by Nina Perez
“Jack, I’ve seen the pictures of the accident. You haven’t. If you’d have been with me, you’d be dead now. I’d still be paralyzed and you’d be dead. I think under the circumstances, if it had to happen, this was the best possible outcome.”
Bobby was wrong. Jack had seen the accident, but it had never occurred to him, in all the time he’d spent wishing he’d been there, that he would have died if he had been in the car that day.
“Why are you being so…”
“Understanding?” Bobby wheeled his chair further into the room. “No one prepares you for this. No one prepares you for anything in life, really. We all like to think we know how we’d react if something huge happened. If you’d asked me a year ago how I’d handle being in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, I would have said I’d rather be dead. Well, then I looked death in the face, and life in this chair doesn’t seem that bad by comparison.”
Jack thought about having his parents in any way over what he had now. It wouldn’t matter if they were in wheelchairs for the rest of their lives – he just wanted them in his life.
“I really am sorry about your parents, man.” Bobby said, like he’d been reading Jack’s mind.
“Thanks.” Jack still wasn’t used to accepting condolences. No matter how sincere they were - and he knew Bobby’s were legitimate - a simple thank you always felt so hollow.
“Violet seems nice.”
“She is. Stay away from her.”
Bobby pretended to be insulted. He clutched his chest, an innocent smile spreading across his face. “Listen to you. Protective big brother.”
Jack laughed too. “You could say that.”
“Seriously, man. I forgive you. No one has all the answers. You freaked and I understand that. I mean, it hurt. Don’t get me wrong. I felt like my boy had abandoned me. But I understand.”
Jack nodded. He didn’t trust himself not to cry if he said anything.
“Besides, now you can literally push me around. You gotta love that.” Bobby extended his arm for a handshake.
Jack wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and hesitated for a moment. He’d spent so much time afraid to touch anyone. He was about to demand answers from Dr. Tesla and open himself up to the power that was growing inside of him, all so he could find out who murdered his parents. The time for being scared was over. He shook his best friend’s hand.
Images flashed before his eyes. He didn’t believe them, but his visions hadn’t been wrong yet.
“You okay? Don’t get all mushy on me, man.”
“No. No, I’m good.”
Jack spent hours with Bobby, catching up on all that they’d missed. He laughed watching Bobby wheel around with his little sister, Lacey, in his lap. She was only three and didn’t understand what had happened to her brother. She viewed the wheelchair as an instrument for her amusement. There was a tense moment when Bobby’s father came home. He had called Jack’s house numerous times following Bobby’s accident, suggesting that Jack visit his son to boost his spirits and help with his recovery. Jack had never gone, nor had he returned any of the calls. Any animosity he might have held seemed to diminish when he saw how happy Bobby was to have Jack around.
They talked about Jack’s new living arrangement and even though Bobby thought it odd that he lived with his psychologist, he envied Jack for living with Violet.
“I would give you crap for needing a shrink,” Bobby said, “But I have to see one, too. It’s part of my therapy.”
Jack turned down an invitation to stay for dinner, saying he had a session with Dr. Tesla that evening. Though Jack wanted to stay, he knew he couldn’t put off confronting Dr. Tesla. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he didn’t want to. He was sick of being afraid. He was sick of being in the dark.
As Jack shook hands with Mr. Matthews, Mrs. Matthews asked, “Will we see you soon, Jack?”
Looking Bobby’s father in the eyes and keeping his grip firm, Jack answered, “Yes. Yes, you will.” Mr. Matthews nodded and swallowed a lump in his throat.
On his way home, he stopped by his old house. It was still for sale, but otherwise it looked the same. He walked around the property, peering into the windows. It looked different without furniture, lonely. He felt the grief crawling up his body, gripping the lump in his throat and threatening to spill the tears pooled in his eyes. He could have easily climbed through one of the windows to see if the house still had that smell of home, then curled up on the carpeted floor of his bedroom closet like he used to when he was a kid and not feeling well. He could have easily given in to his grief.
He knew that was not what his parents, especially his father, would have wanted. Jack brushed past the naked rose bush his mother had carefully planted and named Fruit Punch, and walked to his new home.
Dr. Tesla wasn’t at dinner, but he was in his office when Jack arrived for their session. The strangeness of having his sessions at home had worn off for Jack, and he came to prefer them there rather than the office in Little City. They could be exhausting and it was a relief to go no further than upstairs to his room to decompress. Jack suspected that this session would be a lot less stressful because he was finally going to give Dr. Tesla what he wanted. Dr. Tesla started the session as he did most.
“What would you like to talk about tonight, Jack?”
“Bobby.”
“Why the change of heart?” Dr. Tesla asked, not bothering to hide his surprise.
“I went to see him today.”
Dr. Tesla blinked away more surprise and nodded. “You did. That’s wonderful news. How did it go?”
“Well, I apologized. I told him I was sorry for letting him get in the car that day. Sorry for not stopping it.”
“You didn’t…”
Jack held up a hand. “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell him about my visions. But I still needed to say that I was sorry for what happened to him and for how I treated him afterwards.”
