Cousin's Keeper
Keith sat on the couch dressed in all white and wearing shades. His arms were crossed across his chest and one leg crossed over the other, just sitting there as he listened. Ry was standing not far in front of him talking energetically about a plan to bring his distant British cousin to Ireland for a month-long excursion in the forests of Ireland, "He's had visions of Ireland and wants to come and see what's drawing him here, what do you think?" he asked Keith excitedly, "Sounds like this is going to be interesting," Keith replied as he heard voices from the other rooms, "Ahh hell now look what you've done... You've gone and awoken my cousin's friend," he said as he stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door and looked down the hall to where his cousin slept and saw Dee standing in front of it knocking frantically before closing the door and sitting back down.
Anne sat up drowsily and looked at the door, "Who is it?" she asked sleepily, "It's Dee, can I come in?" her friend asked. Before she could answer, Dee had already entered the room and closed the door, "I need to talk to you," Dee said with urgency, "What's this about?" Anne asked sleepily as she laid back down on her pillow, "I had a vision last night, a man was calling to you," she said staring at Anne, "What do you mean, calling to me?" Anne asked as she sat right back up, "A man, covered in tribal tattoos and a scar on the left eye, was calling your name," Dee said shaking, "I have no idea how he knows your name, or who he is," she added as she sat on the side of Anne's bed, "Did you write it down in your journal? Maybe it will have meaning later," Anne said softly, "I already documented it, I wanted to tell you about it," Dee said as she slowed her shaking, "This fella seems to be a ruthless type," she added lowering her head, "He wears a top hat and a duster," she continued on, "Well at least he's not red-headed like my ex, right?" Anne asked with raised eyebrows, "Not that I could tell, more blonde-brown, and grey-blue eyes," Dee said. A knock sounded at the door, "Anne are you getting up?" Keith asked from the other end, "Yes Keith," Anne replied as she threw back her blankets and got out of bed, "Lets get ready for the day," she said as Dee prepared to leave the room.
Keith and Ry were preparing the Jeep when Anne and Dee stepped out of the house, "Are we going somewhere?" Anne asked Keith, "Aye, to pick up Ry's cousin from the airport," Keith replied as Ry wiped down the windshield, "He should be arriving soon," Ry said as he put the rag in a bucket, "Well then, let's go get him," Keith said as he opened the door for Anne and Dee, "Thank you," Dee said politely as she stepped in and buckled up, looking at Anne as she did the same. The Jeep started up and they were on their way to the airport, leaving their land of wilderness behind for a short time. About an hour later, they arrived at the airport and waited for Ry's cousin, "What's his name?" Anne asked Ry, "James," Ry said proudly, "He's been all around the world, this cousin of mine. Even to Africa," he said happily, "He wanted to see Ireland, so that's why he's coming," Ry added as Keith looked on.
A man with a black top hat and a long black duster walked towards them with a large bag in hand. As Dee saw him she gasped, which caught Keith's attention, "What's wrong Dee?" he asked as the man joined them, "Ry," he said with a gruff tone, "James, how have you been?" Ry asked as he returned the hug and turned to the others, "James, this is my friend Keith, his cousin Anne and her best friend Dee," Ry said as Dee wouldn't even look at him and Anne couldn't keep her eyes off of him, "Pleasure," he said as he took Anne's hand and kissed it like a gentleman, "My name is James," he said lowering his head so that he could look Anne in the eyes, "Amethyst colored eyes, what a unique color," he said as his English lilt accented every word, "Aye, the eyes of her late mother," Keith said as he held his hand out, "I'm Keith, her keeper," he said boldly, "Her keeper you say?" James asked, "Aye, I've watched over her since her childhood, after her mother and father came up missing," he said as James lifted her face higher, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, sad to see such happen to a beauty," he said as she blushed.
Ry cleared his throat and looked at James, "Shall we go? We've got food cooking at the house," he said nervously, "Aye, let's get going," James said as he walked with them to the Jeep, "You can sit up front if you wish," Keith said as James looked at him, "Hmm," James said, which sounded like a grunt as he sat in the passenger seat and placed his bag in his lap. Anne sat directly behind James, with Dee beside her and Ry directly behind Keith, who was driving as they headed back to the compound. During the hour drive they often saw wolves crossing the road or standing at the tree line, "You have many wolves here," James said in observant, "Must be nice to have a sanctuary for them," he then added, "Do you not have a sanctuary?" Ry asked him with a puzzled tone, "No, no sanctuaries exist for them in England, unless it's under ground. Beneath pubs and in cellars," James said as he turned his head towards his cousin allowing the scar across the eye to be seen, "Must be nice, to have a sanctuary," he replied again. The scent within the Jeep had gotten strong as Keith fought to keep his Wolf inside, "You are one?" James asked, "The Alpha," Keith replied, "Hmm," James grunted as they pulled up into the tree-surrounded compound.
