The Progeny

by Shelley Crowley

  “You think this special drug of his could work?” asked Dreadlocks in a small voice.

  Alexander’s heartstrings panged. Since when did he stop being an apathetic jackass? Oh yeah, since Nico stuffed his conscience back into him. “I hope so,” he said with a weary smile. Alexander took a bite of his apple and left the room, leaving the two men alone to stew.

  After wandering around the mansion and sticking his middle finger up at the two guards at the front door, Alexander found himself in the library. He had been looking for Seb but he seemed to have the uncanny ability to disappear. So, to waste some time, Alexander busied himself by scanning through Nico’s impressive book collection. There were so many shelves filling all four walls that he even had a pair of those fancy ladders that were attached to a rail so he could swing across the whole room. It was quite fun. Feeling the air whip his long hair over his shoulders and that giddy thrill in his stomach made Alexander yearn to be able to vampire-sprint again.

  “Urgh, more Shakespeare,” groaned Alexander, spitting pieces of apple over an old looking copy of Romeo and Juliet. “Plot twist, everyone dies at the end.” Rolling his eyes, he slotted the book back into its space. “What a pretentious arsehole,” he muttered as his sticky apple juice coated fingers brushed across the spines. His heavy boots tapped across the wooden floor. “Ever heard of Harry Potter?” Or anything that’s not so bloody depressing.

  The door creaked open and Alexander spun around. Nico was stood smiling at him, “Ah, Alexander, I’ve been looking for you.”

  Alexander looked down at the half-eaten fruit in his hand –thankfully covering up his injured palm. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. If only. “Well, you’ve found me,” he grumbled, wiping his sticky hand on the back of a velvet chair. Nico scowled but said nothing. “What do you want?”

  “I wanted to ask how you were feeling. Did you take the pill?”

  Alexander’s stomach clenched and he could feel mushed up apple climbing back up his throat. Should he lie and say he did? But what if he found out he had lied? Should he tell the truth? Tell him that he didn’t want to die? That he knew that was what Nico wanted? For him to do himself in so Nico didn’t have to?

  “No,” said Alexander. “I… I chickened out.”

  Nico frowned, an empathetic frown that created a deep crease between his brows. “You seemed so enthusiastic. I’m sorry if you felt like I forced you into something you did not feel comfortable with.”

  Alexander scoffed at the irony. “You’ve turned me into a human. That’s what I’m uncomfortable with.”

  “You were always supposed to be human, Alexander.”

  “Oh don’t give me that shit, I’m tired of it. We all are. Just hurry up and fix us. And not with stupid over-the-counter drugs that probably won’t do shit. You act like you’re some fucking Messiah. Either prove it or let us go.”

  A silence followed and Alexander captured the shine of water in Nico’s eyes as he stared back. “I honestly thought it would work.” His voice was thick with an approaching sob. “This is my life’s work. My friends have died for this cause. Do you think I like seeing you all like this? And knowing that I’m the one that caused it?” He sniffed hard and readjusted his glasses - an uneasy gesture. “I’m supposed to be curing you, not- not causing you pain.”

  “Yet you tortured Simon,” said Alexander, his voice cold and sharp. He may be becoming soft now that his humanity was back, but he had no shred of sympathy for the man standing before him. Yet you tortured Joe, too, he wanted to add. He didn’t know exactly what Nico had done to Snowflake, but he did remember the dizzying amount of times that Nico had made the albino succumb to hibernation. “And you infected all of us. Did you even care about how much pain you had put us all through with your special virus?”

  “It was all for the cause.”

  Alexander sighed, giving up. “If you really did have the desire to help me, you’d let me call my sister. If I could just… hear her voice. Tell her I’m still here. That I haven’t left her. She always knows what to say.”

  Nico shook his head, the shimmer of fresh tears now gone from his eyes. “I can’t do that, Alexander, I’m sorry. You must have no contact with the outside world. There are too many extraneous variables. I need you contained and focused.”

  Focused? Focused on what exactly? Because all Alexander could think about was his past. And that was the cause of all of his problems.

