Blood Brothers pt1 by Mark O. Burson

The wind howls across the dark rooftops of River city. Below, the few people that are on the street this late at night, scurry past the shadows and into the brightness cast from the overhead street lights. On this side of the city, it’s not smart to linger to long in one area, especially this last week. River city has been holding its’ breath each morning, hoping that the suns warmth will cast aside the fears of what may be found. Each morning for the last four days has produced a fresh corpse, eyes wide with fear and agony. None of the victims have had a single wound or bruise evident anywhere on their body, but they’re dead all the same. Crouching on a rooftop overlooking the River City street, two figures watch closely for any sign of a disturbance. “Maybe you’re wrong.” The baritone voice of the costumed adventurer seemed anxious. “Maybe we oughtta keep lookin.” “I’m never wrong, and you know it!” The other said with a deep growl. “My senses tell me this is where I need to be tonight. If you wish to doubt me, then go off on your own, but do it quietly. If you scare off our quarry, I’m going to beat the hell out of you.” “Mom was right.” said the first man. “You have no sense of humor!” On the street below, unaware that she is being observed from more than one vantage point, a young lady climbs out of her cab and reaches through the front window to pay the driver. “Keep the change.” she says as she wraps her long coat about her in an effort to cut off the chill wind. The sound of her high heeled shoes echo through the quiet street with an eerie click clack sound. As she rushes toward the doorway to her loft apartment, she fails to notice the tall figure moving along the street behind her. The dark figure quickens it’s pace as the realization that the time has come to feed once again becomes all consuming. Above in the shadows, the two watching brothers realize this is what they have been waiting for. “Get ready” said the low voice. “This is the one we are seeking.” “No problem, Bro. You know I was born ready.” Saying that, the younger of the two siblings raises his bow and calls forth an energy from within. The woman was fumbling with her keys as she approached the doorway to her apartment building. But ere she could reach the familiar cobblestone edifice, she heard a voice behind her. “You are for me!” the voice hissed. “You have been chosen.” The tall figure was now plainly visible even through the shadowy glow of the overhead streetlights. The facial features were one of age and decay. The hands reaching out to her were wrinkled and taloned. The eyes began to glow as it took another step toward her. “Not tonight Ugly!” The young man with the bow aimed and fired an arrow of pure energy. The arrow true to it’s mark, pierced the hand of it’s intended target lodging between the small bones of the hand. A second arrow flew to a nearby street light trailing a ribbon of energy behind it. The creature screamed in rage and pain as it realized it was no longer the hunter but had in fact become the hunted. Now things began to happen with lightning rapidity. The woman stood screaming in terror at the vision of ghastliness before her. The beast wrenched the dark arrow from its’ hand and cast it aside as it reached once more for the woman. The man that leaped from his rooftop hiding place to the pavement in front of the woman was absolutely huge. It was difficult to tell exactly how tall he was because he moved so quickly and he appeared to be crouching, but he must have been at least six foot six. His entire upper body was rippling with muscle on top of muscle. The dark blue, almost black costume he wore on his torso and legs obviously made it easy for him to hide in the shadows. Taking a step forward from the cracked pavement where he had landed he said, “I knew you would be here tonight.” He grabbed the gaunt figure in a massive hand and tossed him to the ground. “I always know where evil is lurking.” Faster than could be imagined by the look of him and the might of the blow he had just suffered, the aged looking man creature was back on his feet. His eyes began to glow again as he reached for the giant in front of him. “Ah, ah, ah, Gruesome!” came the voice of the young man who had just slid down the ribbon of energy to land behind the two battling foes. “He may not be pretty but he is my brother.” The bowman aimed his bow, and this time an arrow of purest white energy shot forth at his opponent. Once again moving with blazing speed, the evil being sidestepped the arrow, which continuing on its’ trajectory splattered in a blinding light upon the chest of the dark clad giant. “Damn it Kyle, watch what you’re doing!” the large man bellowed. “Sorry Bro, and I keep tellin you, when we’re workin, call me Quickshot!” While the brothers were engaged in their war of words the creature managed to grab the young woman and staring deep into her eyes began to feed. The woman’s eyes grew wide and a look of agony spread across her face as the creatures eyes continued to glow brighter and brighter. “Enough!” The loud, deeply guttural bellow that eschewed from the mouth of the large man was followed by a smashing blow to the side of the creatures head, knocking him again away from his intended victim. An arrow struck the staggering creature in the middle of the back, followed by a second and a third. Three arrows now protruded from between the shoulders of the black trench coat the evil being wore. Amazingly the being reached back and jerked them from his back and flung them to the ground. “We shall meet again, we three!” With that, the creature shimmered and