It's In The Blood (Book 4): It's In The Blood, #4

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 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201259600

Book preview

It's In The Blood (Prologue)

H ey Lucifer... Here's my hand... Tom said as he reached as far up as he could. Standing on his tiptoes, as he stood on the handrail of the back porch, he stretched his arms towards Lucifer. ...help me up.

Laying down, on his belly, Lucifer reached further than what he already had. With his attempts, his tee shirt fell towards his face exposing his bare abdomen to the rough grit of the shingles to the house. There... Pull yourself up onto my arm now. Lucifer said just as he had grasped his friend's hand. Then, as Tommy complied with his request, Lucifer braced himself in a way that would prevent himself from being pulled off of the roof. Seconds later, Tom had pulled himself up, onto his knees, upon the bottom row of shingles.

Okay Lucifer...Tom said as he stood up. ...show me how to do this. It was now early morning of the day of Tommy's thirteenth birthday, June fourteenth... Just after three fifteen. Lucifer's birthday, almost exactly forty-eight hours earlier, had started off with a bang as Lucifer had taken flight, in the bedroom, seemingly attaching him to his ceiling. The short lived experience scared Lucifer at first, however, as soon as he gained control, over his movements, he was able to, once again, stand on his own feet in the center of the room. Now, two days later, the two boys were determined that Tommy's experience would be much more preplanned. You know Lucifer... Your strength, when your attempting to use force, should have allowed you to pull me up here by one hand. Tom continued as they walked towards the highest peak of the house. 

Yeah... your right, I forgot about it... remember that this is only the second day for me. Lucifer responded and then stopped as he stood at the peak, overlooking Ninth Street. Hey Tommy, Listen... Looking at his watch, as he simultaneously pressed a button, causing it's indiglo light to shine, he continued. ...you'll be ready to fly in about seventy-five seconds... I'm gonna step off the edge and hold my hand out close, not holding your hand, but just close enough that I can quickly catch you when you step off of the edge... I want your intentions, however, to be to reach out to hold my hand... If this works, and it should, you'll depart from the roof of the house and then catch my open hand.

And... if it don't? 

I'll catch you Tommy... I promise that I won't allow anything to happen to you... I love you, I won't let anything happen to you. Lucifer explained as he looked at his watch again. Now we have forty seconds left. Lucifer continued and then stepped off of the ledge, hovering off of the roughly twenty-five foot drop off. Keeping direct eye to eye contact with Tom, Lucifer stretched out his arms. Now, when I say so, step towards me.

Okay Lucifer... I trust you. Tom said and then, as he now stood on the ledge, reached out towards Lucifer. Just seconds later, just as Lucifer had told Tommy, Tom began to levitate as his body seemed to direct itself towards Lucifer.

See... I told you that it would work Tommy. Lucifer said with  glee in his voice. Over the last two days, since Lucifer's birthday, it had seemed that everything had been happening too fast. Now, just barely over twenty four hours later, Tommy was also experiencing flight for the first time in his life... Beyond those that he had from the adults within their home that is. Now, come on... Lucifer said as he took Tom's hand up in his own. "...lets go over the downtown area.

Alright... Then maybe some other time we can go out to the sand rocks. Tom continued. As they flew, about twenty feet above the height of the houses below, Tommy slowly learned to lay down in a way that allowed for his legs to be behind him rather than below as if he were standing. This was the way that everyone else in Lucifer's family flew. (Like as if they were laying their bellies on cushions of air. Legs behind and arms out to the side... Like an airplane.)

Or... I don't know, just anywhere... My dad said that him, my uncle Ronnie, my uncle Eddie and my mom went to Texas one time... I think that it would be cool to go on a trip like that sometime. As Lucifer finished speaking, he began to point towards the roof of a Semi that was heading east on Interstate Forty.

Why are you pointing at that truck Lucifer? Tom asked as he had simultaneously noticed something on the roof of the moving vehicle. What is that? With this question, Tom too pointed towards the truck. Moments later, as the two boys slowly approached the vehicle from behind and about fifty feet above, they had recognized the silhouette of a human being on its roof. 'That's odd.’ Tom thought. As the boys closed in to about ten feet high, Lucifer, once again, pointed at the person.

Angel! Lucifer shouted. Then instantly the person turned to face his pursuant.

Where did you guys come from? Angel asked just as Tommy and Lucifer landed beside him. As usual, Angel was wearing all black clothing along with his black leather coat. Through the darkness of the night and Angel's dark skin complexion, all that really showed was his eyes and teeth. Once in a while a over head street light would light up his face.

