Fight By My Side

By about midnight, Mike had to come up and retrieve me. Austin left long ago for his house, giving me a gentle kiss on the cheek as he passed me by. I always hated to watch him go, especially with the tension so high right now. He seemed like he could be my only median.

Mike helped me down the stairs, and I had to stop and catch my breath. Geez, Jack could do some damage! Vic sat at the bar while Jack and Alex were relaxing on the couch. Well, Alex was asleep with his head in Jack’s lap. Barakat just stared at the blank screen.

I joined Vic and Mike at the bar. Mike, our chef as usual, handed me a plate of food since I missed dinner by about, oh, five hours. Throwing the plate away in the sink, I went back to sit by Vic. I should probably throw a shirt on, even though the bandages and bra basically made up a shirt for me.

“Hey, wolf girl.” Alan ruffled my hair as he passed by. I ducked my head and grinned at him.

“Hey, kitten.” I responded while sticking my tongue out. We chatted sullenly for a few moments. From the corner of my eye, I looked up to see Jack glance over at us. He stroked a few stray pieces of Alex’s hair back.

Yep, it’s the Sempiternal Continuum. The strongest bond between Shifters.

I refused to meet Jack’s eyes as I hopped out of my chair and headed to my room. I didn’t want to be here anymore in the tension, but I was also feeling a bout of tiredness.

I felt the eyes stare at me as I closed the door and slid into my bed, shutting off the lights. Even in the secureness of the room, I was uneasy. It felt too much like the tension outside. Nothing felt right anymore.

“Wyyyynnn….pst, Wynnnnn…” Jack’s voice called. My head was tucked under the blankets, my eyes only partially open. I had the option to answer, but decided I didn’t want to accidentally trigger anything.

I could see the faint shadow of Jack stepping close to my bed. I froze, completely still, and attempted to control my breathing. My eyelids fluttered shut as mild mannered Jack sat down beside me.

“Wynter, I can tell you’re awake.” Jack muttered. I sighed and pulled back the covers, yawning slightly in the dark. I could see his dark brown eyes find mine in the darkness.

“What did you want?” I asked him curiously. Why did he want to bother me when I just wanted to attempt to sleep?

“J-just to say goodnight.” He stuttered before getting up and going over to his own bed. He tossed and turned for a few minutes before I sighed.

“Goodnight, Jack.” I whispered obnoxiously loudly. It wasn’t like anyone else is in the room.

“Goodnight, Wynter.”

“You already said that.”

“Oh, yeah.” Jack deflated. I bit my lip hard, trying to find the words to say. Eventually, I decided not to say anything. The door opened a crack. A little kitten strolled into the room, followed by Vic and Mike. The two brothers hopped in their beds, but I watched the little cat. Once the snores of the other three were heard, I patted the bedside for the cat.

“Come here, little ginger.” I cooed to him. He meowed and leaped to the bed’s edge. Alan curled up under my arm, rubbing his face against my hand. I rubbed the soft spot behind his ears.

“I don’t think Aus would be too happy if I slept with his best friend.” I whispered to him. Alan grumbled a little and pushed his small head into my chest. I winced a little.

“Ow, ow, ow, Alan! You can stay here for a little, but then I’m putting you back in your room.” I complained to him. The cat accepted his fate and curled up against my arm, purring as I rubbed the ginger fur on his head.

“You’re such a little kitten!” I whispered to him. He purred happily, despite my comment. We sat like that for the next half hour or so. It had to be about one in the morning already.

Once Alan fell asleep, he shifted back to a human. It was an unconscious action. He Shifted back like he fell asleep-his hands over his head that rested on my shoulder. I sighed and got up. Aus wouldn’t like me falling asleep beside his best friend and I didn’t want to do that to him. Vic falling asleep was one thing-he was my brother. Alan was another.

