Page 7 of Angels of the Night
CHAPTER 6
The signature small smile on his lips, Caleb scrolled through the photos on the brand new phone Ardan gave him as a replacement for the one he lost. His brother's younger children, Paisley and Axel, smiled at him from one photo, their turquoise eyes shining with happiness, while Peyton's and Ezra's twins, Alexis and Selma, waved from another, mischievous grins on their cute little faces.
Ten days, and Caleb already missedThe Base and everything the place was about, in spite of being permanently in touch with Ardan, Alasdair, Lothier, Avery, Erling and the rest of the crew. His brother also visited him every other day, and his closest friends would have done the same, but, because Zachary didn't like his space to be invaded by strangers, Caleb asked them to wait until he came back.
The young man scrolled once more through messages but didn't find what he was looking for. Disappointment and sadness filled his heart and made it heavy. Of all those he knew, only his father and Brennan, his other brother who lived at The Base, weren't aware of his situation. After a discussion with Ardan, Caleb decided it would be better to tell them after they got back from the trips to Scotland and Sabahaddin.
However, the two men from his family were the only exceptions, all the others sent him messages of encouragement and wished him a speedy recovery. All, except the one who mattered the most, and who surrounded himself by a wall of indifferent silence. Sighing, Caleb put the phone aside, left the comfortable spot on the bed and stepped out of the room, intending to go outside.
“Lunch is ready in five. Don't go anywhere.” Zachary's deep voice stopped the young man in his tracks, making him turn around. “What's wrong? You don't look so good. Are you feeling sick or anything? Should I brew you a tea or fix a lighter lunch? Just tell me what you would like to eat and...”
“No, don't worry, I'm fine. I really am. Most likely, it's only a light indisposition. It will pass before long. Speaking of food, it smells delicious. Did you cook that tasty soup again? By the way, does it have a name?” The small smile reappeared on Caleb's lips, making Zachary sigh in relief.
“Yes and yes. It's called chicken soup with matzah balls, or Jewish penicillin, and it's widely recognized for its curative properties. It is also very nourishing, one of the reasons why I included it in your menu. I also cooked gefuellte fisch, the fish dish you loved so much last time.” The older man offered Caleb an inviting smile. “We better eat before it gets cold.”
His appetite miraculously restored, the younger man attacked the food with enthusiasm, the soft moans of appreciation from his sinfully plump lips coming as a confirmation of Zachary's superior cooking skills. From the corner of his eye, the host examined Caleb, satisfied to see the light blush coloring his cheeks, which had been so pale a few days earlier.
The young man's magnificent, turquoise eyes were veiled by melancholy, in spite of him claiming that everything was fine. It wasn't something new, and the forlorn expression on Caleb's face pained Zachary every time he saw it. The man couldn't help but wonder what was causing it, and he was determined to get to the bottom of the matter.
“It tasted absolutely divine. You are a man of many talents.” Caleb smiled brightly, pointing to his empty plate. “Here's the proof of how much I enjoy your cooking.”
“I'm happy you enjoy these dishes. They are among my favorites, too. My father used to include them quite often in the Sabbath menu when I was a child. He loved to cook kosher food. Then, my mother divorced him, or it was the other way around, I don't remember very well, and I ended up living with my mother because he didn't want me in his life. He didn't need complications.”
“My mother died when I was born, but according to Connelly, father's closest, most trusted friend, their marriage would have been short-lived, should she have survived. He described her as a cold, calculated, almost heartless woman. Well, I guess we'll never know.” Caleb shrugged, then looked at Zachary, waiting for him to continue the story.
“When I was thirteen, my father told my mother he couldn't afford to pay for my education and made her enroll me in a military school. I thought I couldn't make it, but I did, and here I am. My father and I are still talking to each other, if you are wondering. One bad habit I can't get rid of, no matter how hard I tried.” The irony mixed with sadness in Zachary's voice saddened Caleb, who wanted to hug the man and tell him everything was going to be alright.
“I was raised only by men, and although I had to respect a strict routine, I was loved by my father dearly and grew up somewhat sheltered. In spite of doing what I do, almost everyone treats me like I am still a teen, maybe that's why...” Caleb abruptly stopped, lowering his gaze, so Zachary couldn't see the sadness and defeat clouding his eyes.
“What? Maybe that's why your boyfriend ignores you and didn't send you a single message or a call since you have been here? I am not blind, nor dumb. Did you think I didn't notice how you jumped out of your skin every time the phone beeps, and how disappointed you are the next second? I'm here to listen to you, so go on and talk, let it all out.”
Caleb nodded, but instead of talking, he started to cry, sobs shaking his still fragile body, the light blush disappearing, washed away by the tears streaming down his face. Zachary couldn't endure to see the younger man like that and went to his chair, wrapping his arms around him and cradling him back and forth.
