Adam Gray Karson lives in the little sleepy town of New Haven Arizona, Population, 30. No joke, only 30 people lived there. Most were older, but some, including himself, was 22 and stuck. There were no big colleges, no great programs, so Adam resorted to the small community college, and with that, he sold his soul to New Haven. He took up a job at the automotive place, part-time of course because he had to take care of his brother, Lucian.
Lucian was blind. Blind since birth. His dad left when they were young, and his mom, Amanda, worked long hours at the hospital. She hated leaving Lucian alone, but he did this thing where he could click his tongue and walk around just fine. So while Adam was at his job, Lucian would wander around his house, listening to classical music, that is, until Adam got home. Then they would hang out, and write stories. Yes, write stories. Lucian had an amazing imagination, absolutely wonderful. He created fantastically detailed worlds and universes full of witches, wizards, and his favorite, dragons. Adam would write for him, and the transpose it into braille so that Lucian could enjoy it anytime he wanted to. Adam loved his brother, and sure, it was difficult living and adapting to help his 10-year-old brother live, but he loved him nonetheless.
The only thing that Adam wished was different, is he wished that Lucian was older. Or perhaps that his father didn't leave, or that, even though he pushed the thoughts away, his brother wasn't in fact blind. He wants to move on with his life, he wants to get out of the hole that is New Haven.
Adam yawned and wiped his greasy hands onto his pants.
"I'm heading out." He said, putting his wrenches into a bright red toolbox.
"See you tomorrow, remember that the Jones want their car by Friday."
"Ok, I will get it done," Adam replied, walking out of the garage. He didn't live very far away from the garage, maybe a five minute walk through the blistering heat. One thing he hated about his job was indeed, the heat. Although there were multiple fans circulating air, it was still unbearably hot. Sometimes, he would go to the mini-fridge, and stick his head in it for a few seconds of relief.
He glanced around him, taking in his surroundings as he walked. He had walked this path a million times, but still, he noticed little things that changed. A tall oak tree the stood off the side of the road, with a tire swing tied to a branch reminded him of the time Adam was pushing Lucian on it and he fell and broke his arm. Adam felt absolutely terrible about it, but Lucian forgave him, saying that it wasn't his fault. He still feels pretty bad about it, and now, he is a lot more careful.
He also noticed a long line of hedges in from of a small mobile home. This was owned by the Harrisons, and trimming them was Adam's first job. This is when he realized he would be stuck here. He was in the middle of trimming them, and shortly before, he had fought with his mom, telling her that he was an adult and he wanted to leave. He got a call from his mom, and she told him that Lucian fell and gave himself a concussion. Adam rushed to the hospital, and he saw his brother, unconscious on the hospital bed, and that's when he vowed to stay, and take care of his brother until he is able to do it himself.
Adam looked up and noticed he was getting closer to his house. He stopped daydreaming and started to pick up his pace to get there sooner. He neared the rustic looking house, with a vibrant red door and maple porch, and entered it.
"Lucian, I'm home!" Adam yelled over the loud classical music.
"Coming, I'm in the kitchen." He yelled back.
"I'm getting in the shower, then we'll write some, ok?"
"Yeah sure!" Lucian replied.
Adam smiled, and started toward his room, and got his clothes for the shower. He grabbed a towel and headed in the direction.
He undressed and stepped in, turning on the cold water, and then the hot, making a perfectly cool shower. They had a small water heater, very small. They didn't really need a big one, it's Arizona, it's always hot.
As the cool water washed over his face, he grabbed the shampoo and started lathering his hair. He turned the hot water up, because the grease from earlier won't come off unless the water is hot. He would just have to endure the hot water.
He grabbed the bar of soap and started to scrub his greased over skin, black water falling off of his body and running down the drain. He sighed and started to rinse off the remaining soap. He turned the hot water down, and stood there for awhile, relishing the relief of the cool water before getting out and drying, getting dressed, and heading out to find Lucian.
He walked into the kitchen and Lucian was there, sitting at the kitchen table, rubbing his fingers over the braille version of one of our stories.
"You switched the c's and d's again," he said, hearing Adam walk up to him.
"Damn, sorry. I do that all the time." Adam replied, placing his hands on Lucian's shoulder.
"It's alright, it happens." Lucian said, "What should out next story be about?"
Adam smiled and sat down in a chair next to him, "I don't know, you tell me."
Lucian's face lit up with glee as he began relaying his next adventure, "This next one is going to be a scary one."
"Oh? Trying something new?" Adam asked, preparing his pencil and paper that he keeps on the table al all times.
"Yeah, but it's not really my story," Lucian said, scratching his cheek.
Adam glanced over at Lucian and squinted his eyes, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, it's not my story, James told me."
Adam thought for a moment, thinking the name sounded familiar before realizing the severity of what Lucian was saying, "Wait, who is James?"
Lucian giggled, "He's just my friend, he comes by nearly every day."
Something in Adam stirred, fear, paranoia, anger- he wasn't sure, but it wasn't good.
