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The Warden
Henry watched Darien pull up to the large mansion in his black Mercedes and get out with a box of ice cream in his hands. Henry sighed, he wasn’t looking forward to telling Darien that Serena had gone to a party. When angry the young man was fierce, dangerous even. Many a time Henry had seen Darien in a rage and it wasn’t a sight he liked. “Hello Master Darien.” He nodded politely as the ebony haired man walked through the door.
“I’ve told you before Henry, it’s just plain Darien.” He smiled and ran a strong hand through his hair tussling it roughly. “I can’t talk right now though, Serena and I have a date to stay in.” Henry lowered his eyes as the vibrant eyed man rushed up the stairs to his sister’s room. Walking with a bounce he reached her large bedroom doors and turned the ornamental silver knob and pushed the large object open. The room was dark but he could make out a large lump in the bed that was no doubt a still sleeping Serena. “Hey! Wake up Serena.” He chuckled softly and sat on the edge of the bed; setting the ice cream box on the soft white carpet he leaned over and rested a hand on the lump. “Come on, you can’t sleep all day… I have your favorite ice cream and movie…” He smiled and shook his head. Serena could sleep through a tornado. “Hey! Come on, up!” He then pulled the blankets back to see a large body pillow instead of a seventeen year old girl. Taking a moment to cool his suddenly boiled blood he let out a long breath and reached for the box of ice cream. Gripping it tightly he then retraced his steps and went down to the foyer where Henry was waiting nervously. “Where is she?” Darien’s tone was slow and menacing, the most dangerous of all.
“Miss. Serena left the property this morning stating she was going to go to a party at Alan’s house and you should go and fetch her if you feel she should be home.” Henry straightened his back as he relayed the message noting Darien’s marked posture change. The young man’s body often became stiff when he was furious, a trait he’d displayed since childhood. Accompanying his stiffened movements Darien’s eyes darkened and he squared his jaw.
“Is that so?” Darien hissed angrily and tossed the now slightly crumpled box of frozen ice cream towards Henry. “Put that in the freezer. I’ll be back in a little while.” Henry caught the object and watched as his master stormed out of the mansion slamming the heavy wooden door behind him; a feat that only the strongest of persons could accomplish. Damn her! Darien cursed mentally and got behind the wheel of his beloved car. Calm down… if you go over there like this Darien you’re likely to do something dangerous. He breathed and started the vehicle listening to the powerful yet soothing purr of the engine. I’ll hurt him if he touches her… I’ll… I just can’t believe she deliberately went against my wishes, and with him of all people! He rested his forehead against the tan steering wheel and closed his eyes. How was he going to stop this madness, how could he protect her from herself? As he pondered the question an odd feeling began to form in the pit of his stomach, it was something he was fairly familiar with; this was a pain he got when something was wrong. “Okay… okay. I’m on my way Serena.” He breathed and buckled his seatbelt. “So help me you’d better be all right.”
The sound of a pained moan echoed inside of Serena’s head as she opened her eyes. Feeling as though she weighed as much as a ton of lead she slowly scanned her eyes around the unfamiliar place she was in. Where… this is? Her thoughts were clouded as she watched the walls of the room warp and change colors. The movement of the walls and colors began to make her sick so she closed her eyes and attempted to recall the events leading up to now. No luck. Home… Darien… Home… were the only two words circulating through her thoughts that made sense; the rest was a garbled mess. Trying again she opened her eyes to see a face that looked like it belonged in a Salvador Dali painting. Or perhaps Van Gogh’s scream. She cried out in fear and tried to scramble away from the encroaching image but found herself unable to, instead she stared in horror at the moving visage. Distorted and lengthened the mouth opened and closed as if it were speaking but only a jumble of garbage escaped to her ears.
Alan looked down at the terrified girl and laughed. He hadn’t expected she’d react so harshly to the drugs he’d slipped into her drink but clearly he was wrong. “Serena, chill will you?” He smiled and moved his lust-filled eyes over her now naked body. It had been a task but he’d managed to get her upstairs, into his room, and stripped down all while she was unconscious. “You’re going to like this, I know you will because acid does wonderful things to your senses.” He then moved onto the bed, her wide eyes following him unwaveringly. She began to struggle as he moved his hands over her smooth, delicate skin but he ignored it. She was right here, in his reach and he’d be damned if he’d let this opportunity pass by. “God damn… you’re so… so… I don’t even have words for this.”
“I do.” An angry masculine voice made Alan freeze and hold his breath. Of all the things he wanted to hear Serena’s angry brother’s voice wasn’t one of them. “I’d call this sick and disgusting.” Alan could hear the venom in Darien’s voice and turned his head slightly to see the face to match. “Get away from her. Now!” He shouted and moved towards Alan.