  Alexander just shook his head, defeated. “Whatever. Just hurry up and sort us out. And stop wasting time talking to us because we have nothing to say to you.” He passed him, Alexander’s bare arm brushing the soft material of Nico’s cardigan. “Excuse me.”

  Nico shifted to the side; his head hung slightly.

  He really was making everyone feel like shit today. Not that he cared about Nico, but he really did need to find Seb right about now and do something good. Suddenly remembering the banned item shoved into the back pocket of his jeans, Alexander swivelled back around and left the library backwards so Nico didn’t notice the bulge. The doctor had a faraway look in his eyes as he stared down at the criss-cross pattern of the wooden floor, paying Alexander no attention.

  After chucking the unwanted apple core in the bin, he crossed to the patio doors and looked out. Still no Seb. Maybe he was in his room? But he had said he’d meet him downstairs. Why is this house so bloody huge?!

  Shrooms passed him in the hallway and Alexander grabbed her. She squeaked in surprise and spun around.

  “Hey. Sorry,” Alexander rushed. “I was just wondering if you’ve seen Seb.”

  Shrooms nodded, still looking a little perplexed. “Yeah, he’s in the lounge.”

  Alexander had the sudden urge to hug her but he restrained himself. Instead, he smiled to show his appreciation. “Thanks.”

  “Yeah… no problem.” When Alexander let her go, she stumbled a little before continuing on her way.

  Seb was staring up at the huge screen, so captivated either by the soap opera that was on or with his own thoughts, that he didn’t even notice he had company until Alexander flopped onto the sofa beside him.

  “Oh, hey.” Seb’s face broke into a soft smile.

  Alexander wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I have a bulge in my pants with your name on it.”

  Seb’s smile dropped. “W-what?”

  Too much? Alexander quickly clarified by turning up his rear to him and pointing to the lump in his back pocket. He reached in and placed the razor between their bodies. There was no one else in the room but Alexander couldn’t help being cautious.

  Seb looked down at it as if it were a missing piece of his heart. He clutched the handle and squeezed it until his knuckles were bone white. Alexander’s blood ran cold as he watched Seb’s face tighten. Alexander thought it was a look of anguish until Seb enveloped him with a spine-cracking embrace.

  “Thank you,” he said over his shoulder, his huge arms locking Alexander against him. The well of emotion in his tone made pressure build in the back of Alexander’s eyes. “You’re a great friend.”

  Alexander chuckled, his arms wrapping around Seb’s narrow waist. “Your beard isn’t that itchy, is it?” He was acting like he’d just saved his life.

  Alexander could feel said stubble against the back of his neck, and he rubbed against it slightly so it grazed his skin and made his arms prickle with goosebumps.

  “I’m just grateful is all,” said Seb, still clutching Alexander. His Adam’s apple rolled against his shoulder. “I’m really happy you came into my life, Alex.”

  Alexander sighed in bliss, closing his eyes. He hardly ever let people call him Alex. Only three people had ever been allowed to call him that. His wife, his sister and now Seb. The way he said it made that pressure in the backs of Alexander’s eyes turn into tears – he said it like it was his.

  Alexander buried his face against Seb’s neck, and when his lips accidently brushed his skin, Seb began to pull back. Alexander’s heart pounded as
Seb’s grip on him loosened and his face came into focus. They stared at each other- their lips so close Alexander could feel Seb’s warm breath mingle with his own. His jade eyes were heavy-lidded, his thick eyelashes clumped with moisture. Alexander’s fingers curled into the back of his t-shirt but he didn’t move. Just watched with rapt adulation as Seb’s eyes flickered over his face. He felt so exposed under the gaze, like he was peeling back his layers and seeking his soul. And he wanted him to find it. Bathe in it. Become a part of it. A part of him.

  Seb gulped hard as his eyes suddenly teared up. Alexander’s grip on his t-shirt tightened with fear. The breath Seb expelled was so heavy it made Alexander’s nerves quake. And when Alexander thought he was going to break away, Seb captured his mouth with a deep, plundering kiss.

