Chapter 323 - Three Hundred And Twenty-three: Ben's Departure
"Come back here, you imp!" Ben yelled at the kids who took to their heels as soon as they heard his outroar.
"No!" The two cockroaches made it outside the pack house with his backpack containing his bag and travel documents.
Yes, Ben was finally leaving, that old witch called his mother had withdrawn him from school, informing the management of his departure.
It wasn't his desire to leave Little town but Ben wasn't powerful enough to challenge the woman's order coupled with their strained relationship. Ever since he found out about the secret they've been keeping from him, the rift in their parent's son relationship increased, and wouldn't reconnect anytime soon.
His mother wouldn't give up until she had him where she wanted. Sure, he could ask for a loan from the multi-rich Asher and continue his education and everything here - he'd just move into the packhouse if the need for accommodation arises - he would just have to shamelessly impose on them until he was capable enough to pay them back.
However, Ben knew his mother, In fact, he had also inherited the same tenacity from her. She would never give up and might even put his friends in harm's way just to get him - don't be fooled by her gentle facade.
Unfortunately, the twins - Hailey and Hazel - had heard of his departure during his conversation with their mother Lia, hence stole his backpack, thinking it would stop him from leaving.
Over the weeks, he has grown super attached to the kids since he hardly returned home - Ben was scared his mother would send people to abduct and send him away forcefully.
He had watched the triplets grow to the age of six in the course of a few weeks and since then, halted their growth spurt. Now, they grew at a natural pace even though their mental growth was advanced than kids their age.
Ben was closer to Hailey and Hazel than he was to Arthur which wasn't his fault since the boy wasn't with them all the time. Asher took him back occasionally to Little town to get accustomed to life as a vampire since Kinney village was more of werewolves.
As expected, Arthur leaned more to his vampiric side than his werewolf aspect. No one brought up the issue of his demon side since everyone was currently sensitive to the word, "Demon" and "Hell portal" considering what they went through the past weeks.
His half-sisters -Hailey and Hazel- naturally took to their wolf side and there was Ryan to teach them how to handle the changes. Though Asher gave the kids tips concerning their vampiric part, Lia felt the kids were being rushed and it was better they started with the side they felt more attuned to.
"The bag now!" Ben stomped his feet, heading over to Hazel who threw the bag over to Hailey.
"Hailey?" he raised his brow warningly. Reaching out his hand for her to hand it over, but his favorite twin disappointed him.
The girl smirked mischievously and flew off her feet to hang his bag on the top of a tree. This was a time Ben wished his powers were useful and not just of service to ghosts.
Hailey, as discovered, could manipulate weight and gravity and though Hazel hadn't manifested her powers yet, she'd been complaining of having weird dreams lately which made Asher surmise she might possess a precognitive ability, she needs more observation - that was Asher's forte by the way.
And talk about Arthur, he was so OP - overpowered. Aside from the fact he could control the weather evidenced by the bizarre weather changes they've been experiencing lately, he could also manipulate velocity - he could slow or accelerate speed - which was his second ability. His sisters had not gotten a second ability probably because they were half Nicolli - Ben was so jealous.
You know what, being a medium was not so bad either. Ben had enhanced physical ability and spirituality when fully in control of a ghost - that was a new discovery. Acting as a conduit that day might have honed his skills and now he could trace any ghost of his choice when in that trace.
Sabrina couldn't understand how he acquired that skill but she guessed each medium possessed a unique ability or one of the perks of being the last medium - she couldn't exactly say.
Somehow, Ben wished there was a medium out there even if one, that could help him learn more about himself. Being the last of his kind was somehow enigmatic but he was lonely; Ben wanted to live in packs like the werewolves; in clans like the vampires; in covens like the witches. He wanted to belong and not just be the odd one out. Why can't some ghost just create a pact with a sick in the head human and procreate more of his kind, which automatically makes him the alpha - he could only imagine.
But it would be much cooler if he could get his bag off that tree right now, his flight would depart in an hour
"Hailey?" He pleaded.
"No," she wrapped her arms around her chest stubbornly. He knew that look and its significance - no negotiation.
"Hey," He finally managed to carry her in his arm. She had been avoiding his touch earlier, "I'm not going to leave forever,"
Suddenly, Ben felt someone tug on his pants and looked down to see Hazel wanting to be given the same treatment too.
"Of course, you also," He picked her up amid her weight. They both had gained weight as expected of kids their age - Ben wished a ghost could possess him now, he needed to borrow strength.
"I love you both but uncle Ben has to leave. However, I promise to video chat you every day and tell you of my tales in the new city, I promise," He swore with his hand raised.
Hailey and Hazel stared between each other, communicating through their wolf link with odd facial expression - looked like they were quibbling over the issue or something.
But Ben was thankful Arthur had not learned of his leaving yet else the boy would have delayed his flight with his erratic weather change - his mood swings affect the weather.
In no time, Ben felt his feet leave the ground and found himself floating in the air with the kids in his arms to the tree where the bag hung. Hazel stretched out and retrieved it while her sister got them down safely.
"Here, Uncle Ben," The girl gave him his property.
"Thank you," Ben boomed a smile at them before looking around, he was going to miss this place.