The Myth and The Guardian Book II: Christopher

Austin was nervous as he dressed for his first date with Alex since he had returned. After he had comforted her, she asked him over to her house to “hang out” with her. Austin did not know what all had changed over the last five years, but he knew that his romantic experience with females was limited compared to most males his age. In fact, he knew that his romantic experience with females was even limited compared to some females his age. He did not want to have expectations and basically give her the impression that he considered her to be the promiscuous type, but he did not want her to feel like she was taking his innocence if the moment presented itself either. He was dressed in a sort of gray area between pretentious and upper middle class. His pants were a rather expensive pair of blue jeans, his shirt was even more expensive than the jeans, but his shoes were regular sneakers for a footlocker in the mall. He had bought the shoes, but the rest of his attire had belonged to Joseph.

Austin felt uncomfortable wearing a fashionable dress shirt that cost more than some hard-working people made in a week. The jeans were comfortable, but they were still worth a hundred dollars. He had sprayed on some fantastic smelling cologne created by Calvin Kline that was in the guest bathroom. The fragrance was a soft smell that made him think of an older man sitting around a fire place with his wife. It was immensely enticing but nothing that would distract the opposite sex from the overall package of him. He gave himself once last glance in the mirror, and he walked out the door toward the house across the street. The routine stroll to this house directly in front of the Wilson’s home felt more like a journey for Austin. It was as if he took every step with a purpose of being perfect for the sake of being perfect. He had never felt so compelled to be flawless around another individual in his entire life. He thought about how much he adored his Alex, and he knew that nothing would ever change how much he seemed to need her in his life.

“His Alex” Austin thought to himself which had become a defense mechanism for his nerves.

He knew that she did not technically belong to him in a sense that he owned her, but he felt as if she belonged to him in a sense of she was made for him. The way she made him feel, and the way everything about him seemed to include her was amazing. She could have opened up to anyone about all that she had been feeling over the last couple of years, but she chose to confide in him as if she were waiting for him to return. He had not been around her eight minutes, and she cried into his shirt. She chose him to be her rock, her strength, her best friend and more.

Austin approached the house and rang the doorbell as excitement rushed through his body. He checked his breath, brushed off his shirt, and made sure his sneakers were clean. Alex answered the door wearing faded blue jeans, a black t-shirt, and light brown flip-flops.

“Wow, you look great. I didn’t mean we would be going anywhere, Austin. I meant “hang out” as in watch a movie and eat pizza.” She said taking in how well he was dressed.

“Oh, sorry. I just wanted to look nice just in case.” Austin said slowly to hide his embarrassment.

She gave him a quick hug and pulled away when Austin tried to kiss her.

“You smell nice.” She said trying to avoid the awkward moment.

“Thanks.” Austin said in a confused voice.

“Well come on in and have a seat.” Alex said cheerfully.

She walked into the house, and he followed her as instructed and sat down on the sofa. He was seated on the end of the sofa, and she placed herself on the middle cushion.

“Alex is everything okay?” Austin asked unable to restrain from mentioning her strange behavior.

He heard the toilet from the bathroom downstairs flush.

“Oh, is your mom joining us for the movie? I sort of thought it would just be the two of us tonight.” Austin said trying not to sound too obvious.

“No, I wanted you to meet…” Alex managed to say before being interrupted. “Hey, baby the light in that bathroom went out.” said the unfamiliar boy walking into the living room.

“Jason this is Austin. Austin this Jason, my boyfriend.” Alex said slowly and cautiously.

“Boyfriend?” Austin asked in a cold speaking voice.

“Austin? As in Austin Anderson? As in your ex-boyfriend, Austin?” Jason asked stringing the questions together in a shocked voice.

“As in Austin, the boyfriend you can never replace.” Austin said with a strong hint of aggression in his voice.

“Apparently, I can. Did you not just hear her say I’m her boyfriend? I thought you were supposed to be smart.” Jason replied with more aggression than Austin.

“Yes, I did. Now, I’m back and your services are no longer needed, Jason.” Austin said with anger as he stood up from the sofa.

