| Chapter 5 "Brian, it's time to get up," Howie said, shaking him. Brian slowly opened his eyes, then sat up, rubbing his face. "Room service should be here in a minute. Go ahead and get your shower," Howie said, turning and leaving the room. Carefully Brian got out of bed, not wanting a repeat of yesterday morning. He made his way into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He bypassed the mirror and went straight for the shower. He still felt weak, but it was nothing like the day before. Maybe he did really have the flu and all this talk of vampires was uncalled for? He scoffed, shaking his head as the heat of the water warmed his chilled skin. As he soaped up, he noticed his wrist. The bruise was almost completely gone. He rinsed the suds off and stared at it. How could it heal so quickly, when the day before it was almost black? He glanced down at his chest, seeing the scar from his surgery. Normally he thought nothing of it, but this morning it looked different. Less prominent than before. Quickly Brian rinsed and turned off the water, grabbing a towel and drying off as he stepped out and to the mirror. It was fogged over, and he swiped it with the towel. His breath caught in his throat. The nasty bruise on his forehead was gone. He leaned closer to the mirror, just to make sure. Yup, gone. Then he stepped back and stared at his scar. It was definitely different. He ran a shaky hand through his wet curls and left the bathroom. He rummaged through his bag until he found some boxers and a pair of jeans. When he had put those on he stepped into the living room of his suite, "D, look at this." Howie turned his attention from the TV, "What?" Brian pointed to his forehead. Howie got up and walked over, "Wow, that healed fast." "Yeah, to fast, and this too," Brian said, showing him his wrist, "And my scar is different." Howie first looked at Brian's wrist, then his chest. Howie had never made it a point to look at Brian's scar, ever. He thought it was just rude to stare at it, even when Brian first showed it to the guys. It was something he avoided, pushing it aside as one of those things in life you just didn't discuss or look at. But even he could tell the difference. "Oh wow," he muttered. "Is this suppose to happen?" Brian asked, a worried expression on his face. Howie looked back up at him, "Well, vampires have an uncanny ability to heal quickly, so I guess so." "But you aren't sure?" Brian asked him, "I mean, isn't it to soon or something?" Howie shrugged, "Every vampire is different Brian. Maybe you're a fast turner or something?" Brian looked at the floor, "Oh that's just great." Howie wasn't sure what to say. Brian had such a lost expression on his face. The knock on the door made them both jump. Brian quickly ran into the bedroom, shutting the door, not wanting anyone to see what he'd discovered. Howie crossed the room and looked through the peep hole. He unlocked the door and let the man push the cart in. "Thanks," he said, "Just put it over there," he instructed. "Very well sir," the man said, leaving the cart next to the small table. Howie tipped him, then locked the door after him. "It's Ok Bri, you can come out," he said as he placed the covered dishes on the table. Brian peeked out the door, now with a t-shirt and shoes on. "It was just room service," Howie said. Brian came out and plopped down at the table, his head in his hands. Howie uncovered his plate for him, "Eat, we've got a long day." Brian looked up, scrunching his nose. Eggs sunny side up sat next to a rare steak. "Eww," he said. "I know, but you need it. Lord knows when we'll eat today, and even when we do, it'll be with the other guys," Howie noted. Brian sighed, picking up his fork and knife. Tears filled his eyes as he ate. It pained Howie to watch him, so he mostly stared at his plate or out the window. Brian managed to eat the entire steak, but not without shedding a few tears. He hated the taste ... and he hated the fact that he had to eat it. He hated what happened to him, and what was happening to him. Howie could see the emotion playing in his young friends eyes. "Brian? Don't break down, you can do this," he said. Brian glared at him, "I don't have a choice, do I?!" he snapped. Howie looked down, not being able to meet the anger in his blue orbs, "No I guess not." "I'm sorry D, I didn't mean to snap at you like that," Brian apologized. Howie shrugged it off, "It's Ok, but you gotta come to terms with this Brian. The faster you accept what's happening, the easier it's gonna be." Brian shook his head, "I can't accept this Howie. I can't. I can't be this thing I'm turning into." The word thing dripped off his tongue with so much hatred and loathing, Howie winced. "Brian, you will always be you. The kind hearted, fun loving Brian will still exist. You just have to make some life changes, that's all," he tried. "That's easy for you to say. This isn't happening to you," Brian replied. "You're right it's not, but I'm trying to help," Howie said. Brian ran his hand through his hair, "I know D, I'm sorry. I didn't ask for this, and I don't want it. I'm sorry I'm taking it out on you." Howie stood up, "It's alright. Anytime you need to vent, I'm here, but we gotta get moving." Brian looked at the clock, realizing they had to be downstairs in fifteen minutes. "Get your stuff together and I'll meet you downstairs," Howie said, walking to the door that connected their rooms. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kevin yawned as he walked up the steps of the bus and found a seat on one of the couches. A.J. peered over his sunglasses, "Late night?" Kevin nodded, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "And he told us not to stay out late," Nick whispered. "That's because you are still young and impressionable, and staying out late for you means one thing. You're doing something you aren't suppose to be," Kevin retorted, his eyes still closed. "And just what were you out doing?" A.J. asked. Kevin opened one eye and stared at him, "I was out on business. Someone has to look out for our careers." Nick leaned close to A.J., "Who appointed him the master of our universe? Cause I missed that vote." A.J. laughed, causing Kevin to look over at the two. They quieted down, Nick muttering a �sorry' for disturbing him. Howie and Brian boarded the bus, taking their seats. "How ya feeling?" Nick asked, looking at his friend. "Better," Brian said. "You look a hell of a lot better," A.J. said, staring at his head, "That healed up nice." Brian nodded, looking out the window as the bus moved into traffic. For a brief moment, he