The Midnight Within

Chapter 42

Daniel walked with his head down as rain began to spill form the gray sky. He had spent the better part of the day walking around town and making sure to go past Jessie's school at lunch. He didn't stop or let anyone know he was there to see her and she seemed happy, playing with Zakk's brother on the swings so he kept going.

There were too many good memories floating around in his head and he was forced to wonder if he was really ready to give it all up. How many nights had he spent watching horrible B movies with his friends? Fishing off the dock in the summer, his first kiss and the first taste of alcohol. All good memories now fading in front of his eyes. He avoided Lake st. because of the amount of police and stuck to the side streets and alleys until he ended up on the outskirts of town. He got picked up by a kid driving a hearse and headed over to Hakke. They didn't say much other than the costmary, thank you and no problem. The kid could clearly see that Daniel wasn't well. Probably thought he was having withdrawals's and in a way he was. He was shaking so badly he could hardly light his clove from the kids offered lighter. The kid was a scruffy looking blond with a shit load of steel in his face and a ton of tats.

" Where you going again? "

" The haunted Farm. " Daniel felt like his throat was drying up and he wished he had a drink. Better yet he wished the kid would shut up.

" I've been out there a few times. Halloween night must be a blast. "

" It's ok. I'm meeting some people. "

" Cool. "

Mercifully the haunted farm sign with it's spooky lights and drippy wording came into view as they came over the hill. The trees in this section were purposely too close to the road and left alone. Daniel always thought that Jack had greased a few palms to get the city to forget about this small section of road. The only other buildings out this far were the old hotel and a few empty warehouses and a church that no one had yet to actually find. If you drove the whole route into Hakke you would also go under three haunted bridges and a forgotten cemetery.

" Thanks again. Love the car. " It hurt to speak so Daniel waved as the hearse pulled away from the road and disappeared from sight. Maybe he should have gone to Hakke and not back to the farm. He knew a few places he could crash for the night but his bag was still in Chester's trailer, and he wanted to grab it before leaving. Shivering he tucked his hands in his pockets and walked up the long dirt road that ran along the field that bordered the farm.

Entering the gate he approached the steps and was not prepared to be slammed against the wall of the trailer.

" Come to dance? Pretty face. " Broken's laughter was harsh in Daniels ears as he was bounced off the wall and grabbed by Shatter.

" He came to die. " Shatter snarled pulling Daniel's head back by the hair.

" Piss off. " He snapped before they threw him up against the cold metal wall once more.

Their eyes glittered dangerously as they closed in on him, trapping him against the trailer. Shatters black nailed fingers wrapped around his throat, keeping him in place. " The darkness spread through you, can you feel it? It wraps you in darkness and pain." He sighed before inhaling deeply.

" No shit. " Daniel spat at them. The last thing he wanted to do was show them any fear so he grabbed Shatter's wrist and pulled his hand off his throat while pushing him away with his other hand. That pissed them off and the twins came shoulder to shoulder, their jeweled eyes shifting as they forced him back against the wall.

" We can take your pain." Shatter stroked his throat with one sharp nail. " We can make you whole again." His sharks smile widened as Broken slid an arm around Daniel's waist.

Without fear they changed in front of him; as anyone seeing them would think they were just in costume and Daniel's screams would be drown out by the band practicing inside the barn. They made one hell of an intimidating pair and if Daniel showed a hint of fear they would tear him apart. Well he wasn't going out like that. They could suck it for all he was concerned.

" Stand down. " Black was standing on the landing looking down at them. He didn't look happy and when neither twin moved he came down the steps to push them each away.

" This one is not worthy. " Broken growled, his wolven eyes locked on Daniel's white face

" He smells of them. " Added Shatter.

" He came here willingly and this is how you treat him? " Black glared at the twins.

" I want to know what you did to me. " Daniel growled. He was angry, confused and feeling much like he was five again and arguing with his mother. Crossing his arms, he fixed his gaze on Black. " I want to know what's going on and why you left me alone at the club. " He also wanted to know who the blond from his dream was.

" I gave you a gift. " Black's hands came up to cradle Daniel's face. " That's it. Nothing more nothing less. If not for me then you would be dead. I gave you a chance to really live or have you leaned nothing? "

" Well I don't care what you do to me but you leave my friends out of it. "

" Do you really think I can fix this? " Black spoke carefully as he held Daniel's gaze. " That everything will just go away if you wish hard enough? "

" Then kill me and be done with it. " Daniel held his arms out in defiance.

" I told you I don't want to kill you. I want to set you free. "

" I want to kill you. " Shatter's wolfish grin floated over Black's shoulder.

" Go inside. " Black speared Shatter with a hard look.

He waited for them to leave without a word. He knew they wanted nothing more than to tear the kid apart but he had other plans and they didn't include eviscerating him just yet.

" Why are you so eager to die? "

Black reached out to tug gently at Daniel's lip ring. The feeling was pure sexual agony. He could see it in his eyes. " Imagine what we could do if you decided to give in? Become what I know you truly are? They wouldn't laugh at you then would they? "

Black's mouth was inches from Daniels and all he could think about was the encounter on the dock and how he needed it too much. He couldn't go back to his old life any more than Black could. They could show him a whole new world if he let them and if they didn't he could die happy. Unable to stand it any longer, Daniel relented, pulling Black to him and kissing him deeply . ~ Yes, free me ~

Hearing the silent plea Black broke the embrace, grinned and walked away without waiting to see if Daniel would follow. He had the boy hook line and sinker, they both knew it and the game was about to become a lot more interesting.