was gone. “Bulge, help me here! She’s in a bad way.” The young man in the dark Crimson costume bent over the form of the woman that lay on the ground. Her clothes splayed in an un lady like fashion where she had fallen. As Bulge, the larger and older of the two brothers bent to examine the young woman he was surprised at the sight he beheld. Where once had been a young vibrant woman, now there was a woman of obvious advanced age. Her raven hair was now streaked with white and the once unblemished face was laced with crows feet and wrinkles. Her encounter with the evil being had aged her in an instant. Scooping her up in his arms, the large man said quickly, “We have to get her to the hospital immediately. I can sense she has suffered some mental damage as well as physical. That creature was some sort of a psychic vampire, It feeds on life energy.” He looked down at the unconscious, still staring form of the former young lady they had tried in vain to save. “We’re twelve blocks from River City Mercy, Once I get up to speed I need you to clear the path for me.” The deep voice growing even more brusk now, being tinged with anger and worry. “And Kyle I’ve told you too many times now, Call me Danny. I hate the name Bulge.” With dawn came the smell of fresh bacon frying. Kyle Stevens groggily made his way down the stairs to the kitchen where he found his mother busy setting the table for breakfast. The light blue apron that was her favorite, tied carefully around her waist. “Kyle go tell your brother it’s time to get up. You both have class in less than an hour.” “I’m not my brothers keeper. If he misses breakfast that leaves more for me.” The young man said smiling. His blues eyes and handsome features did little to appease Mrs. Stevens as he gently kissed her cheek. “This morning you are your brothers keeper. Now Scoot!” The middle aged lady cast her son a look that was definitely meant to say, don’t mess with your mother this morning. Her hair had once been a very pretty sandy blonde, but now had a few traces of silver laced throughout. Her deep blue eyes, like both her sons, were a family trait that had been handed down for generations. She turned back to the stove to start the eggs frying and push the handle down on the toaster as her smirking son left the kitchen. Kyle Stevens knocked on his brothers door and entered all that the same time. He heard the water running in his brothers bathroom as he entered. An ornery, youthful grin plastered across his face, he slipped stealthily into his brothers bathroom and reached a hand inside the shower curtain to where the faucets were. He quickly turned off the hot water and shouted, “Mom says hurry up or your gonna miss breakfast! And Don’t use all the hot water!” He turned to flee from the room as the yelling began. “You little runt! When I get my hands on you, I’m going to have fun beating you to death!” The flailing sounds of Danny Stevens trying to avoid the splashing, ice cold water and turn the faucet off at the same time while looking through soap filled, stinging eyes was priceless. It was worth the ensuing commotion this was sure to cause. Running back down the stairs and sliding to a halt just before he got to the kitchen, Kyle casually walked through the doorway and sat down at the table. “Mmm smells good Ma. Danny will be down in a minute. He’s just gettin out of the shower. “I heard. And what was all the commotion about upstairs just now? She said with a reproving look. “Gee, I don’t know Ma.” He said innocently. “You know how he is. He hates to get movin in the morning.” Kyle reached for the plate of bacon that was sitting in the middle of the table and got his hand slapped. “You know better! We eat together in this house as a family should.” She smirked as her son grabbed the back of his hand and winced like she had hurt him so badly. Danny Stevens entered the kitchen, his hair still wet but combed, and walked toward his chair. His five foot, ten inch frame was clad in a nice pair of jeans and a blue button down shirt. His eyes were still red from the burning soap he had managed to wash away before he came down to breakfast. “Good morning Mom.” He said as he walked past her towards the table. His brother was watching his every move, ready to bolt at the first sign that he was about to be pummeled. “I’m hungry this morning.” He said as he started to sit down. Quickly reaching out his left hand he clipped his brother on the back of the head so fast that he didn’t even have time to react. “Ma he hit me!” Kyle started. “Well, I’m sure you deserved it. I don’t know what you did upstairs, but I know you well enough to know you shouldn’t have done it.” She said with a motherly grin as she turned to fetch the toast. While her back was turned, Kyle called forth an energy sphere and was about to toss it under his brothers chair, when she calmly and without saying a word, glanced sidelong at the glass of water in front of her youngest son. The ice cold water splashed out of the glass in Kyle’s face. “No powers at the table, young man. I swear when are you two going to grow up?” Danny was smiling as Kyle absorbed the energy ball he was about to use on his brother and got up to fetch a towel. “And you Mr. lead by example big brother, Don’t slap your brother.” She said as she gently cuffed Danny behind the ear. As she sat down at the table and they began to fill their plates she said, “Now, tell me what happened last night and why you were so late getting back home.” Her voice sounding serious for the first time this morning. “We messed up Ma,” Kyle began. “ We found the killer but we let him get away.” “We did manage to stop him from