Morningstar: The Malaise - 24. Chapter 24 Facing Demons

Morningstar: The Malaise

Chapter 24

Kellar’s thoughts were racing as he returned to human form and grabbed his clothes from the ditch. Had he left any footprints? Wolf or human? There’d been no time to cover his tracks once he realized the hunter was closing in on him so determinedly. The area where he’d walked was mud free, but a good hunter could… his eyes caught Tobyn’s as he hurried toward the truck. The concerned expression gave him pause. It was a reminder he had to regain at least some of the calmness that had deserted him when he'd pictured his mate in potential danger. The blond man was safe, and his choice to leave had been the right one… the only one he could have made.

Climbing naked into the front seat, he instructed an anxious-looking Tobyn to turn around and head back the way they came. The rise in the highway should protect them from the view of the younger Reznik if he was searching.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll explain in a second. Everything’s okay, I swear. Just drive. I’m giving you my blessing to go as fast as you normally do.” He gave his mate a half-hearted smile while struggling to dress his large body in the limited space.

Complying immediately, Tobyn asked, “Did you see someone?”

“No… but I did hear someone, and I’m pretty sure it was the nephew. In fact I’m positive it was him.”

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah.”

“What happened?” Tobyn took Kellar at his word, and built up considerable speed.

“My senses are off the charts is what happened. There was elk scent everywhere, yet I was still able to smell the guy. I heard him first, and long before I normally would have. Tobyn… I think our joining might have saved my life. The bastard knew I was there, and from a good distance away. How in hell could he have known that?”

“I don’t know, but I’m thankful the joining made a difference. I had the window open, and my hearing is more acute than yesterday, for sure. Could he have heard you?”

“Not a chance. I didn’t make a sound. The only thing I can think off is he somehow has the ability to smell us. Maybe these hunters have their own special weapons against shifters?”

“Maybe… but then why couldn’t Reznik smell me yesterday? My scent was blowing straight at him.”

“That’s true. The elk scent?”

“It’s a possibility, I guess, but you just said the elk scent was all around there today, so he would have to have an amazing nose to pick you out.”

“Yeah, and it was strong… as if a lot had spilled on the ground. This is so confusing. All I can tell you is he knew I was there. The guy went from walking through the woods to stopping dead in his tracks… the next thing I knew, he was stalking me. He set down a steel trap and chain he was carrying, and unshouldered his gun. And, he did it from a long ways out, yet I could hear it. From the sound of the safety, it was a rifle. It sounded exactly like his uncle’s did when he clicked it off yesterday.”

“You know, I’ve often wondered how hunters find us… so many who’ve left have never come back, and I haven’t met a stupid wolf when it comes to safety. Off pack lands we’re always careful to the point of paranoia. It’s drilled into us, so how do they recognize a shifter and get close to them? You don’t suppose they could be some kind of shifter themselves, do you?”

“No way, Tobyn. Reznick was one-hundred per-cent human and so was this guy… unless they have some magic that hides their real colors, which I strongly doubt. And one of them got close to this stupid wolf yesterday.” Kellar stopped tying his shoe and sat back at the sudden reminder of his own reckless behavior.

“That’s different, and we both know it. You were messed up, and I understand what that was like. It would have happened to me too if one had been around when I took off the way I did. What I meant was… how do hunters even know where to look for us… especially when we used to travel around looking for our mates… and what tips them off that someone is a shifter?”

“Good question. It would be easy to say our kind out alone, asking questions as they searched, would draw attention, and maybe they know better than we do where all the pack lands are, but somehow that doesn’t explain it. You’re right. Wolves are smart… and cautious… we have to be, and there are no pack lands in this area. There has to be something more. Today proved that to me.”

“So what do we do now?”

“We’re almost at the cabin. We’ll stop long enough to grab our stuff, and then head to Morningstar like we planned, okay? I don’t want to hang around here any longer than we have to.”

“Good… me neither. What about the plates?”

“Plates? Oh yeah… there were bogus sets just like I thought. One set on top of another. It’s an old crew-cab Chev painted with camouflage. It looks more like a tank than a truck, so keep your eyes open. I don’t expect we’ll see it anytime soon… unless this nephew has already found his uncle. My guess would be they were working separately to cover more ground, because he was coming from the opposite direction.”

“Do you think he might have got to Fendral?” Tobyn looked stricken at the thought.

