Knights v Hunters; The Return

“He’s breathing,” Caleb said, leaning over his brother. “In fact, his heart is racing.”

“Should we move him to the bed?” Jude asked his wife. For the first time in his adult life, he felt himself panic. He had never been so terrified than when he had seen his eldest son lie lifeless on the floor.

“No, don’t move him for now,” Ava said, placing her hand on her son’s chest. “Caleb, bring my bag from downstairs please?”

Caleb ran out of the room as instructed, while Jude stood helpless over his son. “Ava, what’s going on?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Ava admitted worriedly. “His heart is beating really fast, but otherwise, he’s motionless. His body temperature seems to be dropping as well. I’m going to see whether I can bring him back to consciousness.” By this time, Caleb had brought his mother’s healing bag and Ava rifled within, searching for the salts that normally did the trick. Fifteen minutes later though, the salts had not roused her son from unconsciousness and Ava had to make a decision. “Okay, let’s move him to the bed. Be careful,” she said.

Jude and Caleb placed Rafe on the bed and Ava covered him up to keep him warm. She felt his forehead – it was ice cold. Rafe’s heart rate had slowed down in the interim.

Ava looked worriedly at both her husband and younger son. “For the first time in my life, I can honestly say, I don’t know how to fix this!”

Eden sat up suddenly in bed. Something had awakened her, but she couldn’t remember what it was. Just then, Becca opened her room door and said, “Let’s go.” Eden didn’t hesitate, pulling on her jeans over her pyjamas, instinctively knowing that something was wrong with Rafe.

The two young women ran over to Jude’s home and Becca saw that the lights were on at the house. She had been asleep when she had heard Caleb call out to her. She had felt his pain and knew that he needed her, but also knew that something had happened to Rafe. Becca opened the kitchen door and walked into the house. Jude and Ava were standing around the kitchen table, holding, but not drinking cups of tea.

“What’s going on?” Becca asked, the worried looks of Jude and Ava increasing her fears.

Jude turned to Becca and Eden, not even surprised to see them there. “We’re trying to figure that out. Why don’t you both go on up to Rafe’s room? Caleb is there.”

Becca nodded and Eden wordlessly followed her friend through the house, all the while feeling the onset of panic. They found Caleb in Rafe’s room, staring out of the window, concern etched on his face. That was a new look for Caleb, Becca realised as she stepped towards him. Caleb turned when Becca touched his shoulder and he pulled her into his arms.

Eden meanwhile, moved towards the bed where Rafe seemed to be soundlessly asleep. She sat on the side of the bed and placed her hand on his. Rafe’s hand was cold as ice. “Rafe?” she called. There was no movement.

“He’s not responsive,” Caleb said and filled them in on what had happened.

“Can you communicate with him?” Eden asked. She knew that the brothers had a very strong telepathic bond. If Caleb couldn’t get through to him, then there was a problem.

“No,” Caleb responded despondently. “Maybe you can try as well?” he suggested. He knew that Rafe and Eden had done so in the past.

Eden held Rafe’s hand and tried to silently communicate with him. Fifteen minutes later, she was still unsuccessful. “Nothing,” she said. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”

“I don’t either,” Caleb admitted. “I heard him call out to me and I felt that he couldn’t breathe, but he’s breathing unheeded now. My mother thinks he’s had an attack, but she’s going to consult with other Healers from the compound. We’ll have to take him to the Healing Centre to run some tests. He’s been like this for an hour. He doesn’t look like he is in pain though.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this before,” Becca said, touching Rafe’s cold hand. “Why is his body so cold?”

Caleb shook his head. “My mom thinks that his body is conserving energy.”

“Caleb, can I call my father and find out if anything like this has happened in the town?” Eden asked. “Admittedly, your mom is a better Healer than most in our town, but maybe some Knight might also understand what’s happened?”

Caleb assured Eden that his father would not mind under the circumstances and Eden made the call to her father, knowing that it was extremely early in the morning and she would be waking him up. Gabe was alarmed at the news and couldn’t immediately recall a similar incident at the town, but promised to call back after consulting with the Elders.

Just then, Jude came into the room. “We’re going to move Rafe to the Healing Centre,” he told Caleb. “I’ve brought the car to the front. Ethan and your mother are already at the centre with a few other Healers. Let’s move!”