  Alexander’s mewl of surprise lodged in his throat as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Seb’s big hands slid up Alexander’s back and his fingers curled into his blond hair. Alexander gasped at the sharp tug on his scalp and kissed him harder. His cheeks were wet with tears and Alexander didn’t know if they were his own or Seb’s. But what he did know was that it was his heart that was close to bursting and it was his fingers that were tingling as they traced the contours of Seb’s broad back.

  When Seb broke away, they were both gasping for breath. Alexander watched as Seb squeezed his eyes shut in torment, jaw flexing and chest heaving. Had he never kissed a guy before? Was that why he had pushed Alexander away the first time? If it was, Alexander would be there for him. He would help him through the confusing feelings. After all, he’d been through it all himself. Hell, he used to have a wife. He used to be a father. Confusing feelings were Alexander’s forte.

  There were very few things that Alexander could give good advice about: Style, weapons, dancing, and tingly sensations in the underpants region. Anything else was Varsee’s territory.

  “Seb,” Alexander whispered, caressing his arm with his fingertips.

  Seb gulped hard and turned his body away from him, dropping his head into his hands, still clutching the razor. “I’m gonna go shave.”

  Alexander sank back. His lips felt a little sore and he wondered if Seb had kissed him with such a force that he had bruised them. “Do you want to talk?”

  Seb jerked up to his feet. “No. I need to go.” He sighed and looked down at Alexander, his eyes red and blotchy. “Thank you.”

  “For the razor?” Alexander asked with a touch of laughter.

  Seb shook his head, his gaze so intense that it made Alexander feel like he’d been doused in ice water. “For everything.”

  Alexander opened his mouth to say something back but his throat had gone dry. Seb just smiled, that sad, empty smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Alexander’s gut twisted. Without another word, he was gone.

  Chapter 29

  Alexander’s thoughts felt like wasps inside his head. Incessant, irritating wasps that wouldn’t leave him the hell alone. He glared at the basketball in his hand as if trying to make it burst with his mind. Seb had left him twenty minutes ago and Alexander could still taste him on his lips. Could still feel the pulsating pain in his scalp from when Seb had tugged at his hair. But his warmth was gone. He was gone. Maybe he was so freaked out about his own feelings he had just gone to hide out in his room. It wasn’t the first time Alexander had managed to sway a straight man the other way, and when it did happen, Alexander usually revelled in the poor guy’s confusion and mentally high-fived himself. But with Seb it was different. With Seb, he was nervous. Worried. Guilty. Alexander had known that Seb was going through a hard time after the cure and now Alexander has given him even more to stress and worry over.

  Alexander should have never kissed him in the first place.

  Was it selfish that he didn’t regret it? Was it selfish of him to have this overwhelming urge to dart back into the house and finish what he had started? Was it selfish of him to want someone to love him?

  It had been a long time since he had felt love, real love. Not like the love his sister had for him. That was different. With Varsee, Alexander knew that her love for him stemmed from her duty to keep his head above water. Godfrey, his Maker, had died only a few years after Alexander had been Turned and Varsee had taken up the sole responsibility of keeping her brother out of trouble. Which was a difficult job because Alexander had a knack for creating it.

  His sister loved him because she needed to. She could probably just as easily hate his guts and send him packing, if she wasn’t so patient and nurturing.

  But with Seb, Alexander could envision a whole different kind of love. Like the love he had shared with Elizabeth. The love he had been so scared to let in ever since Elizabeth. But now, it wasn’t a stretch to say that Alexander could see him and Seb holding hands and walking off into the sunset together. A sunset that they could now actually witness instead of stowing away behind blacked out curtains.

  With a clenched jaw, Alexander dunked the ball in the net with ease and left the basketball court. He needed to confront Seb. He needed to lay all his cards on the table, which was something he was finding a lot easier to do now that he was cured. Now that he was human. Now that he had a finite amount of years to live. What was the point in waiting when he knew exactly what he wanted? And what Alexander wanted was Seb back in his arms. And what he also wanted was for Seb to admit to himself and to Alexander what he was really feeling.

