It's In The Blood (Book 3): It's In The Blood, #3

By Christopher Lee Roeters

    In writing " It's In The Blood" I've brought together a total of my past fears, hopes, and dreams. Growing up in Craig, Colorado, Kotzebue, Alaska, and northern Michigan, I've learned a lot about the vast differences in people. Rather if it is a matter of difference within the race, sexual orientation, or any other item that may make a person, or group of people, different from those around us, I've always believed that all men should be treated equal. 

     I credit my adoptive family for my open minded nature. I also credit young authors such as Macaulay Culkin and Christopher Paolini who gave me the backbone, to put into writing, my best example of Science Fiction. With this, i've used a mythical race to bring to light that equalness to all minority groups. With it, the sadness that is way too often left within the wake of those that choose to hate. 

     I've shown that, at times, that those that are the closest to us turn out to be the ones that we should not have trusted, while at other times our best friends are formed out of those that you would have least expected…. How often have you heard of a friendship or relationship starting off from an argument or fight?

     Then, along with the above, and then beyond, I've shown a deep contrast of love within a family. A family that many readers would love to be part of or close to. I've shown a depth of brotherhood that most could only dream of while the rest of us know that It's In The Blood. 

     I would like to personally thank you for choosing to read It's In The Blood… Thank you and God bless…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Lee Roeters
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201103361

Book preview

It's In The Blood (Prologue)

Pausing for a moment , as he allowed a mouth full of water to settle in, between his teeth and within the crevices of his tongue, he had heard the all too familiar shrieking voice that had sharpened his explosive nerves. Backing up slowly, away from his water dish, he quietly searched out the direction that the harsh voice was coming from. Walking out of the kitchen and into the hallway, he quickly found the source of the threatening atmosphere, standing at the end of the hall, between Lucifer's room and his master's room.

As light footed as he could, to prevent his tags from rattling against one another, he walked slowly, within the shadows casted on the wall. Never in his life had he felt so angry... Violent... He felt violent for the first time in his life. For the first time he had felt his blood pressure causing his nose and ears to feel as though they were pulsating... Pulsating with each step.

__________

Jason McKim had moved into the home about two years prior. He had never felt the positive atmosphere, among his own siblings, as he found himself in when he moved in with the DeClues. Rather than making himself part of the natural flow of love within the home, like most people would, Jason allowed the differences to turn into resentment... Then, over those two years, had began to allow his anger to vent towards Nicole anytime that everyone else was gone. Now, at the age of six, Jason had found himself snapping at Nicole as he looked up at her with his hands rested on his hips. Now you listen here little boy...' Nicole retorted. ...you will never again raise your voice to me in my home... Do you understand me? Nicole asked as she bend forward to look the tyke eye to eye. Never in Nicole's life did she feel a buildup of frustration anger her so much.

Malachi, Ronnie, Eddie, and herself agreed a couple of years prior to take in the child that was orphaned when he came out to be the only survivor of a serious car wreck. An accident that killed his parents, two older siblings, and a younger brother, leaving himself to be the only one left within his family. Malachi, Ronnie, Eddie, and Nicole had heard about the accident and then instantly opened their hearts and home to the poor child. A year later Eddie adopted the child to be his own.

You're not my mom... You can't tell me what to do! Jason yelled again. This time Jason moved his left hand, from his hip, and pointed his finger at her. And... and Eddie isn't my daddy... He can't tell me what to do either!

__________

Lowering himself down closer to the floor, Spud remained within the shadows, and then flinched quickly as the form of the shadow changed when Jason took his hand off of his hip. As he inched himself closer to the lad, about three feet behind his legs, he decided that just one more outburst, from Jason, would be his trigger to jump.

Suddenly, in what seemed like slow motion, Nicole had reached out towards Jason, and then instantaneously the boy swung his hand out towards hers as he attempted to hit it. Quickly lunging forward, Spud landed his entire body weight on the back of his legs, just behind the knees, causing him to fall forward. As Jason fell, he bounced his face off of Nicole's legs and the wall next to them.