"Lucian, he comes in the house when I'm not here?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, but don't worry, it's been several weeks, he's not going to hurt me."
"Weeks? Lucian, why haven't you told me?" Adam said, starting to get a little aggravated.
"Adam, it's ok, he told me to keep it a secret, but today he said that the time has come to let you know."
"What? Lucian, you can't do that! Mom is going to be pissed!" Adam said, standing up and starting to pace with his hands on the back of his neck.
"No! Don't tell her! He wants to see you first before she knows!" Lucian screamed.
"Lucian stop! What has gotten into you? You can't let strangers into the house, you could get hurt, or taken!" Adam yelled back.
"He's not going to hurt me Adam! I'm not dumb!"
"But you're blind Lucian, you're blind! He could hurt you, take you, do anything to you and you couldn't protect yourself Lucian, you couldn't do anything. I'm supposed to protect you!" Adam said, sitting down and putting his face in his hands.
Letting strangers in the house, he didn't know what to do. He'd have to tell his mom, but what would stop Lucian from doing it again? Adam wouldn't be there, his mom wouldn't be there. They can't afford a babysitter. Adam sighed. He'd have to quit his job if Lucian continues this.
"Adam, please, just trust me. I know what I'm doing, please, just listen."
Adam sighed, "I have to tell mom Lucian, I can't have you letting strangers in the house."
"Please, just listen." Lucian pleaded.
"Fine! Fine, just talk." Adam said, looking up at his brother.
"He wants to meet you, I don't know how he knows you, but he said he has some explaining to do."
"Explaining?"
"Yes, he wants to tell you things."
Adam gasped, a pain in his chest made him grab it and he stood up.
"James! James! Lucian, that's- impossible." Adam said. He realized now why the name sounded familiar. It was his dad's name. The very person that left them when Lucian was born.
"What do you mean?" Lucian asked.
"Hold on, just, hold on. Let me think." Adam said. Not in a million years did Adam expect this. He never wanted to see him again after he left. He caused so much hardship and distress when he left. Because of him, his mom has to work two shifts on top of Adam's job to pay the bills. Because of him, Adam is stuck in this godforsaken town.
He thought about his mom, how she would react. Adam sighed, and looked up at Lucian, grabbing his hand.
"I'm sorry for yelling." He said.
Lucian nodded, "It's okay."
"Now, when does he want to meet?" Adam asked.
"Tomorrow."
~~~
The next morning, Adam had called the automotive place where he worked and told his boss that he couldn't be there today. He was aggravated at first because the Jones's car had to be done, but once Adam told him it was about Lucian, he was calm. His mom left before he was awake, leaving a note on the fridge, saying that she was going to be later today than expected, and to order pizza if they wanted to.
He was in the kitchen, and Lucian was at the table. Lucian told him that James usually came around 11 o'clock, and it was 9 o'clock, so they had a little while to wait. Adam wasn't sure what to feel. He was nervous, but angry, very angry. He left us for 10 years, then had the audacity to come back and talk to Lucian without anyone knowing, Adam was pissed, and he was going to make sure that James knew.
He wasn't sure if it even was his dad. It could be any other James in the world, but the way Lucian talked about him, the way that he knew Adam and wanted to 'explain' things, it had to be his dad.
He looked over at Lucian, who was reading the book from yesterday, and sighed. James had apparently not told Lucian that he was his dad, which made things more difficult. Lucian knew that he left, his mom told him it was because he was an explorer, but Adam didn't want Lucian to believe lies, so he told him that his dad didn't want to waste the time to adapt for him. He cried, and Adam regretted telling him at the time, but he knew that it was for the best.
He never talked about his dad, he never mentioned his name, it was always 'dad', so today, he would find out that his father's name is James, and the 'friend' he has been talking to was his dad who left when he was born.
Adam started to regret this decision. It just wasn't smart. He wished he had told his mom about it, because this situation is screwed up. James, for all Adam knows, could be out to get them. He could be high, or a convict. He knows nothing of his father, and yet, here he is, waiting for him to show up with no other person knowing.
"Lucian maybe this isn't a good idea." Adam said.
"Why? It's just James." He replied.
"Yes bu-" Adam stopped, he realized that Lucian still didn't know that it was his father. Adam still wasn't sure himself, which made it worse.
"Yes but what?" Lucian asked.
"This is a stranger we are talking about." Adam said, still not wanting to divulge any of his suspicions.
"He's safe, I promise."
"How do you know that Lucian? How do you know he isn't coming to kill us or something."
Lucian laughed, "He's not going to kill us, he doesn't kill humans."
At first, Adam chuckled at the statement, but then it hit him.
"Excuse me?" Adam said.
"He doesn't kill humans, he kills demons. That's what he wants to explain to you."
"What?" Adam sat down. He was taken back. It can't be his dad, it's some crazy person. He began to get scared, actually scared.
"He doesn't kill humans, he kills demons, what is wrong with you?" Lucian asked.
