Read Online Being Human by Patricia Lynne - Free Book Online Page B

knew.”
    “You're my brother and I love you. I'll do whatever I have to so you'll be happy and if that means I have to leave, I will.”
    “No!” His voice was urgent, almost a yell. He stared at me with wild and tear-filled eyes. “Don't leave. I've lost everything else, I can't lose you too. Please, Tommy, don't leave.”
    “Don't you trust me?” The words flew out, sounding like an accusation.
    He nodded, blinking rapidly. “Of course.”
    “Ask me again, but not with my name.”
    “Please don't leave.”
     
    ****
     
     
    Each night was spent at my brother’s window, spending every second with him. The first night, he was quiet, sitting opposite of me and working on more homework. The following night he was anxious. He constantly rose and paced his room, packing his bag, unpacking it and picking out clothing before putting it back. The next day he'd be facing the humans at school. He feared what would happen. When I left as the sun threatened to rise, no words had been spoken between us.
    I wished I had known what to say.
    My steps were urgent. The sun had set moments ago, twilight still fading. I ran at full speed, a tight feeling in my stomach. I couldn't shake the feeling, couldn't push the thought to the back of my mind. It persisted, growing louder and louder, burning through me like fire.
    I needed to feed tonight.
    But my hunger could wait, had to because another feeling coursed through me. One that rivaled the need: concern. Concern for my brother and the feelings of anguish, which had nothing to do with my mood, racing through me.
    I darted up the side of the house and was outside the window like a flash of lightening. The curtains and window were open; my brother's back to me as he played a game.
    “What’s wrong?”
    He half turned, giving me a relaxed smile that contrasted with the churning emotions that drove me to him. He grabbed another controller and pushed it into my hand. “Let’s play.”
    I didn’t argue, taking the controller. Each round we played, I kept a careful eye on him. He grew more cheerful, the tension melting off him to match the smile on his face. Soon, he started laughing and making remarks about my lack of game skills.
    “Aw, come on. You totally could have blocked that. Did you forget how to use your thumbs? What's that? What are you trying to do? Oh! That was cheap.”
    “I won one,” I replied smugly.
    “Maybe we should quit while you're ahead,” he laughed, tossing the controller down and turning to me.
    Our eyes met, only for a second, but long enough for me to see horror fill his. He slapped a hand across his eye, covering the splotch of blue, purple and black that had surrounded it. Wincing, he turned away. “Don't worry about it.”
    The ugly mark burned in my brain, infuriating me. I hissed, baring my fangs. He jumped, scrambling away from me, fear filling his scent. His heart beat out a furious rhythm, thudding so loudly I was certain our aunt and uncle downstairs could hear it.
    My voice came out a low hiss. “What happened?”
    “It's nothing, no big deal.” His voice was barely a whisper.
    I looked away, staring at the roof and reining my fury in. Once I was sure my face was void of emotions, I looked back up. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.”
    Voice weak, body shaking, he crawled back on the bed. “It's okay, you just shocked me.” He kept his face half turned, hiding the bruise.
    “Let me see,” I pleaded. “Come closer.”
    He cringed and fear flashed across his face, but only for a second. He moved closer, leaning out the window. My fingers hovered over his skin, hesitant to touch the ugly mark. Fury still boiled in me, just under the surface. I focused on keeping my face and voice void of emotions.
    “What happened?”
    He blinked back the tears in his eyes. “When I got to school, everyone knew. Even the people who hadn't gone to the dance heard what I had said to Justin. They just stared and whispered. I thought if that’s