We just left the house... Lucifer explained as he came to Angel's side. Instantly Angel partiality covered his face.

Congratulations on your flying... You've got a good family for teachers.

We... Lucifer interrupted. ''...have a good family for teachers... Angel... your part of the family too." With this said, Lucifer wrapped his arm around his cousin.

IN MEMORY OF

Kim (Iriuruq) Nay Jr.

8/22/1975 - 1/ 22/ 2004

It's In The Blood (Chapter 1)

H un on a minute! Tom yelled. It was very early in the morning when the sound of someone knocking on the door began. Turning away from Lucifer, as he continued to sleep, Tom looked at the clock across the room. 'My God...‘ Tom thought to himself. '...I just went to bed two hours ago.‘

Slowly dragging himself out of the bed, Tommy decided that he would skip putting on his jeans and just hide behind the downstairs door, in his boxers, as he opened it. After unlocking the door, Tommy quietly pulled the steel door towards himself to find the neighbor, Mrs. Bruce, staring back at him. Hi Tommy... Is Malachi and Nicole awake by any chance? The heavy set women asked with a big smile on her face.

Ahhh... I'm not sure Mrs. Bruce. Tom replied as he then looked at his wrist forgetting that he wasn't wearing his watch. I doubt it though... Would you like me to...

I'm up... Malachi's voice interrupted from behind him. ...whats up Mrs. Bruce? Malachi had woken up to the sound of Tom's voice bellowing from his room just moments prior. Quickly throwing on a pair of pants, he went out to the top of the landing, and then looked down the steps where Mrs. Bruce stood on the opposite side of the door from Tommy.

Oh hi Malachi... The women said as she looked around Tom. ...may I please come in to speak to you for a moment? I didn't mean to wake you guys up.

Yeah... I guess that that would be alright. Malachi said then crossed his arms as he placed his hands in his armpits. The cool September morning had began to blow gusts of cold air through the house as Mrs. Bruce stared back up at him. With Malachi's response, Tommy opened the door wide enough to allow Lloyd's mother to pass through. Seconds later, after Tom closed the door, Mrs. Bruce turned and found Tommy to be only wearing his boxers.

Oh Tommy... Don‘t you know that Summer is over honey? As the question came out of her mouth, Tommy seemed to have wrapped himself within his own arms and legs right before her eyes. Then, without another word, the women turned back, towards Malachi, as she headed up the steps.

Well... What can I do for you today Mrs. Bruce? Malachi asked as he lead the way into the kitchen. Seconds later, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tommy, nearly naked, quickly dart down the hallway.

Well honey... Actually I'm here for someone else... Mrs. Bruce said as she sat down at the table. ...have you ever heard of a man named Stan Helsel? Immediately following her question she saw a puzzled look cross Malachi's face. Anyway hun... This man has a son named Scott... Six years ago, when Scott was born, he was diagnosed, by the doctors, with progeria...

Yeah... Malachi interrupted. ...I remember seeing the article in the paper years ago.

Thats right... The women responded as she pointed at the thirty three year old. ...the article was on the front page... Anyway, I was talking to Stan, alone to where no one could hear our conversation, and I had mentioned to him that I knew of a place where when his son passes on that his spiritual being could continue to live... As she continued to speak she saw a look of surprise cross Malachi's face. ...don’t worry Malachi, I didn't tell him where... Suddenly, along with her supportive comment, Mrs. Bruce peered towards her own left hand as an impression of a child's hand and fingers had appeared on her skin. Lightly, with her right hand, she attempted to hold her son's hand. With her attempt, she felt a tingle that made her face seem to glow. ...hello Lloyd... She interrupted herself.: ...I love you son.... She said as she stared at her own arm. Then, as she looked back towards Malachi, simultaneously continuing to hold her son's hand, she continued. ...I told Stan that his son would have friends his own age... Malachi, the doctors say that Scott will be passing away soon... I really need to know if it's alright if the child dies in your home... His parents are not prepared to lose him, this child is so...

Mrs. Bruce... Malachi interrupted. ...yes... It's alright with me... Let me check with Nicole first, but then I'll let you know... I'm sure that it‘ll be okay with her too. 

__________

'Wow... We're gonna have another friend...’ James said as him and Sterling both watched Lloyd hold onto his mom's hand. '...that‘ll be cool.‘ 

‘Yeah... That will be nice...‘ Sterling commented as he stood beside Lloyd and put his hand on the eight year old‘s shoulder. Lloyd's eyes had began to water as excitement raced through his body. It had been at least four months since he had seen his mom. '...especially now that Tommy and Lucifer can't see us anymore.‘

‘I remember how cool it was when Jason was with us... Until he crossed over that is.‘ James commented. The memories of their friend was just as fresh as if it was only yesterday that Jason, Lucifer, and Tommy had regularly played together and took learning lessons from himself, Lloyd, and Sterling.

