SHADOW

I’m a simple man who simply gives the people what they want, Neumann.

It gets tiring sometimes.

Have you tried just... not? Catering to everyone else, I mean-- I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

Why wouldn’t it be? Leon was right, I’m a spoiled and selfish bitch who has been nothing but vile to you and somehow got stuck with a promise that I can’t keep. If they don’t want me, I don’t want them. Not our brothers, not our sister, not our mothers….well, not yours, at least.

Well, you know whatever he meant to do, it worked. 

Because I actually took the time to get to know you, Celine. A selfish and spoiled person wouldn’t have taken that promise in the first place-- you wouldn’t have given me one of your precious momentos so that I can get by being what I am. You can’t back out now... I’m counting on you to be there until I can be. You think that family is easy? Rainbows and sunshine? No-- family is messy, hectic and chaotic, but family is all we have right now. Every one of us is hurting in a different way, coping some way-- it doesn’t mean we don’t want you.

Leon called me a self-centered princess who can’t care about anyone but herself. If that’s what you all think of me, then why even try?

Celine, you know that’s not what I think of you. Mom told me a bit about Leon-- he’s not in a good headspace and will say anything to deflect that hurt he’s feeling and experiencing onto anyone else.

I can’t seem to step a foot from the porch without any of the gawking.

Somehow, I think that’s actually what you want...

The question wasn’t whether Dominic remembered his father, it’s if he bothered suppressing every memory he might have of him from his mind. He was too young to understand what really happened between his parents, all he knew was his mother protecting her children by refusing to speak his name in their household and Harry shielding his two younger siblings. Dominic meant what he said a while back, his brother had been more of a father to him and Mia than their actual parental figure. “You know that she’s always going to be blaming herself for that. For your change and now for Leon’s brush with a fucking vampire.” Dominic placed his arms on the table and leaned forward slowly in a slouch that would have been corrected by their mom if she were around. “Dad was a self-serving prick who couldn’t bother himself sticking by long enough to watch his children grow. You’re still here, Harry. Mom understands why you have to keep your distance, alright, we know it’s what’s right for you.”

He watched his brother speak and it was as if right before his eyes, his little brother grew up. Maybe it was just due to the time, but a part of him knew it was because of the town-- forcing him and his family to come face to face with too many nightmares and learn from it. Harry nodded after a time, knowing that his brother was right and that he would need to talk to his mother again, “I’ll talk to her about things, the way this town is going... maybe you all shouldn’t be here for this. Not if it means dying.” He looked at his brother for a pause, a small smile lifting on his face, “I’m proud of you, Dom. You’re a good kid, just make sure you take care of yourself.”

I think I’ve heard the name floating about, it sounds as if you’re in welcome company. If they really are helping as much as you say, then I’m relieved you have like-minded individuals who understand what you need. seems they are giving you a world I can’t provide, honey.

Harry frowned at his mothers words, chewing on his lip as she spoke. He and his mother was stuck in a constant loop of guilt and regret. Him with his guilt over abandoning his family, no matter how much against his will it was, and his mother’s guilt over letting something happen to any of them. Harry took a deep steadying breath before reaching out, taking his mothers hand in his. “We need to stop, Mom. This guilt that we both carry... it’s not healthy-- despite everything that happened, you’re the best mother I could ask for. I don’t blame you for anything and that will never change.”

That’s it, Harry, I can’t do it. I’m done with this family.

What happened?

He picked at a loose flap at the edge of the box wearily, imagining what would happen to anyone his brother could get his hands on if they ever hurt his family. More than punches, more than a night spent in jail, no, just lasting possible consequences. Dominic hadn’t known the extend of Harry’s abilities and despite the love for his older brother, he rather not care to see for himself. “Sure, anybody threatens my life and all I have to say is my big brother’s going to eat them, yeah, that’s going to teach the assholes.” The younger male mumbled, appreciating Harry’s overprotective nature that sure ran deep in their family. That was his sibling, cleaning the messes and taking care of his twins. “Look at what has happened to her family since the decision to move here was made, Harry, you’d think you had failed too.” Dominic released a long sigh, “You were the golden child, the first born. Mom loves her children to death, but you…you remind her of Dad.”

