“Dad why?!” Jove asked pleadingly.

“Son I love you, but I have no choice in the mater. Your mother and I made a promise that we cannot break. This promise which we have had to live with all our lives was made to your uncle, you must go with him a month after your birthday. Son you have to understand….”

Jove did not let him finish he just ran out the door, ran without a clear destination in mind. He ran until he could run no more, his lungs started burning a stitch forming on the side of my stomach that prevented him from running any further.

With tears forming in his eyes both from the run, the wind and the hurt he felt that his parents could so easily give him away in such a manner. Was he not their son? Maybe that was it, but no he would have been able to tell if that was the case. Jove felt betrayed by the two people that where closest to him, his own parents, again and again he asked himself ‘How could they? Did they not love me? Was I a red headed stepchild everyone jokes about?’

Jove could not let this happen. What about his life? Had they thought about that? His friends, how was he going to explain to them that his parents were forcing him to go live with his uncle? He wanted to finish his education. It was just not fair. Why him? Jove had worked hard during his time at Ulysses S. Grant High. An honor student and an athlete, though he was better at academics than at sports. He had a chance to get into a good college, was in fact already filling out applications and trying to find scholarships to be able to pay his way. It was not fair, not fair at all. How could they deny those opportunities?

Jove had not realized where he was going until he got there, his mind filled with questions? He had reached the corner of Oak and Third. It was getting late, and soon it would be dark he could see his best friend’s house from the corner up two blocks and that is where he headed. Rob was his best friend he would understand he could help Jove run away or something.

~~~~

“How did he take the news George?” Jove’s mother asked her husband.

“Molly he ran out the door before I could even finish, he seemed angry and hurt. I was trying to explain our reasoning for doing this, but he would not hear me out. I don’t know what to do. It’s going to be very difficult when he leaves.” George seemed very troubled by all that was going to happen.

Molly too was worried about the day that Jove there only son would have to leave them. But both parents knew that Jove was going to be in a safe place. His uncle would not let anything bad happen to him. No hurt would befall their son, and that was the only thing that was keeping them going.

It seemed like they had made that promise yesterday, George remembered that day clearly. When they found out that they were going to be parents both where extremely happy, they had no other children. Eight months later Jove was born and for birth many family members had shown up including Molly’s brother Goran.

George had not met Goran either at his weeding or at any family event, he only knew that he existed. He was a strange fellow at fifteen years older than Molly, very quiet and secretive, thin angular face along with a very thin frame of a body, and long white hair. Sure, he was older than Molly but at the time Jove was born he would have been in his forties. Some strands of white hair sure but a full head of white hair was a little strange.

He visited Molly’s room after the delivery and talked to her briefly and congratulated her and George then left. George got up to go get some coffee and went by the maternity ward to see his son. He stopped and noticed Goran looking at the baby, their son Jove. His expression was blank he just stared at the baby, George walked up and looked at his son. Goran surprised him when he spoke, “Healthy baby you got there George. Again congratulations.” Before George could even response Goran turned and left.

A few hours later Jove was brought to his mother, and she happily took him, she looked at her newborn son and saw the wonder in those small eyes. The wonder that only newborns have when they discover all those new things around them. Everything a new sight, a new smell, later when he could grab things new tastes. The wonder of a newborn is something to witness, and wonder was I ever like that?

In the room something strange began to happen, first the lights started flickering than a shape started to form gathering the shadows around it. The actual thing that formed could only be described as what death normally is described a skeleton with a dark robe hood up. The thing, whatever it was raised its hand, extended one bony finger, and pointed at Jove. George would have jumped in front of his son and wife, but he was frozen he could not even scream, the screams all in his mind ‘NOT MY SON! TAKE ME INSTEAD!’

Molly looked at her newborn boy and the words that came out of her moth echoed what George was yelling in his mind, hers came out as a whisper, “Not our son, take me instead but let him live.” Tears started to stream down both parents’ cheeks, they could not believe this. How could it happen to them, how could they lose their son, when he had only been alive for a few hours.