“No, I don’t. Old Reznik said himself he was a cagey wolf, and I certainly didn’t smell him around, which I think I would have if he had any contact with this new one. My guess is Fendral is wise to their tricks, and long gone from the area. I haven’t caught his scent since the day you cracked your skull open.” His attempt to make Tobyn smile worked like a charm.

“I’m never going to live that down, am I?”

“Nope. Face it. You fell for me… hard.”

Tobyn laughed outright, his worry appearing to disperse for the time being. “Yeah, I admit it… I did.”

“It’s okay. You might have been the only one bleeding, but you didn’t fall any harder than I did.”

The last time Kellar and Tobyn had traveled north on this highway, they'd stopped for lunch at the halfway point, and were once again sitting at the same small table in the little diner, facing the gas pumps. Kellar had wolfed down his sandwich and gulped his tea. He was nervous.

“I texted my mom when you were in the woods… just said I was fine and we were coming home today.”

“That was a good idea. She’s a worrier like you,” he said with a grin. “And that reminds me. I need to make a phone call.”

“Okay. Do you want to wait and call from the compound?”

“I was going to, but I’m getting a good signal here so I’d like to get this over with.”

“Suit yourself, doc.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me who I’m calling?”

Tobyn put down his soupspoon. “No, but I’ll listen if you want to talk.”

“Remember asking me if there was anything else you should know when I told you about Dane and Mace… and I asked if I could tell you about one thing later?”

“Yeah.”

“It has to do with that. There’s something I need to check out first. I’m going to go over to that picnic bench out there, and if I get through, I’ll explain everything.”

“You don’t have to… but if you want….”

“I want.”

Kellar held his breath as the call went through. On the fifth ring, it picked up. The sound of Karen’s voice brought back a quick rush of memories. She’d been the only mother figure he could remember having.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Karen. It’s me… Kellar.”

“Kellar? Is this some kind of joke? You don’t sound like him.”

“Well, my voice is probably deeper, but it’s me.”

“Oh goodness. Kellar, are you in trouble?”

Typical Karen. “No. Not at all. I’m doing really well. I own a place in Northern Ontario, and I have a good job.”

“So, you never went into the armed services?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Well, Don will be disappointed to hear that. Why are you calling after all this time? You left here rather abruptly without the decency to talk to us first, after all we did for you.”

Always the need to justify yourself with this woman. “I’m sorry about that, but I felt I had no choice with the tension between me and Warren.”

“Oh, don’t talk to me about Warren. That boy has been nothing but trouble since you took off to God knows where. Were you aware he was a drug addict… is that the reason you left?”

“No, I didn’t know that, but he didn’t treat me very well.”

“That’s because the devil has him, Kellar. He was having hallucinations of demons and creatures. That’s how far gone he was with drugs. He claimed you turned into a hairy beast and ran away. It’s been very trying for us. He just keeps lying. Don found drugs in his room right after you disappeared. Cocaine and marijuana, and he even admitted to a therapist he has done crystal meth. I hope you don’t do any of that stuff?”

“Oh, no. I’ve never done any of those things.”

“Well, that’s good. So why are you calling?”

“Actually, I wanted to just say hello, and maybe reach out to Warren. I never liked how we left things, and we’re older now. He’s the only brother I’ve ever had.” That sounded suspicious, even to him. With Karen, there was one thing that would work for sure. “My church preaches forgiveness as a key to the path. Is he there by any chance?”

“Oh, heavens no. We can’t have him here. We have beautiful little twin girls now. We’ve officially adopted them, and we cannot have Warren’s demonic influence anywhere near our precious angels. I’m so glad to hear you are still following the Lord’s teachings.”

“There is only one way, and that is God’s way, ma’am.”

“See what a good influence we were on you. We did His work with you.”

“Yes, you did, and I’m thankful to you and Don for showing me the importance of faith. So what has happened to Warren?” He had to bite his tongue and be satisfied with rolling his eyes at a conversation he never thought he’d ever have.

“What hasn’t? We sent him to a retreat, and we prayed for him, but it didn’t do any good. We tried professional help recommended by a doctor. He’s already failed rehab once, and now he’s back in again. The boy swears this time he’s changed, but we’ve heard it too many times. He wants to come back home, but we won’t have him here again. The facility has offered him a spot in a halfway house, so that’s the only option left. Don and I are washing our hands of him.”

“Wow. I had no idea. Is there a way to reach him?”

