The Change of Time

CHAPTER 6

ERIC P.O.V

I was busy with the last part of the backyard when Elizabeth’s crying reach my ears. I rushed into the house to see what happened and the sight stung my heart. There she was, the magnificent, intelligent girl on her knees, sobbing into her hands. I reached out to her and gripped her to my chest. As she placed her head on my shoulder, Phantom purred as she was drawing on our scent and calmed herself.

“I heard her Eric, I swear I heard her.” Who is she talking about now? “The ghost maybe. I told you she is not the only one in here.” “Who did you hear beautiful?” “My mother! I swear I’m not crazy. I heard her.” “Anything is possible Elizabeth, I believe you.” Her mom, I always assumed it would be her dad that is watching over the house awaiting his daughter’s return. “You’ll be surprised at what the love of a mother is capable of.” “You honestly consider that’s possible?” “Definitely...” “What work mamma? What do you want me to find out? Please, mamma tell me?” “Phantom...” “Nope I heard nobody, except for Elizabeth.” “Just checking...” I could not bear to consider that she is going out of her mind, so I looked at her with as much fondness as I could muster. “What do you think she wants you to know?” “I’m... I’m not sure.” “Just hold her, Eric, and sit with her. We will soon find out the truth.” “Ya, you’re right.” So we remained there for a while and she gave me a glimpse that said she was okay. So we stood up and left the room. As I was just exiting the room, I saw a white figure standing by the door of the opposite room. “Phantom...” “Yes, she is literally there.” “Just checking...” “Mamma!” I hear Elizabeth call and ran to her, but as soon as she was there, the figure just disappeared. “Well, this is not at all weird.” I said as I was entering the office. “You telling me.” She said as she walked to the table and took out an old leather-bound book with righting on it. “This must be his journal.” I walked over and took the book from her and on it were her father’s initials. I knew it was her father’s initials as I saw it before on a letter my father received from her father when he employed him and I knew it was a journal as my father had the same book only with his initials on it. “It looks like it is.” I said with confidences.

“O wow, this feels wrong, like I am violating his privacy.” “Well, under circumstances, I think your mother wants you to read it. Maybe there is something you really need to know...” “But what, I mean my farther was a Broker or that was what I was told.” “I think you need to take some time and clear your head then sit somewhere relaxing and read.” “Ya, you are probably right. I need to know what my mother is trying to tell me and somehow it is in this book.” After that, I just turned and stepped away. It was hard, really hard, but she needed to do this on her own. “You did the right thing bro, she needs to process everything and find the truth.” “I know, but it doesn’t make it any easier.” “O you are so in love.” “We are mostly one, you know that right.” “Ya..., but I’m the smart one, remember.” “And who was purring when she laid her head on our shoulder. Hm...” “Ya... Ya okay, you maid your point.”

“Finally, we’re finished.” “You did an exceptional job, bro. She is going to love it.” “Maybe we could lie in the swimming pool for a while.” “No, don’t even think about it. I hate water.” “O is the kitten scared of a little water.” “Do you want a migraine? Just tell me I will give you one from hell.” “Hahaha... No, it’s fine... relax.” “Hm, let me go for a run.” At that I shifted and Phantom took over. As we felt the grass under our paws, we took off as fast as we could until we battled to breathe. “Now that felt great.” “You can say that again, just what we needed.” “Jarred is here?” “Where...?” Phantom lifted his nose and smelled the air as he moved closer to the threshold of the woods where Elizabeth’s house is clear. He then went up to Jarred’s wolf and nudge him with his snout, then withdrew behind a tree. There we shifted back, and I put on a pair of shorts that I left by the tree. As I came out Jarred was also changed and standing looking deep in thought.