The door opened and a strange light came from the direction of the door, also strange words that had no meaning to George or Molly, strangely enough both Jove and the shadow figure understood them. The shadow figure shrinking away as the light moved forward, at last the person that was holding the light could be seen, it was Molly’s brother Goran, the words sounding more like a chant.

The closer he got the more the shadow figure backed away, when the shadow could move no further for it had reached the wall, Goran said something that both parents understood and would remember for the rest of their lives, “Back to your own world. You have no power here. He is under my protection.” And with that his chanting became louder and the shadow shrank away then flew straight up the ventilation shaft like smoke being sucked out of the room.

The lights stopped flickering and the shadows that where left became normal shadows once more. Everything came back to its normal state and Goran finished whatever chanting he was doing and put away what he was holding with his hand, when it went into his pocket the thing winked out. He turned and looked at both parents, they could see perspiration on his brow, and a discoloring of his face even worse than his normal pale self.

What he said at this point they would also remember for the rest of their lives, “You must make me a promise, both of you. I will protect the boy, but I must have this promise. A month after his eighteenth birthday I will take him from you, and you must promise that you will let me take him.”

He gave them a minute to consider their answer, though what can one say to such a question? They had no choice in the mater, he would protect the boy either way, and a month after his eighteenth birthday he would have him. But it was easier if they made the decision something he was not proud of because this was his family.

The parents looked at Goran not believing what had just happened, where had that thing come from and how had Goran warned it away? Why was it after their Jove? They had many more questions, and no answers forthcoming. They looked down at their newborn baby and knew there was little choice but to make the promise. They both looked at Goran and in unison said, “We promise.” Goran knew they would, he did not feel comfortable with the promise they had to make but all three knew that it was something that had to be done.

“I am glad you made the promise it will be easier in the end. Now listen and listen carefully, that thing that you just saw was not Death coming to claim your son. But you do not want to know what its true nature is, its intent was not to kill your son but to take him, which in the end would of seem like the same thing. I will lay a barrier of protection around the boy, and I will keep an eye out for him. He should be fine with my efforts today, but at eighteen he will again be vulnerable.”

He did whatever it was that he needed doing, removed his glowing object, which seemed like a pendant on a chain, when he started to chant the pendant started to glow. The chant different this time than before, the thing was blinking on and off the color a light hews of blue. As the sweat on Goran’s brow got worse and his chanting started to reach a crescendo the glow became brighter, and the pulse began to seem like a hearth beat after a long run. Finally, both the amulet and Goran finished whatever they were doing when the amulet blinked out both Goran and the amulet where gone.

The parents knew it all had happened and that they had made the promise. But everything was still confusing, but they knew one thing, there son was safe at least for now.

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George came back from his memories of that day he had both gained and lost a son, looked at his wife and gave her a weak smile. “He will be safe I know it. We can’t really lose him, and I am sure he will visit us” And they would see their son a year later, but the stranger that would return to them would be a man and no longer the insecure boy that had left.

~~~~

Jove reached his friend’s house as the last bit of light disappeared behind the horizon. He knocked on the door, waited but no one answered then knocked again. The only sign that anyone would be opening the door was the sudden footsteps he heard behind the door, he took a step back as the door opened. It was Rob’s mother, “Hello Mrs. Jakobis is Rob home?”

She was a fair skinned woman in her early forties with light blonde hair, she looked younger than her actual age, and was a rather striking woman. She also had a physic that suggested she stayed active and even worked out, she had a friendly smile and always looked fresh like if she had gotten ready five minutes before you saw her. How she looked the way she did was beyond Jove’s mind.

His best friend’s mom was like an aunt or second mom to Jove, “Hello Jove, is something the mater?” she gave him a concerned look not one of her friendly smiles that made him feel at home every time he visited, Jove could just shake his head, she did not pry further, “his upstairs in his room, I’ll take you to him.” She led the way after shutting the door behind him, up to her son's room. She knocked and since no answer came, she opened the door slightly and looked in to make sure it was ok to go in, Jove went in, Mrs. Jakobis shut the door behind her as she left.

