The Obdurate Avidity

Chapter 20

 

By TurtleBoy

 


          The tone in his voice was scratchy and muffled, my heart sank when he spoke.  I could feel his heart pound against my chest while his body trembled against me.  Tears welled in my eyes streaming down my cheeks onto his head.  There weren’t any comforting words to be told, nothing could make this seem better.  It was scary; like finding out you’re dying of some kind of terminal disease.  Except in this case, the turn out was much more unpredictable and as far as I could tell, destructive.  The only comfort I found was being against my love once again, wrapped in his arms, smelling; not too fruity not too perfumey.


            The sky travelled slowly, with clouds lazily passing by.  The sun was hot the breeze was subtle.  I could hear the birds chirping assuring me that everything was alright.  I think James was taking comfort as well, his panicked state seemed to be decreasing, and the sobs were now only the occasional sniffle.  His arms still around me, I could sense the end of our embrace reach over us.


“I’m scared too.  But, let’s take this one step at a time.  We should start to the library I’m sure there will be some answers there.”  I suggested quietly.


“Adrian…”  He broke our hold looking me directly in the eyes with those beautiful blue eyes of his.


“Yea?”  I replied in concern noting his tone to be as serious as it gets.


“You said… you said you changed to a… Monster.  Did uh, did it hurt?”


“Uh… yea.  It hurt.”  Is all I could think to reply.


“Lots?”


“It’s hard to explain really.  At first it hurts so much you can’t even cry or scream.  Like your bones are being crushed and growing at the same time.  The weirdest thing was, once the pain reached its worst, I started to like it.”


“Like it?  Is that even possible?”


“I told you it was hard to explain.  When I change, it’s like something inside of me takes control, I’m not me anymore.  But I am, I know what’s happening, I control what I do… Just you don’t think before you do stuff.  But, what ever this thing is, makes you want more.”


“That’s confusing.”  His eyes drew to the ground as we began to walk towards the library.


“Tell me about it.  You know the weirdest thing is, I find it exciting.  Is that wrong?”  I almost dreaded his reply.


“I’m not sure really.  But there is definitely some form of excitement that I’m feeling.  Just can’t place the right word for it.  I think it’s more scared than anything.”


“I hear that.  I’m so, SO sorry you were dragged into this.”  Probably the worst apology ever…


“Adrian, you know… I’m pretty sure none of this is your fault.  It’s not like you asked for any of this to happen.”  James assured me, of course it still wasn’t all that comforting.


“You’re probably right, but that doesn’t change the possibility that I may have given it to you.”


“It’s not an S.T.I. Adrian, besides, what sickness can you pass to someone that leaves a symbol somewhere on their anatomy?  Seriously, there is something a lot more powerful at play here.”


“This town is so messed up.  Wow, no wonder no one put it on the map.”  I added.


“Heh, very true.  But it sure does make life a whole lot more interesting.”  James half giggled.


“Not quite the word I was thinking of…”  I trailed off as the library came into view.


            Entering the old building, there was pretty much no one else there.  Maybe three people studying… Or pretending to study, and the librarian.  James and I, for some reason felt the need to pretend to browse before accidentally finding our way to the back section of the building where all the towns history and folklore was.


            It was unbelievable the amount of legends, historic books, and town secrets that had found their way to these shelves.  Everything was dusty and un-kept.  Like the Librarian was hoping the dust would consume these secrets forever.  Every newspaper, book, and album had some form of other world like happening in it.  From every missing person to every animal attack, this place had vitalities and unsolved mysteries that would put the largest city to second place.  With every story, a half assed attempt at a cover up had been placed.  An eleven year old girl went missing only to turn up 15 years later at the exact same age she was when she disappeared.  The story said, missing woman discovered alive during a visit from her child.  Bullshit!  I saw the pictures, it was the exact same girl, same night gown and everything!  Oh! And the graves that had been robbed, corpse’s yet to be found…  Fifteen, ten year old boys slaughtered in a freak accident within the monastery.  Geeze, why does this place have a monastery?  Rabid wolf attacks child… attacks farmer… attacks English teacher.  The list went on and on.  Fire kills priest, authorities blame the wiring.


            James was glancing through some big brown old book.  He was completely gone from the real world.  He seemed fascinated.  When I leaned in to read over his shoulder, I found the book to be about the monks that founded the town.  His eyes were glued to this one section where small illustrations were etched into the pages.  His hand on one page right next to one of these drawings.  That was it!  That was the symbol I saw on James!


