Page 1 of The Dire Legacy

Chapter 1

Michael

My mother killed my father before I was born.

At least, that’s what I’ve been told.

But, I think a piece of him still lives in me.

The stares I learn to avoid. The comments are harder, they don’t realize I can hear better than them.

I am a monster, as far as they’re concerned.

Being born with toxic blood alienates everyone. When you have the ability to hurt someone with just a touch, they tend to give you a wide berth.

“Michael, I have to go check on one of the dairy cows. She’s supposed to calve soon. Want to come with me?” Angie gives me a lopsided grin as she walks past me in the commons.

Her blonde ponytail bounces with each step and slides over her shoulder as she looks back at me. “Well?”

She’s the only one who lets me near.

“Yea, sure. I’ll watch.” My fingers close into fists out of habit to make sure my gloves are still firmly on.

Purposefully letting her lead, I enjoy the show of watching her round ass cheeks as they move in her jeans. It makes the trip to the barn seem too short and my pants too tight.

“My dad said there’s a supply plane coming in next week, so they need volunteers to clear the runway. Want to get out of prison for a while?” Her blue eyes flicker my way as she raises an eyebrow.

I hate this prison. Hell yea, I’ll take any chance to get outside I can.

“Will your dad be there?” Sam is a hard ass. He’s the closest thing I have to a dad myself, but it doesn’t mean I like him much. I always feel like he’s watching me too closely.

“Not this time. Mom’s getting ready to pop again, so he’s staying home.” Angie sheds her denim jacket and sits on a bale of straw. A snug green button up shirt hugs her curves, offering a sneaking glimpse of the white of her bra through a fold in the fabric.

The urge to tear her shirt off and taste what she hides gnaws at me.

Trying to distract myself, I wander to the gate and glance in on the animal we came to check on.

With a heaving belch of acrid breath, the cow settles into her bedding and resumes chewing her cud. It doesn’t look like she’s having a calf anytime soon.

“How many kids does that make? Your mom is like one of those queen ants in a colony.” I try to dodge the handful of chaff she slings at me, but it still lodges in my hair and itches down my collar.

“Ha. Ha. This makes eighteen. Dad says they have to do their part to repopulate this corner of the world. I guess it helps that they aren’t aging as quickly as normies.” Her petulant pink lip sticks out in a pout, but her blue eyes sparkle as she fights a smile.

My fingers twitch wanting to squeeze her cheeks and pull her face to mine, but I ruffle the short hairs on the back of my head instead.

The damned burrs from the straw she threw are working their way down my neck. Tossing my jacket near hers over the fence panel, I start billowing my tee shirt trying to work the irritating flakes away from my skin.

“Aw, are you sensitive?” Her laugh is throaty and she hops up to stand next to me, reaching her hand out.

I can’t let her touch me.

“No, I got it. I’m supposed to be on guard duty soon though. I just don’t want to be scratching all night.” As badly as I want her to help, I don’t want to risk hurting her.

“Mikey, come on. I’m sorry. Please? Let me help?” She’s the only one allowed to call me that since we’ve grown up together.

It melts me every time. Fine. Just this once.

So, I freeze and let her grab the bottom of my shirt and pull it over my head.

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