The Chosen Ones Book 4: A New Enemy

Chapter 13

Matt and Casey sat on the front porch. It was their shift to keep watch. They each had a rifle resting on their lap. This would be their life now, at least for a while. She smiled at him from her wooden rocking chair.
"Our boy did good today." Casey said.
"Yes. Yes he did." Matt replied.

"That was big for him. He needed to know what it feels like, to have to fight." Casey said.
"You taught him well." Matt told her.
"WE taught him well." She corrected. She got out of her chair, walked over, and sat on his lap. "You know that temper he has? That frustration he gets when things don't go his way? He gets that from you."

Matt put his head down, embarrassed. Casey raised his chin with her hand.
"It's because he feels like he isn't protecting the people he loves. He thinks he's letting the people he cares about down, even though he isn't. It's what I love about YOU. How protective you are of me, and our friends. It's why I fell in love with you. He has all the good you have inside you...... and the bad."

Matt smiled and kissed her. "After all these years I still don't know how I got so lucky."
"It wasn't luck at all. It was destiny. Remember?" She said, returning his kiss.
"That would be so corny if it wasn't true." He said with a laugh. "Hey. I need to know that you're going to be okay, if things don't work out this time." Matt said to her.

Casey turned away. "I can't promise you that." She replied. She knew what he was getting at. He was referring to if he didn't survive.
She refocused her attention back to him, looking into his dark brown eyes. "You're my whole world, and I can't do life without you."
Matt nodded and gave her a sad smile.

"One day, one of us might have to." He told her. "I have to die first, otherwise I'll die twice."
She kissed him. "I think it's beautiful how you carry everyone's grief, without asking anyone to hold any."
"It's my job."
"I'm not going to think about losing you right now. Just let me love you." Casey said. "Can you do that?"
Matt kissed her again. "Yeah, I can do that."

"Guys, get in here." Shannon said, peeking her head out of the front door, agitation in her voice.
They went inside with the others. Sierra was holding her cell phone. She put it on the kitchen table and put it on speaker.
"We're all here, mom. Tell everyone what you told us." Shannon said.

Mary and Ben, Shannon and Sierra's mom and dad, were on the other line.
"Hi everyone." Mary started. "I'm so glad you are all safe. I want you all to know none of us, the Elders, knew anything about this Gabriel. I can't believe there is another one like Tyler out there. The fact that he is pure evil makes it that much worse."

"Is there a way to kill him?" Matt asked.
"Head shot." Gavin cut in.
They all got quiet and looked at him. Gavin shrugged.
"Nobody can live through a head shot. Instant death. He wouldn't be alive to even try to heal himself." Gavin explained.
Phil put his hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you take Tyler outside and test that theory."

"Let's go." Tyler joked. "I'll do it."
"Guys, c'mon. This is serious." Sierra said. "Mom, is there a way to kill him?"
"There is a way." Mary hesitated. "Tyler, I'm sorry you have to hear this."
"It's okay Mrs. O'Hara, please continue." Tyler replied into the phone.
"There was a weapon forged, a dagger, well before I, or even my parents were born. It is said to be the only weapon that could kill the child." Mary explained.

"Why would there be ANY weapon made that could kill Tyler?" Shannon asked, forcefully.
"I don't know, dear." Mary said. "All I can think of is whoever made it DID foresee the coming of Gabriel. Maybe it was made to kill HIM, not Tyler."
"What does it look like?" Phil asked.
"There used to be a picture of it in the Book of the Damned. You still have the book, don't you?" Mary asked.

"Yes. We have it." Matt answered.
"Mom, where is the dagger?" Shannon asked, growing impatient.
There was silence on the other end. Then, Ben got on.
"I'm sorry girls, your mother had to step away, it's too much for her. The dagger- We, uh, we buried it." Ben said.

"Where dad?" Sierra asked.
"We buried it with Amy."