Chapter Eleven

 

The light was just beginning to fade again as we reached the outskirts of town. It had taken us nearly the whole day to make our travels but then again, we had traveled across half the country.

            We all came to a slow walk as we went down the street that would lead to Zachariah’s home. The town was already quiet; everyone had gone home to their families and loved ones for the night. Again it seemed so strange to me that they were so completely unaware of the bizarre world that existed inside of their own. And they were so unaware of how fragile they were and how little it would take to end their very way of life.

            When we came within thirty feet of the house the smell hit me. Not again. I wasn’t particularly in the mood to deal with any other uncooperative Ever tonight. 

            Daniel reached and opened the door just a moment before either Zachariah or I did and he suddenly froze in the doorframe. We were each ready to enter the building, to investigate who the new intruder was but Daniel remained unmovable.

            “Move aside and let us in Daniel,” Zachariah demanded impatiently, anxious to see who had invaded his home.

            Still Daniel did not move, his back turned to us and the rest of the outside world. Finally managing to squeeze myself between him and the doorframe I burst into the small room.

            I could not understand why Daniel stood so frozen like he was. Surely he could not be frozen in fear of what he saw.

            A woman stood directly in the center of the room. She was not particularly tall, quite small but not without all of her womanly curves. Her features were delicate and soft. Her eyes wide and amber in color. Her hair waved erratically about her face and her clothes were tattered and filthy. And she too seemed to be strangely frozen in place.

            After only a moment’s pause I looked back at Daniel. His expression looked almost shocked but I could see something burning in his eyes as if she were some sort of prize he desired and would stop at nothing to obtain. 

            Finally Daniel seemed to unthaw slightly as he began to move forward toward the woman and a fraction of a second later she toward him. As they met in the middle each raised their arms slightly and their fingers interlaced.

            Something strange happened after that and I could not exactly identify it. The aura around each of them seemed to change. Daniels chest seemed to swell as he gasped slightly and he nearly radiated as a smile crossed his lips. I nearly shouted in surprise as Daniel literally expanded before my eyes, his muscles rippled and pressed against the seams in his tunic. 

            I felt suddenly as if I were the intruder as I broke the silence. “Daniel,” I nearly whispered, “do you know this woman?”

            Daniel seemed unable to speak for a moment as he simply stared into the woman’s face. “I…don’t…think so,” he finally managed.

            I felt a gentle tug on my sleeve and looked to see Zachariah motioning for me to follow him out. I looked at him with a puzzled expression but followed him. He sighed slightly as he shut the door behind us.

            “Do you have any idea what is going on?” I questioned.

            “Walk with me,” Zachariah said, his demeanor becoming slightly sad.

            I was confused by his behavior but I followed him without question as we proceeded down the street. By now the streets were completely deserted, and night was quickly coming.

            “I believe Daniel has just experienced a Completion,” he said quietly without looking up from the cobblestones beneath our feet. 

            “A Completion?” I repeated, my tone questioning.

            “Some of us when we are making to change do not completely finish the transformation. They are still entirely as capable as any other Ever, you would never know that they were any different. When they find their companion it triggers something in them to finish the transformation, a Completion. Daniel will never be the same physically again. All of his abilities will be incredibly enhanced. He will be much stronger than either of us now, and much faster. He very well may be able to run on water now,” he chuckled slightly.    

            “Those two will be inseparable for the rest of their existence. You will never find a better suited couple then they will be. They will very nearly be physically bonded to each other.”

            “You said ‘some of us’,” I questioned. “Not all Ever will have a Completion?”

            “That is correct,” Zachariah continued. “It isn’t common. To be honest I have only met one Completed couple in my existence.”

            “I am afraid I don’t really understand this whole idea,” I mused as I shook my head. “It doesn’t completely make sense.”

            “Don’t try too hard,” he chuckled again. “I don’t know that it can be fully explained. It’s a thing of nature, strange nature, but still. I certainly don’t understand it completely.” Zachariah’s expression fell slightly.

            I nodded slightly, trying to accept his answer. I was not going to try to comprehend it too much if Zachariah did not even fully understand it.

            “So I am going to assume that you were just trying to give them some privacy back there?” I guessed.

            Zachariah simply nodded. I supposed he wasn’t too worried about the fact that she had broken into his home anymore.

            We eventually found our way to the library and climbed to the roof. 

            I could not help it as my thoughts turned to Elizabeth. I envied Daniel for how easy this was apparently going to be for him. If only things could have worked out so easy for us. I wouldn’t be left with this gaping hole of pain in my chest.

            Without thinking I spoke. “Has there ever been someone in your life Zachariah? A woman?”

            I immediately regretted speaking aloud as his face grew hard and his lips formed a thin line. “No, there’s never been anyone. I’ve been quite alone for a very long time.” 

            I did not say anything more after that. As people began to stir we climbed down.

