The Crowns Curse

Chapter 32

Kayson

I was shaking. Shaking from excitement of learning that I had an uncle. Shaking from Xander standing a couple feet from us. What are we going to do? This wasn't Xander. It was the monster. I felt like I had to keep telling myself that. While Emma was talking to her parents I glanced back at Xander. He wasn't there anymore. I froze.

"Xanders not there." I told everyone. They all stopped talking. 

"Where-" Emmett started but was cut off by a scream. Emmett bolted in that direction. It was Olive. We all quickly ran in that direction and saw a group of people around his house looking up. There was Xander. Holding Olive over the edge. Emmett paled and looked around. We had to give Emmett time to find a ladder.

"Xander!" He looked down at me.

"You finally want to talk!" He yelled back.

"Stop this!" Xander shook Olive causing her to scream again. She was sobbing and started calling for her mother and father. 

"Or what?" Xander started to laugh. I clenched my fists. Emma took my hand causing me to look in her direction. She pointed at Emmett climbing a ladder. He still needed more time. I grabbed Emma's hand for strength. 

"Xander! This isn't you!" I yelled.

"Of course not. I'm better than ever!" A chill ran down my spine as I heard more of Xander that time. Was Xander still there? Was it not just the monster? Emma then spoke.

"Xander! You were always better before! You never needed to be better!" I nodded in agreement. Xander seemed to hesitate. He then stepped and gripped his head groaning. And dropped Olive. Everyone cried out as she began to fall. But Emmett was there. Right on time. He grabbed Olive's hand and lifted her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Emmett stood up and turned to leave but stopped. Xander stood with anger, making him shake. He looked down and started to laugh again. This time it sounded like the monster. Xander wasn't there. 

"I knew he was weak, but I am not." Xander then started to run to push them off. Emmett dodged, causing Xander to run off the edge. 

"Xander?!" I ran to catch him but he hit the ground before I got to him. The crowd parted to show Xander motionless. I slowly walked over to him. My legs collapsed next to him. 

"Xander." I managed to say. Tears ran down my face. Emma gasped behind me. She sat down next to me, gripping my arm. She started to cry.

"T-The monster… it killed him." She choked on a sob. Hands ran down my shoulders. My mother knelt down and took my hand. I didn't believe this. This couldn't have happened. I slowly moved my hand to touch Xander. Why would the monster kill him? Xanders eyes suddenly opened. Before I could block him he tackled me. I cried out as he leaned on my ribs. I tried saying his name but he gripped my neck, choking me. I thrashed trying to get out of his grip but it just tightened. My vision started to blur and I stopped moving trying to keep the breath I had. Xander  was suddenly shoved off causing me to gasp for air. But then coughed from breathing in too deep. My mother suddenly wrapped her arms around me helping me to sit up.

"Where's-" I groaned when realizing my voice was lost. Just like last time.

"Emmett pushed him off, then he just disappeared. Emma went after him." I tried standing to try to follow, but she held me back.

" Kayson, you're hurt."

"Emma-"

"Her father went with her. You need to stay here." I shook my head trying to get her to understand. Emmett then knelt down next to me, grabbing my shoulder. I slowly nodded after seeing the pleading in his eyes. Emmett and my mother helped me up which is when I realized I had more than one bruise. We slowly walked to Emmett's house and entered. Emmett's wife was on the couch cradling Olive, who was pale, but well. Isaac walked up to us.

"What happened? Why is your neck purple? You look sick. Is papa gonna take-."

Emmett interrupted. "Isaac, can you get a cold towel?" Isaac nodded, then ran into the kitchen. We continue forward.

"Are those your children?" My mother asked. Emmett nodded. "They are beautiful children." She said, which caused Emmett to smile. When we reached his office Emmett told me to sit down which I did. But sitting made me fidgety. I need to help Emma. She couldn't defeat Xander by herself.

"Kayson?" Emmett placed his hand on my face.

"W-what." Emmett handed me some tea. I had zoned out. I sipped some and almost spit it out. It hurt to swallow the hot tea. My mother must have realized that I was in pain because she started to stroke my hair. She always did that when I was hurt. Emmett then handed me a powder for me to take. I didn't ask what it was for. I just hoped it numbed something so I could help Emma. I stood, my mother took my hand. I hesitated when looking back at her. I went and sat down again. I cleared my throat as much as I could and whispered.

"I need to help Emma." I looked down at my hands. Emmett sighed. 

"I know, we just…-" my mother finished what he was trying to say. "Don't want you to get hurt again." I looked at my mother who cupped my face."But…I won't stop you. Your father was the same way… he wanted to save everyone before…h-himself." Tears filled her eyes. She had never mentioned my father. I whipped away a fallen tear. She smiled sadly. " What do you need me to do?" She said taking my hand.

"Me as well," Emmett said, gripping my shoulder. I smiled at both of them. I stood. The monster needed to be stopped. And there was more than just that, that needed to be done.