Landing on his chest, Jason quickly turned over and into a sitting position so that he could see what had hit him, only finding the household pet. With tears filling his eyes, Jason swung his balled up fist towards the small dog and then missed.

Jumping up onto Jason's legs, Spud quickly lunged forward again to grab ahold of the arm that had just come within inches of the tip of his nose. Now, with extreme anger, he tightly held the kids arm within his jaws as he also quickly jabbed his back legs into the soft tissues of Jason's stomach. Then, jumped again, towards the boy's throat as he let go of his arm. This time wrapping his teeth lightly around the kid's neck and then began to growl.

Frightened, Jason held still as Nicole bent forward and carefully picked Spud up off of his chest. Good job boy... Nicole said as she pet the top of the dog's head. ...good job. Then. as Nicole continued to hold the dog, she looked down towards the scared child. Jason... next time I won't stop him.

IN MEMORY OF:

Kim (Iriuruq) Nay Jr.

8/ 22/1975 - 1/ 22/ 2004 

It's In The Blood (Chapter 1)

I can't believe how cold it is today... Belinda whispered as she slowly pulled the quilt off of her head. ...we can see our breath. Through the cool bedroom air, Belinda peered at the alarm clock, knowing beforehand that it wasn't yet time to get up. This knowledge was awfully clear as the sun shined brightly through the frosted bedroom window, illuminating her's and Ronnie's breath.

I know... I think that the cold air is what has kept me awake all night. Ronnie responded as he slowly turned over onto his back. Turning his head, he looked into Belinda's face as she rested herself up on one elbow looking over him. As Ronnie's eyes met hers, he softly smiled at her as he watched a soft looking cloud of steam roll out of her mouth. At the sight, he offered a quiet chuckle and then quickly swallowed it away.

What's so funny? Belinda asked as she pulled one hand out from under the covers and then rested it on Ronnie's bare chest. As she waited for his hesitant answer she began to slowly trace a circle, with her finger, around Ronnie's left nipple.

Just the steam coming out of your mouth... Looks like your your smoking a cigarette. With this response Ronnie repositioned his right arm to where Belinda could rest her head on it, rather than on the palm of her left hand. Immediately, Belinda followed into the gesture as she softly rested her face on his chest. As they kept eye contact, with one another, Belinda continued to rub her finger in a clockwise direction causing the nipple to pucker up in the cool air.

Getting a little excited I see... Belinda said as the texture of the skin tightened up under her touch. ...I wonder if it's too early to get anything else excited today? As Belinda continued to flirt, she slowly pulled her hand downward, under the quilt, slowly across his belly button, then softly rested her hand within the thick coarse hair above his manhood. Quickly, Belinda realized that Ronnie was not aroused and then, again, attempted to make eye contact with him, only to find that he had closed his eyes and dozed off. With this, Belinda retracted her arm as she softly draped it over his chest. I love you honey. Belinda whispered and then quietly found herself falling back to sleep as well.

BEEP! BEEP BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Quickly sitting up, as the bedroom alarm clock began to blare, Ronnie quickly realized that he was now alone in the room. With this, he also could see that the sun was fading, as the street light, outside the window, was beginning to flicker on. As the alarm rang out loudly, Belinda quickly opened up the door and then walked in, to find Ron reaching toward the clock.

I'm sorry honey... I didn't mean to leave that on. With this said, Belinda walked in and sat down next to Ronnie as she lightly hugged him from the side. I've gotta make sure that I stay awake really late into tomorrow morning... I've got that job interview at the City Hall at eleven thirty.

Yeah... I know. Ron mumbled as he reached forward and pulled a pair of shorts out of the laundry basket. It would have been better if my dad would have scheduled that interview for before daylight... But...

But we might have cloudy  skies tomorrow anyhow, with as much snow as we've been getting. Belinda interrupted as she struggled to hold her hug as Ronnie lifted one leg to put his shorts on.

