After we returned home last night, Caleb and I discussed about our parent's funeral. I didn't what to, but we had to. When I woke up, I felt like there was a hole in my heart, literally. I still couldn't believe they were gone just like that.
And despite killing Roland, that didn't change anything. I still felt their absence. In every room I went, with anything I touched I was reminded that I would never see my mother in that kitchen. Or that I would never see my father sitting at his favorite seat reading a newspaper and sipping on something.
All that was gone in one night. Just because of a stupid skull that the vampires so desperately wanted to take over hearth. At least that was what I was able to get from father before Roland killed him.
After the ceremony, Caleb went back to his place and I just went straight home.
The company was locked since their boss died. I just went straight to bed despite it been day time. But I needed to process everything. My parents' death and the vampires. But at least those bastards were no more.
I hopped.
*
As I opened my eyes my vision became blurred. I jumped from bed and went at the window. Did the vampires come? But that can't be possible since I burned their place. The whole of realm of shadows. Did they extinguish the fire somehow?
I opened the curtain but there was no one threatening at the door. Was that just a fragment of my imagination? I think I need some sleep. I'm losing my mind. But apart from the blurriness of my vision, I sensed a magical presence around. Someone was here. Who? And why?
I shadow walked and appeared in the back yard. I looked around but no one was there. The vast light on the fence lit the entire backyard. So, there was no way I couldn't have seen the intruder.
I should get a guard. I don't even know why I sent Oscar away. But I just don't need him. I never needed him. My father and mother needed him—but they were no more.
Maybe I was hallucinating everything. I just need to relax and get some sleep. I shadow walked and appeared inside my room seconds later. My vision was back to normal again. They must have left whoever they were. Could it have been Seires? But I didn't know the man nor did I offend him in any way. So, I just don't see why he would follow me.
I brushed all the thoughts of the possible dangers around me and jumped to bed.
*
About a week passed and neither me nor Caleb went to work since the funeral. And lucky for me the people father hired were very helpful and took care of things while I recovered from what happened. One of them actually called me every day to check up and tell me I needed to see a therapist. Both me and Caleb. Despite them not knowing the full extent of what happened to their boss and his wife they were still supportive and believed the story that they were in an accident.
But what could we have said? The vampires wanted the skull that our parents took and that is when Roland their friend betrayed them? It sounds insane even for me.
This morning both me and Caleb choose we needed to step out and try to get some air. Maybe go to a bar after work or something.
I took a quick shower and went straight to work. I don't know why, but I was feeling a little strange that day. Like I had forgotten something. Then before I could process what the hell was making me feel out of place, the door to my office blew inwards.
"Hey man," I said.
But Caleb did not respond, he just stood there with his hands wrapped around his hips.
I cleared my throat. "I said Hey. Didn't you hear me?"
"What's the date today?" He asked.
"Twenty sec. Dammit. Sorry man, I guess I had a lot on my mind. But I will make it up to you."
That was the thing I was forgetting. Caleb's birthday on the twenty-second of November. Since I forgot to wish him a happy birthday, I had no choice but to make it up for it. And the fact that he threw a surprise birthday for me, I felt indebted to him.
"I can't believe you forgot my birthday man."
"I said I'm sorry, dude. Where do you want to go? My treat." I put my files aside and looked at him as he took a sit to the opposite of my table.
I guess he was moving on from his parent's death. Which was a good thing if you think about it. He needed to. We both needed to. But maybe I cling to it a bit much.
"Here I brought this," he handed me a file, "and I want to go and get this stress out of my mind, so a fancy club will do."
What did I get myself into? He got up and left the office.
I carried on with my work and went through the papers Caleb had brought. Apparently now we had to supply coffee and tea to South Africa.
A few months ago, a British man from South Africa came to Zambia, I don't know what he wanted, and I didn't care either. But after he tested the coffee, we produced; he instantly fell in love with it. So, he wanted to work with us. And if it meant more money, who were we to refuse the offer.
I was so busy that day that I didn't even realize it was already time to take the bastard out.
I packed the papers that I needed to sign at home and cleaned my table. And before he called, I quickly got out of my office. But just as I finished locking the door, I saw him standing a few feet from me.
He turned and began walking towards the elevator. I began trotting until I reached up to him.
"I was about to come and dismember your body," he said, displaying a rather serious face.
Sometimes I feared Caleb. When he got angry, there was no controlling him. That was one of the reasons I was regretting taking him out, because he had a bit too much then only God knows what will happen.
After thirty minutes of driving, we reached O' Hagans bar, which is located at woodlands shopping mall. I parked my car, and we got out.
As we entered inside, a lady came to show us our table since I made a reservation. I don't know why she was working in the bar, though. Because she looked very extravagant to work in a bar. But since O' Hagans bar was not like these dirty useless bars, I kinder let that thought go.
We reached our table and sat down.
"What shall I get for you, gentleman?" The lady asked.
"I will have champagne, please," I said.
"And you, sir?" She looked at Caleb.
"I think merlot will do," he said.
The lady wrote our order and went away.
"Hope this makes up for it. Merlot isn't a cheap wine," I said.
"Not really, you still have to do a lot," he teased.
"Keep dreaming," I said more to myself.
After a few minutes, the lady came back with our order. We just dipped our heads, and she left.
We pulled our wines into the wine glasses and I made a toast to long life before we drank it. After a few shorts, I was kinder, feeling dizzy.
But again, my vision became blurred. Like what happened the other night. Was someone stocking me? First last night and now here? I need to get this over with. As soon as possible before I land myself in trouble. Or before I give the bastard who was stocking me the leverage to attack me.
Then someone called my name. As I whirled, I saw Simon A.K.A boy wonder waving at me.
He was looking pretty messed up. His clothes were very dirty, and I spotted blood sterns on him. Was he hunting? I asked myself. But I thought they only hunt on the full moon. Though Caleb somehow managed to outwit that desire.
So, Simon was a werewolf like Caleb and we used to go to school together. We weren't friends then and not now.
He reached our table, breathing heavily. He was even failing to speak. Was he the one stocking me? But why would he stock me? Just a few days ago we beat the leaving hell out of him and his team because of some stupid issue he had with me and Caleb. But again, the bastard might have been stocking me for that reason. To get revenge for that. And he might have not forgotten about the time I held him upside down on top of a build with his little snake flapping his thigs.
"Speak up, dammit," I shouted.
"We have trouble," he said, and took a deep sigh.
"We? That will never happen in a million years. But what do you mean, trouble?" Caleb asked.
We just went through a rough road with the vampires. Those bastards killed my parents and Caleb's, and we just barriered them like a week ago. Here we are trying to leave our peaceful lives and now boy wonder comes with this news. So much for our peace.
My wizard powers suddenly tingled on my fingertips. Then it hit me. My wizard powers do not warn me about the upcoming danger if werewolves are involved. I just guessed it was because I spent time with Caleb so much that I got used to werewolf senses. Which meant, Simon was not my stocker. But the question was who? And they must be near for my wizard powers to tingle that much.
"Jackson, is everything ok?" Caleb asked.
"I think we are been watched," whispered.
"That is what I'm trying to tell you, idiots. We need to leave from this place now," Simon spoke.
"Follow me," I swiftly removed my wallet and left our bile on the table then I led them to the men's restroom.
Whoever was stocking us must have followed judging by my vision becoming even more blurred. We entered the restroom and to our luck, there was no one there.
"Hold on to me," I told them and then turned to look at Simon. "Boy wonder, you have a lot to explain."