killing his latest victim but she is in a bad way down at Mercy Hospital.” Danny said. “ He was some sort of psychic vampire. He just sucked the life energy out of her. We stopped him before he drained her completely, but now a twenty something year old lady is eligible for social security.” “Not only that,” Kyle said between mouthfuls, “But I hit him four times with a couple different energy forms and he just shrugged em off like they were nothing. I pierced his hand with an ultra violet arrow, but it didn’t slow him down much.” “I hit him in the side of the head with a blow that should have torn his head completely off, and he just jumped up like it didn‘t even phase him.” Danny said. Raynia Stevens face became ashen as she asked, “What did this creature look like?” “Bout six feet tall, wrinkled, long ass finger nails, bad breath. Sportin a Leather trench coat I’d love at have.” Kyle said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Kyle! Don’t swear at the table and for God’s sake use your napkin. People must think you were raised by wolves.” She said as she got up from the table. She was standing with her back to the table. Holding on to the edge of the sink tightly with both hands. “I think I know who the killer is, but I pray to God I’m wrong.” Both young men stopped eating and stared at their mothers back waiting on her to finish her thought. The silence seemed eternal when finally she whispered, “Jonahs!” “Jonah? Like the guy who got eaten by a whale?” Kyle asked dumfounded. “No Kyle.” She said visibly shaken. “Jonahs. Like the being that killed your grandmother.” As she turned around, both eyes were wet with tears. “I told you that you grandmother died fighting to save the world. Its was Jonahs she was fighting.” “Sit down Mom. Tell us what you’re talking about.” Danny said concerned for his obviously shaken mother. “You told us that Grandma and Aunt Alyse were fighting some great evil, but they managed to defeat it even though it cost Grandma her life. Now you’re telling us the evil being they fought fifty years ago is back and stalking River City?” “C’mon Ma.” Kyle started, “ If Grandma killed him, how can this be the same guy? This is just some freak that gets his jollies off of killin people! Me and the Big Guy here’ll make mincemeat out of him tonight.” "No Kyle!” Raynia said forcefully. “If this is the same creature that Mom and Aunt Alyse battled so long ago, we need to go see Aunt Alyse today and find out any information she can give us.” “Ma, she probably don’t even remember the guy. She’s been in the home for over five years now. We’re wastin time. Danny’ll knock him down and I’ll blow his ass apart with some solid energy.” “Kyle! That’s enough! Your grandmother and Aunt Alyse were bonded. Blood Sisters, just like you and Danny are bonded Blood Brothers. When Mom died, it killed part of your aunt as well. I won’t lose one or both of you boys because you think you can handle things on your own. You never go into battle without a plan. I’ve told you this since your powers emerged and you started living this second life.” She put her head down in her hands. “We need to go see your aunt.” “Very well Mom. I need to call my Proffessor and let him know I won’t be in to class today.” Danny said, as he rises from the table gently patting her on the back. “Kyle you need to call in too, and you’d better let Kendra know you won’t be there for your study group this afternoon or she’ll be calling to find out what is going on.” Mid morning found the Stevens family heading south of River City. The sun was shining brightly and the warm feel against their skin left the impression that spring was finally here. Twenty minutes south of the city they pulled into the parking lot of the retirement home where their aunt now resided. As they walked inside and toward her room, they passed by several elderly people sitting in their wheelchairs or in the soft overstuffed chairs provided by the facility. Nodding their heads or softly speaking hello as they passed by the smiling faces, they finally made it to Aunt Alyse’s room. The television was playing loudly as they entered the room. “Hello Alyse. I thought I would stop by and see you today and I brought the boys along with me.” Raynia said. The old woman’s eyes shined with the anticipation of company. “What a nice surprise Dear, and look at these two. All grown up and looking mighty handsome too.” she smiled, “So to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit in the middle of the week Dear?” she said knowingly. “I may be old but I can still sense when something is wrong.” Both of the young men remained silent glancing from their gray haired aunt to their mother. “Alyse, I don’t want to upset you, but we have some questions to ask you about Mom,” Raynia started. With this, the elderly ladies eyes became sharp and knowing. “What is it Dear? What has happened? Came the voice of one who knows the answer before it is given. “The three of you didn’t come down here in the middle of the week together to ask me about Adell without a good reason.” “We need to know how you defeated Jonahs Aunt Alyse. We think he may be back and we want to make sure we have all of the facts before we attempt to subdue him.” Danny said forthrightly. The old woman was now sitting up on the edge of her recliner. She picked up the remote control and pressed to power button to turn the television off. Pointing, she motioned for them to sit down. “Which one of you wields the energy?” she asked quietly. Kyle’s eyes perked up at this matter of fact question. “I do, Aunt Alyse,” he said. “Then you are the key,” She said smiling at him. She turned to Danny