I just want to know you better know you better know you better now
I just want to know you... know you... know you
Cause all I know is we said hello
And your eyes look like coming home
All I know is a simple name, everything has changed
-Lyrics to 'Everything Has Changed' performed by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran
Crimson Bonds Part 45
Giving the long-lost young man a beautiful smile, the lovely college student headed over to the booth that had caught her attention. "I was starting to think that I would never see you again," she giggled.
Charles snapped his head towards his brother so that his narrowing eyes weren't noticed by the living as he mouthed harshly, 'Again?!' A swift kick to his leg under the table had him stifling a sharp cry and wincing. Getting one last glare in before he had to put on a blank expression for their visitor, he swallowed roughly.
But there was no one more nervous about the encounter than John. His throat going dry, he cleared it before grinning widely, "Hey.... uh.... I'm really sorry, but I didn't get to catch your name the last time I saw you."
Nodding, the young woman reassured, "It's alright. I had to get back to my dorm to prepare myself for checking in at my internship the next morning. The only way I knew your name was my classmates telling me later." She rested a hand on her chest, introducing, "I'm Angela."
Shoulders slumping with the relief of finally knowing what to call the creature that had captivated him since their first glance upon each other, the raven-haired Vampire repeated in a breath, "Angela." Suddenly realizing how the living was still standing by his section of the booth, he stammered, "O-oh!"
In a swift move, he slid deeper into his long section of the seat and held out a hand to the spot available at his side, offering, "Would you like to join us?"
Brightening all the more, Angela bowed her head and replied sincerely, "I'd like that. Thank you. I decided to stop by for a coffee for motivation to finish the paper I've been working on tonight. And this is the only twenty-four hour cafe in town." Gracefully she slipped into the cushioned seat besides the Infected.
John raised his hand once more, gesturing to the redhead across from them as he smirked, "This is my older brother, Charles Yang. We were just walking around when we decided to rest our legs in here for a while, so I'm glad that we managed to run into each other."
Mentally snorting at the 'creative' change in their last name, the first-born Chang son put on a kind smile for the living and told her, "Nice to meet you, Angela." As their hands reached out to meet in the middle for a firm shake, he warned, "We haven't been here long, so we haven't had enough time to warm up yet."
"Oh, that's alright," the blonde human chuckled. "You're not that cold."
Focusing back on her former acquaintance, she commented, "I had no idea that you had any siblings." She blushed as soon as she finished her thought, admitting, "Then again, I really don't know much about you at all. But I'd like to." Turning rigid with surprise at that, the dark-haired immortal's eyes grew.
Her cheeks reddening all the more, Angela stammered, "W-well I mean that you seem every bit the night owl that I am with your late evening outings. Normally I am buried in my studies or internship reports well past dark, so I miss out on making too many friends during the day."
Unable to hide his excitement in his full-on smile, John nodded vehemently, "I could always use a friend, too." Anxious to the point of practically wanting to jump out his skin, he rushed out, "But I would really like to hear about you, first."
The college student blinked widely for a heartbeat, easing in the next breath as she replied, "Alright, then. I'm one of three kids and have been interested in law from as far back as I can remember..."
Having waved the waitress over so that their company could order whatever she had stopped in for, Charles was engaged in shifting his head from left to right and back again to take in whoever happened to be speaking at the moment between his brother and the living.
And it was in that moment, as he sat there completely ignored along with the rest of the world, a startling realization set in.
What was unfolding before the redhead's very eyes was what his mother and father had described as what would eventually happen for all of them. Everything right down to the wistful gazes that the two practical strangers talking had as they stared at one another was making sense.
Half-sinking into his seat, a stricken Charles muttered to himself, "Holy shit..."
* * * * * *
Never in all his days of working for Septum had Broderick ever imagined breaking into his Boss's private office.
But that was the only consuming thought that the Hunter had ever since his last encounter with Anna. How that Vampire had managed to convince him to go against all that he had believed in was beyond the mortal... and yet there was no denying the questions that were running through his mind.
One way or another, he was going to have the answers surrounding that girl's diary answered...this night.
While Millers slept, Dawson knew that he had the best opportunity available to him in getting his hands on the book that remained stowed away in the researcher's desk. Already aware of the security devices that he needed to get past and the locks that he needed to crack, he made quick and efficient work in reaching his goal.