wished they had their own buses. But then he thought better of it. Being alone right now would not do him any good. He would only dwell on what was to come, and further depress himself. No, being here with his brothers was where he needed to be. Even though they didn't know what was happening to him, they still made him feel better. "You up for some Xbox?" Nick asked, nudging Brian from his thoughts. "Yeah sure, " he replied, following Nick to the back of the bus where the game was hooked up. Howie watched him until he was out of sight. "So, he's really feeling better?" Kevin asked, glancing over at Howie. "Yeah, I think he had one of those flu bugs or something," Howie answered. Kevin stared at him for a moment, making Howie shift in his seat. "K, wake me up when we get there," Kevin said, getting up and heading to his bunk in the middle of the bus. Howie breathed a sigh of relief, having dodged any more questions from Kevin. Kevin could be persistent on getting the truth out of you if he didn't believe you. Howie didn't want to have to go through that torture. He looked over seeing A.J. staring at him, a wide grin on his face. "What?" "I gotta tell you what me and Nick did last night," A.J. said excitedly. Howie raised an eyebrow, "Does it involve girls?" A.J. nodded vigorously. Howie chuckled, "Oh Lord, Ok tell me what happened," he said, knowing A.J's story would last well into the next city. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jennifer stood at the window watching the sun set. The club would be opening soon, and yet another night of her endless existence would go on just as all the others had. She sighed, running her hand through the last beams of sunlight coming through the window. "You're up early," Josiah said from behind her. Jennifer nodded, still staring out at the disappearing sun, "Couldn't sleep anymore." Josiah walked over to stand next to her. He glanced at the sun, squinting, then back at her face. Her green eyes seemed to be miles away, lost in a distant memory. "What's bothering you?" he asked, leaning against the wall, crossing his arms over his muscle bound chest. She looked up at him, straight into his dark eyes, "I didn't realize this the other night, but he's the one isn't he?" He nodded, "The mistress believes him to be, yes." She looked back out the window, "So that means it's starting again." He nodded, "You don't look happy about it." "I'm not," she admitted, moving to sit at a table. Josiah followed her, sitting across from her, "Why not? The council is outdated, it's time to take a stand." "But at what cost, Jo? You know what happened the last time," she argued. He shook his head, "Things went wrong. They won't this time, I know it." Jennifer glared at him, "And how do you know it?" "Because that boy is strong. Even before he was made one of us, he was stronger than any human I've come in contact with. Can you imagine what he'll be like when he reaches the fullness of his powers?" Josiah asked. "And what makes you think he's gonna do it? He struggled against her when she bit him, no one's ever done that. What makes you think he's gonna have anything to do with her, when he's strong enough to resist her?" she countered. "He won't resist her. He can't. He may struggle, but in the end, he'll do as she commands," he said, "They are bound by the blood. He won't be able to resist her." Jennifer sighed, playing with a strand of her hair, a sad look in her eyes. "I don't like this Jo. I've got a bad feeling," she said softly. He reached across the table and took her hands in his, causing her to look up at him. "I won't let anything happen to you, you know that. You are my child and I protect my family," he said. "I know that, but ......" she protested. He shook his head, "But nothing. Now stop worrying, it's not like you," he smiled. Jennifer rolled her eyes, as he got up, "Now come on, we have work to do." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian drug his bag down the hall. It had been a long day, starting out with the bus ride. Then the interviews. He was ready to fall into bed. He felt as if he could sleep for days. He found his room and swiped the key card, opening the door. "Bri, I'm right across the hall if you need anything," Howie said. "K," he replied, stepping into his room. "And Bri, eat," Howie reminded him. That was the last thing Brian wanted to do, but he nodded anyway, closing the door. He sat his bag on a chair and moved into the bedroom. Kicking his shoes off as he went he started to crawl into bed, but something caught his attention. Looking over he glimpsed the sun disappearing over the horizon through the balcony doors. Something about it seemed to capture him, and he went over, unlocking the door and stepping outside. The air was a little chilly, but he'd been cold all day, so it didn't matter. He stepped as close to the rail as he dared, still leaving several feet between them. Even after all these years, he still wasn't over his fear of heights. He watched as the colors changed in the sky. Going from yellows and oranges, to purple and dark blues, before settling on the darkness he feared so much. For to him the darkness of the sky, mirrored his life. He was thrown into this never ending darkness, with no way out. He moved to a lounge and sat down, staring up at the emerging stars. He wrapped his arms around him as the chill permeated his skin and reached his heart. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he pondered his plight. Everything he knew of vampires was evil. They were these blood sucking evil creatures that ruled the night. They couldn't look at a cross, and therefore couldn't stand God. They were opposites in every way possible. God was light and love and peace, and these creatures where darkness and evil. They might as well be Satan himself. "How can I become that?" he asked himself, tears dripping down his face. "God, please make this go away. Please let this be some nightmare. I-I can't turn into this thing, I just can't!" he prayed, sobs wracking his body. Brian looked at the moon, shoving the tears from his face with his hand, "Are you still there? Can you even hear me?!" he screamed. He stared at the sky, needing a sign. Something to show him that God still heard him, that He still cared. He found nothing. Brian's heart broke at the realization that maybe God wasn't listening to him anymore because he was changing into this creature. He quickly got up and went back into the bedroom, slamming the doors behind him. He threw himself on his bed, pulled a pillow to his chest and cried himself to sleep. Chapter 6 |