Dr. Tesla nodded. “How did he react?”
“He forgave me. Not sure I deserved it, but I’m glad he did. I missed him.”
“I’m very proud of you, Jack. That was a huge step. How did you leave things?”
“After awhile it was just like it used to be. He wasn’t my friend in a wheelchair; he was my best friend since forever. I thought being there might make me think about… you know…”
“Your parents?”
Jack nodded. “And it did, but in a good way. I know how I acted after the accident really hurt them, especially my mother. I didn’t know then that if I had just told them the truth, they’d have understood. Maybe… anyway, that’s gonna take awhile to … “
“I know, and it will. You’re on the right track. We still have time. What else is on your mind?”
“I wondered if maybe we could talk about what happened to my parents.”
“I know what you’re going to ask.”
“You do?”
“There are no shortcuts to wellness, Jack. You made an important step today, reaching out to Bobby, seeking forgiveness. I know it may have seemed insensitive on my part not to tell you about your grandfathers and your parents’ involvement in The Alliance, but I truly believed it was best for you to deal with your troubles first. I’ll meet you halfway. I will tell you what it is you wish to know. I will tell you about your grandfathers and how your parents came to be two of the bravest assets The Alliance will ever know.”
Jack knew he should have stopped him there. He wanted to know about his family and their history with The Alliance, but he’d promised Violet he’d try to get more information on The Trust, who knew what and when, and who might have been behind their parents’ murder. Instead Jack found himself asking, “Can you show me?”
Chapter Sixteen
The Best of Us
As soon as Jack opened his eyes, he knew why Dr. Tesla suggested he wear the jacket Violet had bought him into the construct. Everything around them was covered in snow so white it was almost blinding.
They were a few yards away from an old farmhouse. Behind them and the house was thick-set woods made up of naked trees – bare except for icicles that hung from their branches. Other than that, all that could be seen in any direction was miles of powdered flatlands.
Jack shoved his hands in his jacket pocket and asked, “When are we?” He still wasn’t used to the authenticity of the construct and marveled as his words turned into smoke when they met the air.
“Nineteen seventy-two. Augusta, Maine.” Dr. Tesla said, blowing into his hands and placing them in his jacket pockets. “Your grandfathers were two of the greatest Hunters in The Alliance. Both became so because it was a family tradition. Their fathers were Hunters and their fathers before that. Your mother’s father, Alistair Kane, was in the Navy and traveled frequently overseas. His skills as a Hunter were often put to use by the Alliance in other countries. His best friend, another Hunter, was Thomas Morrow, your paternal grandfather. Thomas was a deep sea fisherman; that part of what your parents told you was true, but he gave it up to be a Hunter full-time soon after your father was born. Both men moved to Rosemont when their children were infants in the hopes of providing them with somewhat of a normal life. Your grandmothers spent a lot of time together, as did their children, your parents. Thomas looked after Alistair’s family whenever he was abroad.”
Jack smiled. “My parents did tell me that much, except they said my grandfathers would be away on fishing expeditions.”
“They hunted a different kind of prey.” Dr. Tesla managed a smile also. “Their specialty was vampires. They’d been trained since they were teenagers to hunt all supernatural beings, but no one hunted vampires quite like Alistair and Thomas. Alistair had been trained by his father, a great Hunter in his day. By the time he died, Thomas had hundreds of vampire slayings to his credit. I never met them, but as a boy, I’d heard many tales of their adventures. Any little boy who thought he might want to be a Hunter one day idolized Kane and Morrow. They were the stars of bedtime tales told to keep little witches and warlocks in check.”
“When your parents were small children, their fathers were called here to head a team of Hunters on a mission. Their task was to get rid of a particularly nasty nest of vampires that had been feeding on humans and not being very discreet about it. The FBI was called because the local authorities feared a serial killer. Alliance sources suggested that Hunters be sent in for a closer look. Once it was determined that it was the work of vampires, there was no question that your grandfathers should lead the mission.”
Dr. Tesla started walking towards the house. The sun lowered lazily in the distance, disappearing into the white horizon. “This was a safe house The Alliance had used for years, and it also happened to be not very far from where they believed the vampires were holed up. The plan was to strike at first light. Vampires cannot go out into the sunlight, that’s true, but they’re not catatonic during the day like some fables would have you believe. They can, and often do, sleep in beds with precautions taken so that they’re not accidently exposed to sunlight. Most will sleep during the day in the basements of homes, sometimes in coffins. Though they don’t technically need to sleep like you and I do, they are weakened by the sun’s presence even if they’re not exposed to it. If you have to tangle with a vampire, you stand the best chance if you ambush them indoors during the day. Let’s go inside.”
Jack followed Dr. Tesla up the wooden stairs and into the house. Several men sat around a wooden table, playing cards and drinking an amber-colored liquid out of mason jars. Jack didn’t need Dr. Tesla to point them out; he recognized his grandfathers immediately. Thomas Morrow was as broad and stocky as Jack’s father, Nick, had grown to be. He sat next to Diane’s father, Alistair Kane. Alistair had blond hair like his daughter. He had a smaller frame than his friend, but he still looked tough and lean.
