Dean was at a loss for words. Why would his grandfather leave him, an orphan that was adopted, his entire fortune and everything he owned. It doesn't make any sense. He understood why uncle Virgil was mad. He knew he would be if his father passed away and left everything to somebody that was adopted into the family by someone else who was also adopted. What was he going to do with billions of dollars worth of money, lord knows how many properties, and a company that he was so unqualified to own it wasn't even funny. Not to mention all the sports cars and trucks that his grandpa owned that he can't drive because he doesn't have his driver's licence yet.
"I'm sure you have a lot of questions" said Andrew
"Please tell me this is some kind of joke" asked Dean "this is more money then one person can spend in an entire lifetime"
"your grandfather said the same thing when he inherited the fortune from his father as well" Said Andrew "let me ease your mind. Hawk Enterprises Inc. can run itself. You don't have to lift a finger. I actually recommend that you don't until you've gone to college. However you can still reap the benefits. Here Is an Itemized list of all the physical assets that you now own" he said as he slid a packet of papers in front of the boy.
"that surprisingly doesn't make me feel any better. I still feel like I stole everything from the people who should rightfully own it" He said as he looked at the list of properties he owned. Obviously their was his grandfather's property here. He also had a lake house up at lake erie, plus a beach house in Clearwater, Florida. he owned a cabin in the Smoky Mountains outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He owned a penthouse in New York City, as well as a slew of properties in multiple countries like the scottish highlands, downtown London, Italy, Greenland and Canada to name a few."
"I can tell you're a bit overwhelmed by the amount of properties you own. Your grandfather owned over a hundred properties worldwide" said Andrew
"why does one person need this many homes" asked Dean
"your grandmother liked to travel. She didn't like feeling trapped in one place, so your grandfather bought all these properties so they could travel at no cost" he explained
"I may not be that great at maths Mr. Andrew but even I can tell they would have saved money staying in a hotel. He spent Millions of dollars on these properties and probably only stayed in them once" said Dean
"Most resorts charge $1,500 per night for a really good room and when they would go on vacation they would stay for about a month" he explained
"still wouldn't add up to the amount he spent on one of these properties" Dean giggled "I bet he could have gone on at least ten one month long vacations for the amount he spent on one of these properties"
"money was never an issue with your grandfather so he didn't feel bad for spending it" said Andrew "here is the list of vehicles he owns"
Dean Looked at the list and noticed that they were all stick shift manual transmissions. He wouldn't be able to drive them even if he had a driver's licence. "Hey Andrew, tell me about this Property in Gatlinburg."
"ah, it's a beautiful property that's secluded away from the tourist areas of the town. Your grandfather wanted a property he could use as a getaway for just him. So it's not a mansion by any stretch of the imagination" Said Andrew "It has a big kitchen and dining room with a big sitting room that has a fireplace i could stand in. It also has a library/study and four bedrooms. It has a wrap around porch and a greenhouse for growing vegetables and a three car detached garage. recreational vehicles are the only thing he kept in the garage"
"Perfect" he said "I hate people. If I knew grandpa it's keyless entry right"
Andrew chuckled at the boys response "yes all the codes are written next to the addresses in the packet i gave you."
"great, that means I don't have to lug around a hundred keys. Can I stay in my grandpa's place tonight" asked Dean as he got excited to explore the mansion fully since their were rooms he couldn't go in when he was able to visit.
"You don't have to ask permission Dean. It's your house, if you want to stay there then stay there. If you want to sell it then that's your choice. Keep in mind that it's already pretty late and it's a school night. All the paperwork you need for the emancipation is in this packet. You'll need that to get your licence and to buy anything worth a lot of money or to get medical care. As well as a special platinum debit card that doesn't put your info out their every time you use it. Also in here you will find a passport that will get you into any country in the world without having to go through customs. If you have any other questions please let me know, my info is also in this envelope. If you find yourself in a pickle just give me a call."
"ok sounds good" said Dean as he got up.
"there's one more thing Dean." said Andrew "your grandfather had one last request. Graduate from high school. He said you don't have to go to college if you don't want to but at least get your diploma. Also you must....control....your emotions. Every non human on the planet both good and bad felt your little energy pulse. So if you want to remain alive don't get angry....or excited for that matter until you can learn to control your powers. I know that confused you but if you want answers ask your protectors." after saying this he stood up and headed for the door.