“So what are the Hunters up to?” “I don’t know, they are just sitting there as if they are waiting for something.” “Or someone.” “They probably working to find out if she knows anything. Have she learned anything?” “I guess she’s about to find out.” Jarred looks at me with a quizzing expression. “Did you know her mother was haunting the place?” “Her mother? I noticed there was something in the house, but I thought it would be her father.” “Right, I did too, but it was her mother. We saw her today.” “You saw her mother... in the house?” “Yes, she was standing at Elizabeth’s father’s office and leaded Elizabeth to her father’s journal.” “You kidding me. Like her actual mother... Wow, what, that girl must go thru now...” “It gets weirder she heard her mother speak, We couldn’t, but she did.” “You think she is ready for this?” “Jarred, all honesty, I’m not sure. It is as if she is reliving her parents’ death all over again. I don’t think she is emotionally ready for this.” “She is a strong woman. She will be ready.” “What makes you so sure now?” “My wolf Jax, well… every time he is near her he wants to bow his head.” “What? I thought you guys only bowed to you Alpha and... Luna?” “Yes our... Luna.” “You don’t think...?” “Nah, she is a Hunter and besides our Alpha has a Luna.” “A chosen Luna.” “She is a Hunter Eric, not a wolf. There is no way that she can be his fated. She is just a very strong Hunter and Jax respects her very much.” “Ya, you probably right.”

Then the light in her mother’s office went off, and I knew she was going to fall a sleep soon. “Well, I better get my ass up into a tree and settle for the night.” “Eric, you need proper sleep. You have been doing this night after night. Let the pack take care of this tonight and you go and rest. Besides, you need to shave. You are looking like an ape, not a jaguar.” “O way, thank you for the compliments.” Phantom started growling in my head as he also did not appreciate the comment. “I’m fine here. I will look after her.” “Eric, you know you can trust me. We’ve got this. Go and rest.” I must admit I miss the softness of my bed and I needed a shave, but I don’t know if I will rest, if I’m not near her. “Hahaha, you are in love. She will be fine, Eric. I won’t leave until you return tomorrow. You can take my word for it.” If there is something I know is that Jarred never ever breaks his word... never. “Thank you Jarred, I owe you one.” “My pleasure. Now go.” At that, I left.

The next morning, I got showered and dressed as fast as I could. Last night was harder than I thought. I struggled to fall asleep, but as soon as I did, I was in a deathlike sleep. Thank you Jarred, I feel much better; I said to myself. “You know only mad people speak to themselves.” “Well, I have you in my head so I’m obviously not sane.” “What you talking about? I’m the s**t, everyone loves me.” “Ya, you keep telling yourselves that.” As I was coming up to Elizabeth’s house with my bike, I saw her coming out of the house. “Morning Elizabeth, you slept well?” “No, not really. I need to see Sheriff Dawson... the old Sheriff Dawson.” “O... that... may be a problem.” “O don’t tell he passed away...” “Nope, he is still in town, but he’s in the old age home. He has Alzheimer’s.” “Well, that is not so bad. As long as he can still remember what happen in 1835, I will be fine.” “Seriously… that long ago I don’t think he will remember.” “You think this is about what she read last night?” I asked Phantom. “I do, but don’t ask her. She will tell us when she is ready.” “I would not ask her.” “Ya, I believe you. I’m in your head, remember.” “I need to try...” She said “Okay fine I will go with you then, you need the new sheriff’s permission to see his father or they won’t let you in.” “That’s fine by me, park your bike there we will take my car.” “Aww come on Elizabeth you would love it I promise.” “No she wouldn’t.” “O shut up.” “I am not planning on dying today Eric, we will take my car.” “Fine... we will take your car.” “Seriously... did you just make a face at me.” “No... What... Me... I would never.” “Just get in the car.” I started laughing, and she joined in.

