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 8

Celastrus Scandens "Bittersweet"

My mind shifted in a dreamy state as my senses crawled to life inside my skull. I saw the light pushing against the back of my eyelids. I listened to Bry's rhythmic soft breath and refused to open my eyes. I let the weight of my body press against his warm smooth skin. I couldn't remember when I had slept better or felt as happy to wake. We lay spooning in a mutual fetal position. My left arm was wrapped around his chest as if pulling him closer, with his arm's weight against mine. He seemed to want to keep it there, and I wasn't of a mind to object. Some time in the night, after our activities had ended, Shadow had crept up onto the bed and now lay against the back of my legs. The morning ache in my legs begged me to stretch and awaken. I stretched out and Shadow gave a weak disapproving growl as Bry grunted. It seemed neither of them wanted to wake up just yet, and I felt Bry pull my arm tighter around him as if it were a blanket.
 
"Good morning, sexy." I whispered the words, letting my lips brushed the back of his neck.
 
Bry grunted and pressed into the curve of my body. "Morning, sexy." I could almost hear the smile in his groggy voice.
 
I slid my hand down to his morning tension as I gave the back of his neck a few light kisses and pushed my feelings into him.
 
"Don't even think about it you two! Wash up, get dressed, and come down for breakfast." Mark's voice came through the closed door and shattered the moment completely.
 
I froze and felt my face burn. Had we been that loud last night? How the hell did they know what we were up to now? I rolled onto my back reluctantly and sat up as Bry fought against the sheets and sat beside me, blushing. I leaned over and gave Bry's neck a quick kiss and then rested my head on his shoulder. I pushed another wave of joy through Bry and felt him shudder.
 
"I mean it you two! Get moving!" Mark's words tore through the wood of my door and caused both of us to jump. I looked around, wondering if he was somehow in the room, but found only Bry staring back at me.
 
"Okay, okay, we're up!" I growled at the door. I listened as the weight of his steps and the creaking wood moved down the hall.
 
Bry's shock melted into a smile as he leaned into me for a quick kiss. Grinning, he hopped out of bed and stretched. The light from the rising sun through my window seemed to warm his nude body as his arms reached to the ceiling. The golden hues from the dawn climbed up the backs of his legs and to his slender mid section. My eyes crawled along his chalky white flesh and up his wraith-like form as he arched upward. Atop his grinning face and emerald green eyes was the scariest looking blond mass of chaos I had ever seen. His wavy shoulder length hair stuck out in so many directions it didn't just defy gravity, it mocked it. I glanced at myself in the mirror on the wall. I stared, amazed that anything could be even remotely as bad as the rat's nest Bry's hair had become, but found my own hair a near exact copy.
 
I am used to my own hair being a little scary in the morning, but the rigors of the night gave a whole new meaning to the term 'bed head'.
 
I looked back to Bry and chuckled. "Nice hair."
 
Bry's breath seemed to burst out a quick laugh and he nodded his head. "You too, or is there something living in there?" He squinted and seemed to study my head, waiting for something to erupt from the brown mess.
 
"Oh you're a funny one in the morning, 'Porcupine Head'," I joked back.

I climbed out of bed and let Shadow have a few more minutes of peace as I trudged over to my dresser. The floors were cold in autumn. I pulled out a fresh pair of socks for both of us and motioned for him to follow. I opened my bedroom door and Bry's gasp caught my attention. I looked back to see him leaping into the bed and covering himself with the tangle of blankets. Shadow was nearly thrown from the bed and she let out a loud growl. She was not at all happy with the sudden man-made earthquake that forced her from sleep.
 
"Shadow! Quit!" She was so temperamental in the mornings it made me chuckle. Her head popped up at hearing my voice. The hair about her nose was mashed and jutted out like some strange doggie-style handle bar mustache.
 
I looked over to see a very red faced Bry staring back at me.
 
"Hello?! We're naked!" He whispered the words in a hushed frenzy.
 
The realization of what he was saying made me laugh as he sat there hiding behind the tangle of sheets in his hands.
 
"The Uncles are downstairs. No one is going to see you but me." I smiled and wiggled my eyebrows at him. "Besides, we don't much care about nudity around here."
 
Bry just sat there staring back at me.
 
I chuckled again and shook my head. "How can you shower with thirty other people in school and have this bother you?"
 
"Those thirty people didn't know I was gay!" He seemed only slightly more embarrassed than he was annoyed.
 
