Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 20:58:48 +0530
From: Ethan Sean <eternal.ivan@gmail.com>
Subject: "Blood and Love"-- Book 1-- Chapter 11

Hey guys,

Here comes chapter 11 ...........Read, enjoy..and dont forget to
comment/review/suggest anything that comes to your mind. Thanks.. :D

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DISCLAIMER: All characters, situations and circumstances are completely
fictional and bear no resemblance to any person living or dead, or any
event. The author reserves the right to reproduction of the stories without
his express consent.

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*Chapter 11--Halloween blues*

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*Sean's Story VII -- Separated *

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I stood transfixed, unsettled and unnerved by what he had just spoken. His
words were still ringing in my ears as the realization of the reality of
the situation came crashing down upon me. I stumbled backwards for support.
I couldn't stand now. Leaning against a tree I fixed my eyes on Evan. He
was teary-eyed as he gave me an appealing look. Daniel stood at some
distance watching the proceedings. His face was impassive and indifferent
as he saw me taking in the truth. Aaron, standing next to him, seemed
apologetic and sympathetic.

"Did you know?" I fired at Aaron.

Aaron gulped and began in an apologetic and beseeching manner to explain.
"Sean, things happened so fast, it was a blur and I couldn't think straight
but..."

I cut across him. "Did you know?"

An ominous silence lingered before he murmured meekly. "Y...yes."

The barrier of patience already pushed to its limits by my raging emotions
gave way under this new discovery of betrayal. Everything that had happened
in the last month came gushing to me. My sense and love was washed away by
the tsunami of memories of the last month. Every moment flashed before my
eyes. When Evan had first entered my life, his smile, the touching of our
fingers and his unsettling cold; the proposal on Tyler's party, the first
kiss, the tears and happiness when Aaron and I had patched up our
differences, Evan and I cherishing our love together; every moment played
before my eyes. And then came the lies that tarnished these memories. The
deaths of the women, the lies I was told, the awkward reactions, the old
man from Tara's funeral, all of them had lied!

Tears ran from my eyes as I stood in the freezing night. The familiar
feeling of being vulnerable, betrayed and despair slowly swelled in me. The
flame of love had extinguished. The cold outside seemed to have seeped and
settled itself into my aching heart. I felt a knot in my chest and couldn't
breathe. The feeling of being choked was building fast as I struggled
vainly for words to vent my frustration and despair. Evan walked over to me
and in an attempt to pacify me, put his palm on my cheek. Repulsion seized
me and I jerked his hand away, shouting.

"Don't you dare touch me! Stay away from me! You've betrayed me! You've
lied to me! You've destroyed everything between us. Go away!"

Pain and fear showed on Evan's face as he walked towards me trying to
justify his betrayal. "Please don't say this Sean. I can not live without
you. I didn't wanna lie. But, I had no choice. I couldn't tell you the
truth. I'm sorry."

"I don't wanna listen to anything. I've heard enough lies and can't bear
any more! Nothing is left between us. Just get lost!"

With this I turned to leave. Evan grabbed my hand and turned me around. His
strength was great as he held my wrist tightly. I winced in pain. He didn't
seem to have realized he was hurting me with his vampire strength as he
rambled on.

"No. You have to listen to me. I didn't tell you the truth because I could
not. I didn't wanna lose you. I was afraid you'd react this way!"

"Let go of me. Evan, you're hurting me!" He saw me in pain and immediately
released his grip. I was furious and as I felt his hold relaxing, I pulled
my hand away and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed throughout
the woods. Daniel frowned but remained silent while Aaron's eyes widened
and his jaw fell open. Evan stood looking at me in shock. I was still
raging with anger.

"You are a fucking monster! Stay away from me! I hate you! All those deaths
and this freak who tries to kill me! And you were lying to me! Keeping all
secrets! Hurting me! I don't want to do anything with you anymore. We are
done!"

With that declaration that tore my heart to a million pieces, I stomped
away from them. I stomped away from the person I had loved. I stomped away
from what I had thought was my hope, my love, and my life.

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*Evan's Story III --* *Fallen Apart*

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I watched him go. I made no attempt to stop him. I couldn't attempt to stop
him. The slap on my face had thrown the reality of the situation at me. He
hated me now. I was a liar. His slap hadn't hurt me in the least,
physically. But, the mark that the slap had left on my soul was breaking
me. Every part of my love for him, my dreams of him, of us was falling
apart. Every hope had gone, every dream was shattered, and sorrow and agony
crushed me as I fell onto my knees crying.

The warmth of his fingers when they had first touched my cold hands, the
light with which his eyes sparkled whenever he saw me, the beautiful
radiance that lit my life whenever he smiled, the tenderness of his lips
and his amazing scent had gone from my life. The hope of redemption my
damned life had received was now gone.

I heard the rustling of dry leaves and felt a hand on my shoulder. Daniel
helped me get up and hugged me. His love and sympathy removed the remnants
of restraint as I broke down in his embrace. He hugged me tightly and tried
to console me.

"Don't cry Evan. It had to happen sooner or later. He's just hurt and
angry. He'll come around sometime. Don't lose hope. Give him time." He
patted me on the back and continued to murmur words of hope and
encouragement.

As I gained control, I asked between sobs, while in his embrace. "W...will
he forgive me?"

"Yes, he will. He has to. He loves you, Evan. And that's what has hurt him
most. He'll get over it and realize he loves you a lot." Daniel broke the
hug and wiped my tears. "Now relax and stop crying."