“So where will we find the new Sheriff?” “It is breakfast time so your best bet will be the Diner.” “I just hope his mother won’t be there.” “Why? What’s wrong with Mrs. Dawson?” “She has been trying to get us together since I was a child.” Phantom started growling in my head. “There is no way that the ass would put a hand on her.” “Agreed.” “O... Well... If you are in to men that is a little on the heavy side, then you will love him.” “Really... he was always so thin when we were children.” “Yes, well, the Sheriff’s live has been treating him well.” “More like made him a lazy fucker.” Phantom growled again “Wow, that is a surprise. His father was always so neat and well build, I would have never thought.” “The town is much safer now with the new family pro...” “Be careful what you say, you idiot.” “It was a mistake, okay.” “What? Why are you suddenly quiet?” “O nothing... we’re here.” “No, no, tell me. What is everybody hiding?” “I’m sorry, beautiful, but it is not my place to say.” “And here I thought I could trust you, but you are just like everyone else around here. Keeping me in the dark.” I would have never thought that; that little word can hurt so much. of course she can trust us. Then she just turned on her heals and took off. “Elizabeth... Elizabeth! Don’t be like that. You know you can always trust me.” “O now you have pissed her off.” “Well, I can’t see you doing better.”

As she greeted the Dawson’s, I could feel rage rising in me. I just wished I could rip their heads off after what Elizabeth told me and when he spoke to her like he did. I moved closer to stand at her back and gave him a hard stare. If she was not there right now, I would have had him swinging from his collar. She was polite and kept her voice low, but I could sense her annoyance growing and I see what she means about Mrs. Dawson. She is like a serpent looking and waiting for the perfect chance to attack. We started to walk down the road to the old age home and I realized the two other hunters staring at her and it made me restless. “They must just try to do anything, we will rip them apart.” Phantom growled in agreement. I see Jarred and the guys standing near and I nodded my head to them as they nodded back. I knew they had our back and that the Hunters would try nothing as long as we were near, but the air was thick with tension and I know Elizabeth can sense it too.

As we reach Peter’s father, I could see in his eyes he was battling to recognize his own son, but when he saw Elizabeth it was like his entire face lit up. He remembered her even though the last time he saw her; she was nine years old. When he spoke you could see that he was obviously becoming an old grumphie man. He hooked Elizabeth by the arm and they walked towards the little river. Peter leaded me to a table near us and we sat there in silence, as I was trying to listen in on Elizabeth and Mr. Dawson’s conversation. “Does she know anything yet?” Peter asked me. “I’m not sure, but she defiantly knows something. She is scratching and eventually she will know everything.” “She will need someone by her side when she finds out, someone to help her.” “Saying that you mean you need to be by her side.” “Who ells, you think she is going to fall for you. A creature of the shadows? Ha ha ha, don’t make me laugh.” “A creature of the shadows, you say. You forget you are a lazy f**k and the only reason this town is still intact is because of us looking after it.” “What did you just say? Be careful Eric, I am the Sheriff.” “Please, you are not even half the Sheriff your father was. So shut it and be grateful you are still here.”

As that is said, Elizabeth to approach us and Peter tried to grab her hand, but she just passed him and kept on walking. I could see her mind was somewhere ells. She probably tried to make sense of what Mr. Dawson just told her. I wish Peter would just have kept his mouth shut. Then I would have known what they were speaking about. “I know what they talked about. You remember me don’t you.” “Stop being so witty Phantom. Tell me what you overheard.” “O touchy, are we. Fine, he told her everything. The reason her father came, how her parents met and how they got rid of the Warlock. He even told her about the rules her parents made, but he didn’t tell her she was a Hunter.” “Okay, so she is still in the dark about that. But I remember my father telling me the story. The Warlocks name was Edger, and he needed children’s blood to do his black magic and that they killed him by hanging him from a tree with honey and fire ants throne over him. They devoured him alive apparently.” “He deserved it if you ask me.” “I agree with you there, you think we must tell her.” “No, I think we must leave her for tonight. We can speak to her in the morning.” “Ya, you probably right, we will tell her in the morning what she needs to know.” So I went to my spot in the tree and let Phantom take watch for a while.

She went out into the back garden and sat there on the porch, staring into the distance. “Phantom, I think our discussion needs to change from tomorrow to now. I can’t stand it to see her so worried.” “You’re right, let’s go report to our Queen.”