That's exactly what I was about to say... You got breakfast going yet? Ron asked as he reached out, again, towards the basket. As his eyes tried to adjust to the brightness of the bedroom light, his eyes began to water, causing his vision to blur enough to hide the fact that Eddie was standing in the doorway. As Belinda noticed his presents, she quickly turned her head to find Eddie's finger up to his lips, as a gesture for her to not give away his attempt to scare Ronnie... A back and forth gag that had started about three months prior.

Yeah... Nothing special though, some dry cereal with toast on the side... your brother just went down to the grocery store to get some eggs, more bread, and some more milk. Standing up, with Ronnie, Belinda lightly tugged on his arm as an attempt to help him up.

Did he drive or fly? Ron asked as he carefully bent forward so that he could pull the pant legs, to his jeans, up far enough to button the fly.

Fly! Eddie screamed and then flew about fifteen feet through the air as he suddenly tackled his friends from behind. Without falling completely to the floor, both Ronnie and Eddie wrestled together as they hovered about three feet off of the carpeted room. As Belinda watched, with her hand over her mouth, the horseplay appeared to be just the same as two high school students wrestling in school, but only with a cushion of air under them rather than a padded mat. Seconds Later, with the sudden sound of excitement, both Nicole and Lucifer walked in as the wrestling match only escalated in volume and excitement.

Uncle Ronnie is winning aunt Belinda... Lucifer screeched as he excitedly pointed at Ron and Eddie. As the nineteen month old laughed, a couple incisor teeth showed between the nearly three quarter inch long canines.

Then, just before Belinda could respond to Lucifer's statement, her attention was suddenly drawn to the bedroom window as a sudden squeak, along with an image being drawn in its steam, caught her off guard, almost causing her to jump. As she focussed her eyes on the sheet of frosted glass, she could make out the words 'Close the curtains.’

__________

'I wish that they would pay more attention to the fact that people can see through this window when the lights are on.’ Sterling said as he watched Lloyd act as though he was refereeing the wrestling match. Lloyd was on his knees, beside Ronnie and Eddie, watching to see how close the guy's shoulder blades were to the floor. Holding his hand high into the air, he would begin to act as though he was hitting the floor each time that Eddie was within an inch or so from making contact. 'Once in awhile you can see Mrs. Alberts, across the street, looking out her window... Sometimes it seems like she's looking this way.’ As Sterling finished his sentence he saw James come into the room, with a big smile on his face. 

'Did you say that my mom was looking over here?’ James asked as he walked into the room. James had been in Lucifer's room, playing around, up until the child had left and then screeched loudly. 

'She isn't right now James... I'm just saying that sometimes she does, and so I don't think that it would be a good idea for the curtains to be wide open when the guys are hovering so far off of the ground.’ 

__________

With the hint taken, Belinda quickly pulled the cords, along the side of the narrow window, as the curtain instantly hid the bedroom from the rest of the world. Okay guys... Chill out a little before you wake up the neighbors.

It was only a few minutes later when Malachi had gotten home. As he reached the top of the stairs, small amounts of snow, that had collected upon his shoulders and head, had began to melt and drip into his face. Hi guys... I think that we have everything.

Well... let me see honey. Nicole said as she grabbed a couple of the bags out of his hands. Paper... Honey, isn't it easier to fly with plastic bags?

Yeah... But I thought that I should try walking for a change... After a while it almost becomes an issue of rather if I'm gonna start to forget the basic steps of development or not. Malachi finished and then handed the last couple bags of groceries to Eddie as he came into the kitchen. 

__________

Looking up, towards his elder, he watched the faint fog, around them as it seemed to swirl like a mini tornado off into the distance. Do you understand me boy?

Ah yeah... Yes, I do understand sir. The lad responded as another cloud of fog poured into the darkness. Periodically he would make a small second of eye contact, and then immediately veer his attention elsewhere. Never in his twelve years of life did he ever imagine that he would one day actually confront the old man. The old man within his dreams that only chased people not himself though... Just other people... Kids... The old man was always chasing someone's kid.