Harry winced at Dom’s statement even thought it was true. Though he’d just been talking about his super-speed and strength, there was always a possibility for him to slip and do worse like he did when he was first changed. It was getting marginally better, but he always had to be careful. One slip up could be someone’s life on the line, and it wasn’t his. He slouched into his chair, rubbing a hand on his face as he moved past talking about what he was-- they knew that he would stop at nothing to protect them, even if he didn’t really want to talk about what he was. “Yeah, I know. She didn’t bargain moving us all to a supernatural freakfest either,” Harry replied with a sigh, shaking his head, “I know I remind her of him. I’ve known since I was a kid and he dipped out-- she couldn’t exactly look at me sometimes in the beginning. Now I’m stuck dipping out on my own family involuntarily. Like father, like son.”

Not a statement I thought I’d hear in a million years.

Someone did tell me you found a little group to join, I can’t remember who. Are they being kind? Are they…helping?

Yeah... none of this is what I thought I’d ever hear.

A great majority of the time even when he was younger, he never listened to what others wanted from him. Dominic wouldn’t consider himself the problem child necessarily, but there were days he just could not make the lives of his brother and mother any easier. And Mia, she saw past his bullshit instantly. “There is a fine line getting my ass handed to me and landing in a shit storm of trouble if I don’t hold back. I say the wrong thing and it’s like life or death.” He reached over and placed the lid of the container holding the game back on the box, freezing slightly at the mention of their mom. “You know how she is, Harry. She plays the strong soldier for the rest of us and then cries into her pillow at the end of the night. Doesn’t think the rest of us notice, but I notice more than they assume.” His eyes landed on his older brother, “Go talk to her. I get it’s hard with your control, but she’s this close to hysterics.”

He watched his brother place the lid on the box in silence, thinking about the words that Dom spoke in truth. Saying something to the wrong person was definitely a thing to watch out for; especially when almost everyone in the town had some sort of pull over humans. “You know that I would protect you, right? If anyone tried to hurt you, I would be there. Otherwise, what use are these fucking powers, you know?” Harry plucked at the frayed edges of his sweater as the topic of conversation drifted to their mother. He knew he asked for it, but it still hurt to hear how she was hurting because of the town, because of him. “I know I have to talk to her but it isn’t easy. Not just because of this,” he said while gesturing to himself with a shrug, “but because she looks at me like she failed has a mother. How do you expect me to have conversations with her when just the mere sight of me makes her upset?”

We used to create our own games when we’ve gone through our entire collection during those younger years. I miss those days.

You and me both. I don’t think the wolves around here are really into board games unless they’re ancient.

Whatever. Chess is a boner buzzkill anyway.

“Since we came to this town and it’s all gone to shit. I don’t care that I don’t care.” Dominic swept his shoulders in a wide shrug, “It’s not like I’m given a death glare for cracking dirty jokes anymore.”

Harry hummed lightly as he took one of the bishops in his hand, rotating it as he listened to his brother. It still bewildered him that his family still sought him out, wanted him to be a part of their lives despite what he had become. He knew he wouldn’t shake them that easy, so he had to make sure that he did everything he could to keep that side suppressed. “I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing for you don’t care about holding back on anything. There’s a lot worse things to worry about than some language, anyway,” Harry said with a sigh as he tossed the piece he’d been holding back into its box. Dom was right, chess wasn’t working and he was running out of things to do. He’s tried every hobby. “Is mom holding up okay?” he asked hesitantly, as if he didn’t have a right to ask since he was a good portion of her worry, “with Leon back, that’s one less thing for her to worry about.”

I mean, there are other solutions keeping your hands very, very, very busy that doesn’t even require another person.

Chess doesn’t spark joy, Harry. Go find a hot supernatural to bang it out with.

I think... I’ll stick with chess. 

So, this is your plan? Boring yourself to tears with board games?

My plan is to keep my mind and hands pre-occupied when I’m not in the company of another supernatural being. It’s better this way.

We can stop, if you want?

I’m winning and I don’t even know how to play chess.

Your move.

I never said I did either, I may be book smart but I’m definitely not chess smart.