“Who cares if you’re back? I was here when you weren’t, and I’ll be here when you leave again which better be in the next few minutes, Austin.” Jason said growing angrier as he moved closer to Austin.

“I suppose you’re going to make me leave, huh, tough guy?” Austin said moving toward Jason.

“You’re damn right I will.” Jason said now standing directly in front of Austin.

Austin noticed that Jason was bigger and more muscular which meant he was probably stronger. He was also about eight inches taller than Austin which meant his arms were longer. Austin stared his opponent down and saw the swollen knuckles that belonged to him. Jason was not an amateur when it came to fights, and Austin could tell that he wanted to strike him more with each passing second. Austin also knew what would happen if he allowed himself to become angrier. They all would have a much bigger problem to worry about than mere jealousy.

“Enough!” Alex said in a frustrated voice. “You two will sit down and let me talk. I had to let you two know about each other, and I wanted you to meet.” She added quickly.

“Meet? Why would I want to meet him?” Jason asked in an annoyed voice.

“Fine. Thanks for coming. You can let yourself out.” Austin said sharply.

“Will you two just please sit down for a moment?” Alex asked with a slightly elevated tone.

Austin went back over to his previous spot on the sofa and sat down. Jason looked at him with hate in his eyes and walked over to the sofa. He sat on the opposite end, and they both looked up at Alex. She walked over slowly and sat between the two of them in the middle of the sofa.

“Now, I must talk to each of you, and this is not going to be easy for either of you to hear.” Alex said slowly.

They each looked at one another and returned their glances back to her immediately. “Austin…” Alex started.

“See, she’s talking to me first. She loves me, now get the hell out.” Austin said before he could stop himself.

“That’s because she’s dumping you for me.” Jason replied quickly.

“We’ll see about that.” Austin said.

“I guess we will.” Jason said with confidence.

“Then shut up and let her talk!” Austin said angrily.

“You’re the one who interrupted her.” Jason said with equal anger.

“That’s what people in love do. I have that privilege.” Austin said immediately. “Well I hope you enjoyed it because that was your last one.” Jason replied.

“Will you two please be quiet and let me finish?” Alex said out of frustration. “Austin. You’re right. I do love you…” Alex said.

“See, I told you. Bye Jason.” Austin said with a smirk.

“But, I have a boyfriend now.” Alex said finishing her sentence.

Jason looked at Austin with satisfaction in his eyes. Austin looked away from him and tried to glance around the room to keep calm. He noticed a screwdriver on the end-table by his end of the sofa and tried not to look at it again.

“I am so sorry, Austin. I told you I thought you had died. Jason and I go to school together, and I will not break up with him just because you’re back. I am thankful that you are alive and well, but things have changed. I love you, but I can only offer you my friendship at this point, and I hope you will accept.” Alex said trying not to cry as she spoke.

“Jason, I love you too. I am your girlfriend, but Austin is important to me.” Alex said turning to Jason.

Austin took the words like a sledgehammer to his heart and stomach. He was trying his best to control himself, but his efforts were hardly working.

“I know you saw it. I saw it too. Let’s eliminate the competition. She will be upset, but she will forgive us in time.” said Christopher’s voice inside of Austin’s head.

“NO!” Austin thought loudly to himself.

“Why not? He is standing in our way. We both know he is the angry type. We can provoke him, and he will try to harm us first. After he tries to harm us, we can defend ourselves, Austin. No one will blame us for defending ourselves.” Christopher whispered in Austin’s mind.

Austin had his hand wrapped around the screwdriver before he realized it, and he quickly shoved it into his pocket before Alex or Jason noticed.

“Yes. Do it. Do it now!” Christopher screamed in a raspy voice.

“NO!” Austin thought and yelled at the same time. Alex and Jason immediately looked at him as he placed his hands over his ears.

“I agree. I don’t want you being friends with him anymore than he wants to be your friend.” Jason said.

Austin quickly put together the pieces and understood the nature of Alex’s conversation with Jason.