            “Hopefully we have given them enough time to get acquainted,” Zachariah said stiffly as we walked down the stirring street.

            We entered the crowded room and found them there. They were both seated, their fingers interlaced. They were talking but their voices were so low and their words were spoken so quickly that I did not catch what was being said.

            At the same moment they both looked up at us suddenly. Daniel’s face simply radiated joy and I was almost afraid he might burst at any moment as his chest swelled. Her face too seemed filled with joy but there was also slight shame mixed into her expression.

            “I am so sorry, Zachariah,” she said as she burst out in the native tongue of this country and even though I now spoke it fluently I had difficulty understanding at the speed with which she was speaking.  “Please forgive me. I am so ashamed of what I have done.

            Daniel now stood and she rose with him as if they were physically connected at the hip. “She needed some money. She is very far from her home and does not know anyone around here. She was only looking for some money she could borrow for a while.”

            At this she broke from Daniel’s side, his face becoming slightly anxious at the separation. She walked cautiously and unsure towards Zachariah. When he did not turn away nor forbid her not, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a warm embrace. “Forgive me,” she begged softly.

            “I already have,” Zachariah said cheerily as he returned the peace offering. Even though he smiled warmly to her I did not miss the underlying expression of angst and sadness that was there.

            After a moment she turned to me and expressed the same gesture. “I hope I can become as dear a friend to you as Daniel has been,” she said, her voice hopeful.

            I looked into her face as she released me and simply nodded. I doubted I would ever come as close to anyone as I had to Daniel over the past few months. We had not known each other long but he had already become a brother to me. A bond of friendship like I felt with Daniel did not come often.

            “Forgive me yet again,” she continued as she eagerly went back to Daniel’s side. “I have been rude and have not introduced myself yet. My name is Katherine.” 

            Things settled easily after that. Daniel took care of Katherine, spoiling her in every way he could. She had the finest of dresses, the most dazzling of jewels. She never asked for these things but Daniel was more than happy to give them to her. Daniel was used to the women around him having the finest of things. He was trying to turn her into the Queen he would never actually have.

            They were married quickly, less than two weeks after she broke into Zachariah’s home. It was a simple and quiet ceremony, attended only by myself and Zachariah and was performed by the local minister. It would have been a bit difficult to invite anyone else to attend considering everyone thought Daniel had been burned to an ashy crisp.

            It was not too long before they decided to find a home of their own. Zachariah’s small abode was already overcrowded with just him and his treasures and with three extra people it was nearly bursting at the seams. Plus, neither I nor Zachariah could to stand to be around the two love birds for more than an hour, and they frequently needed their alone time. It made the both of us sick to see them simply stare into each other’s eyes, not saying anything with their mouths yet knowing there was a million unspoken words of affection flying between them.

            The home they bought could not have fit Katherine more perfectly. It was elegant and classic, white with light blue trim. It had been restored to its previous grandeur and decorated lavishly with Katherine’s own style. It was quiet and peaceful out of reach of the noise of the city. There was even a little flower garden Katherine attended lovingly to every day.

            “Katherine,” Zachariah said as he relaxed into a chair. He and I had come to visit them in their home for the afternoon. “I just realized that we have yet to hear how you became one of us.”

            She seemed to be taken slightly off guard by Zachariah’s direct question. “It’s a bit embarrassing,” she said as she glanced at Daniel. “But I suppose I could survive the telling of it. 

            “My older sister dared me to go swimming in the ocean at night. She said that she had done it a number of times and had told me how exhilarating it was. I had not wanted to do it but she taunted and teased me to till I finally gave in. Making sure she was awake and aware that I was finally going to do it I left in the middle of the night.

            “We did not live far from the ocean so it was only a short walk. It was a full moon that night so it was not difficult to find my way. When I reached the shore I saw how rough the water and knew that I should not do the thing I had come to do. But I was already there and was feeling quite daring and slightly stupid that night, so I jumped. 

            “The tide immediately pulled me out to the open water. It seemed to drag me deeper and deeper into the water and I could not fight it. It was not long before I realized that I was going to die doing an incredibly stupid thing. 

            “I blacked out, surely I had drown. The next thing I remember I woke up in my bed. My mother was there, attending to me. She had never known of my escapade into the night but had found me in my bed the next morning quite unconscious. She had sat by my side trying to nurse me back to health for over a week.

            “And so I became frozen forever at the age of twenty-four. After only a year I was forced to leave my home and I have wandered ever since. It’s been nearly three years now.”

            Obviously she no longer wished to talk about her past as she quickly changed the subject and launched into a story of the history of their new house. While I had come to love Katherine in a way I was quickly finding I could not stand to be around her for more than a few hours at a time. She was always positive and upbeat but unlike Daniel it was not endearing and annoying, it was just annoying most of the time.

