Seth's Mess 4- Messenger

DAY 4- Messenger

I woke up before my mom left the next morning. An amazing milestone reached for me. We ate eggs and toast together while she watched an episode of “Law & Order.” She left soon after that to my brother's house to find her tickets for Tennessee. That was where the funeral was decided to be because it was where all the family gatherings were held and close enough for everyone to make it there easily.

I pondered on the question if anyone else from Maine was going while I cleaned up the kitchen. It was practically already spotless because my mother kept the whole house that way at all times, but I try to get my share of cleaning in. Other than my room and the bathrooms, my mom usually controls the cleanliness of the house, but I enjoy the extra work when she's gone.

Later, I took a shower and checked the mail soon realizing just how little time I had to help Seth. Soon I would be going back to school and I would only have more burden and end up more worn out than now. How could I pull off so much? In five days April vacation would end. People would start talking about Seth and I would become completely stressed out.

I knew though that I was Seth's only help. At the moment. Soon Seth wouldn't even need me and just leave me out of the whole picture. I could hear him saying the words now; that it was dangerous and that he cared enough to push me away. I couldn't think about this anymore. These paranoid thoughts would drive me insane if I let them burrow deep inside me. I'm not one to let that happen to me though.

A new song came on the stereo in the living room and I sat in the big chair to listen and clear my mind. The words and phrases ran through my head in tune and in relevance. I could hear my own thoughts float away from me. I could hear them slowly grow quieter and quieter as the words of another replaced them. My eyes changed focus as my mind was lost into space and total relaxation began to take over my body.

As the first ring sounded I was about ready to rip the friggin cord out of the wall. I need to start turning the damn ringer off before I get so comfortable.

I checked the caller ID to see it was my best friend and then snatched the phone off the hook without hesitation. She was a long distance friend who knew more about me than any other person in the world and was confided in all my deepest secrets with the exception of my newest.

She's always been there for me and of course I've returned the favor. Ever sense kindergarden we've been best friends and our friendshp has lasted through more than I ever thought it would ever have to.

"Hey you!" I hadn't heard from Molly for almost a week now. "What's up?"

She told how her vacation was going and how she wished she could have come up to see me. We lived about an hour away from each other and got to see each other very rarely. But that would all change when I got my license.

We talked about school and I told her about my grandmother's furneral. Then she asked about Seth. She knew we had a strained relationship with him and I had been hoping for more. That all seemed so interrupted now though it had progressed more than I could have imagined it would in the few days he had been coming over.

I told her he was in a rough spot and would explain later. If I was going to tell anyone about Seth it would be Molly.

Our coversation ended and I hung up the phone to be startled by another ring. I didn't touch it after reading an unfamiliar out-of-state number assuming it was a telemarketer. The answering machine picked up and no message was left. Safe assumption.

I strode into the kitchen to do what little dishes were laying in the sink. We had a dish washer but when I was alone I would rather just do them as I used them. I turned the music up again and did my work with a happy tune. I was feeling pretty good today. Now all I could hope for would be to feel rested. I needed to figure out a way to reroute my sleep schedule. Soon I would be in school for another few months and then I would have my summer job. I could always find night hours, but for now I had to focus on how I would get through the rest of the school year.

April had one week, May has four, and there was two in June left for school. May had Memorial Day weekend but that was all I had left for days off. I was still in Track and Field and so was Seth. Maybe I should quit so I could have more time on my hands to work with. A lot of it would be in daylight but that would make it so I was homework free in the night hours. Dropping out of school would only be even considered if Seth's being or mine depended on it.

I should just drop out. But no. Even if Seth will live forever, I won't and have to do somewhat of a good job living my life. After all when I'm old he won't want anything to do with me. Who would support me then?

Another ring. Damn I just couldn't have a moment to think could I? I didn't bother to check the caller ID this time and picked up the phone. "Hello?" I'm sure my voice wasn't at its most pleasent but I tried.

Unfortunately the man on the other side on the line didn't seem to care as much about courtesy as I did. "Kailey DeLane?" I was almost scared of his voice. He wanted to talk business. Great. This was just what I needed. I had been telling myself that vampire dealings would be done after dark. So I peered at the clock. Only 3:00 and still shining outside. But the man on the phone was still making me doubt.