"hey, wait" Dean called out "you can't just drop a bombshell like that and walk away like nothing happened"
"why not, you did" he chuckled "call me if you need me ageling" and with that he left the room.
Dean stood in the room dumbfounded by what Mr.Wayne had said. Every non human in the world felt his energy pulse. What did the man mean by non human? Did he mean animals? Did he mean....aliens? These were a few of the things that passed through his mind. What protectors was he talking about. Dean didn't have a bodyguard and he didn't have any friends except Mike and his little brother Tim. Everyone else kind of avoided him or bullied him. As he walked back to the kitchen he tried to think about who might be his protectors. "It couldn't be my aunt and uncle or my cousins, they hate me....even more so now. My mom and dad are dead and so are my grandparents so obviously it's not them. Every other person in town looks down on me because of my aunt and uncles influence and that goes for most of the kids and teachers at school as well due to my younger cousins influence. The only people that dont judge me and treat me with respect is Mike and his family" he thought to himself "could it be them....Mike does seem the protecting type" he decided to ask him tomorrow at school. He walked back into the kitchen and was accosted by both Nanna Rose and Mr. McCrady.
"what happened Laddybuck" asked the scotsman "your aunt and uncle are madder than a hornet trapped in a jar with no air holes"
"I would be too if I found out my father's fortune and everything he owned including his company went to an orphaned boy" said Dean as he put his apron and hat back on, washed his hands then continued to peel the potatoes. This got a collective gasp from everyone in the kitchen. "My Uncle also got fired"
"Oh bairn, please tell me that the orphan was you" said Nanna Rose. He had to ask Mr. McCrady why she kept calling him bairn when his name was Dean and he said that bairn was scottish for child. Dean looked at her and smiled "oh, that's wonderful" she gushed "i'm so happy for ya"
"Yeah" Said Mr. McCrady "but what's that about the master getting fired"
"Yeah, it was in the will and if the paperwork I saw in the will was correct Uncle Virgil's salary was only two million a year." said Dean
"The Mrs. and the kids go through that in the first two months of the year" said one cook "how are they going to afford the upkeep on this big house"
"the bigger question is are they going to be able to pay us going forward now that the Master has no income and has been cut off from daddy's funds" said another. The room erupted in murmurs. Fear of the unknown gripping them hard.
"You don't think they would let us go do ya laddy" asked Mr. McCrady
"It wouldn't hurt to start looking for other employment" said Dean as he rubbed his chin "According to the paperwork they're broke. My aunt and cousins would blow through my uncles two million a year salary in the first month. So grandpa made a credit card for uncle Virgil and they've been using that to fund their life. So I guess to answer your question you guys will most likely get the boot by the end of the month."
"oh ma, what are we gonna do" asked Mr. McCrady "we don't have anywhere to go"
"we'll figure something out" said Nanna Rose "It's getting late dear why don't you eat and get ready for bed. It is a school night ya know"
"Yes ma'am" he said as he began to eat the plate of food she sat in front of him. After he ate he headed to his room in the basement and used the shower that was down their for the servants. As he was laying in bed unable to sleep, his mind kept drifting to the incident in the woods. He was going to have to go the long way to school now which meant leaving here at four in the morning in order to make it to school on time. He was dreading having to get up earlier. He decided to check the local news stations to see if they had reported anything yet. He didn't really watch tv or follow the news not because he didn't want to but because he never had time. When he wasn't in school he was working. He opened the local news stations website and it was the first story he saw.
Search Turns to Tragedy
A scene out of a horror movie. That's what a simple search turned into for a local family when their three boys didn't come home from school. They called local authorities to report the strange occurrence but were told that a missing persons report couldn't be filed until the person in question had been missing for twenty four hours. So they decided to take matters into their own hands and search for their kids themselves. Their search started at the local public school campus where they found the oldest child's Ford F350 parked in the student lot. They went in the high school and spoke to a security guard about seeing video footage only to be told that the cameras had been disabled earlier that day. Authorities spoke to that security guard and were informed that the footage cuts off right after the school let out for the day. After their search of the schoolground came up with nothing they tried the woods next to the school's property where they stumbled upon the gruesome scene.
