BOYS OF THE NIGHT - FINAL CHAPTER

BOYS OF THE NIGHT - FINAL CHAPTER. Kevin stared dismally out at the ocean. His once piercing grey eyes were dull and calm, like the water itself. He felt soft white sand beneath his feet and sighed. It would be the last time he'd feel dry land. He'd always feared the lapping waves - Kevin was deathly afraid of swimming. It was as if he knew what his eventual fate would be by it. He furrowed his brow, thinking. Was it worth this? He knew the answer was yes. Kevin had done the unspeakable to Nick. He'd condemned the boy to an eternal hell on earth. And at such a young age. He knew that Nick could try to forgive him, but it wasn't true forgiveness. There was only one way for that. And Kevin had come to the decision that he would do this. For his son. And for his son's true love. Besides, he reasoned, I don't need to be here. There's no more Backstreet Boys. No one needs me. They'll all be better off. His black hair was speckled with streaks of grey - his ripened age finally showing through - a good 228 years. He figured it was the stress. During his extended life on the Earth, he survived many traumas. Too many to count. And some of them had nearly sealed his demise. But none of them were like this. None of them 10 times over would have amounted to this. None of them would have ever ended like this. With unblinking eyes, Kevin began to walk into the sea; the water swirled about his ankles, soaking his jeans. He kept walking, braving his fear, ignoring the feeling of the water raising up, to his knees, then his thighs, then his waist, and finally to his chest. It was getting deep, and quickly. He'd cleared the sandbar long ago, the safety of land far behind him. But he kept walking, straight out to the sun, dying on the horizon, fading like his will to live, the water deepening like his will to cease the burden of Nick's endless fate as an immortal. Nick looked out the bay windows, watching the sun sink lower and lower. The high tide was coming in. He could feel it. Like he could feel the moon - they were one, the tide and the moon. Night was literally sneaking up upon them, waiting, watching for the sun to leave it's thrown, so that the moon could take its heavenly place there, with its celestial-bodied stars. It drew out a restless side to Nick, and this evening was no different than the rest. Brian had said that it did in every vampire. That all of them felt it. The restlessness. But the stirring tonight in Nick's depressed soul was strange - foreign. And it was not restlessness, but fear. For what, he knew not. But it was an awful ache. Almost a craving. Something was telling him to go to the water's edge. To go and understand the intense urge. And he followed it, like he did all of the time. It was his 6th sense. He turned to Barb, who slept peacefully on the couch. Her small mouth was opened slightly, revealing her baby fangs, not yet fully developed. That would take a while. Nick knew she wouldn't wake until long after sunset. He wasn't about to disturb her slumber - it was her only escape, as it used to be Nick's. He quietly stole through the sunroom, past her sleeping form, and headed outside, down to the beach where the waves met the sand... As he approached the water, his hands in the pockets of his white shorts, he saw a person, slim and tall, walking out very far. Too far. He squinted, trying to see better in the last remaining rays of sunlight. The sky was purple and orange and yellow and red - the clouds hung back, thickly blanketing it with their glow. It was a beautiful sunset. One of the most gorgeous Nick had ever seen. But he was too concerned with the man out in the sea to notice it. "HEY!!!!" he yelled. "DON'T GO OUT THAT FAR!!! COME BACK!!!" The person must have heard him. He was sure that the next few miles heard him. But the man kept walking, straight to the sun. "THE TIDE'S COMING IN!!! COME BACK!!!" Nick screamed again, trying to warn him as the waves began to get more forceful. The sea churned with rage. High tide was here. Determined to stop the man, Nick leapt into the salty water, with all of his clothes on, not really caring. He dove in, propelling himself towards the figure. But the water got deep very fast, and the waves more tumultuous, more aggressive. Nature was not on Nick's side. He stopped and floated, keeping himself above water-level by paddling his feet. "HEY!!!" he yowled. The man didn't answer. Pushing forward, he tried to swim closer - the water was now approaching at least 20 feet. The waves were getting dangerously high. But despite his effort, for every foot he covered, he was knocked back two feet. Realizing his quest was futile, he remained where he was, but he couldn't for long, the water was crashing all around him, tossing him back and forth like a ragdoll. If he didn't get out of there, he'd