The Pact - A Valguard Trilogy Short Story

The Pact - The Valguard Trilogy Book 1.5

Ford knew the moment he saw Charlie walking down the road with the blonde haired 'God' that he had missed his chance. He should have told her long ago he had feelings for her.

He had spent most of his teenage years following Charlie around, always lurking in the shadows, never exposing the slightest interest in her. Now though, there was competition, and he swore to himself that he would fight his hardest to win Charlie over.

He was soaked to the bone and leaned against the fence out the front of Charlie's house when she finally saw him through the haze of the rain.

"Ford?"

"In the flesh."

Charlie rushed forward and bear hugged Ford so hard, he thought she was going to knock him over. Well, he thought, maybe he hadn't missed his chance after all. He had missed her far more than anyone else in Tole, aside from his baby sister of course.

Charlie stood back to look at him, and he couldn't help but notice how much further she had to look up to see his face now.

"But, you left. What are you doing here?"

"Couldn't very well leave El' alone with all the weirdness of this town forever could I? She's my baby sister after all."

"Weirdness?" Charlie may have been many things, but she couldn't lie to save herself. He knew she was keeping something from him, as much as he knew she knew exactly what he was talking about. Though, knowing and doing something about it where two very different things.

She should have listened to me, while she could and got out!

"El' is going to freak when she finds out you're back! Why didn't you let us know you were coming?"

"Why else do you think I'm standing outside your house in the pouring rain? There is no way I wanted El' to be the first one to greet me! At least now you can lessen the blow."

"Ahh, not exactly. She isn't very happy with me at the moment either. And as it was, I was heading out."

"Oh so the umbrella isn't just for decoration then! Where are you headed to? Work?"

"Actually, no I've got the day off. You'll probably think I'm crazy like they do but what the hell. My mom is in an underground cell. They're holding her hostage. She isn't in a psychiatric ward. I'm going to set her free."

Ford stood, staring, unmoving. Rain flicked from his eyelashes as he blinked hard and fast processing what Charlie had told him.

"Okay! Let's go then," Ford said, his eyebrows raised.

"What? You don't want to know how I know?"

"Not really. This town is crooked Char, you and I both know it and if you say your mom isn't in the psych ward, then I believe you. Now lead the way."

"You're serious?"

Ford rolled his eyes at Charlie and put his arm around her shoulders. No matter how bad of an idea it was to enter Town Hall without permission, he would not let her go alone. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to wrap her up in his arms and never let go. Unfortunately though, he had known Charlie long enough to know her stubbornness knew know bounds. If she was going to do this, he would protect her always without a thought for the consequences.

The trip to Town Hall though, did not go as Ford had expected. Something weird happened to Charlie in that closet, and when they emerged once more into the dim light of morning Charlie's eyes were glowing. Literally.

Ford had a flashback then. For the last year he had been having odd vivid nightmares. Nightmares of glowing eyes, of sentries placed at the border of the town of Tole. Ford was gripped in the clutches of fear for a few moments, his stomach writhing at the sight Charlie's eyes.