Second Chances

The next few days passed in a blur. Ash was at the house just about every day and helped us come up with ideas for our next album. We had three songs written and recorded by the end of the first week since the miscarriage. I was actually getting annoyed with how everyone was acting around me, like I was some kind of fragile child. It was during one of the writing sessions that I finally snapped.

“Get out. All of you just go away.” I think I actually startled them as the only time I ever spoke was when it was my turn to record.

“Chase, come on you don’t have to act like this.” I glared at Elk and sighed.

“I’m sick of you all treating me like a fucking child. Just get out.”

“No. We’re not meaning to make you feel like we’re treating you like a child. Stop acting like we are.”

“Fuck you Kaim.” I pushed past Ash who had just got to the house. I grabbed Cast’s leash and called him over, clipped it to his collar and left the house. I think we were all around each other too much without any kind of break, granted it really could have just been me. I didn’t really care I just had to get out of the house. I walked down to the river about four blocks from the house and un-clipped Cast. I watched him as he charged into the river. He was almost too happy to be in the water which he made known when he practically dived under the water. When he ran up to me he dropped a small fish on my lap. “Really? You had to catch a fish when you ate just three hours ago?” Cast barked and sat in front of me, waiting patiently for me to say he could have the fish. “Fine, eat the poor thing. ”I handed him the fish and shook my head as he happily devoured it.

“That’s such a beautiful dog you have.” I looked up at a girl who was maybe a few years older than me, had perfectly straight black hair and gorgeous brown eyes, and smiled.

“Thanks, his name’s Outcast.”

“He looks almost too large to be a husky.” The girl sat next to me and looked at Cast with admiration.

“He’s a half-breed, half husky and half wolf. He’s almost too smart for his own good.” I smiled more when Cast whined after having finished eating the fish. “You can’t eat it and have it too you know.” He just looked up at me and barked, before bounding back to the river.

“He’s gorgeous, how long have you had him?”

“About two weeks. He’s really taken to me, I’m glad for that.”

“Do you know how old he is?”

“About two maybe three, the family who gave him up wanted to have a guard dog. And when they realized just how friendly he really is they didn’t want him. It’s too bad for them, he’s an amazing watch dog, and very protective.”

“Could I pet him?”

“Of course.” I called Cast over and went to cover my face as he shook himself, getting both the girl and me wet. “Really?!” We were laughing so hard that we both were crying.

“That’s one way to greet someone.” Cast instantly turned his attention to the girl and all but lay on her lap.

“Cast! You’re not a lap dog, get off.” Cast got of the girls lap and sat in front of her and cocked his head to the side while his tail was going a mile a minute. “I’d pet him before he dies of excitement overload.

The girl laughed and pet his head and rubbed his ears, “He’s such a sweetie.” Cast put his right paw on her shoulder and licked her cheek. “Aww I love you too handsome!”

“You two are adorable together.” I smiled at the two and checked my phone, I had about twenty text messages and ten missed calls. Without looking at any of them, I slipped my cell back into my pocket. “If you ever want some tattoo work done, come to Mystic’s Fate. I’ll give you a discount, since Cast has taken a liking to you.”

“Thank you! Are you free any time this week?”

“Call the shop, if no one answers, just leave a message and I’ll get back to you. I’m usually free in the evenings but if I have any free time I’ll schedule you in.”

“Thanks umm…”

“Chase and you are?”

“Elissa, I’ll call and see about coming in. Thanks so much Chase.” Elissa got up, said good-bye to Cast and walked off.

I lay back on the grass and stared up at the sky while Cast sun-bathed next to me. I swear he was a cat in a previous life; he loved just lying in the sun for hours. We were probably at the river for a few hours before I even noticed that we were being watched. “I figured you’d be out here.” I looked up at my brother shocked.

“Did Ash call you?”

“Yes, he was worried. You weren’t answering your phone and he had no idea where you’d be.” Jinxx walked over to where I was and sat next to me, opposite from Cast. “You always sought refuge by a river or some source of water.”

“Yeah, whenever mom and dad would fight…I’d just leave and you’d always find me at the creek behind the house.” I leaned against Jinxx and sighed almost contently. “You have a right to know what happened…I should have told you sooner.”

“You don’t have to tell me Chase, not if you’re not ready to talk about it.”

“Jeremy, if I don’t talk about it I’m never going to get over it.” I paused and glanced at Outcast who was watching me and Jinxx. “You remember dad’s friend Keith? He took a weird liking to me and would have me on his lap whenever he was around. I don’t even remember how many days of school I missed just because dad kept me home for Keith.” I paused and gripped Jinxx’s hand.

“Really, if you can’t then-”

“No, I have to…Dad sold me to him…I wasn’t told when I was going to leave, it just happened to be the day you brought me to the park.”

“Did he…do anything to you?”

“Not until I was nine…I ran away from him and then Jashire found me hiding in his shed…he took me in and I lived with him ever since. I actually hope Jashire is okay…I did leave him handcuffed to the bed…” Jinxx laughed and pulled me into a tight hug.

“You really are my sister aren’t ya? Would you ever give Jazz another chance? To be in the band I mean.”

“I don’t know, I mean I can’t really see the band succeeding without him, but at the same time after what he did…”

“Then we’ll see what happens later on. But I really think you need to talk to Ash. By the way, he told me about what happened. I get that you’re stressed, but don’t take it out on the pack. We’re all a family, and we’re all there for you. Just like with any family, we’ll fight, but we’ll always be there to support each other. Understand?”

“Yes mama Jinxx.” I laughed when he smacked my arm.

“I hate you.”

“Love you too.” He stood up and pulled me up with him.

“Come on, clip the mutt’s leash and let’s get back to your place. I know everyone’s really worried about you.” I nodded and clipped the leash to Cast’s collar and pulled lightly, telling him that we were leaving.

“So out of curiosity…what would you do to Ash if I told you he got me pregnant?”

“I’d kill him.”

“Wow…no hesitation for that response…”

“Nope, if he impregnates you, I’m castrating him with my bare hands. And, I’ll let Elk torture him.”

“So much violence…I like it.” I leaned against Jinxx a little as we made our way back to the shop. The moment I walked in, I was pulled into a near bone crushing hug by Elk.

“Bitch if you ever walk off without telling me where the fuck you’re going again, I fucking promise you I’ll put a fucking tracking chip in your neck.” I smiled little and hugged back.

“I’m sorry.”

“You better fucking be sorry.” As soon as he pulled back from the hug he pushed me at Ash who, like Elk tried to break more of my ribs.

“You guys do know my ribs are still broken right? Please ease up on the hugging.” I leaned heavily against Ash and sighed. “Sorry for making you worry.”

“It’s fine, just don’t do it again.” I nodded and let Elk unhook Cast and take the leash from me. I was actually surprised that I even considered leaving the band after the stupid shit that happened earlier. I really couldn’t see my life without these insane assholes that I called family.

Notes

So, I put up character pics for this story, even though I didn't want to. Someone wanted to see what I thought they looked liked, but like I told them people who look like my characters just don't exist. But I did my best so go check that out. Also! Since I couldn't find a pic of any non anime character with white hair with black eyes...here's what I mean when I say black eyes. Just imagine Elk's pic with black tips. Also, I know some of the pics show them with piercings, none of the guys have piercings...sadly...so sorry about that.