A Wolf's Nightmare

Chapter 21

Jason
The more videos we all watched of Taylor's past, the more we realized just how close we were to him. Brenda and I would ride our bikes together past him with our parents close by. We didn't bother to glance at him, nor he us. All Taylor did was sit around and read a picture book I didn't recognize. It wasn't until Mr. Harrison pulled the book out of Taylor's hands did Taylor look up.

"Hey, give that back!" little Taylor whined.

With a patient smile, Mrs. Harrison went down on her knees. "Taylor, I know you're still upset about your mom and dad. It must have been very scary for you to have to see that, but don't worry about that bad vampire anymore. You're safe here, alright?"

Little Taylor looked away, just like he is now, but didn't reply.

"I know it's been a week since the funeral, but don't be afraid of us either. We adopted you as our son and put you in training. We're going to try to be the best parents for you, so go easy on us. Don't be afraid to call me mom."

We didn't notice Taylor had taken the remote until the video stopped playing.

"Taylor, are you okay?" I asked, searching for any clues on his mood.

He stayed silent before saying, "that's enough. I don't want to see anymore." Like the others, I know what was bothering him. Patricia and Nicholas Garcia will always be a sore spot for Taylor.

"Hey Shawn, are you okay?" Trey asked.

Shawn nodded before saying, "this entire time we were apart, why we couldn't be a family, was because of a vampire?"

Trey sighed. "Taylor didn't want to tell you about that. The more non-members know, the more lives he endangers. Your little brother was only trying to protect you." Both Garcia brothers looked up at Trey as he pulled Taylor to his side. "Taylor didn't have the easist childhood. He didn't make his first friend until he met Parker and Hailey. When we found out about the association, either one of us could have been killed by vampires for just knowing a hunter. He wanted to spare you from that."

Shawn stood up and walked over to Taylor. He grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled the silent Taylor toward him. "You know what happend to our parents. Did you ever plan to tell me, or were you going to wait until I'm sitting on my death bed?"

Taylor took one look at Shawn's hand before saying in an almost whisper "let me go."

Sensing what that ment, Trey and I pushed the brothers away.

"You had them when they were alive. They chose to keep you, but they were my parents too. I deserve to know how they died!"

Hailey walked over to Shawn and slapped him, hard enough so her hand print appeared. "Don't you ever say that to my brother again! He doesn't need to tell you anything."

Stepping in the middle of the room, I said, "Don't expect Taylor to answer you if you ask that. We know you're his brother, but Hailey's right. He doesn't have to tell you anything if he doesn't want to."

"Even on your death bed, I wouldn't tell you. If you knew the truth, you would change the way you look at the world. You would discover that the shadows is definately something to fear." Taylor walked in the direction of his parents room, before saying "Shawn, go home. I can't protect you once the shadows want to play." With that, he left the room.

"Jason, make sure you guys keep an eye on Shawn. Make sure he doesn't run off until morning," Hailey ordered me. "We're going to bed too, so make sure to babysit him."

Shawn glared at her as he covered his red cheek with his hand. "I'm not a little kid. I can take care of myself."

I smirked as I said "just shut up and be a good, little human. I don't want to use these fangs on you." Even though he wasn't afraid of me as a person, he was afraid of my teeth.

"It's late and I think we've had enough drama for one night." Trey laid himself down on the couch and closed his eyes. "By the way, Shawn, I work as a security guard most of the time. If you try to sneak out, enter the girls room, or try to hurt anyone of us, I will stop you, and arrest you. If our group of evil-doers scare you, just wait until you see what lies in confinement."

Shawn acknowledged Trey's words before falling asleep on the couch he was sitting in.

"I guess I'll take first watch." I took a seat on the ground and looked around at all the sleeping faces of my friends.

As time past, I began to think about what had happened with Adam and the Hernandez family. When I started hanging out with Brenda, Adam would always glare at me while he was playing with Trey. By the time I got to second grade, he would try to pick on me. It obviously didn't do any good considering the fact that Trey was always around. It was only once when neither Trey or I were with her and he decided to do something really awful. We might not have Shawn on the team, but we do have the people wants most. Taylor might have to go too, meaning so do I. For our own safety, we're going to have to risk going into the forbidden woods with non-members.

As the time came to four in the morning, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was tired and a bit thirsty. I decided to wake Trey up for the second shift when I noticed something strange at the window. It was white, gently blowing against the early morning breeze as it stayed in place with some tape. Instead of waking Trey, I walked over to the window.

"Your association can't protect you forever. I almost have everything I need to take down the menace to all vampires. Jason, eventually Trey and Brenda will come to me of their own will. It's not too late to betray Taylor and swear your loyalty. This offer will expire as time passes, so don't keep me waiting. For your mother's sake, decide fast."

I opened the window and took the note. There's no way mom could be in danger. She hasn't done anything that he would consider useful. The choice isn't fair either. Betray Taylor, my good friend who chose to help me in my time of need, or my mom, the woman who raised me up until now. I can't betray Taylor, but I can't let my mom get hurt either. I'll talk with Taylor about this in the morning. For now, I folded the note and placed it inside my pocket.

"Trey, your turn." I shook Trey a bit before he finally woke up.

"Jason, if you were this tired, you should have said something sooner." I gave a little smile before taking his place on the couch.