Hands almost trembling, Broderick was able to use a simple pair of reeds to pick the last obstacle in his way.
At the sound of the latch giving way, the dark-clad Hunter slid the drawer open without so much as a squeak. Using a small flashlight, he peered inside to find the faded pink diary with its time-frayed edges right where the Boss always left it.
Quickly reaching into his pocket for the hand-held digital scanner inside, he opened the book with one hand and ran the device over every page to be saved for a later reading.
It was a painfully slow process, going leaf by leaf from top to bottom with the storage unit, but it was the best way of keeping his hide by not leaving any traces of his break in behind.
Using only the thin beam from his flashlight to know when one page stopped and the next began, Dawson never so much as glanced at the actual words he was recording. Not until he was finished and safely away in his private quarters would he know what was written.
With only a few entries to go, distant footsteps could be heard making their way along the catwalk shared by the office. His sweat-dampened face raising for the cracked open door, the Hunter realized that the night lookouts must have taken their rounds through the facility...
...And they were going to close in fast. They would recognize that the small red light of the Boss's door alarm was off.
Determined to finish his deed, Broderick hurried through scanning the last pages of the diary before sealing it up with the book-marker exactly where it had been when he first had his hands on it. Quietly sealing up the drawer and resetting the lock, he stuffed his equipment into his pockets and set to rearming the alarms as he left.
By the time the young man had stepped out into the hallway and closed the office behind him, the pair of footfalls were only a few yards away from rounding the corner.
His fingers nimbly reconnected the wires of the control panel, Dawson watched the small, red light on its surface glow once more. Carefully sealing up the box so that it looked to never have been tampered with, he ran for the railing to scale and fall from it with only seconds to spare before the guards were right where he had been standing.
Easily landing onto the catwalk below, the tall living pressed his back hard against the wall behind him so that he was completely concealed by the floor above him.
Holding his breath, Broderick was relieved to not hear so much as a brief pause in the guards' steady steps along their beat. Once their presences were little more than a faded patter in the distance, he pushed off the wall and headed at a brisk pace along the dimly lit walkways for his quarters.
"Sure hope to hell you're worth all the trouble I've gone through," he muttered under his breath as his fingers lightly ran over the digital scanner in his pocket.
* * * * * *
Giggling, Angela shook her head in wonder, "Nine siblings. And here I thought that I was in a big family being one of three. You don't often hear of parents having more than two children nowadays."
Her arm nearly brushing John's as they walked along the streetlamp lit pavement leading the way to her dorm facility, she gave him her beautiful smile as she commented, "I could only imagine how full your parents' hands are with that many little ones to look after."
The Vampire smirked, "Oh, they enjoy it. They'd wanted kids for..." Catching himself, he said simply, "...a long time. And once they started, they say that they just didn't want to turn it off."
Angela laughed. "I'll bet that they're wonderful," she offered sincerely. "Any mother and father willing to take care of a big family like that and still manage to bring up such kind, thoughtful young men in the process must be special people."
Were he able to blush, John had no doubt that he would have been at that compliment. But the mention of his parents, his mother in particular thanks to her months of being missing in his existence, hit him hard.
Clearing his throat, he managed to grin, "Yea, they're both pretty amazing. Me, Charles and our brothers and sisters are pretty lucky to have them."
At the Infected's other side, his brother lowered his head to keep from getting caught up by the thoughts of their Mom and Dad. Silently thankful that he was all but forgotten at that moment by the two who continued talking amongst themselves, he was able to rub at his misting eyes without the act being noticed.
Coming to a stop at the first step leading into the dorm's lit entrance, Angela turned fully towards her escorts and smiled, "Well, I really appreciate your seeing me back safely at such a late hour." She glanced at her watch, gasping, "Or early in the morning, hour I should say. I had no idea we had been talking for so long! The sun will be up soon at this rate!"
With a frown, John replied, "I-I'm sorry that I kept you up so long. I should have paid more attention to-"
"Oh, nothing to be sorry about," the blonde law student insisted, cutting him off while waving her hand in the air. "I loved every bit of our talk and I am not the least bit tired." Shrugging, she added, "Besides, I have plenty of time to get some sleep in before I'm expected anywhere."