"Well, if you didn't already know, we're all gay here, but if you really need something, there is a pair of shorts in the top drawer that you can wear until we get to the bathroom." I grinned and waited for his decision.
 
Bry slowly relaxed his grip on the sheets and smiled as something settled in his mind. He seemed to accept the idea as his body relaxed and his hands released the covers. He climbed out of the bed and walked toward me. A weak smirk showed me his dimples. "Nahh.. that's okay."
 
He walked up beside me, opened the door, took my hand and pulled me into the hallway with him leading the way. We were only a few steps away from the bathroom when the door opened and Kent walked out, completely nude. He had a dopey expression on his face as though he had just woken up. I felt Bry's hand grip mine like a vice as Kent made an obvious visual assessment along the length of Bry's body.
 
Kent glanced at me and grinned. "Lucky you." He turned and gave us a view of his rear as he went to his room.
 
"I kno-" I hadn't finished the words and I was pulled into the bathroom, with Bry slamming the door behind us.
 
"I thought you said they were downstairs?!" Bry's face flushed the deepest shade of crimson I had seen on him yet.
 
"I'm sorry, I thought they were. Bry, I know it's not going to be easy. If you need to wear clothes until you're comfortable around us I'll understand. We just view the body as a thing of beauty. In your case… a thing of extreme beauty."
 
I grabbed his hips and pulled him into me. The smell of sex and sweat lingered on his skin as I gave his neck a gentle nibble. "Let's get cleaned up, 'Shy Boy'."
 
I tossed both pair of clean socks to the floor and pulled fresh towels out from underneath the bathroom sink. Water blasted from the shower head as I twisted the knobs to what I considered the perfect setting.  The water would be hot enough to relax and warm us, but not enough to burn. After a few moments I stepped into the shower and Bry followed.
 
It was a tight and intimate fit as the water pushed against us and trickled down our bodies. I grabbed the shampoo and handed it to Bry as he ducked his head into the spray of water. He squeezed out a dollop and handed the bottle back to me. Placing it aside, I grabbed the bar of soap and lathered him from head to toe as he kneaded the shampoo in his hair. I turned him by the shoulders and he began to rinse his hair and the front of his body. I soaped up his back and worked it down to his ankles. Giving a final turn, he finished rinsing and we changed positions. As my mind began to drift from the sensations his fingers were giving me, my eyes began to burn. The soap stinging my eyes brought me back to reality and I turned to rinse away the pain. I felt Bry's hands finish their seductive journey from my shoulders to my ankles and turned again to finish rinsing.
 
Shutting off the shower, I reached out to grabbed the towels and handed one to Bry. Finally dry, I wrapped the towel around my waist and fought with my socks, tugging them up over my still somewhat damp feet. Bry followed suit and I could see a small shudder roll through his body. It was a little brisk this morning. It was as if autumn had somehow snuck into the house and was winning the battle against the furnace. We slipped through the hallway almost covertly until we were back in my bedroom.
 
I grabbed us each a pair of jeans from the closet and tossed them onto the bed. Finding us both a hooded sweatshirt, I handed one to Bry. He stood shivering in the middle of the room, fighting to get the jeans over his shaking legs. Shadow watched us dress knowing her time to rest in the warmth of the blankets would soon end. Having a layer of fabric between my skin and the cool air of morning, I grabbed the comb from my dresser and raked it through my wet hair. I had worked out most of the snarls and saw Bry's lips smiling at me in the reflection of the mirror. I turned and handed him the comb and moved over to the bed to give him room. I watched as he made quick violent work of his unruly blond hair until it looked like it might dry into something more orderly.
 
I stood and picked the damp towels up from the floor. "Come on Shadow."
 
She stood, gave a lazy shake from head to toe, and flopped down onto the floor as I opened the bedroom door and walked into the hall. Shadow, Bry and I went down the hall. I paused at the bathroom and hung the towels on the shower rail so they would dry. The three of us bounded down the stairs like a herd of cattle and headed into the kitchen. The smell of 'almost bacon' and coffee drifted past my nose as I made my way into the room.
 
"Morning Kent. Morning Mark!" My voice was almost sickeningly happy. I smiled in spite of myself as I reached the door.
 
"Morning lover boys." Kent's voice had lost the sounds of sleep. I turned and watched him sip his coffee with a weak grin on his lips.
 