“Can’t you just leave her alone? It’s her life not yours.” Alan growled as Darien grabbed him roughly and threw him away from the bed Serena was lying on. Briefly surveying her he noted how labored her breathing was and how dilated her eyes looked. “She’s mine and I don’t appreciate you always interrupting us.”
“I haven’t even begun to interrupt you.” Darien snapped and knelt beside the bed placing a hand over her forehead. “What did you do to her?” He asked with a bite and turned Serena’s face towards him. “Hey… Serena… it’s me. I’m here now you’re okay.” He soothed making Alan snort.
“You act like your saving her from some horrible fate. Get over yourself Darien. This is your sister, she’s not yours to control.” Alan lamented but soon stopped as Darien threw a threatening glare in his direction. “Anyways, there’s nothing wrong with her, just a little acid trip.”
“ACID! You gave her acid?” Darien stood up and spun on his heels to face a now cowering Alan. “She doesn’t do drugs! What did you do slip it to her?” Alan nodded meekly throwing Darien into even more of a rage. “You son of a…”
“Dare…” Serena’s scared voice whispered desperately. Abandoning his furiosity Darien turned back to the helpless nude blonde on the bed and felt his heart sink. She was trying so determinately to sit up despite the obvious pain and effort it took to do so. “Home.” She began to cry and her eyes connected with his.
“She’s leaving. Now.” Darien stated flatly and walked to the bed once again. He smiled warmly as she lifted her arms towards him as though she were once again a small girl asking to be helped up. “I’m also taking your sheet.” He then wrapped the top sheet around the delicate blonde and lifted her from the bed bride-style. “I’ll be right back and you’d better still be here.” Darien threatened the terrified teenage boy standing close to the door. “I mean it Alan. Stay put. You and I need to have a serious talk about this.” Alan watched Darien walk out of the room with Serena safely in his arms. The dark-haired knight walked confidently and calmly down the stairs and through the crowd of gawking people. He didn’t care about them, he only cared about the woman in his arms and getting her to safety.
The black Mercedes waited in the driveway for Darien to return, his faithful steed. “I’m sorry.” Serena whispered weakly and attempted to open her eyes only to moan and close the again. He only nodded and opened the door to the back seat laying her gently across the tanned leather.
“I’ll be right back Serena. Stay here.” He added in his command and shut the door pushing the lock button on his key. I’m going to make him miserable. Darien then turned and re-entered the house walking menacingly up the stairs allowing his anger to build. How dare Alan treat her in such a way, as if she were an object to use and not a person. No, not a person, an angel. She was the perfect woman and every male in Virginia seemed to be after her but no more. No more would he let this happen, never again would someone look at her and think of her as the easy girl. He’d make sure of it, starting with Alan. Opening the door to Alan’s bedroom Darien saw Alan cowering in the corner. “Stand up you worthless asshole.” Darien demanded and walked over to the brunette.
“Look… Darien I’ll leaver her alone, I promise I will… I’ll never touch her again… I swear!” He backed into the wall as Darien advanced on him slowly. “Please don’t hurt me.” The pathetic cry didn’t seem to phase Darien’s stone cold face, instead Darien leaned closer to Alan and stared into his eyes.
The two stood like this, in a standstill until Darien smiled and moved away from Alan allowing the boy to relax a bit. “You know Alan, what you did today made me realize something. Sometimes, in order to be the good guy, you have to be a bad guy… I’ll be honest with you Alan, I’ve wanted to hurt every person who’s even looked at her and had a dirty thought… I don’t though. I don’t because I have faith in her, faith that she knows her limits… I know she does. Then… you go and force her past those limits, you single-handedly managed to make me realize that… I have to protect her from assholes like you.” Alan gulped as Darien’s eyes penetrated his own, seemingly digging into his soul. “You’re going to be my first example.” Darien then grabbed Alan roughly and pushed him towards the glass balcony door.
“Darien… I… stop!” Alan pleaded as Darien opened the door and pushed Alan onto the balcony. “I do anything you want… just don’t hurt me!” Alan sighed as Darien released him. “I mean it… anything you want.” Alan got onto his knees in front of his foe and looked up at him hopefully. “Name it.”
“Jump.” Darien said flatly, his eyes almost black with anger. “Jump off of this balcony and we’ll be even. Then you’ll leave her alone, you won’t even look at her again.” Alan’s face paled as he realized the seriousness of Darien’s words. “Stand up, and jump Alan. Show your friends how courageous you are and jump.” Alan stood up and looked over the second story railing wondering how serious his injuries would be. He knew he only had two options. Take Darien’s offer or risk being thrown off of the balcony. “You’re wasting my time.” Darien growled impatiently.
