The Far Away Bear (mxm)

Chapter 13 : Warren

Jaden POV:

"It's a cult"

"It's not a cult!"

"It's kind of like a cult though..."

"It's more like a family..."

"So the mafia?"

"We're not the mafia!!"

Arlow sighed, running his hand down his face and flopping down to sit on the edge of the bed.
His calm yet worried eyes turned to mine.
"Jaden you have to understand, I never wanted to bring you here...I never wanted to involve you with any of this. I tried my best to keep you separate from them, but now..." he waved his hand around in a frustrated motion "...all this, can't be helped."

I narrowed my eyes, sitting up in the bed to get closer to him. My hand rested on his shoulder "I can't go back home, and I'm not sure I even want to either" the words caught in my throat then on the tip of my tongue before they pushed out "do you um...do you want me to stay? ...does Peat?"

Arlow gazed back at me, his rugged brown hair shading his features. He seemed deeply considering the option, I chewed my lip "I won't be a pain, It'll be like it's been yeah? Collecting wood and food, just like normal."

Arlow cracked a grin sadly, his eyes falling "normal... that would be nice" he frowned.

I couldn't understand him, his reactions made no sense. What did it matter if some random people didn't want me here? He was a grown ass man and so was I! They can't keep me from being with- around them.

"Yeah, like normal, it will be." I smiled, still a little woozy from my interrogation in the hospital, my head dropping to his shoulder to balance.
Arlow jolted and caught me, his hands on either side as he pulled to sit me up "hey, hey! Lay back down You're not really well enough for this shit right now" he stood up and lay me back against the pillows, tucking the blanket around me.

"Arlow!" The small girl, Clara, reappeared by the beaded curtain. An elderly man arriving behind her.

"I brought Elder Warren like you said!" She beamed up at him waiting for praise, Arlow patted her head and nudged her "nicely done Clara, off you go for now, I'll bring you some treats later to say good job" he smiled down and her and she beamed, nodding and bolting off.

Elder Warren was a peculiar man, his long grey hair lay flat against his buckled back and draped over his shoulders. His beard was dressed with wooden beading, braided down at the corners of his lips. He wore a woven fabric beige poncho decorated with what looked to be brown patterns. A design in the shape of a pine tree.

His eyes were so grey he looked blind, pale milky and glimmering with years gone by, he locked them on me with so much intensity I swear I could hear cogs moving in his head.

"So, this is him" he muttered, to nobody in particular.

Arlow nodded standing up to meet him "yes sir, this is Jaden" he glanced back.

"Pleasure to meet you" I managed to get the words out but they were a little low for my liking.

"We shall see if the pleasure can be returned, once you make your decision" he tapped his fingers on his thigh and huffed. I feel like I've somehow ended up in a principles office. Considering that was a long time back, that would be a feat.

"I've made my decision-"

"-Jaden..." Arlows worried tone cut me off, his expression filled with a tense feeling while Elder Warren raised his hand to silence him.

"Let him speak Arlow, what is your decision Jaden? I trust you're aware that it cannot be undone" Elder Warren asked, he seemed to be a little more curious than before, eyebrow raised.

"I want to stay with Arlow and Peat"

Arlow flinched and swallowed, his shoulders tensed up. But Elder Warren smiled, it was a warm smile that I hadn't been expecting from his serious nature, it was like there were two Elder Warren's.

"I see...Good. Good..." he nodded and patted Arlows shoulder excitedly, his mood change giving me whiplash as he laughed "I see indeed! Looks like you finally found one for yourself huh you big oaf!"
He poked Arlows cheek making the larger and taller man grunt and pout and the older "never thought I'd see the day this grumpy sod finds a den mate" he chuckled, but Arlow shot him a sudden glare causing Warren to clear his throat.

I blinked at the change in tension, a den mate? Huh?

The hell was he talking about?

Warren seemed to calm himself down a bit after that, regaining his leader like composure "Arlow, you are to bring Jaden here to the lodge at 8pm tonight, he should be rested enough by then."

Arlow opened his mouth to protest but was immediately shushed "he's going to have to see for himself" he nodded, the matter was settled "8, Arlow." He nodded toward me, backed out through the beaded curtain and left us alone.

See what?

"Arlow?" The man was mentally a million miles away, worrying his lower lip and picking at his fingers as he starred off into nothingness.

'Arlow...?" I tried again, the tall rugged man jumped and turned to me shaking his head "sorry, I'm just...sorry" he sighed "I didn't want to have to do it this way if I could help it."

"What's with all the secrecy? Why am I in a cave and not a house, who is that guy you brought in? I don't get this place or you or any of it! I Arlow I'm getting really confused here..." I groan, rubbing my eyes with my fingers, my head had begun to pound and I knew this was overly stressing me out.

"Rest Jaden, I'll explain everything tonight with Peat, you'll be having the ceremony for entering the Sleuth first, then after that we can tell you everything, anything you want to ask us."

"Fine..." I gripped the covers and pulled them up over my head "ill give it a go."

Arlow moved aside the beaded curtain, my only indication of his departure was provided by the sound of the beads clinging together and his retreating steps.

The cavern sounded busy, a bustling of people was still somewhat audible, and another animalistic sound I could barely make out came in and out of the hum from time to time.

I guess I'd understand tonight, just who was Arlow really?

Who were these strange people?

____________________________

Hey guys!

Sorry took so long I had some chest pain and had to take it easy a bit.

This is unedited, and I will probably come back to it!

I love that people read this and not just my South Park stories lol I swear sometimes I want to delete those XD 😆

Question!

How did you find my book/ me?

Looks like Jaden will find out soon!!

I have 2 more story ideas ready to go!! But I'm holding back until I finish this one!