Page 87 of Darkness

“Have you met yourself?” Again they all throw a comment or two my way. Ignoring them I turn back to Lincoln who has a smile plastered on his face.

“Like them, I’m happy to punch the smile off your face too. Now carry on.” I take the beer from Hayden, how can my head be hurting with the amount of pain medication Doc has given me,

“Rowan was at the shop, Autumn has been here the whole time.” Lincoln stops when Aunt Jane stands in front of me.

“I know you need to talk, but we need to eat. Autumn and I will get something ready.” She places her hand on my cheek with a smile, then kisses the other cheek. They both walk over to the kitchen, and I watch Autumn for a moment, and I hope now Lincoln will tell me what's happening with her.

“She’s not sleeping, every time she closes her eyes, the night replays in her head.” I turn back to Lincoln, and the boys. “She fell asleep, but woke up scared to the point she was shaking, I think it was about thirty minutes, if that.” He looks over at Autumn smiling. “It’s the first time she looks like her normal self. Crazy, but I’ve missed her rambling.”

“She watches a lot of crap on T.V.” Mason laughs.

“Rowan called the shop, and he's been there every day. He might even call again. He didn’t say much, just that he will get her back, but before you freak out she’s been here, and hasn’t left. There’s been nothing from Yang, no movement, he’s not even left his apartment.” Lincoln finishes what he’s saying.

I take a slow sip of my cold beer, the sharp, rich mixed with sweet sits on my tongue. I instinctively move to the window, my eyes scanning the area where the bullet had pierced my skin. My gaze travels up the side of the building across the road, searching for any signs of movement or danger. He might wait for me to wake up and walk around, ready to tell Yang I’m not dead. He must have been on the roof, watching me with his finger on the trigger. But the burning question is, how long had he been watching my every move? Was it days, weeks, months? I let my guard down, and it sends shivers down my spine as I continue to look over the rooftop.

“Miles check the CCTV footage for the roof, see how long he was watching me?” There is silence, telling me he’s already done it. “How long was he watching me?”

“Two weeks.” Miles' voice hits my ears, and I look up at the roof, the bastard was waiting until I let my guard down that night.

“Cain?”

“Yeah?” I turn back to Lincoln.

“What's the plan?” All eyes are on me, even Aunt Jane’s, and Autumn’s from the kitchen. Everyone in this room is my family, and I know, no matter what, they will protect Autumn from anything that comes her way. But what Yang wants they can’t help me with.

“Two choices, not give Yang what he wants, and wait for the next attack, or give him what he wants and end this all.” My eyes lock with Lincoln because he knows what Yang is capable of, and how hard I’m going to have to fight.

“And we’ll fight together,” Uncle David is the first to talk, but my silence already answers the question he wants to ask. “You’ll have to fight alone.”

Finishing my beer, I place it on the table, giving myself a moment. “Let’s see what he wants first. Lincoln, Hayden, Uncle, and Mason you’re with me. Miles, Declan you good to watch over Autumn?” They both nod, and I look over at Autumn hoping to give her some reassurance that everything will be fine. “Hayden, can I have a word?” I ask walking outside to the balcony, and he follows. I wasn’t really giving him a choice but to follow me.

“They made me go to the sixth floor,” Hayden quickly tells me as the door closes behind him, and I roll my eyes. They know I don’t say anything to them about going up there, but they need to ask before they go. Hayden leans on the wall behind him, placing one foot on the wall.

Opening up and expressing myself has never been my strong suit, especially with my family, but it's time Hayden knows just how much he means to me, and saying thank you to him for everything is a good start. I rack my brain for the words, but I’m coming up empty.

Placing my hand on my wound, I start feeling the pain hitting me.

“Cain-”

“Hayden, I’ve never said thank you to you. You were there for Tess, when I couldn’t be. No matter what happens you will always be there for me, and I’ve never said thank you.”

“And I never wanted you to. You’re my brother, it might have taken you some time to realize it, but we’re family. No matter the time, the place, the situation I will always be there. Like I know you would for me.”

“You wouldn’t even have to finish the sentence. I’ll kill whoever you want.” My reply makes Hayden laugh,

“You said I love you today, but killing someone is still what you’re thinking about.” Hayden shakes his head and pushes himself off the wall and stands in front of me. “Don’t push us away now.”

I look over his shoulder at everyone standing in the kitchen. “I don’t think I could get rid of you guys even if I wanted to,” I joke, and Hayden laughs agreeing with me.

Tonight the fight continues, but it will end soon.

Thirty-One

Cain

I should have listenedto everybody when they said, give it a day before I go to see Yang. They kept kept telling me I’d just woken up.

Did I listen? No.

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