"I'm speaking to you strictly as a messenger. I deliver only to you on this account as in regards as to any future meetings. Your boy is a hard one to reach." I was almost glad of that last part. I don't think it would be a good thing for him to easily be found. Maybe he was listening to me after all. Or at least to some of what I was saying. "I need to know that you are alone and your direct location so that I may meet with you immediately."

Whoa he lost me. "Um, excuse me but how now," I took another glance outside to reassure myself that the sun was still there. "And why? Why here?" When would my mom be home? I didn't know and I didn't think he knew either.

A chuckle sounded through my ears and I almost joined in not sure why. It trailed off with me a little less afraid of whoever might be on the other side. "I'm not one of them my dear," Them meaning vamps I assumed. "Like I said, I'm the messenger."

I chose now to let my guard down. "And what is your name may I ask? I know you know mine, but it would be a bit of appreciated knowledge." Man, was I formal enough?

"My name is Todd. Morse. Call me Todd." The pauses seemed to resound as a tell tale sign that he was not often asked this piece of information. His work was not personal.

"Todd, it is correct that I am home alone but maybe not for long. I may have company very soon." My mom was company? "If it suits you I can leave later with a time in mind that you might have and in fact bring Seth with me."

Todd was silent a moment but I could hear his breathing. "This would be fine with me, as long as you can assure me that he can control himself."

"I can." I proceeded to give out my address and he agreed to pick me up around 7P.M. That would give me time to tell Seth the plan and okay it with my mom... not that I was going to tell her the truth or anything.

There went my concentration on the future I thought as I set the phone back on the reciever. I didn't want to think of too much right now. My head was beginning to hurt already. I just wanted to cry. But not now, I just couldn't now. Maybe later.

I walked to my big comfortable chair and just stared at it for a moment. It didn't do anything amazing; or anything at all for a matter of fact, but I kept staring. We were at a stand still it would seem. Like my life. A sigh escaped my body hesitantly and at a strangly steady speed. Where was I going... I collapsed into the chair face first.

My mother walked in the door a half an hour later to witness me still in the same position. "You're a strange child." She laughed. I managed a familiar hello.

"Did you get the tickets?" My mom proceeded to tell me she would be leaving from Bangor on Friday at 2 P.M. My brother would drive her down at 11 to get enough time in at the airport sense the security had recently gone up again.

So the car would stay here. We had an Aztec and I only had my permit, but if an emergancy came up then I would be prepared. Having the car gave me a sense of security and privilage that may come in handy and kept my head a little steadier; and I needed that.

"What do you want for dinner tonight?" We decided on a stirfry and I sat on the living room floor as she prepped it to contemplate on the following week.

Tonight I would gather Seth and meet with Todd the messenger. Friday my mom would leave and Saturday, I was still guessing, there would be some sort of official meeting. As long as Todd didn't have any bad news, I was feeling okay about all of this. Sure it was unsettling, but at least progress was being made.

My mother began to set down some basic rules for while she was gone. Just the usual, no parties or boys staying the night. Well Seth doesn't really count as a 'boy.' Home by 11pm and only rides with people she trusted. My vacation had been pretty mellow so far. I had stayed at a friends house at the very beginning and I'm sure people would want to do stuff soon. I guess I was just too busy for them though. My mom was okay with me being out of the house but she wanted me to call every once in a while if she couldn't reach me.

I really didn't want to be out of reach.

"Kailey?" I looked up startled. "Are you okay?" Bright eyes looked down on me.

"Yeah, I'm just tired." No lie there.

"Dinner's almost ready."

It was delicious and quick. I love stirfry and after I sat on my chair with my mom on her loveseat. We watched a little TV as I told her I would be going to the movies tonight with a few friends. She gave me a few bucks and then she went to bed. I sat in the dark for a moment and then jumped up when I her a noise in my room.

"Aren't you supposed to be sneaky?" I whispered as I stared into the blank darkness of my room. I only had an idea of where Seth was, and it was wrong.

