The Wanderer (Book #2)

Chapter 15

SAM'S POINT OF VIEW

Rage called me, Asher, and Cody into the room to talk.

It was confusing since I really didn't know why. After we slept together for the first time he just up and left the room after getting some clothes on. Now God knew what he wanted to talk about.

I walked in the room with my brother and Cody. Rage was sitting at a desk drawing something out on a paper. I coughed to announce we were here and Rage slowly turned in his seat.

It hurt to see how much pain he was in. I couldn't believe he was dying. It just wasn't what seemed possible and also I didn't want to believe it.

Yet again though, if you saw Rage you'd immediately see what I saw. Dark shadows were under his eyes and he did everything with a certain slowness that only meant he was in pain but didn't want to show.

He looked up at us and smiled weakly, "You came..."

I smiled a bit and knelt next to him taking his pale hand in mine, "Yeah we did. You called us, you're our leader."

He cracked a smile but then looked back up at Ash and Cody who had sat down, "I have to do something..."

Cody leaned forward in his chair gazing at Rage while Ash looked at me and Rage sadly, "Planning what?" Cody asked.

Rage weakly took the pistol that was on the desk, "Natasha...Stabbed me. She's the reason I'm like this right now. So is Avory. I...I'm dying. I think you can all see that." He broke into a coughing fit and brought a cup under his mouth spitting blood and saliva into it then continued, "As long as they live...You'll all be in danger." Noticing Cody's and Ash's perplexed expressions he went on, "What I'm getting at is...We have to take the offensive. For the first and last time. We have to kill both Avory and Natasha to ensure they never go after any of you again. I...I probably won't survive. If I have to, I'll go alone. You've been with me for so much that I don't want you to feel you have to go one more time."

Asher cut him off, "Of course we will follow you Rage. You have saved us more than once, avenged me, and you're my sister's boyfriend. I'll follow to the end of the line."

Cody raised his hand, "I agree with Ash. I'm with you Rage. I always will be." By the ways we all looked at him he amended, "Not as in a relationship though."

I smiled softly at Rage, "And I too, will follow you."

Rage gazed at us all and I couldn't tell whether he was ready to break down or if he wanted to get angry. Then he let out a hoarse laugh, "Thank you. I promise you, I will fight to my last breath to protect you. You are the last family I have. And I will not lose you. Not one of you."

Cody and Ash stood up, "When do we go?" Asked Ash.

"Tomorrow at midnight." Rage responded.

They simple nodded then walked out leaving me alone with Rage.

"You really think you're dying?" I asked quietly.

He regarded me silently then tilted my chin up to him so I was looking him in the eye, "I don't. I know. But I...I know I can't stop it. No one is immortal. I love you Sam. I wish we could have more time together but we can't." With that he brought his lips on mine kissing me softly.

I let out a small sob as he did so but held the kiss until he pulled away and rested his forehead on mine such that our noses touched. He grabbed me, pulled me into a hug holding me in his arms, and we stayed in that position just holding each other for a while until I fell asleep in his arms.