“Never did I realize it would turn out like this. It is nearly night time and now she want’s to go talk to those morons.” I said to Phantom. “Know, right, she is putting herself in danger and does she really think we are going to leave her alone? She can forget about that.” “There is Jarred. We need to inform him about what is coming.” Phantom moved behind a tree and we shifted. Luckily, there are pants in almost every tree around here for us shifters. “Eric, shouldn’t you be at Elizabeth’s place?” “Elizabeth is on her way here.” “What... Why?” “I showed her the truth.” “Why would you do that? She was not ready for that.” “Jarred, you and I both know that she needed to see the truth before she gets hurt and she is on her way to see the two other Hunters.” “You should have known this was going to happen!” As he said that, she pulled up right in front of Pam’s inn. “Well, its to late now to do anything about it.” Jarred said as he signaled the rest of the pack members to be ready.

As Elizabeth got out of the car, she held her head up high and walked with confidence. “That’s my queen.” Phantom said. Elizabeth quickly made work of the two hunters and that smile she gave at the end even made me rethink a few things. As we entered the Diner I could see she was becoming tired. All of this happened so fast. She needed rest and space to figure out everything.

“So, you want to tell me about those guys?” She asked, “All we know so far is... they are here for you. We are not sure what they want to do, but we have guys watching them from the shadows.” Jarred said. “Elizabeth, I can see your mind is busy. Please stop worrying about that. We have humans watching them so they will sense nothing.” Jarred said, looking a little worried about his own statement. “Why will they be here because of me, I didn’t even know about anything until this morning.?” “I don’t know if they know that and... they were in town... the night your parents died.” “How... how do you know this Jarred you weren’t even here?” “Your parents meant a great deal to all Supernatural and we were always looking and trying to protect them.” “So they murdered my parents?” “We are not a hundred percent sure, but yes we think so.” I shook my head in agreement. They definitely have something to do with her parent’s death. I can see it in their eyes.

“Elizabeth is becoming frustrated with the fact that we have no evidence.” “I know Phantom, but we will get it don’t worry.” “If she doesn’t get it first, she has determination in her eyes and she was a detective, so it is kind of part of her.” “Why were my parents so important to you?” She asked. She wanted too much information now. “Seriously guys! I’m tired of all the secrecy. I want to know now.” “I will handle this, boys. Why don’t you sit there at the counter for a bit.” Mrs. Dawson said as she scooted us out of the booth. That old woman must constantly put her nose where it doesn’t belong. I could sense the frustration rolling of Jarred as to the change in the situation, but we sat at the counter keeping silent and listening to what she was telling her. “O please, now she is trying to smear that lazy ass son of hers off on Elizabeth again.” As Phantom said that, I could feel him moving to the front and I could see in Jarred’s eyes that Jax’s is already there.

As we once again sat in front of her. I kept the emotions and talk to a minimal. She was tired and needed to go home. As I was driving her home, she drifted off to sleep. “She is quite something. I can’t believe she is taking everything that happened today so well.” “How many times must I tell you? She is a queen and she will handle everything that comes her way.” “I know, but what if she falls in love with someone ells?” Phantom growled so load in my head that I had to stop on the side of the road for about five minutes. “Was that really necessary?” “Yes... she will not fall for anyone ells she is ours.” “You heard her. She doesn’t trust anyone.” “Now you are the moron. Seriously, bro, she was misleading them. Couldn’t you tell?” “No... How do you know she was misleading them.” “She scrunches up her nose a little when she is lying.” “She has never lied to us before, so how would you know that.” “Call it in stinks or whatever, I just know.” “Sure, mister smarty pants.” “I’m going to sleep.” “Yes you do that.”

Once we were back at her place, I picked her up and took her to her room to sleep. She looked so peaceful and beautiful. I could not help but to stare at her for a bit. Then she stirred, and I ran out of there as fast as I could, not wanting to be detected. I went into the garden and shifted in to Phantom. As he was looking in from outside, we saw her pulling a box from her father’s desk and taking out what looked like two chains. Then she retreated into her room. “What the hell was that.” “I’m not sure, but it looked like the chains we saw in the pictures of her parents.” “It must be there pendants then, but how would she know where to get them, if she didn’t even know about her father’s journal?” “Maybe her mother called on her in a dream.” “Maybe...”