The Savior of Souls ✔

Part One

My big family spoke amongst themselves as they had this time of year, every year, for as long as I could remember. Tyler's family had long since been invited, making the reunion that much larger, which I guess is why Anthony had decided it was his chance to escape. It was so busy, I had barely noticed him jogging to the neighbors screen door.

It seemed nobody else noticed, either.

The neighbors were bad news. They always gave me the creeps, though Anthony was always fascinated wit them. Our parents would leave me with him and he would go and talk with them. Eventually, I would notice his disappearance. They seemed nice to him, but when I came to bring him home, they'd give me looks. Like I was doing something wrong. 

Needless to say, I wasn't about to let Anthony get abducted today.

"Ty, Anthony is leaving. We should go get him," I told Tyler through the bond we shared. The first time we met, when we were about seven or eight, it had appeared. We were surprised at first and hadn't mentioned it to each other until years later, that was when we realized we could communicate through it.

"Let him, the worst that could happen is a restraining order," he joked through the bond. "Besides, they need a friend outside of their family." I could tell he didn't sense my eagerness to keep Anthony away from the them, that is, until a few minutes later. The bond was always easier for me to navigate; when it came to feeling each others emotions, I had been faster and more efficient.

Unfortunately, he'd caught on too late. Realization had struck him only a second before I'd started talking again.

"I'm serious, he can't go over there," I told him. Letting go of his hand, I started to follow in Anthony's footsteps. He was ever curious, and I should have known he would act on his words. He'd always asked me about them, and my warnings had always made him more willing to try and visit.

"Wait," Tyler said aloud, I hadn't waited. He decided then he was to come along, following me as if he were on a leash. He had only somewhat believed something was up with the neighbors. I had a small feeling he only agreed because he sensed how serious I was about it. He was at my side in a matter of seconds and I walked faster. We were a little too slow because Anthony had already made it inside. "I don't get what's the huge issue," Tyler whispered when he was once again at my side.

I hadn't wanted the neighbors to hear us yet, so I used the bond to say, "they're dangerous." We got closer and found a glass door on a very old, but rather normal looking, white house. As of then, the glass was slid open; leaving the screen part shut.

"They could be dangerous," he corrected me through the bond. We were close enough to hear conversation inside. They were talking to Anthony, all of them sitting at a large dinner table. I could see his shaggy wheat brown hair just above his dark blue hood.

The room was dimly lit, but we were still able to see everyone else in it. It looked as if the others hadn't been out into the sun in years. Compared to them, Anthony looked darker than he usually would. "Are those your guests, Anthony?" asked a guy from inside. He stood up and Anthony followed.

"Yeah, it's my sister and her boyfriend," Anthony replied. Anthony and the guy he'd been talking to walked to the door. I couldn't help but noticing the striking similarities between them. The only big differences being the guy looked older, matured, and had a lighter shade of hair. "Tyler, Merci, meet Shane."

"It's nice to meet you," said Shane as he stuck his hand out, expecting us to shake it. I looked to Anthony, and he just nodded in Shane's direction. Whatever had happened to stranger danger? I thought as I pondered what I wanted to do.

I'd had a few options. I could grab Anthony right now and leave, or I could go with him and be polite.

Being polite had won over, we both shook his hand, as we touched a shiver was sent through my spine. I brushed it off, blaming the cool autumn weather. "Shane's family was just about to have dinner, why don't you join us?" Anthony asked. It felt as if he were accusing me of being impolite, I stood still for a few more seconds, still considering the 'just run away' option.