Rob was on his computer with his headphones on, so he had no clue his door had been open or that his best friend was standing there. Rob was the total opposite of his mom; it was like light and day between the two. Rob was into Goth he wore the black pants and long-sleeved black shirts with symbols from some band he listened to. His hair was spiked and his ears where pierced. He normally wore black lace up boots to finish up the whole Goth look. Jove was not into Goth at all, if you looked at Jove and Rob you would wonder how they could be friends. But they had been friends for a long time since before the Goth makeover.

Jove cleared his throat loudly to get his friends attention, “Ahmmm” Rob turned and saw his friend standing by the door, the shirt he was wearing today had a pentacle that looked like it had been painted on with a brush, “Jove how the heck are you?” Rob immediately noticed that something was wrong, “Are you ok? Sit down let me turn off my music and log out and we can talk or something.”

“Alright.” Jove took a sit on his bed, Rob was older by just a couple of months, slightly taller, the only similarity that he had to his mom was that he was thin and from there it stopped. Robs parents had tried to make him change from his Goth ways but to no avail. In his closet he had a bunch of clothes that he did not even touch from his previous life. The clothes he did touch he had turned to Goth wear, modifying them as need be to fit his Goth look.

His parents had tried and failed so they just gave up and let him be if he was doing what he was supposed to do they let him do as he pleased. Only headaches he gave his parents was the Goth thing he had going other than that he was a good son. He did not hang around the wrong crowed or did any drugs unless you counted the vast amount of caffeinated soda he drank. To think about it Rob did not have many friends besides Jove.

Rob finished messing with his computer and turned to look at his friend once more, “Ok. Let’s hear it. Why are you upset?” He put on his 'I’m listening' face which at any other time would have been funny.

Jove did not know where to begin, “I’m having problems at home.” Jove still could not believe what his parents were going to do. “My parents, they’re going to send me away.”

“Ok, hold on, what do you mean send you away? Your parents are great, they love you, so not sure what you mean. ”

“I am supposed to go live with my uncle a month after my birthday. I don’t even know the guy Rob, I don’t even think I have met him yet, not that I can remember at least, and no one really talks about him. I don’t even know where he lives or where I am going. I don’t know what to do.” Lowering his head to his hands Jove sighs. “What am I supposed to do?” Jove was not sure if his friend could help him, but he had to try something.

“Have your parents told you why they are going to send you? They have to have a reason; you can’t tell me they just decided out of the blue to do this.” It was just not possible people just did not send their kids away like that. Well at least not people like Jove’s parents they were the picture-perfect parents like those that you saw on TV shows.

“The only thing that my father said was that they made a promise, that the arrangement had been made when I was born.” Jove was just glad that school was going to be over before his birthday and that he would at least enjoy part of his summer.

“So, it was planned by your parents and your uncle. I don’t really know what to tell you, you could run away, but where would you go?” Rob knew that he had only a few choices, “if you do that you will probably end up here with me, and they know that as well as I do.”

Rob was right, “You don’t really have any close relatives you could go to, other than this uncle anyways. And to be honest Jove you don’t have a job or money to run away so that is out of the question. You’re going to be eighteen and that means you’re an adult and you can make your own decisions. But again, without a job or money where are you going to live? I could let you borrow money but how long will that last you, a moth, two at the most? I’m sorry Jove your best bet is to go with this uncle of yours. I mean how bad can it be? I’m sure your parents know him, and they have good reason to do as they did.” Jove knew that, but it was just not fair, why him?

A knock came at the door and behind its Mrs. Jakobis voice “Boys.” Before opening the door, in her hand she carried a tray with a jug of Kool-Aid and some cut up fruit, “some refreshments.” She placed the tray on the side table besides her son, she noticed Jove’s distressed face but did not comment about it, latter she would ask Rob what was wrong. “I’ll leave you two alone now, I’m sure you have much to talk about. If you need me Rob, I will be in my room.” Both thanked her before she left.

