Fallen

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Eliza

"Does he always do that?" I asked Toby as we got back into his car. The giant man nodded with a familiar smile on his face.

"Pretty much," he replied without saying anything more. I would know. I waited for him to explain his friend for several minutes before breaking the silence before it could solidify.

"And you just put up with it? Doesn't it ever get on your nerves?"

"Of course," Toby replied, pulling up to the stoplight. "But he's the only person around who can deal with this kind of case, so I have to give him some slack."

"Sheesh, this kind of thing must be a serious problem," I mused as the light turned green. "It must be to put up with that level of asshole."

"The city was built on top of some kind of gate," Toby answered gravely. "The natives didn't settle this area because of that, but the immigrants coming from Europe didn't pay their warnings any mind. Because of that, this city has a lot more supernatural activity than most places, and several more..gifted...individuals than elsewhere."

"Gifted like...you?" I asked, looking to confirm my suspicions. Toby nodded.

"That's right. Enlightened, saw my first demon when I was thirteen after it attacked my baby brother," Toby replied, a note of sadness finding its way into his deep voice.

"Oh God, was he?"

"No, but he hasn't been able to walk since," Toby answered quickly, the wound obviously still painful to this day. "But he would have died, and I probably would have too if Gavin hadn't shown up and dealt with that monster."

"He must really get around," I said quietly, looking back into my own past. Toby must have sensed it. Why could everyone do that to me?

"Something on your mind?" he asked, looking over at me for the first time since we'd started on our way back to the church. I hesitated, but decided to let it out.

"Just a wish I guess," I replied, looking out the window at the people passing by. "That he could have showed up to help me like he did you and Nathan."

"Even Gavin has his limits, but deep down, I know he's thinking the same thing," Toby replied. I laughed, knowing that it had to be a joke, but Toby's face didn't lose even a touch of its seriousness.

"Oh come on! When he's not being a complete douche he's shutting me out. That doesn't sound like the kind of guy you and Nathan keep talking about," I protested angrily. Toby shook his head.

"It doesn't, but it's his defense,' Toby replied. "It took me a while to figure it out, and Nathan had to help me get there, but we both believe that Gavin puts up a front to protect himself."

"I find that a little hard to believe, don't you?" I asked. Toby chuckled.

"Sometimes, but then, if you look carefully, you'll see him slip. He'll turn away from something, or lose his humor, or just start acting differently. It's only for a little while, just a few seconds, but then you see it. You see the man who would take care of two wounded children and raise a boy without a place to call his home. You see the person who would continue doing his duty even after his comrades have deserted him. You see the real Gavin, even if he tries his best to hide it."

"I'll believe it when I see it," I replied roughly, staring out my window once again. Abandoned? What the hell was Gavin's deal? "So have you got any tips for a newbie?"