Six dismembered bodies of children between the ages of nine and sixteen were found at the scene, as well as thousands of downed trees. Some of the residence that have homes on the east side of this woods have reported hearing and feeling and loud bang that completely shattered the windows facing the woods. One resident says the force of whatever caused this tragedy knocked him off his feet. Authorities are still unsure of what could have caused such a tragedy, however they have ruled out an animal attack. To protect the families of the children killed their names will not be released. More on this story at twelve.
Reading that did nothing to sooth Deans worried mind. I wonder who disabled the cameras at the school. "At least they didn't see me enter the woods" he said to himself as he set his alarm for three and tried to sleep.
*********************
"Jones" yelled the chief of police
"I'm right behind you sir"
"will you please tell the civilians to go home" he asked
"Their devastated sir. They lost all of their kids and their kids friends. I'd be hysterical too" said Jones
"It's tragic Joans, I know, But they can be devastated at home where it's safe. The thing that did this might still be in the vicinity for cripes sake."
"yes sir" he said as he ran off
The chief rubbed his face. "this is a nightmare" he said to himself as he looked at the boy that was severed in two at the waist. "what are you thinking Marge"
I'm thinking whoever did this isn't human" she said as she analyzed the body
"don't tell me you think it was aliens" he said with an annoyed look on his face
"Do you have a better explanation. There's no evidence of a bomb or any man made object at all"
"could be someone with a really sharp blade" he said
"come on chief, this isn't a hollywood movie" she said "do you realize how sharp a sword would have to be and how strong a person would have to be to completely cut someone in half? No, these cuts were done way to fast and clean for it to be a normal blade wielder. Plus what blade do you know of can cut through trees. Not to mention those five are completely petrified" she said in reference to the boys that were sitting in a circle.
"Marge we can't tell people that aliens murdered six random kids in the woods. We would have conspiracy nuts all over the place in no time." he said in an annoyed voice.
"yes, you would" said a voice from behind
"who are you" said the chief
"Im federal agent Donaldson and this is my partner agent Wolf. We are from the department of non human affairs a section of the CIA and your employee is correct. The person who did this isn't human" he said
"I've never heard of your department" said the chief
"of course you haven't. Your aren't important enough to know that information before now" said Donaldson
"why are you in my crime scene?"
"To help you and see if we can pick up their trail. You see when a non human being uses magic it leave a residue that can lead us right to them, if they are amateurs" said wolf as they got out a type of hand held device.
"what if they're not amateurs" asked Marge
"oh, I can guarantee they are because this looks unintentional. But if they weren't amateurs then they or someone they know would hide their tracks so to speak. Now, if I were you I'd start my investigation at the local school campus. Three boys parents said that they spoke to a school employee and they said that the cameras stop working not long after the final bell rang."
"dragons" said agent Wolf "two of them it looks like"
"why would they be involved" said Donaldson "it's no secret that they despise humanity but they wouldn't go out of their way to kill six human boys unless"
""Unless what?" asked Marge
"Unless their target was never the boys in the first place" he answered
"what are ya thinking" asked Wolf
"I'm thinking we have multiple suspects. We have two dragons, one only a baby from the looks of his energy, then we have the one they were after who is completely hidden from us. Then we have the person that covered their tracks who is also hidden from us"
"That many people" said the chief "can you piece together what happened"
"Oh sure I can speculate" said Donaldson "the dragons were after our third party, the one that caused this. They used the second party to provoke the third party"
"how did they do that" asked the chief
"mind control. Every dragon young and old has the ability. At least this one was being controlled" he said referring to the body that was away from the group. He was the provoker, Look at his hands, see how they are all beat up. He landed some blows to our third party before he released the energy pulse. when you start your investigation chief be careful. If you think you have the suspects picked out let us know and we will handle it."
"Oh , come now they cant be that bad. They're just kids most likely" said Marge
"sure" said Donaldson
******************
Dean felt around for his phone as his 3am alarm was going off. Once he finally found it under his pillow he was able to turn off the annoying noise. He sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed his eyes. He got up after talking himself into it and got dressed. He didn't feel the need to shower again because he wasn't stinky. Not being in the throes of puberty has its perks. After running a brush through his hair he grabbed his backpack headed up to the kitchen to grab a bite to eat. Upon entering the kitchen he saw his oldest cousin alexander sitting at the breakfast bar. He had a beer in his hand and was obviously drunk. "This is not how I want to start the day. I knew I should have went to grandpa house" he said.