“Jason, he is important to me. If he wants to be my friend, I will be his friend. You can accept it, or we can break up.” Alex said regaining some composure in her voice. “Fine, I will try.” Jason said slowly.

“Austin, he is my boyfriend now. You have no idea how much I never wanted to hurt you, but this is the reality of the situation. I love him, and I love you. We can be friends if you want, but I am with Jason now.” Alex said looking sincerely at Austin. “I would rather have you as a friend than not have you in my life at all. I hope you feel the same about me.” Alex added while trying not to look Austin in his eyes which were filling with tears.

“I…I have to go.” Austin said in the saddest whisper she had ever heard in her life.

“Austin please. Stay and talk with me. Jason, go into the kitchen and give us a few minutes.” Alex said.

Jason got up from the sofa and walked quickly into the kitchen with a smirk on his face as he stared at Austin.

“Please say something. Anything.” Alex begged on the verge of tears.

“I never planned on leaving you for this long. I knew that other guys would find you as amazing as I do, and I knew you would like some of them. You love him? I was the first boy you ever felt that emotion for, and now you are telling me that you love him? How can you have said those words to me and say them to him so easily if you meant them?” Austin whispered as tears rolled down his cheek.

“I’m sorry. It’s been so many years. We’ve been apart for so long. I had to move on, Austin. I could not just sit around waiting for you when I knew you wouldn’t come back. I thought you had died.” She said as her emotions came to the surface.

“You love him, Alex. Do you know how many other girls there are on this planet? How many would love to have affection and attention? I could meet every single one of them and still not feel for them the way I feel about you. How do you love two people? How do you fall in love with two different people? How could you? How could you invite him here for me to see and choose him over me?” Austin said folding his arms as if trying to hug himself.

“Austin. Please. Don’t do this me. I never meant to hurt you. I promise I never meant to hurt you. You were not here, and things happened.” Alex managed to say while crying.

“And some things should never happen! Austin screamed with an explosion of mixed emotion. “You are all I have. You’re the only reason I am holding everything together. How could you do this to me? You are breaking me down in ways you will never understand. You are standing here damaging me in a way that can never be fixed. Go in there. Go in there to him and tell him that you made a mistake. Tell him that I am all you want. Tell him that you love me more than you could ever love him.” Austin said as his body started to tremble from emotion.

“I can’t.” Alex said in a whisper. “Please, I just need you to try. I need you to be my friend. If you love me then be my friend.” Alex begged.

“I will never be your friend Alex. Austin and Alex forever, remember? I can’t be friends with you. I can’t even look at you right now.” Austin said moving towards the door.

“Austin, you don’t mean it. I know you don’t mean it.” Alex cried.

“You know nothing! If you did then you would have understood what this would do to me.” Austin said.

“Austin, please. I’m sorry.” Alex cried while placing her hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t touch me, Alex! Do not ever put your damn hands on me again! Just stay the hell away from me!” Austin yelled as he lost control and pushed her against the wall. “Stop. Stop it. You’re hurting me.” Alex cried loudly.

Jason rushed into the living room and tackled Austin to the ground as hard as he could. He began punching Austin in the face repeatedly.

“Don’t you ever touch her again! I’ll kill you!” Jason yelled out of anger as he continued to beat Austin in his face.

Austin closed his eyes and caught both of Jason’s fists before he opened them again. “That was the worst mistake of your life boy.” Christopher said with anger in his eyes.

Jason felt the grip tighten around his fists and groaned in pain. Christopher stared at Jason as he continued to tighten his grip around his left fist. Suddenly, Christopher squeezed the fist until it unclenched. Jason yelled out in pain as Christopher’s grip kept tightening. Finally, there was loud crack as the bones in his hands shattered, and Jason cried out in agony.