“James! That’s…”


“Adrian… your back.  It’s the mark of the Lycan, but you knew that huh…” His voice trailed off.


“Are you sure?”


“Positive, it looks just like this.”  He pointed to the sketch on the paper.


“What does it mean?  Is there a cure?”


“It doesn’t say, it just says it’s a creature of a Therion monk.”


“What’s a Therion?”  I felt confused and frustrated.


“Umm, kinda like a Lycan, it doesn’t explain too much, just says it translates as Beast Man.”  He explained equally frustrated.


“The one I saw on you, the one above the Lycan, that’s it.”  I gestured my finger towards it.


“Belial.”  Was all he said.


“Descended from the Monk of Belial.  A demon of fire… minion of The Belial Prince of Hell…”


“Without worth, evil…”


“What?”  I failed to see the relevance.


“In religion, Balial… Translates to Without worth.”  His tone seemed hurt.


“Hey… James, this has nothing to do with you.  It definitely doesn’t mean you’re worthless.  I above anyone know that to be a fact.  I love you, that is not worthless.”


“What does all this mean?  Am I gonna burst into flames and torch down my house?”


“We don’t know for sure if it means anything.  And I really doubt anything like that can happen.”  I was sure the uncertainty showed through my tone.


“You’re probably right, at least I hope you are.  This is all just so messed up.  My boyfriends a werewolf, and I’m slowly burning inside.”  He said it sarcastically, but he meant it seriously.


“We should probably do more research on what ever it is you have.  That will tell us more…” I paused as I remembered the other night, “Hey!  Wait! Last night! I changed, and got attacked by some guy, he was covered in flames but had the form of a man.  Maybe that’s what you are!  If that is, it’s pretty awesome!”


“Awesome?”


“Oh come on, there are worst things.  This guy was definitely in control, he only burnt things he wanted to.  And that probably means you’re immune to fire!  Like never get hot!  And be crazy awesome looking!”  I wasn’t sure what triggered this, but all of a sudden I was excited.  Kinda like I wasn’t alone anymore.


“I guess, but… it still freaks me out.  I mean… I’m not a big fan of pain, and I like how I am now.  I don’t want to be an even bigger outcast!”  He seemed deeply concerned, how was I supposed to comfort him in a situation like this?


“Well let’s just take things as they come, I mean worst case scenario you burst into flames and I toss you in the tub.”  That seemed to get a smirk out of him.


“Hehe, ok, so I might be over reacting a bit… I think.”


“It’s not over reacting, I’m honestly petrified with all this.  But if we let it consume us, than we will be miserable, I’m not gonna let that happen.  There’s too much good between us.  Besides, we can use this.  If we could control this… imagine the things we can do.”  My words kind of scared me a little.  The realization that maybe what I was saying was encouraged by what ever was in me trying to take control.


“Slow down! Hehe we don’t even know if that’s possible.  I mean, power consumes people.  Does weird things to them no matter who they are.  I think we should try to avoid that side as much as possible, and work on controlling it only if we have too.”


“Heh, you’re right.  It’s just I’ve lived it.  It feels so great, I can’t even describe what it’s like.  It’s like… I don’t know… like you’re living a movie.  Things that can only happen in your dreams are in real life…  Wow, I better calm down I’m gonna pass out hehe.”  I held my chest and leaned back in my chair.


“You can be a real freak sometimes.” James joked, which relieved me.


“It literally takes one to know one!”  I tossed back.


“Oh! Really!”  He chucked a book at me lightly.


“GAH!!! Careful! Those things are old!”  I smiled.


“I don’t think anyone cares.  We seem to be the only people to come back here for years.”


“Yea true, that’s weird.  This is like the most interesting place in this stinky library.”  I agreed.


“Stinky?”  James smiled with confustion.


“Yea, it smells like rotten mothballs and old people sweat.”


“What!! HAHAHAHAhaHA hahaHAHaHAHa Where do you even come up with these things!?”  The expression on his face was amazing; I hadn’t seen him that happy in a long time.


“Just an obscure talent I guess.”  I smiled at him.


“You wanna get some Ice cream?  I’m sick of this place.”  James suggested.


“Actually, yea!  That’s a good idea.”


