Macey's Missing: Taber Blood II

Chapter 5

"I'm sorry," Jared said and faced the other direction. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I don't know why I'm here," he said and ran out of the bedroom. Brenda slammed the door shaking the walls. Jared didn't blame her for being angry. He'd be angry, too, though, knowing that didn't ease his embarrassment. "Why can't I stop?" 

There lies the question that needs clarification. Jared must learn to control his powers to enter the underworld and save his mother. If he continues to pop in and out of Brenda's presence, the family will not let him search for his mother. It is too dangerous. Macey would never forgive them if anything happened to her son. Jared stopped short of reaching his bedroom door. He must make amends with Brenda. "Easy now," Jared said out loud and eased his way to Brenda's bedroom door and knocked. He smiled at his ability to walk to Brenda's door until he heard an odd noise. 

"Brenda?"

The noise Jared heard ceased. Then why hasn't Brenda answered his call? "Brenda?" As soon as he said her name, he was in her bedroom, but Brenda wasn't in the room. Jared called Brenda's name and moved to the kitchen. Roxanna and Eddie both said at the same time, "What is it?" 

"Where's Brenda?" He said her name, and off he went to the dentist, school, and park. Jared screamed Brenda's name, and he was back at the Taber library. The branches of the hand-painted tree swayed, alive and eager. Jared stared into the dizzying, enticing swirl. He felt its pull and drew closer. 

Uncle Eddie's beast side appeared, triggered by Jared's close encounter with the portal. He tackled Jared in complete beast form but more fierce than ever before. The beast sensed the danger emerging from within the tree. Its evil intent was unrestrained. Its target? Jared. 

Jared struggled against the beast's strength while pinned to the floor, "It has Brenda. Let me go!" 

Roxanna and David got to the library in time to witness the tree's portal wide open before it closed. Then they set their eyes on the beast and Jared. Both gasped at the sheer sight of the beast. When it comes to protecting Jared, there's no limit to Uncles Eddie's powers. 

David approached with his palms facing the beast and Jared. "Jared, you can't go to the other side. You're not ready."

Jared screamed. Tears streamed. He had already lost his mother to the underworld, and now Brenda's lost in what he knows to be a dark, cruel place. And she's alone. "Do you not hear what I'm saying. It took Brenda!" 

"No one has taken me," Brenda said from the doorway, noticing Jared's tears. "What's happened?"Jared was at her side in an instant. 

"Where were you? I couldn't find you anywhere," Jared's tone was a little demanding.

"Jared, I'll say this once. It is not your business where I am at all times," Brenda said with a red face. 

Jared's muscles bulged as he leaned in close to Brenda. His lips tight, teeth grit,  "I can't stop it. Can't you see that?" 

"Enough!" Roxanna stepped between Jared and Brenda. "You're arguing like two children, and you don't have that luxury. That tree almost pulled Jared in because he thought it took you, Brenda," she said, glaring at her daughter. She knew Brenda would understand the intensity of her stare.  The danger lies ahead, and it requires Brenda to cease her actions. 

Brenda widened her eyes and revealed tears she held since she realized Jared wasn't in her future. Avoiding Jared was her way of dealing with her true feelings. If she isn't thinking about Jared's mother, she's thinking about Jared. She wants it to stop.

"Jared," Brenda said. "You cannot go through the portal yet. It's not because you haven't learned to control your powers." Right then, Brenda realized Jared had an uncontrollable urge to be in her presence. It's why he keeps showing up everywhere. It all makes sense now. Jared likes her as much as she likes him. She wanted to hug Jared but cleared her throat. "We haven't seen your ancestors since Macey disappeared." Glaring back at her mother, Brenda said, "We must summon the family. Sarah, Paul, anyone who can give us some idea of where we stand against the underworld."  

"Yes," David said. "I like that plan." He looked over at Eddie. "It's time we call the family. Why we didn't think of it before baffles me." 

It sounded like a good plan. But the truth is the dead relatives haven't shown themselves since Macey disappeared. Eddie understood their absence meant they were looking after Macey. "They haven't returned because they are with Macey. If we summon them, it will leave Macey alone, wherever she is now. We could try and call just one ancestor." 

"Grandpa," Jared offered. 

"Your grandfather? You never met him," Roxanna said. 

"I did meet him when Mom and I first moved here."

"Your grandfather was dead. Are you sure you met the real man?" Roxanna said.

David rubbed his chin, "Evalena possessed him at the time. I don't think Elijah Taber will do. What about your father or Aunt Sarah?"

The portal opened through the hand-painted tree with a tunnel that swirled at its center. A roaring noise and the stench of death filled the library. Uncle Eddie turned into the beast, muscles like cement with deep crevices outlining each group, more defined than ever. Beside him, Jared stood just as firm. Unlike his uncle, who could rip any being apart with his teeth, Jared's power was his speed, and he readied himself for battle with his phenomenal muscles. The two are similar but each unique, both ready for the action ahead. 

Brenda couldn't help but notice their attractiveness. She could write a best seller in the future, but right now, she must save Jared."Jared, do not go to the other side," Brenda said.

Jared gazed back at Brenda and back at the portal. "I'll remain here unless I see my mother." 

The boy who came through the tree earlier appeared. He looked anxious as he observed his surroundings. "Evalena is the boss of the underworld. She keeps Macey locked in a prison. Macey told me to tell you time is nearing when Evalena will be vulnerable."

"My mother's alive?"

"Yes," the boy said and disappeared into the swirl of the tunnel, and the portal closed. 

Both Jared and Eddie faced Brenda and Roxanna, with David standing to the side. "Can it be true?" Jared asked. 

"We can't trust it, but it is a possibility," Brenda said. 

"Some random dead boy appears at the portal and says the things we want to hear. He is giving us hope. I don't know if we should trust it," Roxanna said. 

"Then what? We do nothing and miss another opportunity to save Macey," Eddie said.

"I'm not missing the opportunity," Jared said with as much conviction as his mother had when she saved him from death. 

David approached. "Macey's has been missing for years. She's had a lot of time to pick the perfect moment to escape." 

It could be a trick or be the only chance they'll have to bring Macey home. Either way, they'll need more than some random kid's advice. Roxanna began to chant Sarah's name. Her request? Come home. They waited and watched for Sarah's return. Jared especially wanted to see Sarah, who is a powerful witch in her own right. But mostly because she is his blood. Surely she'd be on his side. Hours later, it was apparent Sarah was not coming home. At least not now. 

David looked around at his friends, his family. Their expressions spoke of their despair.  "We can try again tomorrow," David said. 

"If Sarah heard us, she would come," Jared said. 

David was happy Jared still had hope. The lad needed to believe Macey was alive, and the family, though dead, would still protect him when needed. But, David wasn't sure what happened to prevent Jared's dead relatives from returning when called. They could be with Macey or captured by Evalena and unable to return through the tree. After all, it was Evalena who stole the family tree and turned it into a portal. The mysterious boy from the other side claims Macey is alive and Evalena is the boss of the underworld. Nothing could be as terrifying for David. They may never see Macey again if they don't go to the other side. But Jared isn't ready. David secretly understood Jared would be unprepared until he and Brenda declared their love for one another. He hoped they do before it's too late. The link between them is mysterious. Unknown territory for David, but he is confident their bonding is the game-changer.