So I struggled to get up, poking Alan awake. The boy was in a deep slumber. Since I couldn’t carry him, I let him sleep on my bed and went out to the living room. Pulling up some blankets, I could sleep on the couch. The cabinets in the hallway near the bathroom held the extra blankets in case of other visitors.

Rubbing away a yawn with the back of my hand, I went up the cabinets and opened them. Of course, they were located on the high shelf. It made me want to slam the door in frustration. Instead, I calmed down and stood on my tip toes, grimacing through the pain.

“Here, let me get that.” A voice whispered. Unfamiliar hands reached up to grab the green blanket. The man turned around to hand it to me. Of course, it was Alex.

“Thanks.” I whispered, a little surprised at the kindness. We walked into the living room together. I settled down on the couch, Alex sitting next to me.

“Couldn’t sleep?” he whispered. I shook my head and sighed. No, it was just the large ginger taking up all the room in my bed.

“No.” I replied simply. That seed of jealously sprouted in me. Alex Gaskarth had gotten between me and sweet little Jack! My hand inched closer to strangling him, but resisted. That would hurt poor Jack Barakat.

“Me either.” He replied simply. Silence sat heavy between us.

“Um, I’m sorry for getting in between you and Jack.” Alex mumbled an apology. I had to take a moment to realize what words he had uttered.

“It’s just a part of being a Shifter here. There’s a level of order.” I told him a bit sharper than intended.

“And what would that order be?” Alex asked curiously.

“I started it here, so it’s me, then Jack, Vic, and Mike. No particular order there.” I answered. A little sigh of acknowledgement told me Alex understood.

“So, what was that fight today?” Alex questioned honestly. Hesitating a moment, I decided it didn’t hurt to answer. It’s not like we were giving out much personal information.

“Jack questioning authority.” I answered simply. Silence told me he wanted more.

“About me?” The small voice answered in fear. Why was there terror? He was a Guardian, and they weren’t ever afraid!

“Yes. I don’t know how much you remember, but Jack brought you in, knowing you were…a Guardian,” I hesitated a moment at the last part. “I told him that he should’ve killed you when he found you and not endanger the rest of us. I didn’t particularly like that he brought you in. The Guardians and I have a deeper history than the rest of the others here. Jack told me no, he wouldn’t kill you, and I told him I would do it myself if he didn’t do it. We Shifted, he challenged me, I fought back, and he won. You’re here. You’re not dead. Jack’s happy. I’m torn up. I didn’t want to hurt Jack badly, so I didn’t rip into him enough. I should be dead. The end.” I finalized it, a tear coming to my cheek. I should’ve been dead like my parents. My breath caught in my throat strangled me.

“History with the Guardians?” Alex inquired. I shook my head, not wanting to answer.

“I’m not answering that.” I put out bluntly.

“You should be dead?” Alex asked again. I replied with the same response.

“Me to.” He responded quietly. I looked at him.

“Why so?” I questioned. I mean, besides the obvious answer that I was about to tear out his throat. Alex fumbled nervously with the Guardians jacket he wore.

“I was the head of a squad of Guardians and one of the most efficient in my rank. I had been with them for a few years now and already was one of the best. Yesterday, we were out on a hunting mission on reports of a Rogue killing children as they walked to the pool. Well, while I was out scouting, I Shifted into a mountain lion. Luckily, no one saw me actually change, but I wandered right into my group. They started shooting and I ran. One hit me in the leg and I started bleeding in a ditch. I escaped, but I should’ve died of blood loss. I had Shifted back as I lay in the ditch in the middle of nowhere. Jack found me and brought me back. I owe my life to him.” Alex whispered. I thought it over. Wow, the feels. Being stabbed in the back by your own squad seemed a little harsh, even if they didn’t know it was you.

“Jack always had a soft spot for people dying in the middle of nowhere.” I thought from memory…but that was when we first met. That was another story.

“So how did you three meet?” Alex asked me curiously, trying to break the silence.

“Well, it was a long time ago…”

Notes