Available Darkness Season 1

“Why are you here? To bring me in?”
    “I wish it were that simple, John. But I can’t trust that you’d be safe in our custody anymore. Fact is, there are many among us that want you dead.”
    John said nothing, his eyes locked on the old man’s.
    “Jacob is going to find you,” Duncan said, “it’s only a matter of time before your defenses fail you. Then he’ll use you to find Caleb. You do know where Caleb is, don’t you?”
    John nodded, “I’ve kept tabs.”
    “You’re a good brother, John. I never thought you were the monster some of the others did. I’ll admit, though, I didn’t always think your motives were benevolent. But when you escaped, you could have come back for Caleb at any time. You could’ve woken his memories, reminded him of who he is, of what he is … but you didn’t. You let him live a normal life, even when you didn’t have to.”
    “One of us should’ve had a shot,” John said. “Again. Why are you here?”
    Duncan looked down at his shoes, then back up.
    “You love your brother, right?”
    “Of course.”
    “And you’d do anything to protect him?”
    “Get to your point.”
    “Like I said, you’re getting weaker. You’re not feeding; you’re aging. Jacob will find you. And I can’t allow that.”
    “So, take him out,” John said with a wicked smile.
    “You think we haven’t tried?”
    John didn’t respond.
    “Tell me,” Duncan said, “Why didn’t you kill Jacob a decade ago in Florida?”
    John was surprised that Duncan knew he’d been there and that he had almost gone after Jacob.
    How much more does he know?
    “Someone had to look after Caleb, you sure weren’t doing a good job of it.” John replied, “Tell me something. Why would you have Caleb hunting feeders? If you’re trying to protect him from Jacob, why not give him a desk job, shelter him from his past? Maybe not have his picture in the fucking papers?”
    Duncan smiled, but didn’t answer the question.
    John wondered if Duncan knew he hadn’t killed Julia, that Caleb, his “success story” had turned, but didn’t dare ask. If Duncan knew that, certainly Caleb’s days would’ve been numbered. They’d never risk Caleb turning, and possibly going to Jacob.
    After a long silence, Duncan’s smug smile vanished. He said, “They want me to kill you, John. To protect Caleb.”
    Ah, here’s the point of the visit.
    “If I could have avoided this, I would have. I never wanted either of you to get hurt, but as you know, Caleb is like a son to me. And I would do anything to protect him. Will do anything to protect him.”
    John glared, “Don’t act like this isn’t your idea. You’ve wanted me dead for years.”
    “If I wanted you dead, you would’ve been dead,” Duncan said. “Don’t underestimate my reach. The fact is, I tried to convince them it wasn’t necessary. But…”
    “It is?” John asked.
    “There’s some people who are getting worried that we can’t protect you both anymore. That if Harbinger can get to you, then they can get to Caleb. The Guardians will do anything to prevent that from happening, to prevent Jacob from getting to the portal. And that includes killing your brother.”
    Duncan was telling the truth. John could tell in the man’s speech and his light green aura.
    “So, what? You want me to kill myself?”
    “Well, first, you have to revert. Then kill yourself. It’s the only way we know Jacob will learn of your death. Your parasites are connected. He’ll know when you die.”
    “Jesus Christ,” John said, sighing, trying to suss out the situation in his head, searching for an alternative. Short of killing Jacob and everyone else who worked with him, he could think of nothing. And killing Jacob was impossible—especially in John’s current state as an aging mortal.
    “I’m not even sure I could revert if I wanted,” John said.
    “We can help you.”
    “No, no, I’ll figure it out,” John said, annoyed.
    “So, you’ll do this, then?”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    “We always have choices,” Duncan said.
    “Yeah, right,” John said with a grim smile. “How long do I have?”
    “The Guardians need to see you gone in two days,” Duncan said. “The Guardians and Harbingers both have creepers in the area. They’re getting closer.”
    “Here, now? ”
    “See,” Duncan said, “your senses are getting weak. Can you find someone to do this in two days? If not, I need to know; we can use my men.”
    “I have someone