surely drown. Even his perfect swimming skills were of no use. As he got a last glimpse of the form, he knew who it was. It was Kevin. A wave knocked him over, sending him back a couple yards, and he fought to get to the surface, to breath air. Choking, he gasped for oxygen and began to cough up the salt water he'd taken into his lungs. Another wave pummeled him and drove him down into the deep waters again. He fought to get away, but the murky blackness was all around him. He kicked and twisted and cried out. And it all went black. He roused back to consciousness to hear a voice. A familiar raspy voice, barking out orders noisily... and he felt arms around him, pulling him out of the water that lapped at the shore - dragging his lifeless body back to safe, dry land. "No," he whimpered. He coughed, and gagged a little before continuing. "He's out there. Kevin's out there... We gotta help him..." "You're not gonna do any helping, Dipshit. Damn you're heavy," Bone growled as he pulled all 180 pounds of him to land. Nick slowly opened his eyes to see Brian and AJ hovering right above his face. He was too weak to move, to do anything. Brian pulled him into a hug and held him, running his free hand through Nick's thick, wet hair. "Oh, God. God, I thought you were dead, Buddy," he whispered into his ear softly, brotherly. "Don't do that again, man. Don't do that to me. I need you." Nick heard Barb next, and felt her presence right next to his side. "Oh, Baby. Oh, my poor baby." Barb's soft fingers trailed over his white puckered skin as Brian still held on, not letting his best friend slip away. "Kevin," he muttered weakly in Brian's shoulder. "Go... Go save Kevin." They were silent for a long time, AJ crouching to his left, Brian cuddling him, and Barb to his direct right, slowly running her hands over his cold arm reassuringly. "Kevin's gone, man," AJ finally whispered. "No. No, he's not. I saw him. He's alive," Nick protested loudly, not aware of how his voice carried. "Shhhhh... He's gone, Nick. He's gone. He's an angel now," Brian said sadly, pulling his friend closer. Nick moved and raised a shaky hand to his eyes, balling a fist and pushing away tears and salt water. "No," he said reluctantly. "No, no he's not." The pain of a scared child echoed in his voice and the words got caught up in his throat. He sobbed hopelessly - once. Just one time he made that sound - one long, low cry that pierced the others with his sadness. And that was all it took. That one lost cry to the heavens. Brian closed his eyes sadly and gripped Nick's freezing hand. The tears came, and one-by-one, they all gave in to the emotion, joining Nick in his remorse. And of all of them, it was Nick who cried the longest, remembering the lyrics to their latest release. 'Show Me the Meaning...' - So many words for the broken heart It's hard to see in a crimson love So hard to breathe Walk with me, and maybe Nights of light so soon become Wild and free, I could feel the sun Your every wish will be done. Show me the meaning of being lonely Is this the feeling I need to walk with Tell me why I can't be there where you are There's something missing in my heart Life goes on as it never ends Eyes of stone observe the trends They never say forever gaze Guilty roads to an endless love There's no control Are you with me now Your every wish will be done They tell me. Show me the meaning of being lonely Is this the feeling I need to walk with Tell me why I can't be there where you are There's something missing in my heart There's no where to run I have no place to go Surrender my heart, body and soul How can it be you're asking me to feel The things you never show. You are missing in my heart Tell me why I can't be there where you are. Show me the meaning of being lonely Is this the feeling I need to walk with Tell me why I can't be there where you are There's something missing in my heart. ~ONE MONTH LATER~ "You're sure you wanna leave?" Nick asked, cuddling Barb, who had an arm wrapped around his waist. "Yeah, we're sure, Kaos," AJ replied softly. Suitcase in hand, he stood in the empty room he'd shared with Kevin many times in the past. Brian popped his head in the doorway, interrupting AJ's flashback. "You ready, J?" he asked. AJ bit his lower lip and looked around one last time. He held back the stinging tears threatening to fall. Fortunately, he was sporting his dark wraparounds, for just such an occasion. "Yeah, Rok. I'm as ready as I'll ever be..." Brian smiled with as much happiness as he could muster up. "Well, this is it, Bud." Nick let Barb go momentarily and grabbed Brian into a bear hug, nearly crushing the much smaller guy. "I'll miss you so much, guys." Brian returned the hug with as much ferocity. "We're a phone call away, dude. A phone call away. I'm always here for my little bro. Barb, make