Chasing Forever: Jacob's Story

Going Home.

 Ezekiel and I nod to the King and Queen respectfully. "It was a pleasure." I say honestly, anxious to be on my way.

 "Thank you." The King says, shaking my hand. "You both are welcome here at any time."

 Ezekiel grins, shaking his hand next. "We may as well take you up on that."

 Queen Mary smiles at us. "Good."

 I bow to her and when I look up she smiles, inclining her head towards her children who are lined up to her left.

 I walk over and Elizabeth runs forward, hugging me tight for a second. "Goodbye Jake." She says.

 "Goodbye." I say after she pulls away.

 Michael immediately takes her place and hugs me for more than a few moments, tears streaming down his face. "I don't want you to go.."

 I ruffle his hair, kneeling down so its easier to hug him. "I know," I say. "But I'll visit."

 He nods against me. "Promise..?"

 I nod. "Swear."

 When he pulls away my eyes land on George, who's kept his eyes forward as tears stream down his face steadily. He glances at me and I nod, encouraging him to come forward. He does, slamming into me hard, hugging me tight. "It'll be okay." I whisper to him. "I promise."

 "Thanks for everything," He whispers back. "Dad."

 I start at his words but he pulls away and nods to me, walking back towards his father and standing next to him. I stand after a second, and after a brief nod at the King, Ezekiel and I start towards the path to the clearing where two years ago we'd met as strangers.

 I'm excited, more than excited, to be going home after so long but at the same time I'm sad to be saying goodbye to Ezekiel, who's become like a brother to me.

                            ******************************************************************

 We reach the clearing after nightfall and I turn to him, taking a deep breath. "Well.." I say. "This is it.."

 He nods, his violet eyes sad. "Yeah.."

 For a few seconds neither of us move and then he steps forward, hugging me lightly. "Thank you."

 "For?"

 "Keeping me alive that winter." He whispers quietly. "If you hadn't taken charge of all of us I don't think half of us would've made it out of there alive."

 I shrug against him. "It was no big deal."

 He pulls away, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Promise me we'll keep in touch?"

 I nod. "Until I die." I say solemnly. "You're family."

 "Family." He says quietly. "I should get going, and so should you if you want to make it before she wakes." He refers to my plan to surprise Chyenne, smiling.

 I smile back. "I'll write to you." I say, taking a step backward. "Tell Carla and your son I hope they're well."

 "Always, brother." He says, nodding to me before turning and running down a path that leads toward the vampire kingdom.

 I sigh, turning and jogging toward my home my heart heavy for a moment as I realize that that was the last I will see of my friend for a very long time.

 It's not like you're going to forget him, Jacob. Jordan whispers.

 I know. I say back. Doesn't make it hurt any less.