by Macy Farmer
Remembering what his mother said last night, I climbed on to his lap and asked him to explain about the first day we met.
“Is that why you’re on my lap, to entice me into giving you information?”
“No.” This time I acted as though I was insulted. “I like it here.” Grinding, pushing myself closer to him. I smiled seductively, “Want to do it again?”
“By the size of the egg on your head I’d have to say no.” He rubbed the back of my head. When I threw my head back and hit the wall, I must’ve hit it really hard because it was sore to the touch. Funny, at the time, I didn’t feel a thing.
“I’m okay. Well except that my legs still feel like jelly.” I giggled.
“Do you remember the first day you arrived in Black Forest?” Changing subjects in a subtle way wasn’t Bradley forte, but I decided to bite anyway.
“Yes. That’s when I met Colleen. Now that was weird. It was as if we were meant to meet each other. Then, later that night, she stood me up and I met you. Why do you ask?”
“Well that’s not really how it happened. You see the first time I saw you was the day you arrived. I was across the street in the bar parking lot walking to my truck when I saw you with Sam. You looked so beautiful. You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” Caressing my left cheek with the back of his right hand he paused momentarily. “I remember feeling as if I had fallen under a spell. The way you walked and how the wind blew your beautiful long blonde hair, it left me breathless. From that first moment I had to meet you.
“I stalked you adoringly that day, watching as you took care of business with Sam. For fear you’d see me, I didn’t follow you onto the campgrounds. Instead, I waited along the highway hoping that you’d have to come back out. And when you finally did I followed you to the store where I called Colleen and asked her to accidently, but purposely, bump into you. Luckily, Colleen was right down the road. I asked her to arrange a get together with you and then not show up so I could meet and talk to you.”
He sighed. “I know how desperate I sound. Trust me, Colleen already said those words to me. But I had to meet you. I was instinctively drawn to you.”
For a few seconds I stared at his chest, wiping away an imaginary fuzzy, digesting his words.
“Wow. So Colleen really didn’t want to be my friend? Did you send her back to the cabin to check on me a few days later, too?” Although I am excited at the lengths Bradley went just to meet me, I was kind of disappointed about Colleen. I thought we had a connection the day we first met.
“Well I didn’t need to send Colleen or Jesse to check on you. Once they met you… Well, Colleen has thanked me several times for sending her to the store that day. She swears that the two of you are connected in some way. As for Jesse, he says you’re his long lost baby sister.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Are you angry with us?”
“No. Just the opposite, I’m thrilled. I feel the same way about them. As for you, the moment I saw you in the bar I fell head over heels.” I let down my shield and showed him how I felt that day and every day until I went back to my old home.
“Really, how interesting? We both knew, yet it still took us this long to get here. Mrs. Jenkins, I’d do it all over again as long as I got to hear you say my name again.”
“Bradley.” I giggled before putting up my shield again.
“I know you like your privacy but… I really like hearing your thoughts. When I hear them, I feel closer to you, connected.”
***
That afternoon the rest of our clan showed up. Well everyone except for Cheryl, which made me more than a little nervous. Dave reassured me by telling us that Cheryl had gotten a new job and was starting it today, adding that she would be by later this evening.
Bradley explained what we had learned recently, leaving out the fact that we saw his mother. For our protection, he insisted that we tell them only what they needed to know. Both Jesse and Dave were shocked to hear about how brutal his father could be. Afterwards, Bradley asked Dave to take a walk with him and Seager. So as not to upset Jesse, he asked him to stay behind and protect me. My husband was such a gentleman, always concerned about his friends’ feelings.
The second Bradley and Dave were out of view Jesse asked, “So what’s up with all the bite marks on Brad’s neck? Have you been a naughty girl, Nat?” He let out a loud laugh before Colleen hit him with the remote control from across the room.
“Now that’s funny.” I didn’t answer his questions. I ignored them, hoping he’d just let it go.
