13

Sweetheart, do you really have one of these ? She spoke sweetly to the scrawny man who was nervously wringing his hands.
Y-y-yes. He stuttered out, playing along with Darren’s story. B-b-but we d-d-don’t know if it’s r-r-real.
I can help with that. Darren chirped. I work for an appraisal company and can get it certified. With a certificate, its’ value will actually increase. I can even help you sell it if you want ? He addressed the woman now, hoping the promise of money would distract her.
She seemed extremely interested as she patted Chucks shoulder fondly. Why don’t you go grab that card while we talk ?
Chuck nodded jerkily before scurrying further into the house. The woman then blocked the doorway, making it clear that this conversation was to take place on the porch.
So how does this work exactly ? She asked.
Darren then proceeded to tell the biggest bullshit story of his life, which included becoming an entrepreneur and making millions appraising valuable cards, and how he loaned money to the Alpha. Jasper scoffed, but Darren just started talking louder to drown him out. She took in every word of it until the ghost whispered into Darren’s ear again.
Suddenly he pulled out his phone and feigned shock. Oh shit ! Look what time it is ! I’m sorry but maybe I can come back some other time ? We really need to go for that other appointment, and it’s a rather important one. He backed up, grabbing the Alpha by the shoulder and practically dragging the confused man away.
Wait, how will I contact you ? The woman asked desperately, glancing back into the house and wondering why Chuck was taking so long.
Darren quickly gave her a fake phone number as he continued his escape.
As soon as they were out of sight of the cabin, Jasper jerked out of Darren’s grasp. What the fuck was that bullshit about ? Do you have any idea what you did ?
The legality of the situation wasn’t lost on Darren. Just by watching Jasper’s desperate attempts to convince Chuck to come with him, Darren understood that the Alpha knew what was going on. The ghost girl had informed him that Sally convinced Chuck not to trust anyone, and without Chuck’s cooperation, even Liam couldn’t do anything to help him.
Darren didn’t say anything and instead walked around to the other side of the car with Jasper hot on his heels. You okay ? The rogue asked.
Jasper shot a glare at him, Of course I’m n-
Yeah. Came a quiet voice from the back seat.
The Alpha’s eyes widened as he noticed Chuck laying flat on the back seat, completely out of sight and hugging a go-pro to his chest. The man was shaking terribly. Luckily the window was down so his voice wasn’t muffled.
D-d-o you really know my s-sister ? Chuck asked, turning his head up at Darren.
Kind of. Darren replied. She said you were collecting evidence of what Sally was doing to you. She also told me the escape plan you guys came up with before Sally forced you to move away. The ghost had explained that their plan was called ‘Mrs. Ayudame’. Ayudame’ was Spanish for ‘Help Me’, so it seemed fitting to use it as a code word.
She w-w-wouldn’t let me h-have a phone. She used to b-b-break down c-crying, saying I was ch-ch-cheating on her if I t-texted or called anyone. She d-didn’t trust me to b-be alone, and no one b-but my sister b-b-believed me when she s-started hitting me. The small man’s eyes swelled with tears. She wouldn’t even l-l-let me leave the house. If I tried to l-l-leave, she would threaten to k-k-kill herself. I d-d-don’t want her t-t-to do that, b-but…B-but I c-c-can’t do this anymore. I s-s-still wanted t-to leave, but I d-didn’t know anybody h-h-here or where I’d go if I left, s-s-so I s-stayed…
Darren sucked in a breath as he glanced towards the ghost of Chucks sister. He didn’t have the heart to tell him that the only person who ever believed him was now dead. It’ll be alright. We’ll take care of you. He promised instead.
Chuck went quiet, then nodded as he curled up into a tight ball and began to weep.
Alpha Liam reacted immediately once Jasper told him that Chuck was willing to cooperate. The two had been trying to convince the man to leave Sally for so long, but the only reason Chuck even listened to Darren was because he thought his sister sent him.
Earlier, the spirit had explained the importance of ‘Mrs. Ayudame’ to Darren. It was a secret code that Chuck new meant his sister had found a way to help him escape. The first step was telling a fake story that told Chuck what to do when he escaped. The next was to use the baseball card to distract Sally until he was safely out of the house.
Unfortunately Sally had skipped town with Chuck before his sister could put it to action. The woman then covered their tracks so his family wouldn’t know where they went, or how to contact them.
On the outside, Sally really did look like one of the sweetest, most innocent girls you’d meet, but the truth was that she was extremely manipulative and emotionally unstable. Chuck’s speech impediment had made him an easy target due to his low self esteem, and Sally spent years using that to her advantage.
As soon as they arrived at the police station, Chuck asked to see his sister, Tasha, and the officers had to make a few calls before finding out she had committed suicide. The mans wails could be heard throughout the station, and the sound caused Darren’s stomach to knot up.
Liam emerged from the back with an officer and spotted the rogue sitting alone in the waiting room. Darren didn’t stand to greet him. He barely even registered that the man had entered before looking back down to the ground. Normally his defiant nature would have him meet the Alpha’s gaze directly, but Chucks echoed cries were grating on his ears and putting him on edge.
Wordlessly, Alpha Liam sat beside him. Darren glanced over to find the man eyeing him.
Do you know how long we’ve been trying to get help for Mr. Morris ? He asked somberly.
Darren shook his head.
They joined the pack five years ago. He explained. I noticed something was wrong immediately, but when I tried to intervene, Chuck only grew fearful of me. I had to start sending Jasper instead.
Why didn’t you just use a command on him ? Darren wondered.
Because Mr. Morris’s mental state would not have endured an Alpha Command. Had I tried, his mind could very well have shattered, leaving him as nothing more than a husk of himself.
A shiver ran down Darren’s spine. He hadn’t considered the possibility that there was a downside to using an Alpha Command, but when he thought about it, it made sense. The man was already being emotionally and physically controlled, the only thing he had left was his mind. If that were also under someone else’s control….
Shaking his head, he turned completely towards the Alpha. What’s going to happen to them ?
Chuck is going to return to his family pack and get the help he needs. As for Sally, she will be punished now that we have evidence of her crimes.
He nodded approvingly before returning to his examination of the floor tiles. Suddenly he felt a hand on his back and he instinctively jerked away. The alpha paused, then retracted his hand. You were a great help today. I want you to know that we are grateful. And with that, he stood and gestured for Darren to follow.
Outside, Jasper was standing by his car with his arms folded, deep in thought. When he noticed the two approaching, he straightened up to properly greet his Alpha, then turned and stiffly greeted Darren.
Jasper, I want you to keep Darren close to your side from now on. It seems his ability could be more useful than we thought. Liam ordered.
Jasper surprisingly didn’t argue and instead glanced towards the rogue before nodding in agreement.
I’ll see you back home then. Liam bid farewell and started heading for his own car.
The two were left standing alone by the Nissan. Jasper looked like he wanted to say something and fumbled for a minute before getting the words out. How did you know all of that stuff ?
Darren shrugged, his somber mood immediately lifting at the opportunity to snap at his old bully. Gee, I don’t know. It’s not like I can see the dead or anything.
His sister was there ? Instead of sounding irritated, Jasper actually seemed interested.