Three days later, Rafe was still unconscious. After the tests the first night, he had been moved back home. The tests showed that his brain activity was normal, his heart was fine and except for his low body temperature, his other vitals were within normal range. Ava said that there was nothing that could be done for him at the Centre, so Rafe had been moved back home and each day, his family bathed and dressed him, while he lay motionless.

Rafe’s condition had not only flummoxed the Hunters, but the Knights as well, for Gabe had not been able to learn of anything similar ever happening in Knight town. In fact, the leader of the Knights had been so concerned, that he had sought permission from Jude to make a trip to the compound, together with Grace and Noah. They had seen the strain Rafe’s condition had taken on the Hunters, including their own daughter. Eden had spent hours at Rafe’s side, holding his hand and talking to him, but Rafe continued to be non-responsive, even to Caleb’s telepathic communication.

Zeke had also taken to keeping watch on Rafe, for he knew Eden’s connection to him now and he also wanted to ensure that the future leader of the Hunters had a long and healthy life. He tried to recall whether he had heard anything from his association with the Untouchables over the last two decades which might provide clues to Rafe’s condition, but nothing came to him. Finally, Zeke decided to ask Jude if he could analyse what had happened in Rafe’s life the past year that might have helped to trigger this stasis. Jude, already feeling at his wits’ end, agreed and co-opted Caleb to assist Zeke as a means to keeping his younger son occupied.

It was during this time that Zeke had the idea of asking Gabe for permission to utilise Matthew in their investigation. Zeke understood the abilities of Matthew and most of the Knights, after all, he had been studying them closely for years and he believed that Gabe’s eldest son might provide some insight into helping them solve the mystery surrounding Rafe. Gabe was co-operative and Matthew was more than willing to assist, so a few hours after Zeke made the phone call, Matthew turned up at the compound. Eden was glad that her brother had arrived, but knew that he was there to assist Rafe primarily and not to spend time to comfort her.

A day after Matthew’s arrival, Rafe’s experiences over the past year were carefully mapped out, including his involvement with Eden. Eden hadn’t kept anything back and for the first time, Caleb understood the extent of his brother’s relationship with the Knight. The brother he knew, would never have been able to walk away from that relationship, memory loss or not!

Caleb shared his thoughts with his mother later that night and he watched a light enter his mother’s eyes.

“Oh my, Caleb. I didn’t think it was a possibility so I didn’t even consider it!” she said, looking excited.

“What?” Caleb asked in confusion.

“I think I know what’s happening to Rafe!”

They all sat at the kitchen table later that night, which had become their meeting place this past week. “I don’t understand,” Jude said. “Did you just say that Rafe is in repair mode?”

“It’s the closest analogy I could think of,” Ava admitted. “We all now have a better idea of what has happened to Rafe the past year,” she said, looking around the table and noticing both Matthew and Eden blush. “Rafe was in love but he and Eden broke up. Then Matthew cleaned his memory of his relationship with Eden. That is the reason that we didn’t quite understand his behaviour all those months ago. But he has been busy on a few missions, been away from home, always having to be fully alert and focussed on what needed to be done. When Eden came to the compound months ago, Rafe took to avoiding her, so he didn’t have to deal with her or try to understand his feelings, but his restlessness increased.”

Eden looked at Ava, absorbing the explanation from the older woman. “However, these past few weeks have been quieter, apart from that mission with the Arthurs and Rafe had the opportunity to slow down, to think more about his life. Recently, he’s even allowed Eden back into his life. I think that this probably triggered something in him because I’ve seen him walk around with this look on his face like he’s trying to figure something out. I believe that’s what he’s doing right now.”

“Mom, that sounds a bit far-fetched, even given Rafe’s abilities,” Caleb said in disbelief, afraid that once again they were at a dead end.

“I understand, but I think that it’s possible because of those abilities. We all know he hasn’t even tapped into what he’s truly capable of. I’ve also done some research to back up my theory,” Ava said. “Jude’s great-grandfather Jeremiah had a similar experience, although it lasted only for a day. It was also triggered by a memory loss. During one of his missions, he ran into a Cleaner whose mission it was to save a condemned, which was in direct opposition to Jeremiah’s purpose. Anyway, the Cleaner removed details of that mission from Jeremiah’s mind and when Jeremiah returned to the compound, he was disoriented for a few days before he collapsed, exhibiting symptoms very close to Rafe’s. He was unconscious for a day, but when he awoke, he remembered exactly what had happened on that mission. His memory had restored itself. I think that it’s exactly what’s happening to Rafe right now.”