            That was probably the best idea ever, we had been through so much, and done so little together that we, more than anything, needed to just forget about all this bullshit going on and live our lives.  Well not forget about it, just, push it back.  I mean, here I was trying to gain control of this, when all I was really doing was giving in and letting it control me.  I knew I loved James for more than his sexyness and wonderful self…


            We put all the books and papers back to where we found them; well mostly anyway, then quietly exited the stinky building.  The streets were always so empty here.  The odd couple of people quietly grabbing things they needed, then scurrying back home.  The only friendly face in town was the owner of the Ice cream shop.  He didn’t seem to belong here.  He was always smiling, always friendly, and never shut up.  The complete opposite of the kids here, they were all quiet and scary paying no attention to us new comers.  But since meeting James that didn’t seem like such a big deal, it gave us more privacy.  We probably got a bad rep as our last friend got beheaded… Perfectly understandable.


“Hey boys! What Can I get for yea?” Asked the chubby man with a smile.


“Ummmm, hmm…  I think I want a choco chunky chip, double scoop on a waffle cone.”  I decided.


“Wow,” James smiled at me, “Uh, I think I’ll get hrrrmmm…  chocolate dip.”  He didn’t seem too satisfied with that decision, but stuck with it.


“Alrighty comin’ up fellers.”  He nodded while he quickly went to work.  Only moments later he was back with the cones and asking for money… what nerve! Hehe, “$3.25 good sirs.”


            I paid the man, as James smiled and waited by the door to go sit outside.  As soon as we sat down our ice cream had already decided to do the melting process.  Struggling to savor every last dribble, our tongues rapidly lapped up and down the cones causing them to become dangerously soggy.  James was covered in ice cream from the tip of his nose to the bottom of his chin, a couple drops even made it to his shirt.  His smile of defeat was so cute.


“Hmmm, maybe next time I’ll go hard.”  He remarked.


“WHAT?!!  HAHhahaHAHAHAa I think I could go for that too!”  I grinned and chuckled.


“OH! HEHE Shut up!” He stated sarcastically going a nice shade of red.


“You said it not me!  What’s on your mind huh?  Perve!”


“That I have ice cream squirting at my face and it’s rather drippy and annoying.”  He explained followed by a chuckle.


“I dunno, I think you’re just subconsciously dirty.” I teased.


“That is probably true, but that was an innocent remark and you sullied it!”  He whipped while nudging my shoulder and finishing his cone.


“You’re so cute when you’re covered in cream…”  Quickly backing up, I just barely dodged James physical retort.


“So whatcha wanna do now?”  He questioned.


“No idea.  I don’t think I’m quite ready to go home yet though, how about you?”  I replied still smiling.


“Same, I’ve had enough of home for a while.  Wanna walk up to the Sanctuary?”  A mischievous grin crossed his face.


“Hmmm, Only if you promise not to go all epileptic on me this time.”  With a bit of concern he shuffled in his seat.


“I think I have a bit more control over this thing now, think you can handle it?  Or is the idea just too stupid?”  Feeling uncertainty overwhelm me.


“Given how things have been going lately, I think it would be worth checking out.”  He replied in reassurance.


“Guess it’s settled than, off to the Sanctuary.”


“Hi ho?”  He smiled.


“Hi ho!”  I jumped from my chair and began to walk in an unknown direction.


“Adrian… It’s uh… This way.”  James smiled walking to the right of me.


“I knew that I swear, I was just making sure you were paying attention.”  Yea… that was believable.


“Uh huh… Right.”  James nodded as he walked ahead of me.


“So you never said before, when is your birthday?  I remember you saying it was in August, but you never said the day.”  I asked.


“August 14th, what about you?”


“I’m May 28th, I can’t believe we hadn’t told each other this before.”  I remarked, disappointed in myself, “That means your Birthday’s coming up soon!”


“Yup another week and a half.  It’s no ones fault, you spent so much time in the hospital, and so many other things have happened, it just hasn’t come up yet.”   James explained.


“True, guess we haven’t had the normal relationship huh.”  I returned.


“Hell no, but it really puts some punch in the day.  Every one of them is different with you.  And I’m quite impressed, you haven’t blacked out or gone into convulsions yet…”  He joked, watching for my reaction.


“I’m holding off, timing is everything you know.”  I giggled.


“Well, I think this time I’ll just let you do your thing.  I’m sick of carrying you back home all the time.”


“Oh really?  Well FINE!  I didn’t want you to anyway!”  I joked.