"Kent!" Mark was not quite as flippant when it came to intimacy.
 
My face burned. I could feel the rush of embarrassment coming from Bry as I pushed open the door and we made our escape. I glanced at Bry as Shadow went about her morning business and felt the curl of a smile press my cheeks.
 
"We could always skip breakfast and just leave the state." I gave Bry a light weak nudge with my elbow.
 
"There's a spare set of keys in the glove box." He grinned and elbowed back. "Might need to stop for gas though."
 
"The 'almost bacon' smells good, and I have to have my coffee first though, okay?" I gave Bry another jab in the side.
 
"Yeah… breakfast would be good. I'm starving!"
 
The wind brushed against my damp hair and a few dried strands of brown fluttered against my cheek. The morning chill was being replaced by the heat of the sun as it danced along the remaining dew. A landscape of sparkling diamonds stretched out before us, and the warming air promised a beautiful day.
 
"Well let's go back in before they think we're out here doing something we aren't." I chuckled and opened the door for Shadow.
 
I followed her in and Bry came after me. I went straight to the coffee pot, pulled two cups from the cabinet, and poured. I turned to Bry. "Coffee?"
 
He shrugged and seemed preoccupied with the floor. I poured him a cup and added sugar. I gave both our cups a final swirl with the designated 'community' spoon that lay on the counter, and handed him his cup. I watched Bry take a small sip and grimace. He choked down the brown liquid and touched his fingers to his burned lips. I chuckled and the sound of Mark clearing his throat drew my attention.
 
"Get yourselves something to eat and come sit, you two." Mark smiled, but I could feel something else milling about the back of his mind. Kent stared at his coffee as if locked in a trance. He was avoiding eye contact with anyone and everyone, but I could see the smirk that curled his lips.
 
I fixed Shadow a plate with bits of toast and broken 'almost bacon' and sat it on the floor. Then I grabbed a couple of slices of bacon and toast and handed the plate to Bry before making my own. He sat his coffee on the counter beside mine and stood next to me concentrating on his breakfast.
 
'All right Uncle Mark, what's up?" I stood facing him as Kent giggled.
 
"Well, uhh, you see," Mark said. Kent chuckled and quieted himself as he hid his eyes, "anyway. Well, what you two do is your business, and we're happy that you love each other, but,"
 
Kent burst into laughter and half choked on his toast. I felt the heat from Bry's embarrassment pressing against me like a furnace as Mark's cheeks blushed red. A quick glare in Kent's direction had him again preoccupied with his coffee. </SPAN>
 
"You see, you need to gain more control of your new abilities, Ty. Especially when you push your 'feelings' outward to other people." Mark let out a long breath having finally spoken the words.
 
My eyes opened wide and I felt my jaw drop. "Oh…" The realization that the emotional push I had given to Bry during our 'activities', had apparently traveled beyond him. I felt my face burn so completely, that even my ears felt warm against the cool morning air.
 
"Sorry about that." I mumbled.
 
"Don't be. We had a wonderful night." Kent was laughing again. "Little tired though, Mark doesn't seem to have the stamina he used to."
 
"Kent Lee Charleson! So help me…" Mark's face was blushing as much as I had ever seen.
 
I pinched my eyes shut, wanting to disappear more than ever before. I wasn't ashamed of our previous night's activities. That it had slipped out beyond our room and had affected the uncles, however, was too embarrassing.
 
I felt the sun warm me and the wind brush my skin as the world seemed to shift. I felt the sensation of movement as Kent's laughter faded into the distance. I opened my eyes and saw only a strange amber glow that surrounded me. I panicked, ran forward, and a sudden burst of daylight blinded my eyes. I had barely taken a few steps when something caught my foot. My body flew forward and twisted in the air causing me to land on my back. The sudden impact against the ground knocked the wind out of me. I lay dazed, struggling for air, and finally began to breathe again.  
 
The feathery touch of damp grass tickled the back of my neck as I looked up into a canopy of tree limbs. The wind brought me raucous laughter that I knew belonged to Galen. I sat up and looked around. I was in our grove of trees. I whispered the words across the breeze. 'Very funny, Galen.  Good morning to you too.'
 
'This was your doing, Ty, not mine.' The wind hissed between the leaves and I rose to my feet. I looked behind me and saw a root jutting from the ground a few feet before the trunk of the giant oak that resides in the center of our sacred circle of trees. Somehow, I had ran from the center of the tree, and tripped on the root. It didn't make much sense to me, but I couldn't really see any other possibilities.
 