“Warren has a cell phone. I understand he’s allowed to accept calls now, because he’s being released tomorrow. We told him we’re not paying for his phone anymore, but there should still be some time left.”

“Do you think it would help if I gave him a call?”

“No, I don’t. I have lost all hope for that boy. He’s not my son anymore, and that may sound un-Christian of me, but I have Sarah and Ashley to look after now. They are my priority. Sometimes the devil has too strong a hold on the weak ones. It’s not like we haven’t tried. We’ve prayed for him every day.”

“I’m sure you’ve done all you could, ma’am. Do you think I could have his number? I’m not sure I’ll call him, but just in case.”

“That’s your choice. Just don’t let him fool you. Warren has turned away from God, and he’s capable of saying and doing anything now. It's the same number he’s always had.”

“Oh, okay. I still have that one in my directory.”

“Just be careful. He has a silver tongue and the devil’s guile. I have to go. I need to get the girls up from their nap. They have their music lessons this afternoon. I’ll tell Don you called. It was nice to hear from you.”

“You too….”

The click of the phone being hung up was a relief to Kellar. He shuddered at the sheer coldness underlying the conversation. It all came back to him. The Apsleys’ motivation for everything they did… always to impress their church’s congregation. Tossing Warren away like they were doing made him think maybe they’d kind of been in the same boat in some ways. Warren might have looked to him like the favored child, but had he felt that he was? Karen had a new focus, with those girls. He could envision them being paraded around, likely always spotlessly clean and dressed picture-perfect.

He’d avoided looking toward the window of the little eating area while talking to Karen, but he did so now. Even with the glare of the sun, he could see Tobyn distinctly. His vision kept improving in an astonishing fashion. The handsome man, sipping his coffee, was like a beacon, but he had one more call to make. When those hazel eyes caught his, Kellar smiled and gestured he’d be a little longer.

“Hello?”

“Warren?”

“Uh huh… who is this?”

“Kellar.”

“Kellar? Shit, man. I always knew I’d hear from you again.”

“Ah, you did?”

“Yeah, you haunt my fucking dreams. I broke our deal, man.”

“I figured you would.”

There was silence for a good ten seconds. “I don’t know what’s up, but can you do one thing for me?”

“Depends. What do you want me to do?”

“Tell me that I’m not fucking crazy… about… you know….”

“You’re not crazy, Warren. At least not about that.”

“So, it really did happen? I didn’t hallucinate like they keep telling me?”

Kellar was torn, but he figured he owed him some peace of mind. He’d been saddled with Karen and Don his entire life. “Yes, it did, but I’m not talking about it over the phone. Do you understand?”

“Oh yeah, right. Ah... I don’t know why you’re calling… maybe you’re pissed at me? I’ve… I’ve been pretty messed up.”

Kellar sighed. He never thought he’d see the day he’d feel sorry for the asshole. “I know… I talked to Karen.”

“No doubt she had lots to say." Bitterness came through loud and clear. "You know what, though? It’s all fucking true. I went off the deep end after you left. Hey, don’t get me wrong… I’m not saying it’s your fault… although I used that excuse in my head for a long time. I was weak, and drugs were easy. I guess you know where I am?”

“Uh huh. Did it work this time?”

“I swear to God it did, but it’s really hard once I get out of here. I go to a halfway house in the morning, and it’s so easy to score from there. I don’t want to, but my track record isn’t very good.”

“You have to take control of your own life.”

“Shit, dude. You sound like my counselor. He’s an annoying prick… but he’s pretty smart too. We’ll see. I’m gonna try, but I’m all alone. No one but my druggie friends want anything to do with me, and frankly, they’re all assholes. They’d stab anyone, me included, for a baggie or a line. My parents have written me off, and they’ll call the cops if I even go near their house. Maybe if I can get someone to hire me, I’ll be able to stay clean… stay away from the streets. Some parts of Moncton are pretty bad. Sorry for talking your ear off… why did you call me?”

“I need to ask you a question before we go any further. Do I still freak you out?”

“No.”

“No?”

“Look… it took me a long time… but you know when I said you haunt my dreams?”

“Yeah.”

“Well… that’s true, but you don’t scare me anymore. I finally realized you could've really hurt me, but you didn’t. And you didn’t come after me when I told people. Everyone thought I was crazy, but I did some research, and I found this crazy, fucking obscure website online where someone posted that they knew….”

“Careful.”

“Oh… right, so anyway… it’s not so bad if what the poster said was true. So, yeah, the answer is no. Why?”