Christopher kept squeezing until he could see the tears rolling down Jason’s face. Christopher finally released Jason’s hands from his grip and allowed the boy to move. Jason rolled over on the floor placed his right hand over the broken left hand. Christopher jumped to his feet and grew stronger as he felt the full extent of Austin’s pain. He grabbed Jason by the throat and punched him hard in the face with his right hand as his left nearly crushed the boy’s windpipe. There was a loud crunch as Jason’s nose broke from the impact of the first punch. The blood spewed from the Jason’s face all over Joseph’s old shirt. Christopher threw the boy into the wall and watched him hit the floor. “You try to replace me? You’ve taken my Alex away from me? You attack me and shout death threats? You have no idea who I am!” Christopher yelled while kicking Jason in the ribs with each sentence.

Jason cried and screamed as a few ribs broke and he coughed up blood.

“Austin. Stop! You’re killing him!” Alex screamed.

“He threatened to kill me! He took you away from me. Turned you against me, and he will suffer!” Christopher yelled out of anger that made him even stronger and more psychotic.

He gave Jason a hard kick to the face that made the boy’s entire body flip over. He then stomped on the boy’s face until he was certain the jaw was shattered.

“Austin, please!” Please stop it!” Alex cried.

Christopher reached into the pocket of the jeans and pulled out the screw driver. He placed it to the Jason’s throat and saw the terrified look on the boy’s face.

“You’re going to kill me?” Christopher said coldly. “I think not. You die!” Christopher added with a yell as he prepared to shove the screw driver into the boy’s throat.

“No!” Alex cried throwing her body between Jason and Christopher.

Christopher was not going to hesitate on risking stabbing the both of them just to kill Jason, but he suddenly could not move. He stood there frozen like a statue for a few moments. He looked down at Alex and saw the tears flowing from her face as she shielded Jason’s broken body. He stared into her eyes, and she looked into his with absolute fear. Christopher closed his eyes and Austin looked around at the scene.

He knew what had happened because he had allowed it to happen. He wanted it to happen. Austin threw the screw driver down on the floor. He punched the walls and screamed out of anger and pain as he saw Alex protecting the boy she loved. He looked in the mirror and felt a feeling that terrified him more than his anger and Christopher’s anger combined. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw the feeling in his eyes. For a moment, he did not care about anything at all. He turned around and ran out of the door across the street.

“No, we cannot go in there. I know a place for us to go. Trust me.” said Christopher’s voice inside of Austin’s mind.

Austin thought for a moment and realized that he was responsible for everything that had just happened. He had no choice but to trust Christopher. Austin closed his eyes and felt as if he was drifting slowly into dark nothingness. He felt peaceful and safe in this place, and he knew, for the time being, Christopher was in complete control.

Alex rushed to the phone and called for an ambulance. She was hysterical as she gave the woman on the phone her address.

“Yes, my boyfriend has been assaulted and is in bad condition. He’s barely breathing. Please send help immediately.” She screamed through her own fear and tears. She ran to the door with her cell phone in her hand and stared at the boy standing in front of the Wilson’s home. A boy that she realized she no longer knew.

Christopher turned and stared at her and felt himself growing angry again. He gave her one last look before he ran up the street, around the corner, and out of sight. She placed the phone back up to her ears and listened to the woman speaking to her.

“Miss, the ambulance and police are on the way. I can have them search the area for the suspect. Did you get a look at the person who did this?” The woman asked.

Alex thought for a moment about what had happened. She looked at Jason lying on the floor, imagined the look on Austin’s face, and answered the woman.

“No. I did not recognize the person that did this. He ran away before I could see him.” She said before hanging up the phone and crying harder than she had ever cried in her entire life.

Once the ambulance and police had arrived, Joel and the rest of the Wilson family walked across the street to see what happened. They moved slowly into the house after introducing themselves as friends of the family. Alex was held up in the corner of the living room crying hysterically, and Joel noticed her and walked over. He placed a hand on her arm, and she dove into his arms like a toddler does her father.

“It’s okay, Alex. Tell me what happened.” Joel said trying to comfort the troubled girl.

Alex looked up at him and walked into the kitchen. Joel followed her as she walked to a corner of the kitchen far from hearing distance of the others. She wiped her eyes and cleared her throat to regain composure.

“I lied to the police.” She said in a slow whisper.

Joel looked at her with a confused expression.

“What happened here?” He asked curiously.