"Well, I'm glad I can be such an endless source of entertainment to everyone," I grumbled out loud.
 
I was about to whisper to the uncles when I decided to let them stew a bit, and I began walking back toward the house. I heard their words traveling along the breeze, searching for me. I was at the edge of our back yard when I felt the pull of Bry's heart against mine. He had just come out the back door and stood staring at me.
 
 "I'm okay… just took a small trip I guess." I felt his heart swell and then calm again, having found I was okay.
 
My socks were getting soaked with dew as I jogged back toward the house, where Bryan stood smiling. The uncles came tearing out the screen door, nearly ripping it from its hinges.
 
I stood in front of them as Mark walked up to me. "What happened to you?" He busied himself with brushing away the leaves and grass from my clothes.
 
"I fell," I answered flatly. I was still a little put out from my previous embarrassment but I didn't really want them to worry, much.
 
Mark stopped his fussing, took a step back, folded his arms and stood staring at me as he tapped his toe.
 
"You should have let us know you were okay, Ty. That was not funny." Mark's eyebrows pushed to the center of his forehead as he frowned.
 
"Well, someone seemed to think this morning was funny." I glanced at Kent as he diverted his eyes to the ground.
 
"Sorry about that, Ty, I couldn't help it. I'm sleep deprived." With that I heard a small giggle from Bry.
 
Mark scoffed and shifted his weight shaking his head. A smile crept across his lips. "I swear, it's like raising 3 twelve year olds. You're all grounded." He turned and went back into the house as the three of us followed, laughing.
 
There haven't been too many dull moments in my life lately. Laughter seems to ease the tension in a way only a family can share. We may laugh with our friends or acquaintances, but it's just not the same caliber of peace that comes from the feeling of home. I'm really glad that Bry's a part of that now and I couldn't stop myself from smiling from the thought.
 
We walked back into the house and I stripped off my filthy wet socks as I entered. I expected to see the beginnings of a fantastic bruise on the top of my foot but there was barely a scrape. Dying and rebirth definitely had its advantages. I hadn't noticed at the time, but I didn't even limp on my way back. I stood beside Bry, as I had earlier, and we finished our now-cold breakfast.
 
"So, how did you like rooting?" Kent glanced over to me, ignoring Mark's stare.
 
"Is that what it's called?" My confused look didn't seem to surprise him.
 
"Yes, it's called Rooting. Your essence travels along the roots of plants in the Earth to wherever you want to go."
 
Mark interrupted. "Yes, and it's very dangerous. You could have gotten lost or come out hundreds of miles away."
 
"Why didn't you teach me this before? How come I've never seen you do it?" It kind of bothered me they had kept something so useful, a secret from me.
 
Kent leaned forward and smiled.  "You're not supposed to see it happen. The art of Rooting is not just the movement from place to place. It's moving seamlessly from place to place. People aren't supposed to notice you come and go. It is one of your final lessons, and we thought it best left to Galen, now that he has said he would train you two."
 
I looked from Kent to Mark and then decided there was no sense in pushing the issue. They hadn't taught me this yet for a reason, and I couldn't argue their decision. It did make me wonder how much more I had yet to learn about the Druid way.
 
"I'll be right back," I mumbled, raising my wet socks.
 
I needed a fresh pair and then had errands to run. I put my socks in the laundry hamper and grabbed a fresh pair from my dresser. I tugged them on and went back downstairs.
 
"We're going to head into town and run a couple of errands, okay?"
 
Mark looked at me suspiciously as I pulled on my shoes. "Just don't be too long. You may not have to go to public school, but you both still have your studies."
 
I smiled at Bry. "Well… got your keys?"
 
He ran his hands over his front pockets and shook his head. "They're upstairs, be right back."
 
"So, what are you up to, Ty?" Mark's voice was even, but the edge to his words told me he wouldn't take silence as an answer.
 
"I want to visit Doris. I want to see how the Lilac bush is doing, and I'm going to invite her to dinner if that's okay. She's lonely." I gave Mark my most pleading look, hoping he wouldn't mind the last minute invitation.
 
"Quit with the eyes already. You know it's okay. How about a picnic out in the grove?"
 
