Jaden

I have to take this moment to say thank you to two of my favorite writers,(TwistedHilarity & kiik) I was in awe that they are reading this story. It pales in comparison to their work and I am so humbled and honored, I am inspired by writers like them and I hope I have done well. You cannot imagine my emotions when I read the reviews, it really does feed my soul and I look forward to it. I bow to your wonderful talent, I'm sure everyone knows your work by now if not readers you have got to look them up and be prepared to be amazed. I bow in gratitute and respect to all who have read and dropped me a line or two, I thank you all from my chinny chin chin to the bottom of my heart. And I look forward to more comments in the future.
Hope everyone enjoys the new update.


Chapter 13

(God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)

Light snow began to fall, Marcus watched from the window in his library. Soon the grounds would be covered in a white blanket. He could see dew form on the ground and on the branches of the trees, and depending how the light from the moon reflected on the ground and the surrounding trees it looked like his garden sparkled with tiny diamonds. He lost interest in the book he was reading and decided to check on Jaden. He walked down the stairs to the parlor, and then made his way towards the den. He could hear the sounds of the TV; Jaden would sometimes sit and watch but not really see anything.

They came home after leaving the package for Susan Cleary to find. Since then Jaden was very quiet, he would take long walks outside in the gardens with the ladies following nearby, or sometimes Marcus would find him sitting by the fireplace staring for hours. Once in awhile he would see Jaden lower his head and wipe at his eyes, Marcus guessed that he was crying and trying to hide it. He was still morning his loss over Lizzie. Trying not to interfere Marcus would step back and watch him; he was concerned that he would harm himself. Marcus thought it was silly to think that way, but he knew Jaden was feeling at a loss without Lizzie in his life. Marcus wished he could do something to help him, but had to force himself to allow Jaden time to heal.

Then there would be times that Jaden would seek him out, he could see the fear in his eyes as if the boy was being chased by demons. At times like this it pained Marcus to see him so frightened and not be able to explain why. Jaden would only ask if Marcus would hold him until he stopped feeling so afraid; sometimes he woke up crying from a nap and called for Marcus, his hands reaching up for him, pleading for Marcus to stay and not leave him alone. Marcus would embrace the boy in his arms until he stopped trembling and would be calm and quiet again. The boy clearly confused as to why he would be so afraid for no reason.

Marcus was not a psychologist, but over the years he has read many books on the subject. He had to wonder if Jaden’s fears could possibly be memories from what happened to him on the night he found him. He did want to eventually discuss that night with Jaden, but given his current situation he thought it would be best to wait while Jaden tried to deal with his loss of Lizzie. One unhappy memory was enough for Jaden to have to deal with for now, but he had to wonder why Jaden never said anything to him about it. Perhaps the boy really did not remember, or maybe he chose not too. In any case Marcus would not press the issue for now; he will wait and let time pass. He hoped that Jaden would come to trust him and be comfortable to talk to him about anything. And so it seemed that with each passing day it appeared that Jaden was at peace with being with him, they were very much becoming closer to each other.

Occasionally he would remind Jaden that he needed to feed, and would take him out and teach him how to hunt. Afterwards they would go for a walk and Marcus would talk to Jaden about rules that he would have to become familiar with, rules and the ways of vampires. There was much for Jaden to learn and so Marcus would tell him a little at a time so as not to overload his mind with so many details. Marcus was pleased with Jaden’s intelligence; he learned quickly and asked many questions. If anything else it helped to distract Jaden’s thoughts from Lizzie and the nightmares that plagued his sleep.

Marcus walked into the den to find Jaden sitting on the floor staring at the TV screen, his knees held up against his chest. Jaden sat there rocking back and forth, a nervous gesture Marcus noticed, Jaden sat like this curled up tight when he was worried. He approached Jaden and sat down on the floor behind him wrapping his arms around Jaden’s waist, moving him closer to his body. Jaden relaxed and let himself melt back against Marcus’s chest, letting his head rest on his shoulder. Marcus pressed a warm kiss on his neck. Then buried his face in his soft hair, he could never get tired of inhaling his clean scent and a hint of vanilla in his hair. One of the ladies Cindra, had come into the house and laid down between Jaden’s legs resting her big head on his thigh, she seemed to sense his sadness looking up at him with her ears down as if understanding and offered comfort. Jaden scratched behind her ears, Cindra stretched out and made herself at home, at first Jaden was afraid of the dogs, but now he loved them all.

They stayed like this, with only the light coming from the TV screen and the flames flickering in the fireplace, comfortable in each other’s warmth. Jaden closed his eyes while they listened to the news. The reporter spoke with practiced sadness in her voice, about an event that took place in a small Midwestern town.

“Susan Cleary Lancaster” said the reporter, shot her husband in the face when she found out that he was responsible for abusing her daughter, I believe the young girl’s name is Elizabeth Marie Cleary.” A photo was brought up of a sixteen-year-old Elizabeth in the background, long curly blond hair, deep blue eyes a picture of perfect health and so beautiful. “According to police, they responded to a call from a terrified woman, Susan Lancaster. She called 911, in distress and crying that her husband was trying to kill her.” The reporter stopped for emphasis, then continued, “Now Bill, I was told that when the police arrived at the women’s house they found Henry Lancaster her husband, with an 8 inch kitchen knife in his hands, dead on the dining room floor, it appeared that he tried to kill her when Mrs. Lancaster found out the truth about him.” Then Bill would interrupt the reporter for some stupid details, satisfied with the answers he asked her to go on. “Bill it’s a very sad situation here, I would need to confirm, but this reporter (meaning herself) did find out that Henry Lancaster is a sexual predator. It seems that his wife found all of his files in his private office, which he kept in the garage. The police are shocked, as they know the Lancaster family well when Elizabeth ran away from home about 3-4 years ago? Yes it was 4 years, and they have come to know them well. I was told by police Chief Rydell that he would not have any comments until his detectives have completed their investigation. But Bill this man raped and beat little girls, Susan Lancaster found pictures of her husband with her daughter, oh and Bill? Her daughter Lizzie as she was known by everyone is her daughter from a previous marriage. Susan Cleary was a widow when she met Henry Lancaster. It appears that she found out that Henry had been raping her daughter, and he filmed himself abusing this beautiful girl, (then she asked if the photo of a much younger Lizzie was up.) the child no older then 10 years old!” she also said that Susan found other photos of little girls Henry must have abused in the past.” The reporter stopped, pretending to wipe something from her eye, and went on to report that when Susan confronted her husband he became enraged and attacked her with the knife. It was fortunate that she found her husband’s gun and was able to defend herself. As the excited reporter went on to explain some of the gory details, Marcus watched as Susan was escorted by the Police chief, she was not handcuffed, instead the chief held her arm like an old friend comforting her, he escorted her to his car waving back the hoard of reporters in anger. Marcus knew no charges would be brought up against Susan, not after everything she exposed about Henry. Marcus was impressed with Susan’s cunning and bravery. After a series of endless commercials, the anchorman Bill then started to report the local news, when they heard the name Ebbe Dieter, both Jaden and Marcus agreed that was enough TV for this evening.

Jaden then turned in Marcus’s lap, kissed him on the cheek and let his head fall on his shoulder, one arm slipped under Marcus’s and the other rested on his chest. Marcus held him in his arms and his other hand wandered into Jaden’s hair lightly caressing, he let his chin rest on top of Jaden’s head smiling when he head the boy sigh peacefully. He was glad to be able to do this; it pleased him to know that Jaden found comfort and security in his arms.