“Jason was brutally beaten. He is in critical condition.” She said through sniffles. “Did someone break in? Was he trying to protect you?” Joel asked quickly. “It was Austin.” Alex said cautiously.

Joel motioned her closer to him and placed a hand on each of her shoulders.

“Alex, I need you to tell me everything that happened tonight.” Joel replied in a concerned whisper.

“I invited him over, and Jason was here. I wanted the two of them to meet, and I thought it would be okay. I told Austin that I just wanted to be friends, and he looked so hurt. He looked like something inside him just went missing, and he got so angry. I tried to get him to stay, and when I touch him he lost it. He pushed me against the wall. He wasn’t going to hurt me, but Jason heard me yell and tackled Austin to the ground. Jason started hitting Austin, and Austin just snapped. He was so strong and so viscous. He hit Jason so hard, and he just kept hitting him and breaking his bones with no hesitation.” Alex said as she began to sob.

“Alex, where is he?” Joel asked with panic in his voice.

“I don’t know. He just took off. Mr. Wilson, I have never seen anyone get that angry. I’ve never seen a look like that in anyone’s eyes. He looked evil and lost at the same time. I was so scared, and he looked so hurt and mad.” Alex confessed.

“Alex, I think it would be best if you stayed away from Austin for a while. He is not himself.” Joel said figuring out that Austin lied to him.

“What’s wrong with him? Why would he… How could he do those things? What is it that you’re not telling me?” Alex asked through more sobs.

“I can’t say. He will tell you once he’s ready. Once he is his normal self, you two should have a serious talk. Now, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way because you had no way of knowing, but Austin has been through more than any of us will ever be able to fully understand. His mind is so dilapidated, so fractured, that he is struggling to hold on to who he truly is, and you hurting him was the worst possible thing that could have happened.” Joel said sternly with great caution.

“What do you mean? Are you saying I caused this?” Alex asked with more confusion than curiosity.

“No, I am not saying that at all. As I said, you could not have known, and please do not think this is your fault at all. I am just saying that what you told him was at the worst possible time. He is more lost than even I realized, and you should not be around him right now. If he tries to see you then you contact me immediately. Do you understand?” Joel replied with as much sincerity as he could find.

“Yes.” Alex said knowing that Joel blamed her more than he chose to admit.

“Miss Franklin, we have a few more questions for you.” said a police officer. “Sure officer.” Alex said walking towards the living room.

“Dr. Wilson, you have to help him. You don’t have to explain, but please help him. The Austin I knew would never do anything so brutal. He would never harm another person.” Alex said firmly.

“I will, Alex. Still, I’m afraid the Austin you and I both knew may not exist anymore. I know that’s hard to hear and understand, but it is the reality of the situation. I will do all I can, but it is ultimately up to him.” Joel said with a powerful sense of sadness in his tone.

Alex reluctantly nodded that she understood and returned to the living room to answer more questions. Joel walked over to his family and motioned for them to follow him outside of the house. Once the Wilsons were in front of their home, Joel stopped at the door and prepared himself for what he had to tell them.

“I have to tell you all something, and this will be as difficult to understand as it is to explain.” Joel said as he had no choice but to tell his family the truth.

An hour later, the Wilson family sat around their kitchen table in complete silence as they tried to process the information. Joseph and Amy did not know if they should believe the story, but they could see the seriousness in their father’s eyes. Angela was confused and frightened with no idea of what to say.

“So, Austin is some sort of monster?” Joseph finally asked to break the silence. “No son. He is not a monster. He is just different. He is special.” Joel said preparing himself for numerous questions.

“So, he’s special, a murderer, and is basically the fountain of youth?” Amy asked aloud trying to hide how ridiculous she thought it all sounded.

“In a way, yes. He is all of those things, but he is still Austin.” Joel said firmly. “No, he is not. Not according to you. According to you he is this Christopher person, and he is dangerous.” Joseph said coldly.

“Joseph, I know this is hard to understand but…” Joel began to say.