Reluctantly glancing over to her dorm building and back to her friend, Angela told him softly, "I even hate cutting this off as it is." The Infected gulped loudly, already dreading the very same thing. Biting her lip, the mortal suggested with hope dripping from her voice, "Maybe we can meet up again... some time soon?"
"I'd really like that," the Vampire responded without hesitating. He took a second to clear it with his brother. The corner of his mouth curling up, Charles gave him a small nod. Grinning widely, he turned towards the living to suggest, "Maybe same time, same place, Friday?"
Every bit as thrilled by the prospect, the blonde young woman said, "That works fine for me. It's a date." Fidgeting with her hands, she chewed on the inside of her cheek and murmured, "Um... good night, then. And thanks for a really nice evening, John." Before she could lose her nerve, she swooped in to kiss the surprised Infected's cheek. Spinning on her heels she rushed up the steps to enter the lobby.
As the entrance door closed behind their company, Charles waved as he jokingly called, "Nice meeting you, Angela. Have a good night." Snickering, he shook his head in amusement while his brother stared at the lobby with enlarged eyes and a hand on his right cheek that had been touched by the girl's lips.
Slowly turning towards the redhead, John lowered his hand as he all but whispered, "Charles, I... I think Angela is my... Other."
Tightly squeezing the other Vampire's shoulder, the redhead grinned, "Of course she is, you dummy. How else can you explain how the two of you came together at just the right time to meet up and talk like that? After only your second run-in it's like you've both known each other your whole existences... just like Mom and Dad said would happen whenever we find our Chosen." Slapping his sibling's back, he smiled, "Congratulations, little brother."
Numb from the shock of it all, John followed a step behind the slightly taller Infected along the empty campus pavements as he muttered, "Thank you. But..." Shaking his head, he righted himself and decreed firmly, "I'm not going to get distracted from the case. I'm out here looking for Mom and Uncle Duo."
"Yes, and you also can't allow yourself to lose track of Angela, either," Charles stated, his understanding smile never slipping. "That's why I don't mind you going off on your own every now and then to keep up with her. When all of this is over, then you'll be able to bring her into the fold... once we have a complete fold to bring her into."
Allowing a bit of a swirl of thoughts to course through his head, the dark-haired Infected replied softly, "Right. That'll give me time to figure out how to come clean with Angela that I'm a Vampire, which I hope won't come as too much as a shock when that bit comes out."
His head was already swelling over the reality that he was tied to one of the most beautiful, intelligent creatures that he had ever looked upon. More than that, she was in every way a perfect match to him in every aspect that they had touched on.
The feeling of knowing the one he was intended to spend the rest of his eternity with was indescribable for John. Though he loved his family, had always been included and loved by his parents and siblings, there was that bit of a hole missing. Now that missing piece had been locked into place to complete him...
...it was euphoric.
"Come on, lover boy," Charles snickered as he locked his brother's head in a strong arm. "Let's get back to the Khushrenada estate and check in on Catherine's progress."
Snapping out of his daze, the younger Infected nodded, "Good idea."
At that, the pair disappeared in blurs of themselves to continue on with their investigation.
* * * * * *
Sealed away in their Washington condo, Treize and his Clan were gathered around the main room's round table to discuss his earlier conversation with Senator Clarkson. Reeling over the news that two of their believed closest allies may have voted against them, the Vampire Council Representatives sat in silence for a long time to process the possibility.
"It just doesn't make any sense," Lady Une finally commented, her quiet words penetrating the stillness. "Neither Becky or Cassy strike me as the types to work against us behind our backs."
Zechs shrugged, "But then, people that we have placed our trust in for years did vote against us. At least this may be the lead we've been looking for in who could be behind the whole legislation going through in the first place."
Sitting at his right side, Noin unfolded her arms as she stated, "Now we just need to decide how to confront them for more information. I feel comfortable enough talking with Becky, since we especially have sided together in every open vote" An eyebrow raising, she smirked, "And getting some one-on-one time with her will let me read her mind if she does try to hide anything."
Relena raised a hand, announcing, "I feel close enough to Cassy that I don't think I would even need that kind of power. We've had the most personal time together over the years both in and out of session. If there is something behind the accusation, I'll be able to tell just by talking to her."