sure he remembers that," Brian replied, turning to Barb who stood near the small group, watching. "I still... I can't help but feel this is all my fault," she got out, a tear rolling down a soft, sun-burned cheek. "Oh, Babe. None of this is because of you. Don't even start," AJ said, taking her hands and kissing her goodbye softly. He gently wiped away her tear with his rough, callused thumb. She smiled weakly, and he smiled back, revealing his long fangs. "Awww damn. I'm gonna miss you, you little bitch. I remember that day you just waltzed into all our lives and -" "Don't start, Bone. You'll be here forever," Nick laughed, trying to conceal his sadness. The last thing he needed right now was to remember the way things were in the past. AJ looked away from Barb, dropping her hands. He walked right up to Nick, swaying intimidatingly as he sauntered closer and closer. Slowly, he removed his sunglasses and got in Nick's face, peering straight into his eyes, sizing him up. Nick could have sworn he was going to get punched. Suddenly, AJ began to cackle like he always had. Nick sighed, realizing he was still up to his old tricks. "So, Nicky, my boy, how's it feel to be human again?" he asked. Nick stared at him uncertainly, thoughtful. He took in a deep breath and let it all out. "Good," he answered finally. "Very good." AJ nodded. "Well, if you ever get sick of mortality - you know I'm always up for a quick bite...," he cracked, smiling. He clicked his teeth, showing off his fangs. Nick pushed him playfully. "You're such an ass, J." "I know, I know," AJ said, shaking Nick's hand roughly as his final goodbye. AJ tried hard not to be an emotional person, but it was failing, fast. They stared at each other for a second, and then both burst into tears, collapsing in one another's arms, embracing in a long hug. "Yes, this is all very touching guys, but if you recall, Bone, we have a 10 'o' clock flight to catch. New York City is awaitin'," Brian said reluctantly breaking them up. The two let go, both rubbing away the tears as if they hadn't cried, embarrassed of their feelings. Once he'd gained composure, AJ smiled at Nick and punched his shoulder in a brotherly fashion. "We'll be back down soon, Lil' Bro." "I know, but, you're absolutely sure you guys wanna leave?" "Yes. It's the best for all of us. You lovebirds are gonna go on and start a family," Brian said, giving a little bit of insight into the future using his gift, "and this isn't exactly the greatest place to start over... for me and Bone, I mean. The house was left in the will for you... and your kids." Barb smiled at Nick shyly who beamed it right back. AJ sighed with disgust at their shared feelings. "Okay. But you both know that you're always welcome here. Kevin would have wanted it that way, and so do we," Nick told them, holding Barb near to him again. "Thanks. I'll call when we get there, k?" Brian asked. He smiled at Barb, who broke from Nick's side and hugged him lightly. Brian paused and held her at arms length, hands on her shoulders, staring into her brown eyes. "Wow. My very own sister-in-law... Treat him good. Please??" "Of course, Bri. Thank you, both of you. For taking me under your wings. Thank you." Brian let go and he and AJ began to walk downstairs to the waiting cab. "No prob. No problem at all. We'll miss you guys," he called. "We'll miss you too. Take care!" Nick called back, wiping away tears. They heard the door open and close. Then there was silence. "Barb?" Nick asked, cutting the quietness in the lonely house. The house they would now share. "Hmmm?" she asked as he walked to the window, watching them get into the cab, AJ yelling offensive something to Brian, who had dropped his suitcase and was laughing as it's contents spilled over the cement in the driveway. AJ jokingly smacked B-Rok's head, and picked up the carrying bag, tossing everything back in, shaking his head. Nick smiled at his brothers' crazy, childish antics. He suddenly thought about something that had been bothering him for quite a while. "Do you... do you really think Kevin's an angel??" Barb was silent for a second, thinking hard about it. "Yes, Nick. I do. I think he was angel before he died too." "Yeah, yeah he was," Nick said after thinking that over. "Why do you ask?" "Oh, no reason," Nick replied as he turned around, smiling. "Okay," she said, questioningly raising an eyebrow as she left Nick alone in the room to go downstairs. He watched her go, and let the smile fade. He looked up slowly, recalling how moments before AJ had mentioned his change back to a human. I'm human, he thought, turning the idea over and over in his mind, not really comprehending it. Human. It was what he'd wanted since the day he'd been changed. And Kevin had given it back to him. Smiling again, his blue eyes shown brighter than ever. "Thanks, Kev."