“But nothing!” Joseph yelled. “Yes, it is hard to understand. This is not possible. The fountain of youth is a myth. It’s not real, and Austin or whoever is a psycho.” Joseph added as his frustration got the better of him.

“He is no such thing. He is still…” Joel tried to say.

“A murderer! He is still a murderer. He murdered the Andersons, all those other families according to you, those men at the hospital, and possibly Alex’s boyfriend. He killed people dad, no matter how you want to word it, and he blamed it on a damn split personality. I don’t care how much you care about him or trust him, but he is a heartless monster.” Joseph said with a mixture of fear and anger.

“You knew? You knew all this time and never told us? We are your family, and you put all of us in danger. Fountain or no fountain, Austin kills people. How could you keep that from us dad?” Amy asked with a mixture of emotion.

“Now wait guys, this boy needs our help. We are the only family he has left, and we cannot just abandon him now.” Joel said in a matter of fact one.

“Yes, we can. He will not step another foot into our home, Joel. I mean that. You may put the family in danger, but I will not do it. We have no way of knowing what will happen with someone like that in our home.” Angela said.

“Wait this is my home too, and he will always be welcomed here. I know this boy, and he is not some murderer. He is just a boy, and I can assure you that he did not ask for any of this to happen. He is no more responsible for the unfair burdens placed on him than any of us are, and I will not give up on him.” Joel said with an elevated and serious tone.

“He is not coming back to this house and that’s final.” Angela said. “If he does, I will call the police myself.” She added coldly as her fear took control.

“Angie, he is just a kid, and he needs me. If I give up on him now, he will be worse than ever. I love you. I love our family, but I will not abandon this child who needs me.” Joel said as tears filled his eyes.

Angela looked at her husband and her heart opened up to him as she saw how much he cared. She still cared for Austin, and she knew her kids still felt emotion for the boy. “Fine, Joel. You can help him. The kids and I will stay at my parents until this is over. I am sorry, but that is the best I can do. I will not put our family in harm’s way. Not for Austin or anyone, not even you.” Angela said firmly.

Joel looked around the table at his family and felt their concern and fear. He had placed a great deal of stress on all of them by sharing this information, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

“Kids, you heard your mother. Go pack some clothes and go to your grandparents.” Joel said softly.

“But dad, you can’t be serious about…” Joseph started to say.

“That was not a choice Joseph. Your mother is right. You all need to be protected, and this is the best way to protect our family which includes Austin.

After everyone was packed and ready to leave, they all met in the living room and said goodbye. Joseph looked at his father and realized how brave his dad had to be to take on this responsibility.

“You’re a good man, dad. You’re a good man.” Joseph said as he rose from the chair and walked outside.

“Be careful daddy.” Amy said as she kissed her father on the cheek and followed her brother out the door.

Angela stared at her husband for a moment and could not hold back her tears.

“I love you, Joel. I know why you have to do this, but I wished you didn’t have to do it.” She said as she hugged him.

“I love you too, Angie. It will be over soon. Just take care of my babies, please. I am not sure they understand why I’m doing this. Make sure they know how much I care for them.” Joel said as he looked at his wife.

“They know. Just do what you need to do, and come back to us safely.” she said softly.

“I will always find my way back to you. I promise.” Joel said as he kissed his wife goodbye.

She wiped the tears from his face, and he wiped the tears from hers. They gave each other one last look, and she walked out of the door with a feeling of fear that was inferior to her feeling of pride for the type of man she had married. Joel closed the door behind her, walked over the sofa, sat down, and wondered where Christopher would know to go for safety. He knew that Austin could only go one other place, and he hoped that Christopher would have the same single option. He pulled out his cell-phone, scrolled the contact list, and pushed the call button. The phone rang several times before a soft rough voice answered.

“What?” said the voice.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but I have news. He has returned, but he is somehow older. The two of them are still connected, and he has assaulted a kid and murdered two men. He knows no other place to go. When he comes to you, contact me immediately.” Joel said to the mysterious caller.

There was a long silence except for some soft breathing. Finally, the mystery caller spoke in the same rough whisper of a voice.

“I’ll take care of it.”