Solitude (Discontinued)

Chapter 13 - Recollections

Andrew was standing outside the church leaning against the front gate, keeping watch for any vampires that decided to return. At least that's what he told Rayne, but the real reason was he couldn't bare seeing the state Father Matthew might be in. Andrew had had so much respect for Father Matthew he just couldn't bring himself to look in through the door, Coward, he thought to himself. Finally Andrew heard it, the scream of someone in pain and he knew it was Jake's voice.

"NO," Jake was screaming in a way that made Andrew squeeze his fists so tight that he felt warmth flow from his palms as blood went around his fingers and dripped to the ground. "MATTHEW-"

Andrew listened to Jake wailing inside for several minutes before he finally felt something warm slide down his own cheek. Andrew raised his bloody hand and wiped his face, Am I crying? Andrew shook his head clearing his head, he got off the wall taking a few steps away from the church before turning around. Look after him...don't let him do anything stupid, the last words Father Matthew said to him repeated over and over in Andrew's head and he finally walked through the gate and up the steps. Andrew saw Father Matthew's body crucified on the alter, and a shudder ran through him.

"I'LL KILL HIM," Jake was screaming trying to get to the door but both Rayne and Elaine were holding him back. "I'LL KILL-"

Andrew smacked Jake across the face instantly silencing him. "You'll do nothing dammit," Andrew shouted grabbing Jake by the collar of his shirt. "You think you're the only one who'll be affected by Father Matthew's death? Don't you dare think you were to only one who cared about him you ungrateful little boy. He mattered to all of us-"

"What would you know," Jake spat throwing Andrew's hand to the side tears streaming down his face. "You hardly knew him so how can you sit there and tell me how to feel?"

Andrew was taken aback, how could he have an answer for that. Besides reading about Father Matthew's accomplishments he really didn't kno him at all. Jake walked past Andrew who was looking at the two witches blankly, What can I say?

"You know Rayne here knew him better than you right," Andrew said coldly turning to face Jake, and almost right away Jake whirled around and grabbed Andrew by the collar and brought his fist forward. It connected on Andrew's jaw and sent him stumbling, Ok I deserved that.

"Don't sit there and tell me how well I knew him," Jake said clenching his fist. "He was the only thing that was remotely close to a father that I ever had."

"And does that make you special," Andrew spat getting back in Jake's face. "He was a friend to Rayne, unlike everyone else who hated her and spat on her for having her blue hair. Father Matthew befriended her and if you ask her right now she'll tell you she was in love with him."

Jake gasped and took a step back looking at Rayne who wouldn't meet his eyes. Andrew hated having to speak of secrets that Rayne told him never to reveal, but Andrew was obligated to protect Jake from doing what he was trying to do. Jake shook himself and turned to walk away again, that did it Andrew snapped and he grabbed a piece of a bench and brought it down across Jake's head snapping it in half. Jake fell to the ground instantly and Andrew watched as some blood trickled out of his head.

"I'm sorry," Andrew said and dropped the piece of wood and he turned to Rayne. "To both of you-"

"Don't be" Rayne said as she walked over to Jake and placed a hand on his back. "Its nice not to hae to hide it from him anymore. Both Father Matthew and Sister Mary knew and still they allowed me to stick around, that being said I'm sure Stark knew as well. So him killing Matthew wasn't only to torture Jake but me as well. Andrew, Stark has taken nearly everything from me. He's taken my best friend and the only man I ever loved, now Andrew I hate to ask this of you but I need you to swear the same oath you swore to Matthew. But swear it to me and instead of Jake I need you to protect Elaine."