The Helper

Chapter 1: The Assignment

The Helper: Chapter 1-The Assignment

The sky was bursting with so many shades of reds, oranges, pinks and purples as Alex took a sip of his beer. He could hear the ocean crashing up against the shore and taste the saltiness of it when he licked his lips. At this point there was no other place he would rather be. The air was hot but thanks to a gentle breeze it was comfortable outside. He sighed happy to be on his first real vacation in years and he had his father to thank for that.

Alex spotted a couple sitting on the beach watching the sunset and couldn't help but feel lonely. He had yet to find his soul mate and the more years that passed the lonelier he became. His family didn't even realize how much it bothered him they just all thought he was a smart ass with a cocky attitude. He finished the last of his beer as the sun finally descended from the sky and felt the pull of his father summoning him. He walked into his beach house, closed his eyes and imagined his parent's home. Instantly he vanished.

When he opened his eyes he was in his fathers study. Both of his parents were there along with Demetri. This couldn't be good; Demetri never comes to his parent's house and more importantly no one has seen Demetri in over two years. Alex looked at his older brother and felt his body cringe. Plan and simple he looked horrible, his clothes didn't fit him properly and he could stand to shave but Alex kept his comments to himself.

He looked back to his parents, "what's going on?"

"Son, why don't you have a seat?" Alex sat down obediently. He knew better than to go against his father.

"I am sitting, now what?" He asked with a slightly cocky tone.

"Drop the attitude Alex, father and mother wouldn't have you come here if it wasn't important and this is very important. It kind of involves the whole family but for now just the four of us and only you can make it so no one else gets involved."

"Whatever Demetri, don't think just because you are older than me that you can boss me around. I am stronger than you and don't you forget that. It's not like I run away at every chance I get. Poor little Demetri has lived so long that he has experienced too much pain in his life as the soul protector of the human race amongst other supes."

The next thing Alex knew he was being held against the wall by his throat and it surprised him that it wasn't Demetri holding him but his father. It was no secret that Alex was the strongest in his family and could easily take his father but he knew better than to even try. To cross Alister Vane would be deadly even if you were his kin.

"You will apologize to your brother."

Alex looked at his brother, "Just give me my fucking assignment so I can hurry up and get it over with and get back to my vacation. I recall you promising me one after I helped a hundred people or are you back to lying to us once again."

Alex was flung through the air hitting the wall with a hard bang.

"Alister that is enough I will not have you treating our son like that."

Althea ran over to her son to make sure he was okay. She had always had a weakness for Alexander since the time he was born. She put her hand on his chest and released her healing energy to his body. Alex lifted his head up and thanked his mom. After a few minutes her stood up and walked over to his father's desk sitting in the chair opposite of it. There was a folder sitting there. He picked it up and looked inside. There were notes in Demetri's handwriting about a child who was being abused and dates all the way up until she was twenty-two years old. He looked at several pictures ranging from childhood to adulthood. The woman was very beautiful and her eyes reminded him of the ocean. Immediately he felt a pull towards here.

"She is the reason why I stayed away so long. It wasn't because I don't like being here. I can read your thoughts or did you forget. She needs your help brother or else Enid will be getting involved. I saw her plans. She is an intelligent, loving and caring person but was dealt too many bad cards in life. She plans on ending her life soon. Brother, please tell me you will take this assignment and I promise I will take over helping others so you can take a year's worth of vacations. I have watched her since she was two and protected her the best I could without interfering."

"You are in love with her aren't you brother?"

Demetri smiled, "not in the way you think little brother. I am her protector and I love her like a little sister or even a daughter for that matter."

"Does she know who and what you are?"

"No, once she started questioning my appearance not changing I started hiding in the shadows."

Althea smiled at her two oldest children getting along, Demetri had warned his parents that this girl was Alexander's soul mate but he had to act quickly because she was in trouble. There was only one soul mate in a demon's life well at least this family's. They knew it was the way with other supernatural creatures as well however once the soul mate was gone the supe's soul died along with it.

"So Alexander, everything you need to know is in that folder right there. Your mother has set up an apartment for you in the same building that she lives and it is actually right next door to hers. As always, I have put money in your helper account, purchased you a bike and car; both are at the apartment now. I am sure you will be pleased."

Alex smiled at his dad; they never apologized in this family nor did they talk about the fights that they had. They just dealt with it in their own time and way.

"Honey, I put your favorite painting in the apartment so you should just be able to visualize and transport yourself there."

"Thanks mom, I appreciate it. By the way which city am I off too?"

He saw everyone's face pale, at the same time all three whispered, "Buffalo, NY" Alex cussed then closed his eyes and focused on the painting his mother was talking about within seconds he disappeared leaving the rest of them standing there staring at each other.

When Alex opened his eyes he was in his new apartment. He was facing the painting that he cherished so much. His mother had painted it when he was a boy and it had survived for over twenty-seven hundred years. He smiled when he thought back to the memory; he was playing in ancient Egypt near the Nile River. His mother had captured his happiness in the painting. It was before he discovered his identity as a helper demon when he was just sixteen years old. In the painting he must have been around six or seven. He took a tour around his new apartment and was quite impress with what his mother had done. It was decorated in his favorite colors reds, gold and black. It incorporated some of his favorite cultures mostly from the Persian Empire and Mesopotamian. Civilization. He quickly linked to his mom and told her thanks. She sent a warm feeling of love his way.

Alex decided to get some sleep before morning came about. When he turned on the bedroom light he was absolutely amazed. His mom had put a California king sized bed with gold silk sheets, black and red comforter with flecks of gold going through it and ten pillows of various shapes and sizes. The curtains were black, gold and red as were the very expensive Persian rugs. He slipped into the bed and pulled everything over his head and fell asleep. His body had been exhausted both from transporting himself and from the healing his mother gave him. The last thing he saw before going to sleep was the picture of the beautiful girl he was sent to help.

The next morning Alex woke up refreshed and ready to start his day. He had no recognition of having any dreams, which meant he slept like a rock. He walked into the bathroom and turned on the water for a shower. He looked in the mirror and decided that he wasnÕt going to shave just yet. He thought the five-oÕclock shadow look made him even more handsome. Alex quickly showered and wrapped the red towel around his waist when there was a light knocked on the door. He walked to the door and opened it. There she stood.