It really didn't matter what Caleb or anyone else had to say about Chase. There was not enough evidence to prove that he had actually killed anyone. The closest they had gotten had been to the dead guy that had been found, because obviously Chase had stolen their identity. But they could not place him at the scene of the crime. They had no idea how the other had really even died. That only clear evidence was that they were, and Chase had taken advantage of it, in the eyes of the cops. It was a 'coincidence' they chalked it all down to. Calling Chase a witch had only gotten his accusers strange looks, because not even anyone in the town believed that much in witches.
Everything happened in flashes. Pieces of memory Chase couldn't quite make out clear enough, his head hurt, his body hurt. But he was alive, he knew that he was, of course. No dead person could have been in as much pain as he was in, right? He just didn't know where in the hell he had been. There was no sign of fire, just trees. There were plenty of tree's and it was still dark outside. Pushing himself up a bit he managed to move himself away from one where he fell, wincing as pain cut through his back. Dropping to the ground he pushed back the tears threatening to spill from his eyes. But it was too much, the pain had been far too much, even for him and after trying for another few minutes to force himself forward. He dropped to the ground again letting out a breath as he surrendered, everything fading to black.
It took two days, roughly, before anyone had walked into the woods and stumbled upon Chase. It had taken another day for the doctors to work on stabilizing Chase's condition. He had large second and third degree burns over his body. Several damaged organs and a broken back. Ultimately he had been left in a coma in order for him to even begin to heal. It had been on the third day that police contacted Caleb about possibly finding Chase. They of course didn't know for sure, which is why they had contacted Caleb.
A few days later he had been shown images of Chase, not wanting Caleb to get anyone near the prime suspecting being accused of murder, by Caleb. Especially since it had been looking like Chase was tortured. His wounds suspiciously looked as though someone had intentionally set him on fire as well as had beaten him. And though the police had not begun to question Caleb about it, it was on everyone's mind. What had really happened that night at the barn had only been told, by one other person. As the police spoke with Caleb they made sure to avoid any accusatory questions, only wanting Caleb to identify that the person they had found, was indeed the person they had thought killed three people. And Caleb had done that. They then released him going back to their investigation.
Caleb returned to the other sons of Ipswich then, who were not happy that Chase was indeed still alive. Pogue had especially not like that Chase was being 'pampered' in a hospital, after all he had done to them and other people. Pogue had never really liked Chase, and as he was talking it had become a little more clear just how much he had never trusted Chase entirely. Though he was not really the type of guy who had accepted anyone close to the people he loved, just out of the blue. He was like a wolf, in that sense. Caleb had ordered everyone to just remain silent and stay out of trouble while the police had their eye on them. Caleb then decided he was going to find out more about Chase, try and gather up anything to get him sent away.
He knew Chase had still been a threat, whenever the other could get out of the hospital they would be after him again, he had developed a paranoia about it. Since the incident had happened he had been having nightmares, more terrifying than any Chase could make him have. But it was Chase who he had considered to be the nightmare, without the use of magic.
After a month of searching for anything to get Chase a life sentence for murder he had eventually found his way to the hospital Chase was being held at. He slipped into the intensive care unit. It was a little unlike him. But his paranoia and sleepless nights had perhaps made him a little more inclined to breaking in. Despite this not being the very same as when he and Pogue broke into the schools files to look for Chase before. This was more out of desperation. He walked closer to Chase's room, having sensed where they were keeping him. There was no sort of protection outside. Walking into the room Caleb moved closer to the bed an uncharacteristic anger bubbling inside of him. As he could hear the breathing tube pumping air into the other teenagers body, his eyes moved to the tube. Something about the fact that Chase was being allowed to live was irritating him.
He didn't think it was fair, his father was dead, and Chase wasn't. He had blamed Chase for what happened to his father. He was angry about it. Coldly he made his way closer to Chase, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to the other, just staring. He still couldn't add it up. This person in front of him, that he knew nothing about, had caused him so much misery and trouble. Had come into his life and tried to kill him. Why had he still been alive? Leaning forward he grabbed the breathing tube, again, very much unlike how he liked to think of himself to be. He was supposed to be composed, in control, wasn't he?