sitting on her other side. “Then you must have the strength and the “knowing.” Danny looked into the eyes of his frail aunt who now seemed invigorated by this conversation. “Yes.” He said. Your grandmother had the same powers that you do.” She chuckled slightly. “She was a sight when she used her powers. Her arms were bigger than my waist.” The gentle voice turned somber. “ But it wasn’t enough to save her. And it won’t save you either. If Jonahs has truly come back, then you need to work together, or you’ll both be as dead as she is, and then no one will be able to stop him.” The old woman reached inside her dresser drawer and after lifting several nightgowns out of the way, removed a small case of highly polished wood. As she opened it, her trembling hands reached inside to remove a heavy jewel. It was as dark as midnight and set in an intricate silver casing. She handed the jewel to her nephew and as Danny reached out to take it, she grasped his hand. At once Danny was filled with the images of the past. He saw the battle that had claimed his grandmothers life and how her sacrifice had allowed his aunt Alyse to defeat the being of personified evil. He saw that after the battle was over and his grandmother lay dead, Alyse picked up the jewel that was all that was left of Jonahs and tucked it safely away inside her belt. Starting, Danny was drawn back to the present. Only a second had passed but he now knew what history had wrought and how to defeat Jonahs. Hopefully without having to sacrifice his own life in the process. The old woman reached out her hand to her other nephew. “Take my hand Kyle. All that I have left, I now give to you. You must be prepared for the battle to come, and you must end this once and for all. The cycle will repeat itself if you don’t end it. Do you understand?” “I understand Aunt Alyse.” The young man said, reaching out to take her hand. As their hands touched, an energy from within the frail old woman boiled forth, coursing though her hand and into her nephew. It was an energy he had never felt before. One he never even knew existed. Dark and powerful it was, as it filled his very cells to the point of bursting. Then as the glow faded and his aunt removed her hand to let it fall weakly on the arm of her recliner she said, “It is done. Go and defeat Jonahs. Your grandmother and I merely caused him to sleep for a time, but you must kill him.” The two young men shaken at the revelations they had just undergone, rose from beside her chair. “We will defeat him Aunt Alyse.” Danny said. For you and for Grandma, we will defeat him.” The brothers each bent to give their aunt a kiss on the forehead and turned to leave the room. Raynia bent over the aged form of her beloved aunt and kissed her gently on the forehead. “Thank you.” she said. “I will be back this weekend to see you. I love you Alyse” The old woman watched as all that remained of her family walked through the doorway. “No My Dear, you won’t see me again.” she whispered quietly as she pressed the power button of her remote control. By the time the trio had returned to their home and discussed the events they had just been through at the retirement home, dusk was beginning to fall. Kyle and Danny each went to their rooms to prepare for the action that was to come. Kyle donned his dark crimson costume but left the mask that hid his facial features hanging on the back of his neck. He picked up the bow that was like an extension of his being and placed it over one shoulder to rest on his back. In the stillness of his room, Danny donned his dark attire and stood in the center of his room, his brows knotted in concentration as he called forth his power. From deep inside his being he could feel the change coming over him. Each cell in his body began to expand and grow as the familiar burning sensation of muscle and tissue exploding to many times their normal size, made the five foot ten, handsome, young man into a brute that could rend steel with his bare hands. The entire change took a mere few seconds but during that brief time, it always seemed to Danny that an eternity had passed. Both young men came down the stairs, with Kyle leading the way. Their mother was standing at the base of the stairway waiting on them. “You know where he is going to be Danny?” she asked. The deep, raspy voice of her giant son said, “The waterfront docks. He’ll be there, and we’ll be waiting for him.” The giant young man reached inside the neck of his costume and produced the jewel his fragile aunt had given him that afternoon. He had placed it on a heavy necklace and draped it around his hugely muscled, bull neck. “ I love you Mom. Don’t worry, I’ll bring the runt home safe you’ll see.” He bent down to kiss his mother on the cheek and started for the back door that lead to the secluded alleyway behind their home. “Yea, don’t worry Ma, nobody gets away from Quickshot and the Bulge. Right Big Boy?” Kyle said slapping his enormous brother on the back. Kyle also gave his mother a peck on the cheek and started for the door. In the retirement home, after the evenings meal was long since past and the frail from of their aunt lay resting. A shimmer beside her bed made the once powerful old lady raise her eyelids. Standing beside her bed was the being she thought forever gone from this plane of existence. She raised her hand toward the call button on her bed, but the talloned hand of Jonahs reached out to grasp it firmly. “I have waited a long time for this old one. You will be a mere morsel now, but ever so sweet none the less.” As the old woman’s worst nightmare grasped her firmly by the hand, his eyes began to glow. To Be Continued.