A hand grabbed my mouth, the other holding my arm in place. "You mean like this?" Seth let me out of his grasp and strode over to my window to close it. My mom was going to have a hissy fit when she saw the next heat bill.

"We're going somewhere tonight." I made sure Seth was listening as I got ready to go. "This guy Todd called me and he's picking us up in half an hour to talk about Saturday or something."

"And we're going with him no questions asked?"

I gave a sideways glance as I grabbed my coat off the back of my door. "He seems more scared of you than anything. He's human."

"He should be scared." Seth took my coat from me and tossed it onto my bed as he pulled me closer to him. Suddenly I had to ask myself what was possible in a half an hour. And then say nothing. Damn.

"Um... " That's as far as I got before my mouth was sealed with another. Damn.

"Sorry." Seth let go turning away and all I could think was that he didn't have to be. "That was bad." No it wasn't!

"Um... " No talking for me for the next thirty minutes. Not that I had to really stop myself.

Seth crashed on my bed and I sat in my desk chair staring down at him. His eyes were closed and his body stretched out. He had on a different shirt again. I clearly recognized this one. He had been to his house.

"When did you go for that shirt?"

Seth opened his eyes but stayed otherwise motionless. "A couple of hours ago."

"Did you see your brother?" Seth was always close to his brother and I could just picture him telling Eric some crazy story why he was gone and couldn't tell their mom.

"Of course not." Seth's voice was shallow and monotone. This was the first time I think I could read him since he had changed.

"Liar." Short and sweet. He wasn't going to lie to me about matters I was involved in.

Seth sat up and stared me down. "You think I'm a liar?"

"Did I stutter?"

"Very funny. He knows nothing."

I looked back up as Seth wedged himself to the edge of my bed and against my knees. "That's not what I asked." My voice was calm and quiet.

But he beat me. "He knows nothing."

"So in other words you lied to him." That wasn't a question though Seth answered it like it was.

"Well, I didn't lie." He relaxed and fell back onto my bed. "I bent the truth."

"Does he know where you are?"

Seth laughed. He actually laughed at my question. "You don't even know where I am most of the time and you think I told him?" Another chuckle.

Wow, thanks. Wait, that almost sounded like a compliment. So he was at least telling me more than Eric. "I meant does he know about me."

Seth looked at me again. "No."

"Well, what did you tell him?" Random thoughts ran through my head creating incredible stories that may have been made up. Seth's mind was even more imaginative than mine too.

Seth rolled onto his side to face me as he told the story. "I told him that I had kicked some punk's ass and now him and his friends were all out for me." Well, he wasn't lying when he said he only bent the truth.

I had to laugh. "He believed it?" I tried to keep my voice low.

"He trusts me." Seth lay back on his back. "Thats why I had to tell him something."

"I know." I didn't want Seth to feel like he needed explain their relationship. Eric was a cool kid, only a year or so younger than us.

Suddenly Seth jumped up onto his feet. "Did you hear that?"

Knowing Seth's hearing it could have been a mile away, but I didn't respond figuring he was still listening. Then I heard it.

"That must be our ride." I had Seth go out the window and I crept out the door hoping my mom would be asleep by now.

The car was a navy blue and decent size. Seth sulked out from the bushes next to my window when I gave the signal, a simple hand wave, and jolted up beside me. He stared at me the way to the car, which really wasn't that far, but he was very close.

We each got in a different side of the back seat and buckled in. Todd was in the front passenger seat and some unknown driver kept his eyes on the road as we headed out. Todd introduced himself to us and I did the same. He was very dark, his eyes almost black. He had short hair and was burly enough to match his voice.

Seth remained hesitant, but I couldn't blame him. "Seth." His voice was quiet and he held a death stare toward Todd. I thought he might just break by the way he was breathing.

"Nice to finally meet you." Todd's tone grew cold, the way he had answered the phone. I felt that he was becoming more defensive, and had a feeling that Seth might take that the wrong way. So, I broke the ice.

"Are we going to stop somewhere or just talk in the car?"