Boy... You are my only daughter's son... And it is through you that I will once again have control and power over all the people beneath me... Your name... It's so perfect... And you're a child...

But grandfather... I don't understand what you want me to do... But, you just say the word and I'll do whatever you ask of me... Consider me as your 'Angel.' Once again, the child focused his eyes on those of his grandfather's. Then, like a snap of a finger, he was waking up within his own room. 

__________

It was about eleven o'clock when Belinda had finished getting ready for her interview. The sixteen hour stretch, from waking up the previous night, had worn her out as she attempted to put Lucifer to bed before sunrise. Losing the battle, she decided to put him in bed with Ron. With this, the child quickly fell asleep. I'll be back soon honey... Hopefully you'll be awake when I get home.

Don't count on it... I'm forcing my eyelids to stay open now... Look at my face a little closer, you'll see toothpicks. With this, Ronnie closed his eyes as a grin stretched across his face.

Well, in that case, I'll let you keep sleeping. I'll quietly crawl into bed with you two when I get home. Without another word, Belinda bent over the bed and kissed both Ron and Lucifer on the forehead. Then, after grabbing her keys and purse, she quickly headed down to the garage to warm up Malachi's and Nicole's Hummer.

Showing up about five minutes early, David came out into the waiting area of the City Hall. Hey Belinda... Come on back here with me... Saying this, Dave led the way down a short hallway and then into the first office along the left side of the hall. ...right in here. Allowing Belinda into the office first, David held the office door open as the seventeen year old found herself with an empty desk, with a computer on it, a printer, scanner, file cabinets, and a...

That's my name on that... Pointing at a nameplate, centered on the edge of the desk, Belinda saw her name, ‘BELINDA RAEZ’ etched into its plastic piece.

Yep... David interrupted. ...and this will also be your office. Walking the rest of the way into the office, David pulled open a drawer, within the desk, and then pulled out a piece of paper. All that we need you to do today Belinda is to fill out these tax papers... Pausing, David looked at Belinda as a look of confusion was deeply set within her entire face. ...Belinda, we really needed a new secretary, you really need a job, and I'm your best reference... you're hired. Also, I really want what is best for you and my son. Malachi and Nicole are on the right track, and so now it's yours and Ronnie's chance to also be on the right track.

Well... Thank you David. I just don't know what to say... Belinda said as she began to look more relaxed.

Just say that you'll be here from six o'clock in the morning through three-o'clock, Monday through Friday, and thank you. David said as he handed the papers to her with a pen.

Yes...and thank you. Belinda said and then took her purse off of her shoulder and then went to set it on the floor when David quickly reached out to grab ahold of it.

Belinda... You can set that on ‘your desk', or anywhere else within 'your office' that you choose... Just relax and fill out the papers. When your done just bring them back out to me at the front desk or leave them here on the desk... Also... Reaching into his pocket he pulled out two sets of keys, one that must have had at least fifty keys on it, she knew that they were David's personal keys because she had seen them many times before, and then one that had perhaps about twenty to thirty keys. ...this set of keys is yours... you can put the house keys on the ring if you would like. Just please 'don‘t loose them.

After about a half hour Belinda finished filling out the papers add then took them directly to David, just as he had suggested. After another 'thank you' she was soon headed home with a big grin on her face. This wasn't only Belinda's first job but also a job that she knew that she would enjoy... Not to mention good pay for a seventeen year old. 

Walking back into the house, after parking the Hummer back in the garage, she quietly walked through the basement towards Eddie's room to tell him the good news. When she quietly opened the bedroom door, however, she quickly found that he was asleep... Normal for that particular time of day. Moments later, Belinda went up stairs and found that Ronnie, Lucifer, Malachi, and Nicole were still asleep. With this finding she then decided that it was time to move Lucifer into his own room and then go to bed as well. You may be my nephew, buddy, but it's time that I get some very much needed sleep too. She whispered into the sleeping child's ear. 