“Okay… okay. I’ll do it… but you can’t bug me anymore. I’ll leave Serena alone and you’ll never come after me again.” Alan looked at Darien who nodded his agreement. “Okay…” Alan crawled on top of the railing and looked at his possible landing areas.
“I’m going to go downstairs now. I trust you’ll jump because I’m going to watch you. If you don’t I guarantee you what I do will be worse.” Darien then turned and walked out of the room and downstairs. He could hear a few people chattering about Alan being out on his balcony and he smiled. Alan was actually going to be smart for once. He continued outside where Alan was still on the balcony railing examining his options. A crowd had started to form chanting for Alan to jump, as if he were a hero for thinking of it. Finally Alan looked at Darien and took a deep breath before jumping into a patch of bushes. Upon impact Darien heard the boy scream in pain and watched as the group of people ran to see what had befallen their “friend”.
“Oh my God! Someone call an ambulance!” Alan’s sister Ann screamed pathetically. “Alan! ALAN!” She shouted making Darien smile. No doubt Alan had broken both legs and been impaled by a few of the branches from the bushes.
Seeing his job done Darien got behind the wheel of his Mercedes and started the car. Looking into the backseat he smiled. Serena was unconscious and unaware of the situation. “Now to get you home.”
Serena coughed roughly and wiped her mouth hoping that the worst was over. She then grasp the sides of the toilet seat and looked up at Darien who was silently holding her hair away from her face. For the past three hours she’d been hovering over the porcelain bowl and emptying the contents of her stomach. “I feel terrible.” She gasp and coughed again.
“I can see that.” Darien pulled her golden locks a little further from her face and remained blank faced. “See… now this is what happens when you do drugs.” She threw up once more and coughed before flushing the toilet and looking up at him again with an annoyed facial expression.
“Don’t be so condescending Darien! I didn’t do drugs Alan slipped them into my drink!” She then leaned back and breathed deeply as she rested her head on Darien’s knee. “I told him I wanted nothing to do with it.” She pouted and closed her eyes.
“He won’t do it again. I promise you that.” Darien smiled warmly and released her hair allowing it to cascade down her back in long waves. “Think you’re okay to go to your bed now?” She nodded then wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her off of the cold tile floor. “Let me just grab a washcloth…” He reached for a washcloth and wetted it in the sink before carrying her into her pink room and to her giant California King sized bed. “Here we go…” He lowered her into the bed and pulled the sheets over her slightly shivering body. After she was settled in the bed he folded the washcloth and placed it on her forehead tenderly before turning to walk out of the room.
“Don’t leave me alone… please?” She asked pathetically and grabbed his hand stopping him in his tracks. Ever so slowly Darien turned back to her and nodded, then he crawled onto the bed beside her his hand remaining in hers. “Thank you… for being so amazing.” She sighed and closed her eyes.
“That’s why I’m here Serena. To protect and care for you.” He smiled and squeezed her hand in an attempt to solidify his statement. “From now on you’re not going to any parties without my permission. In fact, you’re not even going to talk to any guys without my approving okay?” She opened her eyes and looked into his. Her crystal orbs always displayed her feelings and right now she was in pain, and vulnerable.
“What are you going to do? Watch me as though I’m a prisoner?” She asked softly and searched his blank eyes for an answer. She hated it when he hid himself from her, she hated not being able to tell what he was thinking and feeling.
“Looks like I have to in order to protect you from yourself Serena. You need to learn how to manage yourself because I’m not always going to be around to watch you like this. I can’t always save you.” He sighed and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. “If you keep going like this you’re going to get into some serious trouble and I won’t be able to help you.”
“You’ll always be here to save me Darien. What are you taking about? You’ve always been there to save me, no matter what.” She looked into his now troubled eyes and inhaled sharply. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Serena… I’m going to be going to college, that means I’m going to move away… and then I’m going to graduate, get married, start a family… I can’t always be there for you. I won’t have the time.” She felt her heart drop into her stomach as she thought about his words. She’d never thought he would get married and have a family. She WAS his family and she had no intentions of ever getting married. She just assumed he would feel the same way.
“You’re not going to do all that… you can’t leave me.” Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes as she watched his eyes darken. “You’re all I have.” For once she placed one of her delicate hands on the side of his chiseled face and looked deep into his eyes pleading with him to reconsider his future.
“You’ll always have me Serena but I need to have my own life… I can’t be all about you. As soon as I find someone I’m comfortable with… until I find you a worthy boyfriend this is how it has to be. I have to restrict your life.” He sighed and captured her hand in his again, removing it from his face. “You’re tired Serena… you should go to sleep.” She looked at him with a silent plea to stay and he nodded. He would stay next to her as long as she needed him to and he was able. “Sleep well.” He whispered as her breathing deepened.