Practically bouncing in his seat, Quatre smiled, "I know Heero and Wufei would be especially happy to hear that there might be some answers found on this end of the case."
"Once we have it confirmed that there is an actual path for us to follow," Treize politely cautioned his cousin-in-law. "I wouldn't want to bring anything to them until there is a definite reason for them to have some kind of relief to the loss that they're experiencing."
Frowning, he commented, "For as long as they have been without their Chosens, they're likely starting to feel the physical effects by now."
* * * * * *
The surviving, original members of the Yuy-Barton Clan had moved their operation to a busy resort in Sri Lanka to take advantage of the populated area as a means to slow the Hunters down from making a bold move that would expose themselves. From the looks of things, they were likely to have one of their longer stays anywhere in the breathtaking land...
...but of course, they had not picked the spot to enjoy the scenery.
Standing in the opened window of their hotel suite, Heero peered out to the ocean as the sun began to set over the horizon.
Hands stuffed into the pockets of his jean shorts, the Original was a couple of shades paler than usual and there was a bit of a droop in his normally squared shoulders. A deep frown marring his face, he did everything he could to not think of how he and Duo had spent many a long weekend at the resort.
"Trowa should be back with the blood supplies soon," a familiar voice informed quietly while a notably pale scaly hand fell on his arm to squeeze it.
Rounding the Original, Wufei came into sight as he took a moment to take in the picturesque sights stretched out before them. "How are you holding up, brother?" he asked, peering out of the corner of his eye to take in his company in misery.
Heero murmured, "I'm starting to feel the hunger creeping in." Such a thing was expected when he had gone for so many weeks separated from his Chosen. The longer they were away, that desire for blood would only grow to potentially dangerous levels for any innocent mortals around.
Yes, they still had reserves of Duo and Anna's blood stored for emergencies, but they would only hold out for so much longer. Once those supplies ran out in a matter of a couple more months, the brothers would have to resort to hunting animals as they had in the old days to survive. But how much time they could hold onto their control enough to not seek a drink from an innocent mortal was a frightening uncertainty.
It was going to be very different than it had been in the past, this time away from their soul mates.
The natural, nagging thirst that was ingrained into all Vampires was so much greater when there was a break in their bond with their Other... when there was as much a desire for revenge upon those responsible for the sever as there was a need to be reunited with the ones who completed them.
"Me, too," Chang responded. "As sparing as we've been with the reserves, we're going to run out of blood in two months. If Anna and Duo aren't found before then..." He trailed off, not wanting to think of what it might mean as neither Vampire had been in such a position before.
Never breaking his focus on the horizon, Heero nodded shallowly and murmured, "I know. Maybe it won't be as bad as we're fearing. We were able to take hold of our urges before, but I would rather not have to wait and find out that we're up for it this time around. We need to find them before it comes to that."
Folding his arms across his chest, the scaly warrior watched the sun fading below the waterline in the distance as he stated, "We'll find them."
Clear as the words were when they came from him, for the first time since their soul mates were ripped away from them, they carried the hint of dread of 'what if...'. What if they didn't find them before it was too late for all of them?
And that small seed of doubt shook Yuy to his core since even he had been reluctantly asking the same question. But to even imagine a world without the two most important creatures in his existence... he knew that he would not want to be around in such a cold place for long.
Not wanting to continue down that road, the Original turned to face his brother, asking, "would you tell me again how you think they're holding up after all this time?"
Shrugging as he met the gold-and-cobalt eyes on him, Wufei said, "Anna won't let anything happen to the baby or Duo and the same goes the other way around." With a lopsided smirk, he suggested, "Knowing the both of them, I'm sure that they're giving the people holding them a hell of a time. We'll just have to hope that they save some of the fun of handling the situation for us when we do get to them."
Heero snickered at that, happy to paint that mental image as opposed to the dark one that his mind had begun to etch. "Yea," he agreed, the small smile on his face growing. "Those bastards had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they took those two."
That was how Yuy chose to continue on for however long it took to be reunited with Duo and Anna... remembering the fighters that they were and how that would see them through the worst of times.
All of the doubts and 'what ifs' that had plagued him would just have to wait.
Meanwhile, the world around the Infecteds fell into darkness to mark what would be the end of the fourth month of the investigation.
TBC...
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