Alistair looked up at the ceiling and sneered. “The new guys are already in bed and the sun has barely set.”
Thomas grinned. “Don’t knock it, old friend. We’d do well to get some rest ourselves.”
Alistair laughed. It was a deep, rich, laugh; larger than you’d expect from a man his size. “The day Alistair Kane needs…”
He never got to finish his sentence. The sounds of broken glass and screams cut him off. The men at the table sprang to their feet. Alistair grabbed a crossbow that had been resting against his chair, leapt across the table, and headed for the stairs. Thomas was only half a step behind him. Jack started to follow, but Dr. Tesla put a hand on his shoulder.
“You don’t want to go up there.” Dr. Tesla paused the construct and the screaming stopped. “Someone tipped off the nest. To this day, it’s never been discovered how. It was, by all accounts from the few survivors, a massacre. The Hunters were outnumbered two to one. Your grandfathers fought bravely. The Hunters that survived would not have done so were it not for their efforts.”
“Let’s go home. There’s something there I want to show you.”
Once they were back in Dr. Tesla’s office, he continued the story. “After their deaths, your grandmothers became even closer, and understandably so. No one was surprised when their children fell in love and married.”
“Neither of your grandmothers were ever the same after Alistair and Thomas died. It is believed that they grieved until the day they died, just a few weeks apart, years before you were born.”
"By the time I’d received the second prophecy, I’d built a solid relationship with your parents and Violet’s. I knew they were the right people to trust with such an immense favor and burden. Your father loved you, Jack. He was proud of his legacy and thought you would be too, once you were old enough to understand it all. He wanted you to have as normal a life as possible, for as long as possible. He also wanted you to have something very special.”
“What is it?”
Dr. Tesla unlocked one of the bottom desk drawers and retrieved a wooden box. The box was as long as a shoebox, but much taller. He came around his desk and handed it to Jack.
“It’s a collection of keepsakes from your grandfathers. Your parents saved them for you. They wanted you to have them when you were old enough to know the truth.”
Jack examined the box. It was handmade with carvings along the top. He removed the lid. Inside was lined with red velvet and contained several scrolls, notebooks and envelopes. He picked up the top book – an old, brown leather one – and flipped to the first page. Centered were the words, The Diary of Alistair Kane.
“I don’t know what to say.” Jack kept his eyes on the contents of the box; afraid that if he looked up, Dr. Tesla would notice the tears in his eyes.
“It’s overwhelming, I know. There’s more, but I think this is enough for now.” Jack nodded. Dr. Tesla sat in the chair next to him. “I know you are afraid to embrace your power, Jack. Right now it seems like this world you’ve been thrust into is full of nothing but pain and death. It can be dangerous, but just like the human world there is a lot that is good about it. The best of us have learned to use what is different about us and do good things. I believe that people like your parents and grandfathers are the best of us. You have the potential to be the best of us, too.”
Jack wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve, sniffed, and returned the journal to the box. “Thank you, Dr. Tesla. You’re right. I know you are.” Jack’s voice held more confidence and optimism than it had in a long time. Something had changed, but Dr. Tesla was hesitant to push. Jack had made enough big steps for one day.
Somehow, listening to Dr. Tesla talk about his family’s history gave Jack a feeling of forgiveness. He never got to explain to his parents what was going on with him, and he would always regret that things were so strained between them before they died. Jack needed to make the best of what had happened to him. It’s what his family would have wanted – all of them.
Dr. Tesla didn’t need to try and convince Jack that magic wasn’t all bad. He’d left Bobby’s house buoyed by hope - and not just in rekindling their f
riendship. When he’d touched Bobby this time, he didn’t see pain or death. He saw the exact opposite.
Jack had visions of himself, Bobby, and Violet in a park. The sun was shining and they were all happy. Best of all, Bobby was walking.
Chapter Seventeen
Let’s Get This Over With
The next day, Violet and Jack sat in his room going over Jack’s conversation with Dr. Tesla. Violet wasn’t happy to hear that Jack hadn’t tried to get more information out of Dr. Tesla regarding The Trust and what she’d overheard, but once Jack told her what he’d learned about his grandfathers, she understood.
“That’s pretty awesome. Your grandfathers were like, badasses.”
“Yeah. That’s what it looks like.”
“Have you gone through the stuff in the box?”
“Not yet. I haven’t had time. I will though, slowly. Listen, I don’t doubt what you heard, but after talking to Dr. Tesla last night, I think we can trust him. I don’t know how else to explain it other than… it felt like he wanted me to feel better, to be happy, and not just because it’s his job. I think we have to believe that our parents didn’t go into this blind. They trusted him with our lives. If someone in The Trust is behind this, it’s not him.”
“And I guess that means we need to consider that Kalina isn’t involved either, huh? I mean, she could be helping the person we’re looking for, but I doubt it. She’s been too helpful and she had plenty of opportunities to hurt me if that’s what she wanted.”
“Well, let’s start with Gervais. We know where to find him. Maybe that will lead us to the others.”