I nodded and my sobbing eased. I looked into Daniel's face. He was composed
and strong. Things never unnerve him much. Sorrow or pain hardly showed on
his face. Anger, rage and arrogance were all he bore. Tonight, he was firm
and strong as always. A determined guy, his support had led me through a
lot in life. He had always been at my side. And here he was again.

I turned to look at Aaron standing and watching us. He had an odd look on
his face as he looked at Daniel. A searching and scrutinizing look
accompanied with some uncertainty. When he saw me looking, he turned
towards me quickly getting rid of his expressions.

"Evan, I'll talk to Sean. Don't worry; I'll try my best to persuade him."
He smiled assuring me.

I smiled back and turned to Daniel. "I'll see you around."

Daniel looked surprised. "Where are you going?"

"I just need some time alone. And Dan," I added after a thought. "Please
drop Aaron home. The woods are not safe."

Daniel looked uncertain but considering my state gave in. "Yeah. Take care."

I nodded and ran into the night.

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*Daniel's Story IV -- I Can't Say*

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I stole a look at Aaron. He was looking outside into the night. His head
was leaning against his hand as the wind blew his hair into his eyes. He
was deep in thought. The twenty minutes that had been spent from Evan's
departure to the present traveling in the car had been an awkward silent
period. He hadn't uttered a word and I didn't feel comfortable. However,
the silence had been too long and the tension in the air too intense. I
decided to try to break the ice by making a conversation.

"How does the neck feel?"

He shook as if from a trance. "Did you say something?"

"I asked how your neck feels. I hope I didn't hurt you." I tried to give an
apologetic smile but my usual sarcastic one forced its way out. Aaron
raised an eyebrow but seemed too tired to argue.

He muttered "Fine" and continued looking at the passing woods outside the
window.

I continued speaking. Apparently, his lack of conversation didn't deter me.
"Cool. I'm sorry though. I didn't wanna hurt you. It was just that you had
guessed a lot and it was not the right time or way to tell Sean. But, this
Ruth thing happened and things got spoilt anyway."

He muttered an "hmmm" as I continued to chatter. Lord! What was wrong with
me? "By the way I must say you've got some nerve. When I told you the truth
about us, you didn't even flinch. And then fighting Ruth, you're very
brave."

He simply shrugged his shoulders and continued to fix his eyes on the
scenery. It was true. Seeing him so brave and unnerved in face of such
stuff which made people shit, had impressed me a lot. In fact, his bravado
had kind of turned me on. Somewhere, we were quite compatible in spite of
our temperaments.

"That was great of you supporting Evan. You're the best brother someone can
have." This sudden compliment brought me from amidst my cloud of thoughts
and banged me hard against hard earth.

"What! Oh, well that was nothing. Thanks. You'd have done the same for
Sean." I replied. I got a compliment from the pompous Aaron Geller! I was
too shocked to speak. I felt warmth surging in my chest. I knew I had
feelings for him but giving him Alexander's place was impossible. Evan had
said often that Alex was gone and I shouldn't spend my life mourning him.
But, I couldn't break my word. Plus, I had no idea whether Aaron felt the
same way or not. I did sense feelings in him but I could be wrong. I had no
intention of acting a fool in front of him. Nothing was to happen between
us. I decided and started concentrating on the road.

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*Aaron's Story IV -- He Has to Say*

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I continued to look outside the window after complimenting him. I didn't do
it because he had called me brave. I did it because the way he had
supported Evan had touched some place deep in my heart. I knew he was a
braggart, sarcastic, arrogant, pompous and annoying jerk; but tonight the
side I saw had warmed my feelings for him. I did like him but was
apprehensive of his reaction.

I knew he had feelings for me. Or should I say, I felt he had feelings for
me. I looked into the distance. I wasn't seeing the passing woods. The
moment when we had almost kissed was playing in front of my eyes. That
excitement, the rush of emotions, the nervousness and the inexplicable
attraction; I sat re-living every feeling of that night.

He had been trying to strike a conversation but was silent now. His eyes
glued on the road. He was such a weird guy. One moment he was all into you,
the next he's distant and indifferent. Sometimes, I felt strong feelings of
love and sometimes hate. I still remembered the insult of last time, but I
too had retaliated. We never discussed the episode. Neither of us ever
brought it up. An unsaid apology may have been said.

But, why didn't he admit his feelings? What was it that made him withhold
all emotions? Did he think I was below standard for him? Or that I wasn't
worthy enough? Or was it his ego? Did he feel embarrassed in admitting his
feelings? All said I had no intention of solving issues. He had to move
over his ego or embarrassment and say what he felt. If he couldn't realize
my worth, then he couldn't have me. It was as simple as that. However, this
could wait. There were more pressing matters on my mind.

"We have to try to bring them together. What do you think we do?"

He pondered and replied. "You try talking to Sean. Be careful. He'll be mad
at you for not telling but you can explain all this. He'll be willing to
forgive you especially after last year. Just talk to him. We can't do much.
Evan will have to take charge. He alone can make Sean feel."

I smiled at his suggestion. The irony was paramount. Why couldn't he follow
his own advice? "That sounds great. Eh! We've reached."

He pulled over and I got out. I turned and leaned in through the window,
looking at him expectantly. He looked into my eyes. Silence followed before
I smiled and said. "Good night, Dan."


He smiled. "Good night, Aaron."

I turned and walked to the house while he drove away.


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