“You’ll take it back once it actually happens.”  A smile crossed his face again.


“Well you’re in for a surprise, cause it’s not gonna happen.”  I assured him.


“Oh really?  We’ll just see about that….  Things just wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t.”


“I’m not the same anymore, I’ve changed a lot the past month.  And a little bit more than any puberty crap can come up with.”


            The trees were closing in on us more and more with every step we took.  The town was long out of site, we were probably closer to the sanctuary now.  The sky seemed to be a little darker now, and the birds that once chirped and rustled in the trees had vanished just barely echoing in the back ground.  I could see James once smiley face become blank yet concentrated.  He looked so different, not the James I knew.  There was a strange smell in the air, kinda like sulfur.  I could see sweat dripping across James face, which was weird, I didn’t find it too hot with all the shade.  I could see a large shadowy object off in the distance.  That must be it!  God it’s huge!


            A tall wide castle like structure grew with every step we took becoming more and more detailed and real to the eye.  I could feel my heart speeding up, but I quickly wrote that off as excitement… or anxiety whichever, sometimes they’re hard to differentiate.  The leaves on the trees seemed to be fading away, almost non-existent. The bark was drenched in blacks and grays.  There didn’t seem to be any form of life here.  Scattered twigs and burnt soil.  Like someone had burnt the place down, only to miss horribly…  Maybe that was what I had smelt.  We were only yards away from the building now, I could see the massive wooden carved doors just beyond a wide set of steps.  The architecture that had been put into this place was remarkable.  Not one stone was placed wrong, nor was any detail compromised.  So weird besides the dirty windows it looked like this place had just finished construction.


            Climbing the seven steps to the doors which stood a good 12 feet tall at least; I reached for the iron ring that was bulled to the door and gave it a heavy pull.  To my amazement the door easily swung open and would have done so with out any effort.  The inside glowed a subtle orange light.  But the source of this light couldn’t be found.  James was close beside me, almost cuddling my back.


“You feeling okay?”  I asked in concern.


“Yea, it’s just a little hot that’s all.”  He explained.


“Huh, I didn’t notice.”


“Yea, but you’re not normal, remember?”  He teased.


“This place is amazing.  I thought it would be a pile of rubble.”  I remarked.


“Same, it’s still got that new house smell hehe.”


“Well… where do we go from here?”  I questioned feeling lost.


“Ummmm, dunno….  I hadn’t thought too much past this.  Haven’t actually been this close before.”  He admitted.


“I thought you said you had.”  I was certain.


“Yea… I lied heh, walked towards it a bunch of times, but always chickened out a little more than half way here.”


“GAH!  You little butthead hehe.”  I scolded.


“Sorry, I just really wanted to come here… Thought it would be better to fib about it.  Give you a little extra courage….”  James stopped in his tracks, I could see his body tremble slightly.  His face grew pale and the sweat increased, I could literally see the beads of moisture exit his pores.


“James!?  Are you okay?  What’s going on?”  I felt myself panic.


“I… ei… I don’t…. know.”  He forced out, as his body grew stiff.


“You’re scaring me!”  Was all I could think to say.


“It’s really hot…”  He seemed to be in shock.


“Come on let’s go!”  I grabbed hold of his arm only to be thrown backwards to the ground.

 
            In shock I looked back at him still standing there.  There was a strange wave like aura slowly escaping him, exactly like what happened to asphalt on a hot humid day.  The room stunk of that smell of sulfur.  My hands hurt, like the flesh had been torn right off of them.  When I looked; they were bloody and blistered.  My heart dropped then leaped to my throat.  I panicked feeling the room spin, it really was getting hotter in here.  As the pain became more real to my unknowing body, I began to feel my blood pumping faster, and my heart racing.  The room started to become that familiar reddened tinge.  James remained still, but the steamy substance around him was now a deepened blue growing with every second.  Across the long corridor; blackness was clouding over its walls consuming it like a thick smoke.  My hands were tingly with a strange stinging sensation.  When I looked the skin was peeling and the blisters were now falling flakes of ash.  The liquid dripped off of me as my veins became larger and darker.  The stinging began to fade being replaced with a strange feeling; as if my skin was being stretched.  With a quick look up toward James and back again to my hands, they were healed.  My surrounding were becoming a deeper red, as I felt my body begin to ache I could only think to do one thing…

 

“JAMES!!! RUN!!!”




Chapter 21