"Nothing, umm, I'll be right back." He said, getting up from his seat. He ran to another room and pulled out his cell phone. He dialed his mom's number, something he should have done earlier.
The phone rang, and rang, but there was no answer. He tried again, still, no answer.
Adam cursed and put his phone back. He debated calling the police, but what would they do? It could just be some guy telling stories.
Adam gripped his temples and started back into the kitchen when he stopped dead in his tracks.
"You're hear early!" Adam heard Lucian say in the other room.
"I am, where's Adam?" The voice said. Adam recognized the voice, and it was confirmed when he walked into the kitchen. It was, in fact, his father.
"Adam?" James said, looking extremely nervous and out of place.
"Don't, why are you here, why have you been seeing my brother behind my back. Mom will be pissed and you know it." Adam said, incredibly angry, but not raising his voice. He wanted to sound like he was in charge of the situation, but he also wanted to be calm.
"I need to explain myself."
"Explain yourself my ass, you left when we needed you the most, you left and since then, this whole family has struggled, you left and Lucian never got to talk to his father, you left, and I was stuck here." Adam immediately looked over at Lucian, who was hurt, but more confused than anything.
"What are you talking about? Is James my dad?" Lucian asked, taking a few steps back.
"I don't know, James, are you his dad?" Adam asked, staring him straight in the eyes.
"Please, just let me talk. Lucian, you heard what I was telling him, doesn't he need to know? Doesn't he deserve to know?"
"You're my dad?" He said.
"Yes, I am your father. And the stories I told you, apply to you too. Adam, this is very urgent, I don't have a lot of time." He said, looking more nervous by the second. He started fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, glancing around him.
"No, you-"
"Adam, let him talk." Lucian said, a single tear falling down his pale face. Adam thought that his brother might cry, but actually seeing it made his chest hurt.
"Fine, but after this, you had better never come here again, got it?" Adam said, eyeing James' hands and eyes. He too, started to glance around him.
"You're not going to believe me at first, but in time, you will. I know I don;t have a lot of that, so you're just going to just have to take my word for it. I know that doesn't mean a lot, but just trust me. I am a demon hunter."
"Okay, time to go." Adam said, pushing him towards the door.
"Listen to me." James said in an ungodly voice. A voice laced with an animal like growl, a voice that made Adam stumble back into a wall.
"What is wrong with you?" Adam asked, grabbing Lucian.
"My line of work has consequences, but that's not the point, please stop interrupting, I don't have time-" he grunted, "You have to go to your grandfather, he'll finish the story, he'll-"
Jamed groaned and fell to the floor grabbing his chest.
"Please- j-just trust me" James said, breathless and weak.
"Dad, w-what's wrong, do I need to call an ambul-"
"Just listen! Go to your grandfather, tell him I sent you, tell him the flame will have to be passed on to you."
"Dad, I need to go call-"
James growled and started convulsing in the floor. Adam sat Lucian down and flipped out his phone. He started dialing 911, but the phone got knocked out of his hands.
"Dad, stop I need-" Adam stopped, looking at his father in the face. His eyes were black, completely colorless. His face had an unnatural paleness to it, and the lines in his face seemed to deepen.
"What the-" Before Adam could finish, James picked him up and threw him across the room, sending him smashing against the kitchen table. Adam groaned in absolute agony as he felt something hot and sticky trail down his forehead. He shakily tried to stand up, but the pain made him collapse. Lucian started screaming and feeling around him.
"Adam? Adam where are you?" Lucian asked, sobbing now.
James started towards Lucian, and somehow, Adam got a surge of energy, enabling him to stand. He lept toward James, knocking him away from the path of Lucian long enough for him to yell, "Lucian, go towards the noise!" Adam grabbed a bowl on the kitchen table and threw it at the front door, shattering on impact.
Lucian immediately started off towards the door, clicking his tongue. James yelled and heaved Adam off of him. He stood up and ran towards Lucian, but Adam kicked at his legs, slowing him down long enough for Adam to tackle him once more. Lucian was close to the door, but not close enough to find it.
"Lucian, right, to your right!" Adam yelled, and with that, James threw him completely across the room. He groaned, feeling immense pain, and his right arm felt weird. He look down at it and realized that it was out of socket. He shook his head and stood up, realizing that something was also wrong with his right leg. He limped helplessly towards James, clutching his arm. He watched in horror as James finally reached Lucian.
"No, stop!" Adam screamed before stumbling and falling to the floor, grimacing once more. He tried to get up, but fell again, the pain was just too much.
"Stop-" He said weakly, before his head became fogged, and he blacked out. He came to seconds later, and James had Lucian held in the air. Adam felt unconsciousness coming back, and he tried to stand, and succeeded. He took two shaky steps toward James and Lucian, but he wasn't fast enough. With Lucian's scream, James brought the frail frame down hard onto his knee.
Adam screamed in absolute horror as he watched Lucian's back get maimed, and his limp, lifeless body fall to the floor.