"Thanks, Mark, a picnic sounds great! I don't know if she'll take me up on the offer, but I thought it would be nice to offer." I turned my head to the sound of Bry bounding down the stairs, keys jingling as he hopped down each step.
 
It was nearly 7:30 and Doris would already be preparing for the onslaught of hungry teens. We could catch her before the majority of students arrived.
 
Bry followed me out the door and toward his car. "So where are we going?"
 
"To visit Doris." I climbed into the passenger seat and pulled the door closed  before he could respond.
 
Bry stood outside the door for a moment before opening it and climbing in behind the steering wheel. "You're serious aren't you?" He sat staring at me as though I had suddenly grown a second head.
 
"Yes, I'm serious.  She's a nice lady, and she's lonely. Besides, I want to make sure the lilac bush is okay. Then, after that, there's another stop we need to make.
 
Bry put the key in the engine, started the car, and drove down our curved gravel driveway. He turned onto the main road and we were heading toward town. We rode in silence for about five minutes, finally entering town.
 
"I know she's not the warmest person in the world, Bry, but give her a chance?" I shifted in my seat so I could face him as he drove. The wind from the open gap atop his side window caused his blond hair to flutter at the temple.
 
"She freaks me out, Ty. She scares me!" I saw a shudder roll through him.
 
"I think you can hold your own." I chuckled at the thought. "After all, Galen knocked you through a wall and you didn't even bruise."
 
"Yeah, but Galen used a wooden staff.  Doris has knives!" Bry took the last turn that led down the block toward our previous place of torment.
 
We rolled to a stop in a parking place in front of the school, usually reserved for visitors, and I climbed out of the car, shutting the door behind me. Looking back, I could see Bry shaking his head and not showing any sign of exiting the car. I waved him out but he didn't budge. I gave up and shrugged and walked toward the school. I didn't mind going in, now that I knew I would never have to return. I suppose that is the difference between having a choice in something as opposed to having it forced upon you.
 
I pulled the heavy metal door and felt the weight of it shift as the threshold scraped loudly against the base of the door. The sound seemed to echo on forever in the empty lobby as I entered and made my way to the cafeteria.
 
As I expected, Doris was jiggling away, her back to me, intent on her work. I walked up to the counter behind her and reached up to the bush to feel the delicate lavender floweret's that were still in bloom.
 
"Touch it and die." Doris grumbled and spun around as if she somehow hovered in place.
 
"Oh! It's you." Her voice warmed the tiniest bit and I think she almost smiled. "What're you doing here?" Her fat eyelids squeezed almost shut as she looked at me suspiciously.
 
"Well, I won't be attending school here anymore." I felt a sudden flash of sorrow pulse through her steel resolve and then disappear just as fast. "I'd also like to invite you to a picnic this evening. Say 6 o'clock?"
 
"I don't think so kid," she paused "but, uh… thanks for the offer." Her look of suspicion cut me a bit.
 
"Come on, Doris, just think, someone making a meal for you for a change, and cleaning up after! It'll be good food I promise! Please come."
 
For the first time I heard a gruff chuckle erupt from her and shake her round body as a half smirk puckered her left cheek. "That would be a nice change. 6 o'clock, you say? Okay kid, you're on. You're out on old Orion road, right? The Charleson place?"
 
How the hell did she know where I lived?
 
"Don't be too surprised, kid, it's a small town. Now get the hell out of here, I got shit to do." That said, she turned her back to me and busied herself with her daily routine.
 
"Take care of yourself, Doris." I said my quiet farewell and was rewarded with a not so subtle grunt.
 
I walked out of the school happy with the slight change of demeanor in Doris. I think she likes me!
 
"So, lived to tell the tale I see." Bry stared at me shaking his head.
 
"Doris is coming to dinner." I blurted it out almost too loudly. I was excited and pleased with myself.
 
Bry sat across from me staring again.
 
"Okay, look, I like her. Please give her a chance, okay?"
 
"You've got strange taste in people, Ty."
 
I poked him in the ribs, "Yeah, I know," and leaned over, giving him a quick kiss on the lips. "Okay, let's go get your clothes."
 
"What?!" Bry's eyes widen and the look on his face most resembled a deer in the headlights of an approaching 18 wheeler.
 
"You need your clothes right? It's not stealing when you have a key to the house, and well… they are your clothes right? Isn't everyone gone now?"
 
"Well, yeah, they should be." Bry squirmed in his seat and I felt a slight sorrow roll through his heart.
 