“I don’t know. I’m sure your right. Maybe if I knew my uncle it would make it easier to decide.” He sighs and continues, “I’ll have to talk to my parents about this.”

Nodding his head in agreement, “Yes probably best if you do that, you can’t be jumping to conclusions about this, it’s too serious.”

“Thanks, I knew I could count on you. It’s getting late I should call for a ride, can I use your phone?” Jove was dreading getting home, he did not really want to deal with this but what choice did he have?

“Actually, I got a better idea. Let me get the keys from my mom and I will drive you home, I need to drop by the store anyways and pick me up some junk food,” he went out the door and shortly returned with the car keys, “Alright let’s get out of here.”

~~~~

“Where could he be? I hope his ok. Dear I’m worried about him his been gone for a while now.”

George was only partially listening to his wife; he replayed the events that ran up to the promise they had made. “What Honey? Did you say something?”

“George, I said I’m worried about our son, he’s been gone too long.” They did not know it, but Jove was almost home.

“I know dear, but his a big boy, almost a man and this is hard on him, just give him time he will come back.” He was not sure that he would, Jove might run away. He had a right to, it was not fair what they had done but at the time it was the best and only choice they had.

The sound of a car brought Jove’s father out of his thoughts then the sound of a door shutting, “That should be him.” A worry that he did not notice had left his voice, his son was back and that’s all that really counted. Both parents where relived when they saw their son come in the door.

~~~~

Jove was at a loss as to how he would approach the subject, he knew he needed to talk to his parents about this. The ride home was quick and soon he was walking up the path that led to their home, the place he had called home for more than ten years that he would soon leave to return who knew when. His parents both looked up when as he came in the door, he could see that he had worried them, his mother got up from the couch and went to her son and hugged him, it felt awkward for a moment then returned the hug.

“I’m so glad your back, your father and I were worried that something happened to you.” George nodded to this and then sat down where his wife had had been sitting.

“I’m sorry, I’m so confused right now, but my talk with Rob helped me clear some of the thoughts and emotions that were running in me. Let’s sit down and talk about this. I’m ready to listen.” Well, the truth was that he was not, but he had to do it. His time would soon draw short with his parents. His mom let him go and sat next to her husband. Jove took a seat opposite to them, “Mom, Dad I need to know more about this it can’t be as simple as ‘You’re going with your uncle,’ I have not listened, and I am sorry for that. I’m all ears.”

“Jove, you know that your mother and I love you, we would do nothing to hurt you in any way. What is going to happen is very important, you must go live with your uncle he will be able to explain the situation and the decision we made, there is so much we do not know. The one thing we do know is that you will not be safe here with us, and that you will be with your uncle.”

Safe? What where they talking about? Safe from what? Now he was more confused than ever. “I am sure you are confused, but we don’t really have answers, I wish that was not the case, but it is. Your uncle is the only one with those answers and the only one that can help. Something happen when you were born and we almost lost you, your uncle is the only reason you are here today, and for that we are grateful.”

They had never mentioned this before, there was no reason for it, no reason to unnecessarily worry him. They had been happy all these years not worrying about this eventual day, they were proud of their son and hoped that they had made the right choices as far as raising Jove. They knew deep inside that they had made the right choice when they made the promise to Goran.

Jove looked from one parent to the other, “Mom, Dad I don’t really know what to say. This is a lot to think about, and all this just raises more questions in my mind. But I trust both of you. If you made a promise, I will honor it.” He would honor it, at one point he would regret it, but when it was all said and done, he would look back on this day and know that he meant every word, “but a year after I am there, I will decide whether I will stay with him any further, and it shall be my decision. All I ask is that you tell him so when he comes for me.”

Both parents nodded to this got up and embraced their son. The day would come when they had to say their final goodbyes but for now, they were again a family and would enjoy every moment of it.