“Okay, but Rafe’s been unconscious for days now. We’re feeding him intravenously so that he doesn’t starve to death and we have no idea how long he’s going to be this way,” Jude said.

“I know, but I don’t think it will be too long before he wakes up. His heart remembers things that his mind doesn’t. Right now, just imagine that his heart and mind are synching. I think that’s exactly what’s happening,” Ava replied.

“So, we just wait?” Eden asked.

“There’s nothing medically wrong with him,” Ava said, “so waiting is all we can do for now.”

Caleb got up from the table and went outside. His mother’s theory had some merit but he was still worried about his brother. In his entire life, he couldn’t remember a day when he hadn’t spoken to Rafe or been able to communicate with him telepathically. That was a bond they had shared since they were children. The silence that greeted him now, when he reached out to his brother, shook him. It made him feel alone. It wasn’t something he was used to.

Matthew joined him outside. “I’m sorry,” he said. “This happened because of me,” he admitted.

Caleb would have loved to blame someone, but Matthew couldn’t have foreseen this. “You couldn’t have known that Rafe had this freakish ability,” Caleb said.

“Maybe I should have restored his memory all those months ago,” Matthew offered.

“I don’t know. All we can do now, is pray that he wakes up soon. Thank you for coming through to help us,” Caleb said.

Matthew felt ashamed. Caleb’s gratitude was misplaced and although none of the Hunters cast any blame his way, he felt a heavy burden settle upon him. Had he contributed to the possible death of the future leader of the Hunters?

Training at the Hunters’ compound continued. It was Jude’s way of creating some normalcy amongst the Hunters. Missions continued, but five days since his collapse, Rafe the Hunter had not yet stirred from whatever had overcome his body. His family and friends took turns watching him and Ella read him the latest news and world events. Although the condition of the man she considered her “brother” overwhelmed her, she bought into Ava’s theory and was confident that Rafe would return to them soon.

It was the evening of the fifth night when Caleb experienced a slight headache during dinner with his parents. He put it down to worry over his brother, but when he put his fork down for the umpteenth time, his mother looked at him with concern. “Are you okay, son?”

“I have a headache, nothing too serious,” Caleb replied. “I’m just going to check on Rafe for a second,” he said, waking up from the table. Ava met Jude’s look across the table. They had been with Rafe about thirty minutes ago and he had looked peaceful. Caleb, though, needed to constantly assure himself that his brother was still breathing.

“I’ll go with him,” Jude said, rising from the table. “Be back in a second.” He had barely finished his sentence when Caleb came running into the room.

“He’s not in his bed or anywhere upstairs. Rafe’s gone!”

“Are you able to track him?” Ava asked both her husband and son.

“He’s still in the compound,” Jude said. “He’s not too far away.”

“I can hear his thoughts,” Caleb said with relief. It was the first time in five days that he could. “I think I know where he’s going.”

Eden pushed her food around her plate, not noticing Zeke watch her with worry. She had barely eaten during the week, her fear for Rafe’s health weighing heavily on her. Eden’s pretence at eating was interrupted by Zeke’s phone.

“Caleb asked me to give you this message. I’m not sure what it means, but he said you would know,” Zeke said, relaying the message.

Eden looked up at her father, a sign of hope on her face. “I’ll see you later,” she said, running out of the house. Zeke finally understood.

Eden ran all the way to the old abandoned wishing well which was at the other end of the compound from Zeke’s house. She could barely breathe by the time she reached the place where she and Rafe had discovered their love. Her eyes welled with tears when she saw Rafe sitting on the bench next to the old well. He was still in his pyjamas, barefoot, his hair windblown but she had never seen someone so beautiful! He lifted his head when he heard her, a smile spreading across his face.

“Hey, he said, standing up. “There you are. I hoped you’d make it.”

Eden launched herself into Rafe’s arms, vaguely acknowledging that he was weak from inactivity, but she held onto him, crying and was relieved when he held her firmly back, the way he used to.

“I love you,” she said, not caring if he felt the same, just glad to have him back in any form.

Rafe pulled back from her and pushed her hair behind her ears before wiping away her tears. “My heart wouldn’t let me forget you,” Rafe began, “even when my mind did. I truly love you,” he said, with wonder in his eyes. “I don’t know what will happen with us, or if our parents will support our relationship ….” Rafe said.