As he could hear Chase struggling to breath he released the tube before leaning back, he hated Chase. But there was still something about them. Something curious, really. He wanted to learn more about them. Wanted to know why they had turned out the way they had. Though it was really obvious. It had been very clear how Chase had turned out the way he was. He just had been choosing to ignore it. Because it would mean he would have to sympathize with this person who had tried to kill him. It would mean he would have to accept that Chase was damaged, as he had said. Long before he had even met Caleb. Caleb didn't enjoy that very much. No. He could never empathize with this psychopath. That's what Chase was, a madman with too much power, a power hungry psychopath. And he wasn't wrong.
But he still hated it, because there was something more to it. Wasn't there always? The world was full of far too many grey's sometimes. It made thinking in black and white a selfish act. People couldn't just be evil, or just be good. No, they had to have a story behind their reasoning. And Chase had one, a mostly untold one. Caleb wished he would have died at the barn. It would have saved him all of this inspection, he thought. Maybe he could get away with it, if Chase had just died. Get away with thinking, maybe Chase wasn't completely wrong for going, what he viewed as, completely insane. Maybe Chase had chosen the best option he could, under his circumstances. Pushing himself up he leaned over Chase, brown eyes locking onto his partially burned face.
“You were jealous, weren't you. In your mind, I had everything, family, friend who understood what I was going through. Protection from the dangers outside of Ipswich, wealth.” Caleb narrowed his eyes a little on Chase's face “What did you need, Chase? What was it? If you had everything you wanted. And not what you needed, what was it? Do you even know? Was it worth all of this?” Caleb moved back from Chase then, growing a little more frustrated about the things he had missed. Trying to figure out a way he could have stopped this from happening. There was this feeling, ever since Chase had entered their lives, like there had been a completion of a whole. All four of them felt it, that click, the final piece of a puzzle being put into place.
For a moment he wondered how things would have gone, if Chase didn't have to bring himself to them. If he had been found sooner. How it would have been a lot easier for him to deal with, if he had control over the situation. That was really what he cared about, controlling the situation. Chase was not like the others. He was uncontrollable. He was defiant. Someone who was supposed to be a member of their coven turned into an enemy. Made into someone who would never belong, long before he had even been born. Yes, maybe, he thought, Chase was better off dead. It would better, for him, a righteous retribution for all evil Chase had committed. His family must have committed in their exiled existence. If Chase had only died and his bloodline ended.
And the heart machine flat lined, all of a sudden the anger melted as he realized that Chase, just like any of his other Brothers, was still just young and stupid. He made mistakes, had not been taught the proper disciplines as the rest of them. His world shrank for a moment as he tried to process the two feelings of wanting Chase to die, and needing him to live. A little voice in the back of his mind had told him that Chase needed to live, for his sake. He was trapped in his own little world, when several staff came rushing in, pushing him out as they tried to figure out what had been causing Chase to flat line. Caleb could just hear that it had something to do with the breathing tube before the door closed and another staff member had security take him away from the scene.
Months went by before anything was done. Chase had been ruled out as a suspect for the most part, though the cops were going to keep an eye on him. He had been released into the care of someone unknown Caleb had learned, but didn't look into it any farther. Ever since the incident at the hospital he had been trying to ignore that part of his life and spend his time making sure everything was as The Covenant, had planned, in the book.
It wasn't until Chase had seemingly made them run into each other while Caleb had been out buying something for himself and almost walked into the other as he exited the store. Smirking, the scarred teen had seemed to not lose his personality, even if he did lose some of his good looks “Chase, I thought you were dead.” Caleb muttered as he narrowed his eyes on the other male.
“Yeah, I bet you would like for me to be. But, I'm Chase Collins, I think it would be an insult to my family if I died to someone as weak as you.” Chase narrowed his eyes on Caleb then but didn't make an attempt to attack Caleb. It was still apparent that he was still injured. It was also obvious that he was using his powers. Caleb gave him a knowing look before he turned and started to walk away. Chase watched as he started to walk toward the store again, staring at the back of Caleb's head as he entered the store. It was obvious that the wheels were in motion, Chase wanted power, and he wasn't going to stop until he got more of it.