Gradually, Caleb calmed down, relaxing into the embrace, and took a deep breath as the assault of sobs over his slender frame ceased. Zachary sensed the younger man was still tense and started rubbing circles on his back, soothing the muscles. The image from earlier, of Caleb wailing his pain away, broke his heart, but he wasn't ready to give up his freedom and go live at a military base.
Taking a deep breath, Zachary decided that it was time to explain some things, even if reliving the painful memories of that period wasn't on his list with favorite things to do that day. Or any other day, for that matter.
“You needed to let everything out, I understand that. It was too much: stress, fear, frustration, anger and other emotions you repressed without realizing. However, it's time to stop allowing people to break your heart and stomp on your soul. I experienced the same thing, and it almost destroyed me. I won't allow to happen to you, too.” Zachary had a troubled look in his eyes as the memories started to resurface.
“Did your...soulmate ignore you, too? Did they flirt, smile, chat, let you believe the two of you could have something beautiful, then pretend they don't know you?” Caleb spoke in a soft, broken voice, his eyes still heavy with sadness.
“He...I gave him everything, and blinded by love as I was, didn't see through his lies. That man stabbed me straight in the heart and did it smiling charmingly. Because of his betrayal, a good friend of mine was killed and a close collaborator was beaten within an inch of his life. Of course, the bastard denied everything.” Zachary balled his hands into fists, smiling bitterly.
“Why did he do such a horrible thing? I imagined you talked to him, demanding some explanation. This is definitely one of the most evil things I've heard lately, and believe me or not, I see enough cruelty and evilness in my life to...”
“I think he utterly despised me because, when we met, I was less than perfect. Scratch that, I was flawed, broken beyond repair. Let's say that the military school wasn't the ideal place for a studious, introverted but scrawny kid, who couldn't climb, lift weights or run. The sergeants, corporals and even some of the older cadets offered to train me, and I had no option than to humbly accept.” Zachary tightly shut his eyes, so Caleb couldn't see the emptiness in his stare.
“So this is why...oh, no! You’ve got it all wrong. The Base is not some kind of military structure. It's a sanctuary for kids who endured the unspeakable. Ardan chose the name because it sounded intimidating, and it offered him and the others a deep sense of safety. The complex is surrounded by a high, thick wall, that kept the predators away.”
Voice thick of emotion, Caleb started to tell Zachary about the handful of teenagers who established The Base and ran the most complex rescue operation, saving hundreds of children of all ages from a fate worse than death. Telling the story of his brother and his friends, the young man became transfixed, eyes shining brightly, voice vibrant.
Caleb's words managed to create a clear, vivid image of the place he called home and the men populating it. A part of Zachary still hesitated to go there, reluctant at the idea of living as part of a community and interacting with people. After spending almost seven years living in solitude, he had lost the desire to get engaged in meaningless conversations, his social skills had become almost nonexistent.
And it was, of course, Caleb's boyfriend, and the complicated relationship the two of them had. Even if, at the moment, the said boyfriend ignored the young man Zachary rescued, the spark of passion could be reignited at any moment. He didn't want to be caught in the middle and become the third wheel or to end up brokenhearted again.
“So, what to you think about it? Earth to Zachary, can you communicate your position, please?” Caleb's playful voice brought the man to the immediate reality.
“Sorry, I was deep in thought. However, I had no intention of ignoring you, so will you please repeat the question?” The apologetic look on the older man's face was genuine and disarming, melting Caleb's heart.
“I was telling you that it would be great if you would consider moving to The Base. You could open a workshop there and put your skills to good use. There are a lot of trucks, cars and bikes there in need of repair. Also, you could...”
“Sorry to disappoint you, my friend, but I can't do that. It's not only about surrendering my independence, although that thought alone is scary as hell. You see, people and I don't mix well; either I end up being hurt by one or another, or they get hurt as a consequence of my actions. I can't let the shadows of my past affect you or the ones you love.” Zachary smiled, but it didn't have the power to chase away the sadness and melancholy filling his eyes.
“Of course I understand, and I'm sorry about my reckless words. I had no right to intervene in your life, telling you how it should be. It just proves my level of immaturity. Please, don't be a stranger, though. Message or call me anytime your soul is heavy and you feel the need to talk. I'll be always there for you.”
Caleb threw his arms around Zachary, hugging him tightly, then put his head on the man's chest, listening to the beating of his heart. Suddenly, he had the feeling the two of them belonged together, but Saint's face also appeared before his eyes. I think I'm going crazy, he thought, I can't have them both. This is not what Zachary would want. At the same time, a tiny voice whispered in his ear to chase that dream, and he decided to listen to it.