Both Todd and Seth looked at me like I was a stupid. "Actually I would like Seth to take us to where he was attacked if you can remember well enough." A raised eyebrow and glance out the window later Seth seemed to finally feel an obligation to answer.

"Sure. Let's head to Harrington." Seth grew a smile it seemed, and hopefully some manners. I could just tell Todd had to be wondering how I ended up with this guy. And to tell the truth, I don't really think I could answer that anyway. Or at least I wouldn't know how. It all had to do with how much I could put up with. Seth was a lot to put up with.

"To Harrington we go." These were the first words spoken from the driver. He had a rough and mildly deep voice. It was very sensually sweet. I still hadn't seen his face which was sort of discomforting, but I could see a pair of deep set golden eyes from his rearview mirror. I wanted him to turn his head and look at me so that I could see the rest.

The car slowed to a stop at the bridge. Only a few minutes and we would be in a setting I had been fearing that past few days. I knew that Seth was to be considered some sort of protection, Todd was decently muscular but probably not much help among vampires, and then there was the mysterious driver. Still no good look.

Well, this was good company.

"Seth, you haven't had any contact with those that attecked you have you?" Todd began the question and answer sequence as the car sped up toward town.

"I don't really remember what they looked like so I'm not sure. I think though if I did see any of them then I would know."

Todd nodded his head and looked at me. I was listening but sort of staring off into space until then. "How many were there?" The question, I could tell, was directed to Seth but Todd continued to stare at me.

"There were..." Seth concentrated for a moment and then closed his eyes and reached up to his neck. Todd and I were both lost in the moment. We watched Seth in all his grace. Then he looked up. "Three. I think."

I just wanted to touch him. He brough his hand over to mine and gripped easily though his eyes stayed low.

"Alright." Todd's voice was stiff and slow. I think he might have felt just a little uncomfortable. Or maybe more than that.

The driver slowed to a stop only because of traffic right outside the town line. "Man, I need a drink." The driver gave a big sigh. "Is it alright with everyone if I stop for a shot at the bar?"

I really wanted to laugh. Seth gave a groan to indicated that he didn't care and Todd said so. I was afraid to open my mouth.

The town was isolated on a middle class island but was constantly filled with tourists. It was dark all around as we drove into the more central and residential area. Seth watched intently out the window searching for something to scream out to him as scenery from his attack.

The car came to a stop outside the local bar and our chauffeur jumped out without a word. I saw Seth twitch and then hurl himself out of his seat and go dashing down the sidewalk. Instinctively, I got out of my seat, much slower than him, and made it to the front of the car before Todd got a hold on my arm.

"Stay here," I gave him a worried look and tried to move forward as he held tight. "Jason will be back in a minute. Don't worry, just stay here..." And then there was one. I stood in place as I watched Todd sprint after Seth. I knew he wasn't fast enough though, not that I was either.

"Alone at last." I heard Jason's voice much too close to my left ear as I gave a little jump, eyes still wide. "Sorry about that. Let's walk." Jason took hold of my right hand and pulled me in the direction that the rest of our group had made it's way toward.

He had golden hair that glistened in the neon lights. The color was so similar to his eyes that it was like they were connected. He was more slender then Todd but probably about the same strength.

"Um," My arm felt like it was going to be pulled out of it's socket because for some reason my feet couldn't move fast enough for Jason. I had always thought of myself as a fast walker, but compared to him I was as slow as all the kids that would pile in the hallways at my school. It reminded me of a clogged artery the way that people would clump in front of their lockers and just hang out there like they weren't in the way. Eventually, they would get shoved enough to slowly make their way down the hallways, but only until they could merge with the next clump.

"Todd told me to stay back there..." I pointed to the car with a timid finger as I heard an interrupting chuckle.

Jason stopped short and gave me a strict grin. "Do you always do what you're told?" Sarcasm rolled off of him as he started back up and he pulled me closer to his side. He seemed a lot different from his first given impression. "Just trust me."

That was easy enough I guess to feel he wasn't a threat but I wasn't so sure that our driver was capable to watch over both of our lives.