“So, Nat, Jesse and I were thinking about having a baby next year and wondered if you and Brad would like to be the godparents?” I stood there, mouth gaping, looking at Colleen. This was totally out of the blue. The woman has always had a knack for changing the subject.
“Colleen, we would be honored. Really, you’re thinking about having kids?” Since they’ve never spoke about having kids or even liking kids for that matter, I was stunned by the news.
“Yes, I love kids and I know Jess would make an excellent father,” she gloated.
“Jess, I’ve never heard you say anything about kids. Nor have you, Colleen.”
“I love kids, Nat. Had Colleen and I gotten together sooner I think we would have had a few by now. She’ll be an excellent mommy. I can’t wait.” He picked Colleen up and started walking towards the guest room. “Do you mind if we take a moment or two to get started on the making part?”
“You’re so bad, Jess. Put me down.” Colleen actually blushed.
With a huge grin on my face, I crossed the room and gave them both a big hug. There were no doubts in my mind Jess and Colleen would make great parents. I hugged Colleen again and told her how happy I was for her.
“What about you, Nat?” Colleen asked.
“What about me?” I replied, puzzled by her question.
“Do you want any kids?”
“Honestly, I’ve never really thought about it. I mean it would be neat to see a little Bradley running around, but I don’t think that’s possible.” The more I thought about it, the more I knew I wasn’t ready to have a baby. Maybe I should discuss it with Bradley. “You don’t think Bradley would want to have kids, do you?”
“Well, Nat, it doesn’t sound like you want to have kids, so what does it matter?” Jesse asked.
“I like kids, but when they’re someone else’s. I really never pictured myself as a mother… But if Bradley wanted them then I’d probably have one. He would definitely make a good daddy. Well, either way, this is a subject for another day. We have enough on our plate with his father and Anthony. How about we stick to the original plan where the two of you have a baby, then if we like it we can discuss it at that time.” We all found the humor in the remark. We played cards and laughed for hours.
***
By the time Bradley, Seager and Dave got back from their walk it was dark out. We had already eaten and cleaned up the mess. The second Bradley walked in the door I let him have it.
“Do you know how worried I was? What on God’s earth took you so long? Couldn’t you send me a message somehow? Oh yea… I’m glad you’re back safely and I love you.” Ranting ceased, I kissed him hello.
He smiled back and said, “Natalia, we need to talk a moment.” Nodding at Dave, “We’ll be right back. He took my hand, pulling me into our room and kissed me passionately.
“Dave said that my blood shouldn’t harm you. He said there’s a possibility that it will turn you slowly into a vampire and asked if I saw any signs of that. I explained aside from the biting and blood sucking there were no signs whatsoever.” He chuckled. “Sorry we took so long, love. We saw some tracks back in the woods and followed them off your land.”
“Our land.” I corrected.
“What?”
“You said ‘my land.’ It’s ‘our land.’ Do we have anything to worry about?”
Bradley smirked sheepishly, ignoring my question. “How about we go and see if Cheryl has heard from Anthony?” h
e asked before twirling and dancing me through the bedroom door, around the corner, and into the living room.
Jesse was standing outside talking to someone on his phone. Once the call ended, he rushed into the house. His face turned white, shoulders were tight, and his hands were jammed into his armpits. “I’ve got some bad news folks. Andrew and Anthony have been spotted at Mountain Top. They just left and my source says they’re headed in this direction.”
Shaking uncontrollably, trepidation filled me. Grabbing onto Bradley, he took my hand and reassured me that everything would be alright.
***
All night the guys listened and watched over our house. When I woke in the morning Dave, Jesse and Colleen had already left to survey our property. While pouring myself a cup of coffee I heard the chimes ringing aggressively.
“Bradley…” I said running into the room, “…someone’s coming.”