'Well... We'll just have to make Scott understand that crossing over is something that will take him completely away from his parents and away from his parents wishes.‘ Sterling said as he had also began to rub Lloyd’s back.

‘Remember that we had tried to convince Jason of that also... He still crossed over.’ James said.

‘I know that... But what we've got to do is make it known from day one with Scott... We can’t wait until the last second this time... Convincing takes time...‘ As Sterling continued to speak, he walked away from Lloyd's side and towards James side, where he knelt down to one knee. Now, with direct eye to eye contact, Sterling continued. '...we can't screw this up James.‘ Then, as he looked back towards Lloyd, who in turn had began to pay attention to their conversation, he continued. ‘If we're gonna do this guys, lets do it right.’ 

__________

Later that same day, just after sun down, everyone was just getting up, from an early breakfast as they waited on the visit from the Helsel family. With this visit, from a family that they had never met, only read about, until that very morning when Mrs. Bruce had come to visit, everyone was preparing for a complete stranger to move in with them.

How about I go ahead and wash the dishes real quickly... Ronnie Volunteered. ...hey Angel, would you please help me? Looking at Angel he had almost immediately saw a smile stretch ear to ear. Simultaneously, Angel removed his tee shirt and laid it over the back of one of the chairs at the table.

Yeah... I'll help you Ron. Angel said then picked up a stack of ten plates up off of the table. Though Angel, even at the age of nineteen, still very much looked like a ten year old, without exaggeration as he still, to this point in his life, couldn't grow body hair, was small like a ten year old, and had a gentle and-warm voice of a ten year old as well, he had become a very mentally mature individual as he had often helped around the house.

About twenty minutes later, just as the boys were finishing the dishes, the doorbell began to ring causing everyone to suddenly come to order at the top of the stairs. Then, just as everyone was together, Malachi and Nicole, together, headed to the door and opened it. Looking back at them was an older gentleman holding a child size person in his arms whom had the appearance of an forty to forty-five year old man. With this appearance, however, he was small like a child, with front teeth that looked either deformed or fake. Ah hi... Are you guys Mr. and Mrs. Malachi DeClue?

Yes we are Mr. Helsel... Nicole answered. ...and this must be Scott... Right? She asked and then reached out to carefully hold onto Scott's hand.

Yes mamm... Stan responded as he stepped into the doorway and bent forwards to set his son down onto his feet. ...just hold on buddy... He whispered into Scott's ear as he had also slung an oxygen tank down off of his shoulder. ...as you guys can see, Scott has respiratory problems and he is on a lot of medications as well... and...

Mr. Helsel... Please just come on in and come up stairs... We can get the details patched out as we go along. Malachi said as he then also leaned forward, and down to one knee, as he looked the child face to face. Hey Scott... He then said to the obviously shy kid. ...how would you like a lift upstairs?

Yes please: Scott replied in an oddly high pitched voice. Simultaneously the youngster raised his arms high into the air. Then, once Scott had felt that the stranger's arms were firmly wrapped around him, he lowered his head on the man's shoulder. Then, as they reached the top of the steps, they grouped with the rest of the household as they entered the kitchen.

Hi Scott. Lucifer said as he leaned up against his father. As Malachi stood still, so that maybe Scott might respond to his son, he then carefully placed his right hand on Scott's back, between his shoulder blades.

Hello. The young boy responded with a squeaky voice. Without moving his head, Scott rolled his eyes around to see the many faces that stared back at him. One fact, particularly. that stood out was that of someone that was wearing a black leather coat. That individual approached them, beside the person that had just said 'Hi’ and then carefully held onto Scotts balled up fist that clung tightly onto Malachi's upper body.

Well Mr..and Mrs. DeClue... Scott's father began to speak. The man had walked close behind Malachi as they walked up the.stairs and into the kitchen. ...what all would you guys want in return for allowing my son to stay here with you guys... I know that it...

Mr. Helsel... Nicole spoke up. ...all that we want in return is that you make sure that your son knows that you love him.

But, he knows that I love him. Stan said very defensively. I have always loved him and that's why I want his being to still be present after he... passes.

Why isn't Scott's mom here? Malachi asked as he turned to face the man. What part of your son's death is in it for her?