__________

It was a dark haze as he opened his eyes. Bending over slightly, so that he could look under the blanketed layer of fog, Lucifer carefully held onto one side of his diaper. In the distance he could hear the all too familiar voice of the old man that had often frightened him in his sleep. It was different this time... Different in the fact that the old man seemed to me addressing someone as he spoke. Curious... Lucifer felt curious in the difference of setting of which he wasn't being chased. Moving slow, with one hand out in front of himself, so that he wouldn't run into anything, and then the other hand still holding the edge of the diaper that was starting to come undone, Lucifer walked towards the voice that he would normally be running away from. Then, as he looked through a twisted pattern of fogged layers, he saw the silhouette of two figures standing in a darkened corner.

Now, that your mother has passed away, you've got to keep your mind focused on what I need you to do... Do you understand me? The elder man said to the younger.

But I miss my parents...

Stop! The old man snapped loudly. You need to keep your mind on the tasks ahead of you boy... Do you...

Yessss! The young man answered through anger. Instantly the old man raised his hand, like as if he was gonna swing at the kid. Then suddenly paused as he immediately turned his head towards Lucifer.

Do you hear that? Someone is here with us. The old man said then turned to face Lucifer's direction and lowered his hand.

Yeah... I can hear someone breathing. With this, Lucifer turned quickly and began to run as he continued to hold onto the untapped side of his pamper. It seemed however that the faster that he moved the faster that, not only one set, but rather two set of feet had began to catch up on him. Then, just as he could almost feel a person's body heat over his shoulder, he suddenly tripped and landed on his chest. Whaaa! Help me mommy! Whaaa! As Lucifer screamed he turned over, onto his side, and covered his face with his hands. Help me dada! Help! 

__________

Turning over quickly, at the sound of his son screaming, Malachi suddenly found himself falling off of the edge of the bed. With instant reflexes he came within inches off of the floor then stopped, mid-air, at about four inches from the carpeting. Then, seconds later was racing through his door and then into Lucifer's bedroom. It's alright Lucifer. Malachi said as he picked his screaming son off of the mattress. As he raised his son into his arms he quickly found his son to be partially entangled within his diaper as it was only fastened on one side. It's gonna be alright.

Whats going on? Nicole asked as she walked into the room. You just about scared me to death. She continued and then hugged her husband from behind as she kissed Lucifer on the forehead.

Another nightmare... Almost time for me to have one... It's been a while. He continued as he turned, within Nicole's arms, to face her. Then, lifting his left hand, behind her back, he looked at his watch. Well... Looks like that the sun must have just went down. Then, as he looked over Lucifer's head, he looked out the window. So much snow falling out there we have to look at a clock to tell the difference between day and night."

Well... It is winter time dear... Nicole answered as she continued to hold onto her hug. ...I wonder how Belinda's interview went this morning?

Well, go ahead and wake them up. We might as well stay up and make breakfast now. Malachi suggested. I'll go ahead and make french toast... Everyone will like that better than plain old cereal.

Sounds good to me... Nicole said and then carefully pried their son off of her husband's shudder. ...I'll go and wake the guys up. Then, both Nicole and Malachi walked out of the room.

About a half hour later, as everyone was sitting around the table, Nicole interrupted a moment of silence. Hey Belinda... how did your interview go this morning at the City Hall?

It went great... Instantly, as Nicole asked the question, Belinda's face went from extremely tired looking to immediate excitement as she had also reached over and grabbed ahold of Ronnie's hand. ...David brought me into an office, of which I thought was just where I was gonna do my interview, all along, however, it turned out to be where I would be working... This office was 'my' office with my name plate on the desk, my own desk.., In all, all that I had to do, today, is fill out some tax forms.

Well... That's great Belinda... Ronnie said as he pulled her hand completely over to himself and then held it to his chest. ...when do you start?

Monday morning... Starting at six o'clock in the morning till three in the afternoon. As Belinda finished she noticed that everyone, except Lucifer, who seemed to be in another world as he pushed a piece of sausage through his syrup, had looks of joy growing on their faces as Belinda went on and on about her job that she