"Then I'd be apologizing right now."

He chuckled at my reply and gave a small wave. "I'll show myself out. I'll return tomorrow at noon to begin your training." Galen paused to look at me and then Bry. A wry smile stretched his lips before he spoke. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

He turned his back to us and I listened as the kitchen door opened and then shut and the screen door slammed against the frame. I heard the muted rumble of a gust of wind buffet the windows, and knew he was gone.

Mark gave me a brief hug and kiss against my forehead. "No more poisoning the house guests, Ty. It's rude." He smiled and ruffled my hair before holding out his hand to Kent.

"If someone hits my boyfriend, they'll be lucky if I don't feed them Shadow's dog food."

I chuckled as Shadow popped her head up at the sound of her name. She had slept beside me for the last couple of hours, warming my right leg. It didn't seem like much ever really phased her and I envied that.

Mark turned to Kent and leaned against him. "Gets his manners from your side of the family, too. Let's go to bed, it's been a long day."

As they made it to the stairs Mark paused to look back. "Get the lights before you two come up, okay? And don't stay up too long, I have a feeling you'll need your rest." He gave us both a knowing look and I felt a blush warm my cheeks.

"Goodnight!" Bry and I looked at each other, embarrassed.

As I heard the uncles climbing the stairs, I saw the pink of Bry's cheeks. He was grinning back at me and I suspected, like me, sleep was the last thing on his mind.


TBC