Sir... This was hard for Tracy... You see... It has been too hard for either one of us to continue fighting a battle that will never be won... We've tried everything... And now... our doctor said that most likely Scott wouldn't survive another forty-eight hours. This battle began six years ago when he was born... Neither one of us are prepared to see him... pass away. As the man spoke, tears began to fill his eyes.

I‘m sorry Mr. Helsel... Malachi said. ...I just wanna make sure that Scott's best interest are being looked out for. As Malachi continued to hold the child, it had felt as though Scott's life was running out within that very moment. As he held on just a little tighter to the tyke, he tilted his head towards Scott, just enough to feel the kid's warm skin up against his own cheek.

Honey... Nicole interrupted the moment of silence following Stan's explanation. ...1ets lay him down on the living room couch. Instantly everyone, as they followed behind Malachi and Scott, headed out to the living room and watched as Malachi laid him down. without moving much, Scott remained in the fetal position as Nicole covered him up with a quilt. Carefully, Stan then laid the oxygen tank down beside the couch and out of the way.

So... Should I go and get his clothes then, I've got them out in the ...

No Mr. Helsel... Angel suddenly interrupted. With Angel’s interruption, however, no body in the house seemed to be disturbed by Angel's voice. Everyone seemed to be in tune, instead, to Scott's existence and place as Angel moved up, through the small crowd, towards Scott's side. ...he only had a few minutes left... By the time that you would return from your car, he'll be gone. ‘Now, as he kneeled down beside the couch, Angel carefully rolled Scott's head to where he could look deep into the child's eyes. Instantly, with the eye to eye contact, Scott's body seemed to fully extend as his back bowed. With this, the child's eyes Opened wide and then suddenly the gleam of light, within his eyes, reflected from the kitchen, seemed to have turned into a dull shade. with it, Scott's breathing then also stopped as his body relaxed.

Oh no... Stan said as Nicole and Belinda both put their arms around the stranger. ...he's gone.

Its alright Mr. Helsel... Belinda interrupted. ...your son is... 

__________

'Hi Scott:..' Sterling quietly called out as he kneeled beside Angel. '...my name is Sterling and I would like to be friends with you.‘ As he continued to watch the child, he saw Scott's eyes switch back and forth between himself and Angel.

'What's happening to me?' Scott asked as he sat up on the couch. Then, as he continued to sit, with his legs still on the couch, he turned to look back towards where he was laying to find... himself. I'm scared guys... What's happening to me?‘

'They can't hear you Scott... Only I can.‘ Sterling said as he now stood beside Scott and Angel. 'Give me your hand Scott... I'll explain to you what is happening.‘

As confused as Scott felt, by the fact that he had just seen a double of himself, and the fact that that double had the attention of everyone else in the room, including his own father, Scott seemed delighted to follow the direction of the only person who seemed to acknowledge him. Carefully, Scott grasped onto Sterling's.hand, and then walked with him out of the living room. ‘Where are we going?'

'Not far... Just down stairs to where you can meet some of my other friends.’ Sterling explained as he continued to lead the way through the kitchen and then down the stairs. 'You know Scott, things are gonna be a lot different for you now.‘

‘What do you mean different?‘ The tyke asked as he looked up towards his companion.

'Well.. for instance, how do you feel right now?’ Sterling asked as he looked down towards Scott.

'I don‘t know... I feel...‘ Seemingly lost for words, Scott quickly used his hand to feel his side, and then traced an imaginary line towards his upper lip. '...where's my oxygen tube?‘

'You don't need it anymore Scott.‘ Then, just as Sterling answered the question, they both reached the bottom level of the house where there were two other boys, much closer to Scott's age, waiting for them. 'Hey Scott... This is James and Lloyd... They live here too and their great friends.‘

'Hello Scott.‘ James said as he stood forward and held out his hand to their new friend.

'I'm Lloyd.‘ Lloyd said and then looked up to Sterling. 'Why does he look different Sterling?‘

'Look different? Guys... What is different here is that Scott is no longer sick.‘ Sterling replied as he then also set his hand on Scott's shoulder. 'It is still, very much, Scott Helsel... Just a newer version of him.‘

'What is different about me?‘ Scott asked as he looked up towards sterling.

'Your healthy now Scott...‘ James answered for Sterling. '...many of the physical features about you, that you and many other people remember, were based off of progeria... The disease that killed you...’

'Killed me?‘ Scott whispered.

'Yeah... Scott you died upstairs just a few minutes ago... Now, however, you are all done being sick, all done with taking all of those medications, and all done looking like that you have progeria...’

'But... I had dreams