Don't touch them.

Chapter 9

   I wake to Endellion groaning in my ear, and others murmuring quietly.
   "What do we do?" Someone asks.
   "I guess we just take him." Take who? Endellion whimpers. I crack my eyes to see someone grabbing him
He tightens his grip on my arm, which is full of pins and needles. I grab the persons hand and twist, effectively freeing Endellion. I can gear Aspen growling.
   "Woah! Woah! Woah! Hey kid!" Someone shouts. I shoot up in bed to see a large frightened man and woman with red hair, and Sandra and Heather.
   "Dain, it's alright, let him go..." Heather coos softly. I let go of the man's wrist and he takes a step back, shaking his arm and rubbing his wrist. I scoot back in the bed.
   "Daddy..." Endellion yawns, crawling out of the covers, towards the man. "Aunt Amanda!" He changes his mind and goes to the red headed woman. She picks him up and he wraps his little legs around her thin waist and buries his face in her chest. Aspen steps over me protectively, no longer growling but carefuly studying the new comers.
   "Dain... You're eye..." I scoot back a bit further, wincing. The covers fall off of me as I try to brush the hair back into my face, covering my large leathery scar.
   "What was that shouting?! What happened?!" Sam and Anna both burst in, wide eyed. "Is Dain okay?!"
   "Everything's fine, just a misunderstanding." Heather says. She comes around the side of the bed and calls Aspen off me. He hestitates but steps away, allowing himself to be pet.
   "S-sorry." I rasp. I try to scoot back more but hit the wall.
   "That's alright." The man laughs. "I'm glad to know Del is safe."
   "Um, we'll leave you to get some sleep." He says. He and the woman leave.
   "That was Jermy and his sister Amanda." Heather explains. "They're part of the pack. I forgot they were coming today." She says. The two leave, followed by Anna who waves and yawns, running off in her rainbow pajamas.
   "What time is it?" I ask Sam.
   "About nine am. What happened?" He sits at the foot of the bed.
   "Endellion showed up in here... Sometime. It was still dark. And he was crying and curled up with me... And I may have accidentaly almost broke Jeremy's arm when he tried to take him..." I whisper the last part. He tries to stiffle his laugh but fails miserably.
   "I'm gonna go get dressed." He laughs.    "You want me to turn out your light?" He asks softly.
   "No, I'm gonna get dressed too."
   "Okay." He softly shuts the door. I roll out of bed, hurting worse today than last night. I take off my pants and put them in the hamper with my shirt. I slip on some black skinny jeans and a white t-shirt. The bandages outline show through my shirt. But they've seen my eye, and the bruises around my throat, and the bandages. I don't think it matters.
   I limp out of the room, my face hard, as usual. Everyone's sitting around with cups of coffee when I come out. Even Sam, who's looking good in blue jeans and a purple tank top. He doesn't look up as I sit down, but hands me a cup of sweet smelling liquid.
   "I put extra sugar in it for you." He says.
   "Th-thank you." I sip it.
   "So, Dain. It's nice to meet you." Jermy says.
   "You too." I rasp.
   "Tect..." Endellion walks to me, his hands up. Do I pick him up? Am I allowed? He's not scared of me? I look to Sam. My confusion must have shown on my face because he laughed.
   "You can hold him." Jermy says. I set my coffee down on the table and gently grab him under his arms, and carefuly lift him into my lap.
   "He's so careful." Amanda whispers.
   "He's really sweet, just a bit... Hurt, that's all." Sandra whispers back.
   "Uv you Tector!" Endellion snuggles up to me, laying his head on my chest sleepily.
   "What are you calling him Del?" Amanda asks.
   "Tector! He said he tect me." The little boy yawns.
   "You said what?" Jarmy laughs huskily.
   "I had bad sleeps. He says I can sleep with him. He says he tect me." We says.
   "You mean protect?" Heather asks. Oh don't look so surprised. I may look like a dick but I'm not a total ass.
   "Yeah. Tect." Del is suddenly wide eyed and bouncy. He jumps against one of my bruises and wince, whimpering a little.
   "Here buddy, I've got to set you down." I rasp. He only protests a little before going to play with Anna, who just emerged from the hall wither hair brushed, makeup done, and dressed a loose purple dress.
   "Del!" She squints and makes a funny face. He laughs and attacks her legs.
   "So... How are you feeling?" Sandra asks.
   "I'm fine."
   "You're not fine. Don't lie to me. The third day is always the worst." She says plainly. "But I have something that might cheer you up!" Well I wouldn't call myself gloomy. This is the happiest I've been in a while.
   "So, Jermy and Amanda came because they know some vampires. Um, a small clan. And they... Knew your father." I think they were expecting a more dramatic reaction, but I just bring my legs up, so I'm curled up a bit smaller. Aspen, sensing my distress, rests his head on my knee, staring up at me with his big, cloud colored eyes.
   "Are you okay?" Heather asks.
   "I've been worse." I sip my coffee, watching them. They just nod slowly.
   "They're sending some blood for you. Have you ever watched Vampire Academy?" Sandra asks. I nod, "Well they do have voluntary blood banks from mortals. The mortals live in little resorts, and donate. It's a lovely operation."
   "So they're sending blood?" I ask.
   "Yes. You'll have a steady supply of food now." Amanda smiles.
   "I was also wondering, you had said something about financial insecurity, and I was wondering if, in a few weeks, you'd like to become a waiter for our resteraunt after school. We'll pay you like our other employees." Sandra offers.
  I'm quick to accept.