The Chosen Ones Book 4: A New Enemy

Chapter 8

As much as they would have like to head right back to Virginia, they couldn't. Not without burying their friend first. Besides, they needed to get supplies from Matt's Maple Brook house.

They were uneasy about returning to a place they knew this stranger had undoubtedly staked out earlier, but they were all together, and there was safety in numbers.

Again they entered cautiously. It was the third place of the night they had gone into with their guard up. They were officially back. To some, like Matt, Shannon and Casey, it was exciting. They had missed the excitement of it all. All those abilities they had that had been cooped up all these years were itching to get out.

Tyler was riding a high with the thought of catching and killing this guy. Meanwhile, Sierra was just plain scared. She was untested, and although she had developed Chosen One powers like the others, she was still uneasy about it all.

Phil was all in, of course. But that didn't mean he wished to fight. He loved his laid back lifestyle of fishing and the outdoors in the forests of Virginia. He didn't want anything disturbing his retirement. There was something about being rich and staying twenty-two that was just unbeatable. He'd much rather live out his days in peace.

When Matt stepped inside his old house he was hit with a blast of nostalgia. He hadn't been back in a couple years. It was always Tyler visiting him. He had a soft spot for his old home. This is where he started his family with Amy, it was where he raised Tyler and met Casey.

They all spread out and cleared the house. It seemed to be undisturbed. When Tyler returned to the kitchen he found Casey sitting up on the counter. The same spot where they shared many snacks when he was younger.

"All we need now is a bowl of cereal." He said with a smile. He hopped up best to her.
She leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Those were good times." She admitted.
"The best." He replied.

Matt walked in just then. "I should take a picture of this."
Memories instantly came flooding back.
Casey had taken the title of mom head on with Tyler. After they returned home from their Hawaiian vacation after the Nest was destroyed, she settled into the role. She did everything a mother was supposed to do.

She helped him develop his skills, of course. But the things she didn't have to do as a nineteen year old she did without complaining. She wanted to be there for him and Matt. They were her family. She helped teach him right and wrong, helped with homework, nurtured him and loved him. He grew up with a mother after it looked like that would never happen when Amy died.

It wasn't easy guiding Tyler through the high school years. He was strong and athletic but couldn't use his abilities to succeed. They couldn't risk anyone finding out about him. Sure, he would use them in spurts to help his team win from time to time, but nothing that made people think he was nothing more than a standout high school athlete. Tyler pushed back, wanting to use them more, but he understood.

He would get frustrated, but that was where Matt and Casey would come in. They would make him realize not just his safety depended on staying hidden, but also the groups safety. Phil, Shannon, Sam, Gavin, and Jenna. They all helped raise him and put their lives in the line for him. They all knew the risks.

Matt left Casey and Ty and headed downstairs to the secret arsenal behind the wall, now fully restocked. He just stared into it, admiring all the shiny weapons. Moments later he was joined by Phil. They stood side by side, admiring the artillery.

"You got another fight left in you?" Matt asked his long time friend.
"You know I do." He replied.
"This one feels different."
"Yeah. It does." Phil agreed.
"You got my back?" Matt asked.
"Always, brother."
"Once more into the fray." Matt said, repeating one of Phil's favorite lines.

The night wore on. Shannon and Sierra took advantage of the trip back to Maple Brook and drove to their parent's house. It wasn't often that the four of them were together anymore. Ben and Mary had stayed supportive over the years. They kept their job as Elders, even though the job required less of their attention in recent years.

Matt walked Tyler into the garage. Together, they pulled the cover off of Matt's old truck, the Black Mamba.
"Damn." Tyler said. "There she is."
Matt threw him the keys. "She's yours now."
"What? Dad c'mon. You love this truck."
"I only took care of this truck through the years so I could give it to you one day." Matt told him. "Today is that day."

"I don't know what to say." Tyler admitted. "I'll take care of her."
Matt hugged him. "I know you will. I love ya."
"Love you too, dad."
Matt put his hands on Tyler's shoulders and looked him in the eye.

"Hey. What happened to Jenna isn't on you. Either is what happened to Gavin and Sam. You can't think like that. I know, believe me. I used to put everything on myself, every death. It'll eat you up inside." He told him.
"Gab, Bill and Shaun? I know you put that on yourself. Why shouldn't I put this one on me?" Tyler asked. "Jenna is dead because this guy is looking for me."

"I was wrong to blame myself for what happened to them. I learned that throughout the years, as I got older. You gain a different perspective. I carried that around for over ten years. I don't want you to do the same thing." He explained.

Tyler nodded. It was good advice, even if he was still blaming himself for Jenna's death. Maybe if they won this newest battle he'd be able to let it go, just like his dad did.
The two of them joined the others for pizza and beers in the living room.

Their little party was short lived however when Shannon and Sierra came barging through the front door.

"We got a problem." Shannon said. "Shaun's parents, Ed and Renae, were murdered tonight."