Andrew stared at his best friend with wide eyes. “Wow… I mean… WOW!” He breathed and shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you made him jump…” Darien shrugged and focused on his lunch tray. Since Alan’s “display” the other day Darien had learned that the boy had broken both legs and had numerous torn ligaments in his knees as well as puncture wounds where some branches had in fact pierced him. According to the doctors he’d be in the hospital for weeks then in rehabilitation therapy for months after that. “You can’t keep this up Dare… you’re going to kill someone eventually.”
“I’m not that type of guy Andrew and you know it.” Darien looked at his friend pointedly then back at his food. Andrew chose to remain silent, Darien knew better. When it came to Serena getting into trouble Darien was dangerous; it was his only trigger, other than that Darien was the gentlest man on the planet. “Nonetheless… I need your help. Molly’s too because I need to start watching her more closely. I don’t want this to happen again.”
“I’m not a babysitter Darien. It’s not our responsibility to watch her!” Andrew cried out in frustration. He didn’t want to watch Serena, he had a hard time staying away from her as it was, and with Darien so on guard there was no way he was going to give himself more opportunity to get involved with her.
“Andrew, you will do this. I know you want her, I’ve seen the way you look at her. You’re just like the rest of the guys around here but I need your help and I know you’re the only guy I can trust to keep his hands off of her.” Darien said in a low tone and locked eyes with Andrew. Just as he expected Andrew looked away and remained quiet thus confirming Darien’s words. “That’s what I thought.”
“So what? Your sister’s hot okay? You know how hard it is to stay away from her when she’s right fucking there looking at you like you’re a piece of meat she wants to eat for dinner?” Andrew asked with a desperate tone. Darien remained blank as he listened to his friend’s rant. “It’s hard.”
“I don’t care. You’re going to help me and you’re not going to do anything with her. I trust you haven’t already and if you have then you and I have bigger problems than this argument.” Andrew went to open his mouth but decided against it as Darien continued. “So help me God you’d better be on the short list of who she hasn’t been with. I’ll rip you apart Andrew.” The blonde surveyed his friend and felt anger beginning to creep into his body.
There were so many things Andrew wanted to yell at that moment, so many things he wanted to say to his friend but so many things he knew he couldn’t. He couldn’t tell Darien that he’d once made out with Serena at her birthday party. He couldn’t tell him that he often dreamed about Serena. He couldn’t tell him that Darien’s obsession over her was bordering on insane; nay, it WAS insane. There was something wrong with Serena and Darien’s relationship but he didn’t know what. They had always been close, that was always a good thing… but, it was how close they were that bothered him. What type of siblings don’t keep secrets from one another? What kind of older brother also acts as a father and best friend to his sister? Most importantly, what type of siblings don’t have privacy boundaries? Instead of saying all this he said the most nagging of his questions, the ones he shouldn’t have said. “What the hell Darien? Why are you acting like you’re her boyfriend? Why are you acting like a jealous guy who wants her all to himself? Like someone who’s intent on screwing her?” After blurting out his questions he recoiled as Darien when blank and stiffened. His jaw squared and his eyes light with anger. “I’m sorry… I got a little fired up there.” Andrew lowered his eyes to the table hoping Darien would let his outburst slide.
“I can tell… and it’s not amusing in the slightest. I forgive you for that but… don’t ever… and I mean ever ask me those questions as if you’re accusing me of something again.” Darien then stood and emptied his tray into the garbage. “I’m acting the way that I am because I’m afraid for her. She’s destroying herself Andrew, and right now… she’s the only person I have. She’s my only family… mother and father have barely ever qualified because they’re never there. We’re all each other have and I’m not letting her deteriorate in front of my eyes.” With those words Darien walked away silently and Andrew knew his friend was upset. Not angry, upset. It was for this reason Andrew decided to help Darien. He’d help his friend protect Serena and he was sure Molly would as well. He just hoped he could resist the inevitable flirts Serena would throw at him.
Darien on the other hand walked silently through the corridors of the high school until he reached one of the men’s bathrooms barely anyone went in. Quickly he ducked into the tiled room and walked to a sink. Leaning over it he looked down at the drain, his figure slightly silted from the effort it took for him not to break down. He knew something was going to happen, he could feel it in the pit of his stomach and it terrified him. Andrew was right, the way he acted wasn’t appropriate but what else could he do? If he didn’t interfere she was going to wither before his eyes but if he did… if he did interfere, she might retaliate and he could lose their close relationship. Slowly he picked up his head and looked into the mirror examining his own face. “You’re just going to have to take that chance Darien… for her sake.”
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