Savior 14

Timmy waited until midnight, then started his journey to Tyler’s house. He was excited about the chance of seeing him again, but he didn’t know how Tyler would react if he happened to see him. It wouldn’t have been his first choice, but he decided to go stealth mode. Better to play it safe, than to risk making Tyler hate him even more.

When he pulled up to the old oak across the street from Tyler’s house, he saw the soft glow of his desk lamp illuminating his bedroom. He’s still up! This could take longer than expected. Timmy leaned into the tree and waited. If he was lucky, maybe he’d catch a glimpse of his dream boy walking past his window.

He stood there for about twenty minutes when a cold chill passed through him. He was being watched. He could feel it. But from where? Before he had time to figure it out, an all too familiar scent waifed across his nostrils. Then a familiar, dreadful voice spoke from the dark space over his right shoulder.

“Who are you watching Timbo?”

Things were happening too fast. He couldn’t process what was taking place. No time to react. The voice spoke again. Closer.

“That’s HIS house, isn’t it?” Imagine my luck. I’ll get both of you on the same night. Thank you Timmy.”

Skyler emerged from the darkness as he spoke. Hissing through his derelict smile. His eyes beyond focused. His intentions unjust. Filled with a barely contained rage. Timmy tried to step back, but immediately butted up against the rugged tree trunk.

Skyler moved to within inches of the vulnerable boy. “I can smell your fear, Timmy. I’ve been looking everywhere where for you. I own you!”

Timmy stood there on shaky knees. He knew this wouldn’t end well for him. He was smaller. Younger. Weaker. He tried to swallow down his fear and focus on finding a way out of this. He felt a little ball of hate welling up in the pit of his stomach. Not only did he despise the boy standing before him. He stoled his life from him. Intimidated him. Abused him. Imprisoned him. And now he was poised to do the same thing to someone he cared deeply for. This can’t happen. Not tonight. Not ever!

Skyler could see the changes taking over Timmy. His eyes narrowed. His breathing deepened. He could see his body become rigid. “Hahaha. What’s going on Timmy? Are you gonna take me down? Protect your little boyfriend?” He gave him a hard shove into the tree. “Not gonna happen you little fucker! I’m gonna rip you to shreds. Then I’m gonna kill this worthless kid up there, and then I’m gonna kill your bitch sister. Hell I might as well kill your whole family.”

He shoved him again. Harder. “And you can’t stop me, you little bitch coward!”

Somehow Timmy managed to slow time down in his mind. He could see Skyler rearing back for another strike. A more explosive attack. It was now or never. He needed to strike first, and cause enough damage to get away. Toe to toe he couldn’t beat Skylar, but he didn’t need to beat him. He just wanted to lure him away from Tyler’s house and worry about the rest later.

Suddenly, the circle was complete. The pit in his stomach exploded. Ancient instincts took over where the burgeoning hatred finished. His eyes glowed a crimson red. His razor sharp fangs dropped. His thin muscles pushed out against his taut skin. He let out a guttural roar, lunging forward into the unsuspecting Skyler. He sunk his teeth deep into the cheek of his assailant. Tearing away a large chunk of flesh. An immediate torrent of blood poured out of the wound. The otherwise silent night, came to life with the mingling of rage-filled screams and ear-splitting pain.

Skyler brought both of his hands to the gaping hole on the side of his face, as Timmy made his quick dash from against the tree. Skyler reached for him, as he shot past. Catching ahold of Timmy on his back. It didn’t slow him down one bit, as he simply dropped his arms, allowing the backpack to slide off his body. Within seconds, Timmy had disappeared into the darkness. Leaping cars and fences with great ease. Power and grace he didn’t even realize he possessed. Skyler took the bait, and gave chase. Matching Timmy’s elusive maneuvers through the quiet Chicago suburb.

Before too long, Timmy was able to put some distance between them. Skyler’s bleeding face was taking its toll. The inevitable loss of endurance, due to the rapid blood flow. He had no choice but to fall back and tend to his wound. If he gave in to his rage, he would surely die in the chase. He stopped, as Timmy faded away. The last thing Timmy heard was a blood curdling scream. This was not over. Not by a long shot.

There I laid on his back, with my arms behind my head, legs crossed at the ankles. Hopeful that sleep would come soon. Eyes closed. Absolute silence, save the occasional hum of the houses furnace. Music and drawing had lost its luster hours ago. This was the real boredom. The trick your mind into becoming tired, but failing miserably at it kind of boredom. The ‘I have no life and nothing to do’ kind of boredom.

Once midnight passed, I started to play the clock game. Counting down the precious minutes lost during the insomnia infused night. Knowing full well that tomorrow is going to suck and I’ll be worthless from exhaustion.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by a death scream from outside my window. I’d heard enough rabbit kills in my time to know that this was something different. It sounded animal, but there was something human about it, too. I leapt out of my bed and inched over to the window, to see if I could catch a view of what was going on. It was as much scary, as it was exciting. I didn’t want to be spotted. I arrived just in time to see two silhouettes disappear between a couple of houses on the other side of the street. They looked human, but they moved with a speed and kind of grace that normal humans do not possess. I’ve seen these movements before.

Something else caught the corner of my eye. Right near the base of the large tree across the street. It looks like a large pool of oil. There’s also a bag there. Wait! That looks like… I turned to look in the corner of my room, where I normally stash my backpack. Nothing there. The dots started connecting in my head. Where’s my bag? I left it at Jasmine’s. That looks like it could be my bag down…OH MY GOD!!!

I pulled on some jeans and a hoodie and bolted down the stairs. I ran by my father, passed out in his chair. The overflowing ashtray, dangling at the edge of the armrest. Fuck his ashtray. This is far more important. I struggled into my shoes again, and ran out the front door.

Against the white snow, the pool was a grotesque deep red. Blood and not oil. My backpack was half covered with the stuff. Discarded. Abandoned. The blood trailed off, between the two houses, into the darkness. There were two sets of running shoe prints. There was a chase. Timmy! It has to be Timmy. My god! What happened here? Timmy is in trouble. I have to help him. But how? I could only think of one way to help him. Jasmine. I had to find Jasmine.

I took off running, as fast as I could, toward the coffee shop. I don’t know if she’s working, but it’s closer than her apartment. I completely ignored the fact that I was thoroughly underdressed for the occasion, and pressed on, until I could see the coffee shop a few blocks ahead. When I got to the front door, I could see that it was closed. Shit! I pounded in the door anyway. Maybe somebody is still in there. Just as I was about to give up and run to Jasmine’s apartment, I saw some movement in the back of the shop. Seconds later, Jasmine was running toward the door to let me inside.

“Tyler?! What’s going on?”

“It’s Timmy! He’s in trouble. We have to help him!”

She reached out for my frozen hands and pulled me into the warmth of the shop. “Timmy’s in trouble? Tell me what happened.”