The Vengeance by Allison Rios Read Free Book Online Page B

always seemed to be watching as if he might bolt out of the shadows and beg to be taken back in. Or perhaps she was simply scared of him. A fear lingered in her eyes at all times and he could never figure out if it was a fear of him or for him. His siblings acted as if he’d never existed, not even a hint of sadness in their eyes. Perhaps, he thought, that hurt the worst.
    It was shortly after that day that his grandmother passed. Not long after that his mother succumbed to her grief and passed as well. He hadn’t dared to open the envelope yet . As they shoveled the last bit of dirt over his mother’s grave he lowered from his perch on one of the branches he was looking down from and removed the now-tattered envelope from a tattered vest pocket.
    Tearing the edge slowly, he unveiled the letter from within. The page contained words written in the same wobbly scrawl which had graced the front. He’d treasure that writing forever, as it remained the last verification he’d had that someone had loved him.
    He unfolded it carefully , as though it might disintegrate at any moment and began reading in the early noon light that shone high above him. For such a sad day, it was one of pure beauty, nature-wise.
     
                  “My dearest grandson,             
    Your father is right about only one thing – you are very, very different from the rest of them. Only it isn’t an evil difference, as he believes. It is an irony of sorts that he feels the way you saved him is evil.
    He doesn’t understand and for that, you must learn to forgive him. He is merely a man ; a man of only one layer. He should not be held responsible for not being privy to a secret you and I hold.
    You are like me, sweet grandson. A Healer. The moment your father rushed in the door, his shirt riddled with blood and his eyes wild with fear, I knew that one of two things had happened; you had been killed or he had been healed. As he tore off his shirt to examine his scar more closely, I was sure. I was also sure of what the future would bring for this family. They don’t understand and my hands are too old and feeble to write it all out for you.
    If you head due northwest from here by horseback, in two days time you will come upon a Native American tribe. They are peaceful friends of mine from the past. Show them the marking you bear upon your neck and they will guide you, as they did for me so very long ago. They will explain it all to you, my boy, and you will find your tranquility.
    Know that I love you dearly and I know what a good person you truly are. I will guide you from the heavens and will forever be on your side. Be well, be strong, and be safe. And always remember first and foremost, be yourself.
                  Love,
                  Grandmother”
     
    He reached around and felt the back of his neck. There had never been a marking. At least none that had been spoken of. Yet as his fingers ran over his tanned skin he felt it – a small circle of raised flesh. The scar that would serve as a constant reminder, just as his father’s would. Although the scars were very different, they both represented a new life for those they adorned.
    He read through the words once more and tucked the letter into his vest. With the medallion around his neck and his grandmother’s soul to guide him, he embarked upon the first day of the rest of his life.
     
     

 
5 FORGIVE
     
    AJ didn’t leave the stairs the night before. The exhaustion which should have overwhelmed his body after the intense encounter with Devin seemed now merely a fleeting thought. He watched with attentiveness the darkness of Addie’s home. AJ unconvincingly repeated to himself over and over through forced whispers that the purpose remained ensuring her safety – although no threat loomed. Every once in awhile the nagging reality would utter the truth; he wanted to see her.
    Not one light had turned on all night. As the moon rose