"Where are we going? Seth was moving way too fast to catch up with him now. Todd probably isn't even close and he-" My voice was strained but the abrupt cut off made it sound weakcompared to Jason's.

"Like I said, trust me. Todd's got him by now and if we could move a little faster then we might be able to catch up." Still sarcastic but I felt obligated to make my legs move faster, stride longer, or anything that could keep me from having to wait any longer. I was worried and Seth was somewhere... without me.

Jason pulled a sharp left and almost sent me flying off the sidewalk. I realized I had no idea where we were now. My eyes went searching around the buildings to find something familiar. How far had we walked, well basically ran? I had to remind myself how to breathe.

"Are you okay?" Jason kept his pace but was staring at me. I couldn't figure out how he knew where we were going. "You don't look so good." As soon as he said that my legs crumpled. My free hand hit the smooth concrete of the sidewalk and my eyes found their way to Jason's face. Only now did I realize that he didn't look that much older than me.

He was holding me up from my waist and staring down at me. "What would you do without me?" He had a smooth half-smile planted on his face while he pulled me back up and evidently into his arms. It took me a moment to realize he was carrying me.

"What are you doing?" I couldn't grasp the fact that I had almost fainted and wanted to be back on my feet. "I can... I can walk." Jason was proving stronger than I thought, but still couldn't compare to Seth. Or I guess Todd if he was supposed to stop Seth dead in his tracks.

Then I felt the breeze. I took a look from Jason's face to discover that we were flying down the street. I couldn't make out the buildings anymore or feel the turns as Jason swung me through the alleys. I wanted to say something but couldn't take my eyes off of my surroundings or focus my train of thought. "What are... what do... ?" My sentences were determined to stay incoherent as I shoved the words out of my mouth.

"Trust me Kailey." Jason almost whispered the words as I could feel his grip tightening around me. I was being craddled against his chest snuggly hardly even feeling a bounce as we treaded on.

After a few moments we came to a somewhat harsh stop. I could feel a trailing wind catch up with us and my hair rustled across my face. "Where are we?"

"At the pier, down by the shore." Jason strode slowly as the waves pulled up into my view. I could hear them now and smell the ocean.

In the corner of my eye I picked out movement. I knew before I looked who it was but was somehow was still startled. "Seth?" He was on the ground kneeling in front of Todd.

Seth looked up to me as if he had heard my tiny voice. His face ashamed as I could see the anguish from more than one kind of pain. I flung myself from Jason unrealizing that I was still in his arms and stunmbed in the dark to find my way across the rocks to the pained face that we had somehow found our way to. Seth rose from his arched position as I made my way to him.

"Don't! Just stay back!" Todd cut me off as he announced his warning. "He's too unstable!" I wanted to slap him. Seth needed me. I wanted to grab him, bring him home and comfort him. I was doing a horrible job taking care of him and Todd wasn't helping.

I pushed against Todd's arms toward Seth to see him better. He was scared. I couldn't know what had happened while I was out of his range but I wanted to. And I would.

Todd wrapped his arms around me as I fought against them. I didn't want to be comforted. That was my job right now.

"Kailey..." Seth called my voice in a rasp. The fact that his voice sounded so imperfect made me sick. I didn't want to hear the damage. "Don't touch her." The rasp came to a full strain. I could see his eyes dart to the back of Todd's head. It was a burning glare that I knew he could feel and was thankful it was off of my face. I could hardly even look into his eyes when he expressed rage like that. I didn't want him to feel that.

I began to blink ferociously to hold back my much deserved tears as I pummled back onto the ground at Todd's feet. "Do you want to die?" The stare came straight down on me from someone who was getting it worse than me, by ten fold at least. Even though, I hated the feeling it brought on. I didn't care that the ground beneath me was wet or that I had fell on a rock. It hurt but not as much as my heart.

"Damn it Todd! What happened to him?!" I couldn't fight my voice that had reached it's peak at this point. There was no chance of toning it down.

Todd gave a glance over his shoulder. "He caught a scent or something but he's not ready." His eyes turned back to me as he reached out his hand to help me up. "I had to take him down because he wouldn't listen to reason." I pushed myself up from the ground giving Todd a look over. Could he have really taken down Seth?