"You need your clothes, Bry," I gave him a gentle nudge in the side.
 
"I know."  His words were almost harsh as he interrupted me and then his voice softened, "I just.. I guess I didn't want to think about it."
 
Bry started the engine, backed up, and drove past the growing parade of cars, as students and faculty made their way to school. We wound around several corners and city blocks before Bry pulled into the driveway of a bright yellow ranch style home. The yard was immaculately groomed and the house promised three bedrooms and two baths. It was one of those square homes that looked smaller on the outside than it truly was.
 
We drove up the driveway that led to the back of the house and got out of the car. Bry led the way into his previous home and paused only a second as he entered the kitchen. It was a bright peach color. It was immediately obvious that his foster mother had an obsession with chickens. Everywhere you looked, there were chickens. Whether they were in décor, or utensil form, they lined every shelf, countertop, and stretch of wall.
 
We went through the kitchen and Bry opened a door that led to the basement. The stairway was nestled between the kitchen and living room. As he twisted the knob and opened the door, a sound of something being flung against the wall traveled up the steps.
 
Only a second passed. We leaned forward to hear what might be going on downstairs when a Werelion leapt up the steps. It seemed to close the distance in a single bound as Bry dropped. I was left facing the Werelion as it soared through the air obviously intent on killing me. I was fucked.
 
The Werelion's hideous growl stopped short as I raised my arms to shield my face. Bry plunged his open hand, like a knife, into the chest of the Lycan. The creature crashed against my chest but only threw me backwards. There was no sensation of teeth, claws or tearing flesh. I scrambled backwards and watched as the animal changed from Lion to man. A fire burned along the edges of the creature like grooves of a puzzle completed, and then set ablaze. Seconds later, there was only ash flickering down to the carpeted steps leading to the basement and Bry's room.
 
"Ouch," a strange squeak erupted from Bry. He lay, legs out in the splits, where he had dropped and struck the Werelion. He fell backward and slowly brought his legs together rocking in the fetal position.
 
"That was amazing!" After last night I knew he was flexible, but that was incredible.
 
"Uhh.. I think I hurt something important." Bry's voice squeaked out his pain.
 
I reached out with my senses and found we were alone. I crawled over to where he lay and curled around him. "Thank you."
 
I pushed my love and healing through him. I felt his body relax into mine and his breath slowed.
 
"It should be safe now. I don't sense anyone else in the house." I pushed my nose into the silky blond hair at the nape of his neck and gave a small peck.
 
Bry turned back to me and gave me a quick kiss. "Thank you," and then he rose cautiously to his feet. He seemed to be worried about impending pain, but none came. He left me and returned with a broom, dustpan, and a small garbage bag.
 
"You clean, I'll get my things." Bry handed me the broom and dustpan and bounded down the steps to his room into the descending dark of the basement.
 
I swept up the charred remains of our attacker, and watched as Bry rushed back and forth taking his things from the basement to his car. He went back down the stairs and, finally, climbed back up from the darkness. His final climb from the stairs was slow and quiet. I could feel the hollow of his heart ache. I finished spooning the rest of our attacker into the trash bag and paused to watch Bry walk slowly past, carrying a picture frame as though it were a lost treasure.
 
I put the broom and dustpan by the counter and leaned against the counter top. A few moments passed and I was going to go check on him when he entered, nearly ripping the screen door from its hinges. He stared at the floor as his blond hair hid his expression. He took a couple of slow steps forward and stopped. His shoulders and head were dropped as if he had been beaten by life and left defeated. His head hung low and his shoulders rounded against the weight of his arms as he stood before me. I could feel the anger pouring from him.
 
"What if they had been here, Ty." He spoke the words quietly. "They would have been killed." The usual amber tones of his voice had become hollow and stern. I knew he didn't want an answer. In that instant, I also knew he blamed me.
 
"Then they would have died. If we hadn't met, you would be dead, too. Don't fill your world with 'what ifs' Bry. You're Druid. Whether or not we ever met, you would still be that. Had we never met, you and your previous 'family' would now be dead." I didn't hide the anger behind my words. I couldn't help it. I spat out the venomous words and felt each bruise him with their attack. "So, before you blame me for this, think about that."
 
I threw the broom and dustpan to the floor, walked past him, and out the door. I let it slam against the wooden frame as I headed down the driveway toward the street.
 
TBC