  Alexander’s blood rushed in his ears as he navigated his way through the house and bounded up the stairs. He was pretty sure he was sweating. And shaking. Was it due to nerves or was the winter weather finally getting to him? But why would he be sweating if it was cold? So, it was nerves, then.

  He passed Daisy in the hallway and managed to compose himself just long enough to send her an evil glare, to which she returned with a scowl and then a roll of her eyes.

  He halted before Seb’s door. The door next to his own. It was shut. Was Seb even inside? Or had he hidden away somewhere else?

  Sucking in a breath, Alexander knocked. No answer. He grasped the door handle and twisted. “Seb, I’m coming in. I hope you’re indecent.”

  The door swung open and Alexander found himself alone in the pristine bedroom. He cocked his head at the sound of running water from the bathroom. The door was shut but steam was seeping in from the gap underneath it.

  “Seb?” Alexander called louder to be heard over the pummelling water from the shower. When he was met with no reply yet again, the sinking feeling of dread felt like a lead weight on his chest. Something was wrong. He didn’t know what it was. But something wasn’t right.

  “Seb?” Alexander rushed to the bathroom door; his voice now broken with fear. The door wasn’t locked and it glided open with ease. Coughing up steam, Alexander fanned the dense clouds of it out of his way. Moisture quickly painted his skin making him feel like he was in a sauna. He turned to the shower and froze. A milky-white figure was slumped at the bottom of the closed shower cubicle, pressed against the steamed-up frosted glass.

  It was as if the moment was being stretched out, lengthening every second until it was excruciatingly slow and allowed Alexander to capture everything with bone-shatteringly terrifying clarity.

  There was a leak in the corner of the shower cubicle. It formed a river that branched out through the gaps between the tiled flooring. And the river ran red.

  Alexander yanked open the shower door. Seb tumbled out and Alexander slipped, falling onto the tiles with Seb sprawled across him. Soaked head-to-toe in the pinkish water, Alexander stared in wide-eyed horror as Seb’s head lolled back and his eyes stared sightlessly into his own.

  “No,” Alexander gasped, suddenly feeling claustrophobic as the steam filled his lungs and Seb’s weight pressed down on him. “No no no no no no no!”

  Alexander shook him as he lay naked across his chest.

  Don’t be dead.

  You can’t be dead.

  I need you!

  Tears filled Alexander’s eyes. He fe
lt like he was choking on his own heart when he saw the two slits in his friend’s wrists. Alexander clung to him as he wailed at the top of his lungs. A cry so shrill and broken that it scratched through his throat and made him taste blood.

  Between cries for help, he buried his tear-soaked face into Seb’s neck and rocked him like he was soothing him into slumber. He stabbed his lower lip with his teeth when he felt the stubble-free smoothness of Seb’s cheek against his own.

  The sound of the door crashing open was heard by Alexander as if through a tunnel. Hands grabbed him from behind and tore him away from Seb. He cried out, elbowing the person behind him who was dragging him across the floor. Seb’s skull cracked against the tiles. His wrists were still running blood like intricate lines of red lace.

  Knees tucked up on either side of Alexander’s waist and he was vaguely aware that he was leaning back against someone.

  “Shhh… It’s okay.”

  Now it was his turn to be rocked. Rocked and pinned back. But Alexander didn’t need to be restrained as tightly as he was because- as he stared down unblinking at his dead friend, his dead future- he felt as if his life was also being drained away, running through the fissures between the tiles.

  He had stopped crying and was now blubbering incoherently. His legs were sprawled out before him, his wet jeans clinging to his skinny legs. He looked down at the arms wrapped around his middle and instantly knew who they belonged to. And even with that knowledge, he let himself be held by them.

  Rushing footsteps and movement by the door made him turn. His wet hair was now a mesh over his face but he could see just about well enough to make out one of Nico’s suited men standing with his hand over his mouth.

  “Nico!” he called out and Alexander cringed, curling up into Daisy. She let him bury his face into her neck, and carried on holding him silently as he cried.