Jason strolled up to my side at this point only stopping for a brief second and then making his way to Seth who made it to his feet by this time.

Todd still held his hand out to me inviting me to walk with him. I ignored the connection but followed him over to Seth stopping where he stopped. All the two of them could do was glare at each other. I was going to get sick of this quickly.

"So, are we done for tonight?" I asked in a timid voice keeping my eyes low. The night was not turning out as I had planned and I hoped it would be over soon.

Todd gave a big sigh as he turned to me. "Let's walk back to the car." I started to follow him and soon found Seth with his arm wrapped around my waist. He pulled me in close and breathed me in. His face nuzzled my hair as we walked and every few minutes he would kiss my forehead or my hand.

All the time Todd was holding a hushed conversation with Jason up ahead. I tried to listen in but was utterly distracted by my attachment. I knew that they had mentioned my appearing this Saturday and spoke breifly about some guy named Demitrius. He sounded important but it was impossible to try and retain information while I had constant whispers in my ear and hands working the knot in my neck. I was already fighting sleep, I didn't need anymore temptation.

We reached the car after our leaders were done with their secrets that they didn't seem to worried about me hearing. They must have had faith in Seth's ability to distract me. I wonder why.

"Kailey... " Seth breathed my name into my hair. With his voice this low it was nearly impossible to here the strain. "Tell me something..."

"What do you want me to say?"

"Anything." He took a step behind me and ran his arms over my shoulders letting his chin fall over one of them so that his lips were level with my left ear. I leaned against my door waiting patiently.

I searched for something coherent to say while my surroundings continued to baffle me. "My mom got her tickets today for the trip." It was the only thing that came to mind even when I wracked my brain.

At this point Seth opened the door for me and I ducked into the back. He slid in next to me and rested his head on my collarbone while I propped myself up in the corner. Todd and Jason followed after a moment more of chatting outside my window and buckled in.

The car ride was silent for a moment and I had almost thought I was sleeping. Todd turned and started talking to me but it took me a few seconds to comprehend what he was saying. "The meeting will go on as scheduled on Saturday night. We will pick you two up at your house around 8 pm. I expect that you will be fed and cooperative." This last phrase was directed to Seth of course but I was surprised when he didn't lash back. He simply nodded and gave me a smirk. I knew he could never behave.

"Come on now." Seth pulled me out of the back of the car while I remained half asleep. I never remembered crashing on the ride but it did seem a lot shorter. I let him carry me to the steps but then realized my mom could never sleep with me out of the house. I slugged away and hinted to my window before I gave a last glance at the car and headed in the door.

I locked the door and said good night to my mom trying to think of a clever movie reference. I gave up though knowing I would probably talk about a movie that wasn't even playing and make a mess of everything.

My room was cold from a recent breeze. I didn't even bother to turn the light on deciding to fall face first onto my bed instead. Luckily, I didn't land on Seth but right next to him instead. "You look comfortable." He remarked scooting down closer to me.

"You have no idea." My words mummbled into the blanket but I didn't really care, I knew he had heard me. I pushed my weight onto my knees and sat up. My butt was still wet and I needed to shower and to brush my teeth before I could sleep. I got up grabbing my pajamas from the night before; a white tank and long flannel pants. When I got to the bathroom I instinctively looked in the mirror. And hated myself for it.

My face was ridged and pale. My skin damp and lifeless eyes. My hair was winded and everywhere. I couldn't even take my eyes off the glass, I was petrified. I finally got hold of a brush and went to work. My hair never got this tangled. In the shower I let the water run hotter than usual and breathed in the steam thankfully. I still felt dirty when I got out. My clothes were so much more comfortable than I had hoped them to be and I brushed my teeth in a rush to get under my covers.

Seth laid with me in the dark and listened to my breathing. The sound was even comforting to me. I was confused by the night not sure what Jason and Todd had collected as evidence or if they had decided to change anything about the meeting. I wanted to know who Demitrius was and what was expected of us. This night hadn't given me anything to go on. I was left in the dark.