Standing beside Bradley, looking out the front bay window, we watched Andrew walk out from the forest. Quickly scanning the edges of the trees and down the drive, he appeared to be alone and bearing a gift. Fear unlike any other rushed through me. Terrified something bad was about to happen, I grabbed hold of him. Pulling at his clothes trying to get him away from the window, away from what was coming, I pleaded with him to run. I feared Andrew would kill my Bradley and that I’d lose him forever. Panicked and afraid, I jumped between him and the sick sadistic bastard who claimed to be his father. As if it were the last time we’d be together, I wrapped my arms round his neck and kissed him with all the love I had.
Pushing me at arm’s length, Bradley shook his head. “Natalia, please save that for the bedroom, or any other time when that man is not around. You make it hard for me to concentrate.” Skimming my left cheek with the back of his right hand, he calmly sympathized, “I know you’re frightened. I promise you, I won’t let him hurt you. I love you.”
Me… I’m not worried about me. It was Bradley I was worried about! All the stories we’ve heard about our previous lives, Andrew killed Bradley first. Wrapping my arms around myself, I wanted to scream out at the top of my lungs.
Bradley cupped my left cheek with his right hand. “Don’t be frightened.”
Nodding, I stepped forward and stood by his side. When we turned to look out the window, I let out a blood-curdling scream. There on the other side of the windowpane stood Andrew, Bradley’s father. The man glared at Bradley with an evil grin on his face. Bradley walked towards the front door with Andrew following, as if stalking his prey, waiting for his moment to pounce and kill his prey.
Bradley positioned himself strategically in front of me, protecting me from his father. My pulse raced, and I could hear my heart thrashing in my ears.
A growl, low and furious, started to rise from his chest as he opened the inside door to greet our enemy. His posture was stiff, shoulders squared, and he appeared ready and willing to attack. In a voice so fierce, unlike anything I’ve ever heard from him, Bradley stated, “You’re not welcome here. What do you want?”
“Now is that any way to greet your father? I just stopped by to meet the Mrs. I heard the two of you got married a few weeks ago and wanted to congratulate you both. May I come in?” Sounding polite, he could easily deceive a stranger into believing he cared.
“No, you may not, and you are not my father, Andrew. Please leave.” Bradley’s voice got deeper with anger. I grabbed his hand to remind him that he couldn’t leave, that it wouldn’t be safe. He squeezed my hand tightly, reassuring me.
“Natalia, dear, I’d like to apologize for my rudeness when we first met. Please understand I was only protecting my son, the only thing I have left of his loving mother.” The corners of his mouth turned upward maliciously as he said those last few words and before looking Bradley in the eyes. Knowing that he raped Bradley’s mother and left her for dead, then hearing him act as if he cared about her, even a little… Uttering those last few hurtful words were meant to provoke Bradley into a fight. The sadistic bastard wanted Bradley to attack him.
“Watch it!” Bradley threatened. But he wasn’t taking the bait. Instead, he shielded me more from Andrew. “There is no reason for you to address MY wife. This will be the last time I make this request… Please leave.”
Telepathically I called out to Seager telling him Andrew was here, to be careful because Anthony may be in the forest somewhere.
“I was speaking to the lovely, Mrs. Jenkins.” His eyes caught hold of mine. “My, your green eyes are beautiful. Why don’t you come out here so that I may get a better look at my beautiful daughter-in-law?”
“No, thank you. I’m not interested in doing so. Please do as Bradley says and leave.”
His calm posture turned rigid, and his finger retracted, turning almost claw-like when I dismissed any interest in him. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that to him but I felt it was necessary. I looked up at Bradley and he smiled proudly, causing me to grin which set off Andrew even more. Bearing his teeth, his hands now clenched into fists, were shaking.
“Take the gift with you and leave. We’re not interested,” he said with his voice much calmer than before.
Andrew started to say something when Dave interrupted him. “I believe the newlyweds asked you to leave. Shall we escort you off the premises?”
Bradley shut our front door and we watched from the window. Andrew spun around to face Dave. His eyes grew wide and mouth agape when he saw Dave wasn’t alone. Seager, Colleen, and Jesse were with him. They all stood at the edge of the porch and began to approach him.
