Available Darkness Season 1

gut told him the man was innocent. “We can’t let them kill John. I don’t know how I know this, but I know he’s not the monster they’re making him out to be.”
    “He killed your wife,” Duncan said. “You know that, right?”
    “No,” Caleb said. “I don’t know that. I was told that, but I don’t know it. And I’m not sure I believe it.”
    “Oh,” Duncan asked, an eyebrow raised, “then who killed Julia?”
    “Maybe Jacob, I mean, he’s a feeder, too.”
    “Yes, but if Jacob were able to find you, he wouldn’t waste time killing Julia or leaving notes taunting you”
    “And John would?” Caleb asked, “It makes no sense. What reason would he have?”
    “I know you don’t remember, but John was a very troubled soul. He had a lot of resentment that you got to live a normal life while he was stuck in the hospital.” Duncan said. “Maybe he wanted to make you pay for whatever imagined crimes you committed.”
    “I’m still not buying it,” Caleb said, though it was hard to argue Duncan’s logic. The old man was right. He didn’t remember John. And he was sticking up for him based solely on the young child in his dream, and a feeling of responsibility for caring for that boy.
    But what if John’s nothing like that boy any longer?
    Duncan said, “Listen, son, I didn’t want to tell you this, I really didn’t, but we know John killed Julia.”
    Caleb sat back down and leaned forward in his chair, “What do you mean you know? ”
    “Until recent events, the Guardians have been protecting John. Do you remember how you got that letter from the killer practically bragging that he murdered your wife?”
    “Yes.”
    “John’s fingerprints were all over it.”
    “No,” Caleb said, “the results came back with no matches on the prints.”
    “No matches because John wasn’t in the system. Not in the main system, but he was always in our other system , the one only a few have access to. We verified it.”
    “What?” Caleb nearly jumped out of his seat, his face suddenly flush. “How the hell can you keep that from me?”
    Duncan stayed in his seat, face calm.
    “It was on a need to know basis. Frankly, you didn’t need to know. Knowing who killed your wife would not have helped you capture him. He’s a ghost as far as the world is concerned. And to be honest, I wasn’t sure how far gone he was, and whether he could still be of use to us.”
    “I didn’t need to know who killed my wife? What kind of bullshit is that to say to a man? To the agent tasked with finding the fucking killer? Who are you to decide what I need to know?”
    Duncan responded, his face instantly red as he stood and let go of the calm facade, “ Who am I? I’m the only person who has been keeping you alive all these years, boy! Do you think the Guardians let you live out of the kindness of their hearts? They’ve set fire to entire villages to protect society, what’s an orphan or two? You and John are the only people who stand between Jacob and the portal. Killing either of you can secure the safety of the entire world, and you dare to ask who I am to decide what you know? You’re breathing because I decided you should be. And don’t you ever forget it.”
    Duncan punctuated the “forget it” by jabbing his index finger sharply into Caleb’s chest.
    Caleb fell back a step, swallowed his rage, and stared coldly at Duncan, years of love and loyalty replaced with bitterness.
    Caleb asked, “Why didn’t you just let them kill me, then?”
    Duncan met Caleb’s eyes. “Because I love you like a son. I couldn’t let them take you away.”
    Duncan’s expression of love seemed surprisingly sincere, dousing Caleb’s anger with shame. Duncan collapsed back into his chair, the fatigue in his frame suddenly making his thousands of years all the more evident.
    “I’m sorry,” Caleb said, sitting back down and staring at nothing.
    “Listen,” Duncan began, “I’ve spent years trying to find Jacob and kill him. I’ve spent an equal amount of time searching for John, if only to bring him in and grant him the same protection as you. But John has turned. The Darkness has taken hold of him. It has rooted deep into his soul as it has in Jacob’s. I don’t think we can kill Jacob. He’s too well-hidden. Too strong. But I think we can get to John. He’s grown sloppy. He’s attracting attention. I think we can use you to find him.”
    “What do you mean, use me? ”
    “Why else do you think we