            I should have been very happy for Daniel and Katherine. I had never seen a happier or better suited couple. In the things that she lacked, Daniel made up and vice versa. His eyes lit up every time he looked into her face and I could see the love and admiration there. It was not difficult to see how absolutely and perfectly Katherine loved and adored Daniel. However, there was a part of me that now resented being around the happy couple. It was nearly painful to see them so blissful together. To see them in moments so private I felt a terrible intruder when they were simply gazing into each other’s eyes. 

            And I could not help but feel that I had in a way, lost my best friend. He often reassured me that nothing would change our friendship but it was already painfully obvious that it had indeed changed. I got along fine with Zachariah but it was not the same. He would always feel more like my father than anything. Daniel always knew how to make me smile and for even just a moment make me forget the thoughts of my past that constantly tortured me. Daniel’s laughter was infectious and warmed me. Zachariah just did not quite have the same effect. He was reserved and quiet. In a way I thought he probably knew far too much of everything than was good for even him.

 

            It was quiet and I sat alone in the dark, Zachariah attending to a sick call in the middle of the night. I was playing my guitar, letting the soft notes flow through and around me. This tune somehow reminded me of home. Of open fields, soft grain brushing on my skin, the scent of newly turned dirt. I let my mind wander across the memories of my past, letting my thoughts settle on a pleasant one.

            I had been working alone in one of the fields that day. It was warm but comfortable, the sun shining brightly in the infinite blue sky. As I heard footsteps coming up behind me I turned to see Elizabeth approaching. I could not help the smile that crossed my lips as she suddenly broke into a run and launched herself into my arms.

            “Elizabeth!” I cried with happiness as we both tumbled to the ground. “What are you doing here?”

            “I had to come see you,” she panted before pressing a brief kiss to my lips.

            “Are you alone?”

            “Yes,” she smiled broadly. “Father does not know I came here. Mamma went to town with her friends. I figured since I was looking at a day alone I may as well come see you. So I grabbed one of the horses and set off! It was an interesting journey but I made it here alive!”

            I was utterly shocked. It was several hours from here to town and Elizabeth was by no means a skillful horse rider. She was meant to ride by carriages with someone else at the reins. 

            “Well, I am glad you came,” I said. “But I wish you would have been a bit more careful in your coming here. Surely you could have found someone to bring you.”

            “Yes, I could have,” she breathed, her expression becoming slightly irritated. “But that would have raised questions and I would have had to ask Father’s permission. I was not sure if he would say yes.”

            I simply smiled at her after that. She should have indeed been more careful in coming but I was absolutely delighted that she was here. I pulled her in close to my side and we stared up into the clouds. We lay there for nearly an hour simply looking at the white puffs above us, picking out shapes of animals as they floated by. It was on this glorious sunny afternoon that I had finally declared my love for her and she for me.

            I suddenly yanked myself back to reality as I felt a hole ripping it’s self through my core. What was the point in dwelling on these things? She had left me and was now married to another man. She had probably born him a child already by this point.

            How was I to ever find this kind of happiness again? I had already lost the woman I loved the most. I did not see how I would ever find someone to care for again. I had become inhuman, what woman would ever want to be with me now? I was to never experience those emotions again.

            I stood quickly and looked around the room for a bag. I had to get out of there. I could not take it any longer. I did not think I would be able to bear being around two people who were so completely in love any longer when I could no longer have it. I was going to leave.

            Just as I was packing my last few things Zachariah suddenly entered the crowded room.

            “Where are you going?” he questioned, his voice calm and even.

            “I have to leave,” I said as I started toward the door, my voice elevating with each word. “I can’t stand to be around them anymore. I can’t take it!”

            Zachariah’s expression seemed anxious and confused for a moment but quickly returned to calm and with it I felt myself calming involuntarily. 

            “I don’t know exactly what it is you do when you do that but it won’t work,” I said, trying to make myself upset with him and being quite unsuccessful. “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll come back someday but I need to get out for a while.”

            “Are you sure about this?” he questioned, his face seeming slightly pained. “You know this will hurt Daniel. It will make him feel terrible to know you left because of him.”

            “Then don’t tell him the real reason,” I retorted. “Just tell him I needed some time to myself to think. You‘re a smart man, you‘ll think of something.”

            “I really wish you wouldn’t go William,” Zachariah’s voice becoming quiet. “I do not think so much time to yourself will be good for you.”

            “Let me be the one to decided what is good and what isn’t for me,” I said coldly through clenched teeth. I knew that I had no reason to get upset with Zachariah but my nerves were on edge and I could feel the fire beginning to smolder within me again. 

            Zachariah squared his jaw, his eyes hardening and narrowing slightly but he stepped out of the way. “Be careful. You’ve become like a son to me William. I would hate to lose you just because you are upset. But you’re right, you’ve got to decide what is best for you.”

            I looked him one last time in the eye. “Thank you,” I whispered. “For everything.” And then I was out the door.

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[Fabian G. Franklin]

Just as I always said, A man is never complete until he finds a good woman...then he's finished! lol