Frustrated he’d been out numbered, Andrew turned towards the closed door. Slowly, he walked to the window and threatened, “You won’t have her for long.”
Bradley lunged towards the window just as Dave and Jesse grabbed Andrew and threw him off the porch. Then, they all followed him off the premises.
Unknowingly holding my breath, it shook when I exhaled. Grabbing Bradley’s arm, I pulled him away from the window over to the couch, where we sat and waited for our friends to return. Nervous, I rubbed the palm of my hands back and forth over the top of my thighs. The longer it took for our friends to return, the faster I rubbed my thighs, causing friction to heat my palms. Noticing the obvious, Bradley covered my hands with his, stopping me immediately.
When our friends finally walked through the front door, Bradley rose to his feet. Immediately Jesse and Dave started voicing their opinions about Andrew, saying we’ll have to watch our backs, that Andrew made several threats while they were escorting him off our property.
Raising his arm and pointing to the door, Bradley thanked everyone for their efforts while gesturing for them to leave. He stared at our guests, but by the dark blank glare in his eyes, he wasn’t seeing them.
“Seager and I will protect her,” he barked rudely, “We’ll call you in the morning.”
All at once, Dave, Colleen and Jesse voiced that they refuse to leave, saying it wasn’t safe for us to be alone. At least not tonight.
I had no doubts that Bradley knew they were right. Anger and fear clouded his mind. “Fine, whatever,” Bradley hollered, upset by his father’s threats.
“Please…” I started to say before his lips were on mine as he carried me to our bedroom.
Lying on our bed, our bodies intertwined, I could feel Bradley’s anxiety.
“Hon, please talk to me. Tell me what you’re thinking.” On the brink of crying I asked, “Did I upset you with what I said?”
He did not reply which freaked me out even more. Tears spilled over, dropping onto his chest. The moment they seeped through his shirt he came back to me.
“Please don’t cry, Natalia. Everything will be okay. I am not upset with anything you said. I thought it was funny and quite appropriate.” He drew me in closer. “I’m thinking we need to come up with a better plan or we’ll never be alone again. More importantly, I didn’t like the way he looked at you. It was as if he was trying to draw you towards him.
He paused for a short mome
nt. “Did you know some Vampires can actually lure their prey to them with just a look?”
“No. Is that what he was trying to do with me?”
He backed away far enough to look into my eyes. “What did it feel like?”
“Like he locked his eyes onto mine, it was like he was trying to seduce me.” I felt dirty and unfaithful just for saying the words out loud.
“I thought so. Clearly it wasn’t working on you. You’re response was the total opposite of what he had been expecting. From my perspective, it was the perfect answer.” He bent down and kissed my nose. “Do not feel guilty my love, you did nothing wrong. Just remember that, although we are not magic, we have ways to draw in our prey. And to him you are just that, his prey.”
“This is going to be harder than I thought,” I said.
“How so?”
“He just walked up on our porch like it was no big deal. I think tomorrow I’ll create another protection spell, this time making our home the safe house. That way neither he nor Anthony can get to us. Just like I had outside the cave, but on a permanent basis. Would that be okay with you?”
“It sure would. Especially if it makes it safe for us to express our love without worrying that they are going to barge in at any minute. Now it’s time for you to get some sleep. Tomorrow you will create the spell and I’ll figure out another plan.” He kissed me tenderly before saying, “Good night, my Natalia. Dream only sweet dreams.” He sang the song ‘Forever My Love’ until I fell into a deep sleep.
***
That night I tossed and turned, unable to keep the terror from my dreams. Both Andrew and Anthony haunted me, threatening to take my soul, the love of my life, away from me.
Bradley and I were taking a late night walk deep in the forest along the outskirts of our property line. We were holding hands enjoying the sounds of the night: crickets, insects, owls and other creatures of the night that were scavenging for their next meal. Suddenly, silence fell upon us. Moments later the terrorizing began.