Nature of the Beast - boy X boy -

Twelve - The Beginning of the End

Tobias ran through the countryside, leapt over ditches and ploughed through several hedgerows. The address cycled through his mind, his body reacted to his internal navigation system as he pressed on through the darkness. As he jumped over a crumbling brick wall he pulled the crumpled up note from his pocket, the smudged graphite stained his fingers. “I just hope that I get there in time.” He said breathlessly, as he stowed the note back into his pocket and pushed his body even harder. Lactic acid burned in his muscles, stabbing his sides and his breathing became even more ragged. But he was determined, numb to the pain as a powerful force drove him onwards.

The ground under his feet faltered as he tried to halt, the long slide threatened to take his balance but with a few small steps, he managed to right himself. Stretching upwards to full height, he peered through the kitchen window and watched as a woman made hot drinks. Careful to stay far enough so as not to fog the glass with his rapid and hot breaths he moved to get a better view. It was then that he could see through the open doorway and into the living room, he stopped breathing and swallowed hard as he saw the figure of his brother sat on the sofa.

*****

William could sense his brother was close; he turned to look in the direction of a now humming Mrs Davis and noticed a shadow figure outside the window. He narrowed his eyes and prompted his brother to back off and leave.

“Here you go.” Mrs Davis handed him a steaming mug off coffee. “Are you alright?”

“Sorry I thought I saw something outside the window, you stay in here and I will go and check it out.” He placed the mug on a coaster as he stood up.

“Shouldn’t you call for back-up of something?” She trembled as she spoke.

“It could be nothing; the last thing we need is a false alarm.” He walked towards the kitchen, eyes fixed on the shadow as it retreated towards the darkness. “It could be kids messing around; I find that happens if they know that the police are around.”

“Please be careful.” Her voice was barely a whisper, her body shook with fear.

“I don’t think it is trouble, please try to stay calm.” He used his hand to indicate for her to sit down, but she stood stock-still. “I am armed, I will be fine.”

William stepped out of the house and onto the grass, the shadow of his brother illuminated slightly by the light that spilled from the kitchen window.

“What are you doing here brother? I told you that I would be meeting up with you soon.” He spoke in a hushed whisper to avoid someone overhearing.

“What are you doing here?” Tobias questioned.

“I have business to attend to.” He stepped closed to Tobias, drew himself up to full height to try to intimidate him. “Now back off and I will meet up with you in a few hours.”

“What business do you have concerning these people?” Tobias pried, his eyes not leaving his brothers.

“They know too much of our kind, they have to be silenced.” He spoke with authority. “I didn’t want you to get dragged into this, so I need you to leave.”

“They are innocent; they have not spoken out so there is no reason for blood to be spilled.” Tobias dropped his gaze to try to plead with his brother.

“You want me to trust them?” William spat on the grass. “I will never trust humans, give them knowledge and they will destroy us, themselves or both.”

“That is a rude generalisation.” Tobias began before his brother cut in.

“Statements like that are the reasons why I feel you do not truly understand them. Most humans today are the kill now and ask questions later type, there is no hospitality for anything ‘different’.” He growled at his brother and pushed him towards the hedgerow. “Now back off and let me do what is necessary.”