“I might have a proposition for you.”

“What kind of proposition?”

“First of all, do you have someone special in your life? A girlfriend?”

“You’re kidding, right? I haven’t exactly been boyfriend material for a few years now. The only girls interested in losers are skanks, and all they really want are your drugs… so what’s the proposition?”

Kellar had expected to hear guards go up after the ongoing hell he’d obviously put this guy through, but that wasn't the case. What he did pick out in Warren's voice was genuine curiosity. He took a deep and uncertain breath. “What if you had a chance to have a new life in Northern Ontario with a good job, good people, and a great place to live?”

“Are the people like…?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Sign me up. I’d be safe, right?”

“Absolutely.”

There was more silence. “Why me, man? You should fucking hate me. I was a king-size prick to you.”

“You were, and I did. But some things are more important. We’re not kids anymore… I never thought I’d say this, but you were my brother for six years, and it looks like we’re all each other has in the way of family… however loosely we decide to define it.”

“And I never thought I’d hear that, certainly not from you, but you’re right. I’ve got no one. I’ll tell you now I used to resent the attention Mom and Dad gave you.”

“And I used to resent how they believed everything you said. You were the golden boy, and I was the pathetic add-on they showed off at church.”

“Golden boy? That’s funny. Look at me now. It wasn’t as good for me as you think it was, and they put on a front for you too, but it doesn’t matter now. Mom has her girls, and that’s all she wants. Ah, Kellar? I don’t have a car anymore, and not enough money to get all the way to Ontario.”

“I figured that. I’ll buy you a train ticket to a station in my area, and we can meet and talk.”

“Meet and talk? So… we’re not talking about a done deal?”

“No… yeah, meet and talk. I need to be convinced you can be trusted, Warren. I can’t let you hurt my friends, so if you’re not going to work out, I’ll pay for your trip back.”

“We’re talking about a job interview then?”

“More like a brother interview. We’ll see if we both want the same things and go from there. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like hope. I didn’t have any, ten minutes ago. So, yeah, a brother interview works for me. When and how?”

“I’ll try to get a ticket for tomorrow… and I’m pretty sure you can pick it up at the train station in Moncton. Do you have all your ID?”

“Yeah, and everything I own will fit in one bag; tomorrow sounds great. They release me at eight in the morning, so any time after that, I’m free to go.”

“And you’ll stay clean and sober?”

“You have my word, Kellar.”

“Please don’t make me regret this. Oh, I need your email. Do you have access to a computer?”

“Yeah, we have a couple in the common room.” He proceeded to give the address to Kellar, which again, like his phone number, turned out to be the one he already knew. “I still don’t understand why you’re doing this… oh, my minute warning sounded… I should go before I use them all up.”

“Okay… I’ll contact you later today, by email. And Warren, I’ll explain it all when you get here. I have my reasons.”

“Fair enough. I trust you. Thank you for doing this, dude. This must be really weird for you too, but I promise I won’t let you down. Not to be all dramatic and shit, but I feel like you’re saving me, and I am going to pass your interview.”

Kellar hung up with those words ringing in his head. How much stock could he put in the promise of a drug addict? There was nothing about Warren he used to like. He put his head down, staring at ants moving in a straight line with some sort of purpose. He had to remember his own. It was about strengthening the pack, not his long-gone childhood. He took his time looking up when he heard the diner door’s opening chimes, knowing it was his mate.

“Are you all right?”

Kellar tried, but couldn’t smile. “I just talked to my foster-brother. He gets out of drug rehab tomorrow, and I offered to buy him a train ticket to here so he could get a new start. I think I should have talked to you first.”

“Why?” Tobyn sat down beside him. “You don’t need to talk to me about what you want to do for your brother.”

“Foster-brother.”

“Sorry… foster-brother. Why would you think you should have? I think it’s great you want to help him.”

“Yeah, well… I uh, I offered him a job and a place to live. I was thinking he could work at the compound if we feel we can trust him.”

“Oh… I don’t know about that, but we can find him something in the area. You know we don’t hire humans at the camp, doc, and we could never have one living there.”

“Even if he’s Adelin’s earth mate?”

“What?”

“Their patterns match. I saw it when I first met her, but I didn’t know what it meant at the time. Warren Apsley, messed-up asshole extraordinaire, is that sweet girl’s mate.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah… fuck. The earth mother must have one weird sense of humor.”