"look who decided to grace me with his presence" slurred Alex "I hope you're happy"
"it's 3:30am Alex" said Dean as he walked over to the coffee maker and started it up "anyone who has to wake up this early in the morning is not happy"
"you know what I mean" he said "dad said we have no money. Where going to have to let the servants go. I'm going to have to do...chores"
"oh no not responsibilities, anything but that" said Dean in a fake concerned voice.
"I know right. I don't know how to cook and clean and other lower class work. I can't even tell you the last time I broke a sweat" Alex complained "it's all your fault. Great grandmother Betty was right when she said you'd bring the family to its knees"
"how is this my fault" said alex as he poured his coffee and started adding cream and sugar "your grandpa was the one who brought you to your knees....not me. I just accepted the gift he gave me."
"you could have refused to sign" he said "then everything would have went to the right people. But no you had to steel it all. Now were going to lose everything"
"not my fault you guys were loose with your money." he said as he grabbed a pastry and walked towards the door "have a great peasant life"
"we will get that money back one way or another" he yelled as Dean disappeared out the side door.
********************
Dean was walking down his road towards the area where he and Mike would usually meet up. Today however, he would most likely be walking alone due to it being so early. When he reached the spot however he saw a van that he recognized. As he got closer he saw that the front window was down and Mike was hanging out. he walked up to the window and saw that Mikes mom was driving.
"ma'am, I don't want to alarm you but you have a Mike hanging out" he Giggled at his own joke.
"yeah, i'm going to need to get it fixed" She laughed "it makes a lot of noise as i'm driving down the road"
"quit making fun of me and get in the van dork" said Mike as he pulled himself back into the van "unless you would rather walk to school"
Dean opened the sliding door to the van and noticed that Tim was in their as well "a little early for you to be out and about isn't it." he asked the boy
"yeah but it's better now that you're here" he said with the cutest smile he could muster.
"ummm.....Mike why does your little bro seem different" he asked
"Same little annoying runt he always is" said Mike with a smile "how does he seem different?"
"I can't put my finger on it but he seem bubblier than before and I feel like...I don't know..." Dean trailed off
"safe around him" Mike said finishing his thought "like you can conquer the world as long as he's by your side"
"I don't think I would have used those words but....yeah" he said as he glanced at Tim who giggled at his confusion.
They arrived at Mike's house but before they could leave the car Tera told Dean that they had guests over for the weekend and to be respectful. To which he said he would. They walked in and Dean removed his shoes like always. They all sat down on the couch and started to watch tv and Dean was unaware that Tim had sat down next to him and had put his arm around him. Dean felt his eyes start to get heavy. He was warm and comfortable and completely exhausted from not really sleeping well the night before. Eventually he had fallen asleep in the safety of Tims embrace.
"Look" said Tera "Deans asleep already"
"After what happened yesterday he probably didn't get any sleep. Mix exhaustion with your protectors aura and you'll get a sleepy ageling everytime."
"are you going to leave them their or take them up stairs" asked Tera
"just leave them sleep where they are" he said "we have to be leaving for school in a few hours anyway"
"you really think they'll have school after six students were killed less than three miles from the campus less than twenty four hours ago?" she asked
"if they were planning to cancel classes they would have already put it out." said Mike
"you think so" she ask "I remember this past winter they didn't cancel till almost six o'clock"
"Turn on the news if your worried about it" he said "just keep it on mute, I don't want the boy to hear about yesterday's events and I know that's all the humans are going to focus on"
"you can't protect him from this" said Fey as she came into the room "he has to come to terms with what he did. It's the only way he will get past it"
A couple of hours later after not getting a text from the school or a message on the news about the school closing Tera had to get the boys loaded into the van. She eventually got the boys to wake up and them loaded into the car.
"how'd you sleep?" asked Tim
"A lot better then last night" said Dean "Sorry for falling asleep on you. Last time I did that I was a little kid...well, you know what I mean" he said and blushed in embarrassment.
"Look at the two of you. you guys are so cute together" he said as he started busting out laughing.
"shut up meathead" said Dean with a red face. Right at that moment Tera pulled into the parking lot of the school.