“Your parents love you and will support whatever decision you make,” Jude said.

Rafe turned around and looked at his parents and Caleb. He hadn’t heard them approach. His father had tears in his eyes, something Rafe had never seen before. “Dad?”

“Welcome back, son,” Jude said, hugging Rafe and was soon joined by Ava and Caleb. “You scared us.”

Caleb playfully punched his brother. “Don’t ever do that again, bro!”

“I don’t plan on it,” Rafe said and then felt the need to sit, as the fatigue finally caught up with his body. Looking down at his legs, he asked no one in particular, “why am I wearing pyjamas?”

Three months later

There was a hive of activity within Jude’s household as everyone scurried to get ready. Jude held the boutonnière in the palm of his hand, trying to remember when he last had to don such fancy threads. Not since my own wedding, he realised. He saw his bride gather guests and family alike and march them towards the exit. Ava could have been in the military!

Ava ensured that the groom-to-be was appropriately dressed, that his hair was combed to within an inch of his life. “Best behaviour today,” she warned, “and oh, enjoy your wedding day. It only comes around once in your lifetime if you’re extremely lucky. And you hit the jackpot with that one!” Her son hugged her, ruffling her neatly coiffed hair. “You!” she scolded. “Outside in five.”

Ava put her hair in place and walked towards her husband, helping him with the boutonnière. “Can you believe one of our babies is getting married?” she asked.

“Well, don’t start crying before the wedding,” Jude joked, knowing that it was an emotional day for all of them. Ava swatted his arm and then marched him to the door. They had all decided to walk to the ceremonial hall, which was not too far from their home. Gabe and Grace’s family was in attendance, as well as Noah and Nate who were now honorary members of the Knight leader’s family.

Ava walked with Grace, two mothers joined by the unbreakable bond between their children. “I think the last wedding I attended was mine,” Ava laughed.

“Me too,” Grace said, joining in the laughter.

As they approached the ceremonial hall, they saw the lanterns that marked the entrance and the beautiful sight touched them all. Ava knew that the hall would be packed and the rest of the Hunters would join them for the reception later, under the marquee that was set up for the occasion and which would house many.

Jude met his sons at the church entrance. “Nervous?” he asked the groom-to-be.

“Just a tad. I’m worried that she might have come to her senses and run away!” his son joked.

“Which is why, I’m tracking her very closely,” Jude said, without a hint of a smile on his face.

“Me too,” the best man responded.

“Hey, you two are doing nothing for the nerves!”

“Go inside,” Jude advised. “She’s trying not to run here!”

Rafe watched Eden walk down the path, looking so radiant. His heart beat faster as she approached him and their eyes locked. She winked at him and he smiled, relief flooding him. He loved this woman and couldn’t wait for her to be his wife.

But this day belonged to his brother and the beautiful Hunter who now walked down the path, trying valiantly to slow her steps. Becca wore a simple white gown that had once belonged to her grandmother and her hair was beaded with the tiniest of flowers. She glowed! Rafe saw Caleb’s eyes mist over as Becca finally approached him and Ethan handed her over to him. Rafe would never forget how excited his brother had been when Becca had agreed to marry him. Caleb had been floating on a cloud since then and today Becca would finally be his.

A few hours later, Rafe danced with the maid of honour, as the guests indulged in food and wine. “Our day will be here soon,” Rafe said and Eden touched the promise ring that hung on a chain around her neck.

“Yeah,” she replied, already envisioning her day.

“Did you hear that Detectives Channing and Peck are also married?” Rafe asked.

“Wow, really? You guys called it alright!” Eden laughed.

“So, can I officially ask your father for your hand in marriage?” Rafe asked Eden. She had agreed to marry him, but had not yet shared the news with her parents, some part of her still afraid that they would not approve, and yet, watching them tonight, with her parents freely enjoying the wedding celebrations with the Hunters, she realised that her fears were unfounded.

“You may,” Eden allowed, “although they both already know. I told them and Zeke last week. They will officially offer their congratulations once you speak to them.”

“Really?” Rafe asked, surprised. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s make this official.”

“This is Caleb and Becca’s day. We have time. Let’s finish our dance first,” Eden advised. She leant her head on his shoulder, drinking in his strength, his love and warmth and knew that she and Rafe would share an eternity together.

The End