STORM FRONT

By SFwriter

- The Pack -
Part 01: Symbols
What If? 

 Warning: Contains Graphic Violence

“Storm!”  Dade yelled.

Dade could see his brother Storm hanging by his arms off a large wooden pole that rose out of Lake Herren.  His body was naked and racked with blood and open wounds.  He had a strange mark carved into his chest.  Dade cried out to his brother, but he received no response.  Yet Storm’s eyes pleaded with Dade.  At first Dade believed Storm was crying out for help, yet the more he stared, he believed his brother was telling him to run.  To save himself.

“No!”  Dade yelled.

He ran into the water, and his brother screamed as something Dade could only describe as a creature, rose out of the water behind Storm.  It was a creature bathed in shadow and darkness, barely visible to Dade.  It’s eyes however stuck out against the sky with a unnatural blood red glow, yet distinctly human.

“Forgive me.”  Storm moaned at Dade, “It’s not set … remember that.”

“What’s not set?”

Dade reached out to his brother, just as the creature impaled Storm by stabbing it’s arm through Storm’s back and out his chest.

“No!”

Dade woke up in a cold sweat.  The smell of the lake still fresh in his mind.  Cold sweat ran down his face and his hands shook.  For the third night in a row, nightmares plagued his sleep.  The same nightmare that each night seemed to reveal more.

Dade could feel something was wrong with his brother.  Yet he had no idea how to reach him.  He knew they were estranged, but Dade didn’t care.  He didn’t care that his brother hated him.  All he wanted was to make sure Storm was ok.

He grabbed the remote from his bedside and clicked on the television in an effort to distract himself.  He flashed through a myriad of channels, each as mundane and uninteresting as the last.  Finally, he settled on one of the news channels, when a report caught his attention.

“A series of grizzly discoveries has authorities baffled in the town of Henderson.  A young woman was found naked, with signs of vaginal bruising. ”

“What is this world coming to?”  Dade sighed, “Evil.  That’s all it is.”

 

* * * * * * *

 

Dade still couldn’t shake his nightmares from his waking thoughts.  He hoped that Storm would show his face in Merlow today, and then Dade would at least know his brother was ok.  He believed that no matter what happened between himself and Storm, it would not interfere in today’s events.  Today marked the one year anniversary since June Marcus’s death.  The mother that both Dade and his brother still grieved.

Dade knew Storm loved their mother more than he loved himself.  He would come today, just like everyone else who had loved June Marcus.  The proceedings were informal, but Dade had organized everything along with one of June’s greatest admirers, Marcel Lewis.  There would be a few words, before everyone would be invited back to the Marcus house for refreshments.

Yet as the service began and still no sign of Storm emerged, Dade began to fear that his brother would not be coming.  Everyone else Dade expected to come, had come.  His surrogate brother, Mike, along with his wife, Sarah.  His former boyfriend, and someone who was influenced heavily by June’s life, Marcel Lewis.  Merlow resident and Storm’s once love, Lucas Sheridan.  There were many more in attendance, but Dade took particular notice of these four.  For these four, Dade, and Storm, all made up a once unbreakable group of friends who called themselves the ‘Pack’.  Yet the one person responsible for bringing the group together was nowhere in sight.

Even once the service was over and all in attendance returned to the Marcus house for refreshments, Dade still held out hope his estranged brother would show.  As time wore on, Dade became increasingly restless.  He knew nothing would stop Storm from paying respects to their mother.  Only if he were physically unable, or worse, would he not attend.

Dade found himself seeking out the person who watched out for him as much as Storm.  Mike Marcus, formerly Mike Mitchell.  Barely a few months older than Dade, he’d become part of the Marcus family after the death of his own mother as an infant.  When Mike thought of a mother, he thought of June Marcus.  When he thought of family, he thought of Dade and Storm.  A fact he made official when he changed his last name from Mitchell to Marcus.

Dade found Mike to be one of the most steadfast, dependable, and caring people he’d ever known.  If the Pack had a leader, it was Storm, if the pack had a rock, it was Mike.  He held the group together.  He kept everyone honest.  In Storm’s absence, it was he that Dade turned to.

“Something’s wrong.”  Dade said to Mike, “Something’s wrong with Storm.”

“What makes you think that?”  Mike asked.

“He’s not here.  He would’ve come.  Even if he wasn’t talking to me, he would’ve come.  He loved Mom more than anything.”

“You have a point, but …”

“It’s not just that.”  Dade interrupted, “I’ve been having these strange nightmares the last few nights.  Something’s wrong, Mike.  I just know.”

“I hate it when you two start that weird shit.”  Mike said with a reassuring smile, “It’ll be ok.  Give it the rest of the afternoon.  When everyone clears out, we’ll track him down.”

Dade took heed of Mike’s advice and spent the rest of the afternoon remembering his mother.  Enough time had passed now that he could remember her with a smile, but the pain of her absence still burned within him.  The afternoon proved to be a time for Dade to strengthen bonds with those who cared about him, and cared about his mother.  Yet still he could not shake the terrible feeling that something was wrong with his brother.

“Dade.”  Carl Bentley said as he extended his hand in a gesture of respect, “It’s hard to believe it’s been a year already.”

“It is.”  Dade nodded, “Thanks for coming.”

“I’m … surprised that Storm isn’t here.  He sa… I mean, he should have been here.”

“You’re right.  He should have been.”

Dade’s train of thought was lost as Carl broke the conversation.  He was too busy watching the mother of his future child, Claire Carlyle.  She was literally weeks, if not days away from giving birth.  The fact that he was about to become a father did not bother him.  The fact that Claire still harbored feelings for Carl Bentley, was a cause for concern.  He watched as Claire and Carl shared a conversation that was obviously tempered with hidden yearnings for one another.  Dade did not blame Claire or Carl for their feelings.  He secretly wished there was some way they could be together.  Yet Carl and Claire’s relationship was doomed from the start, with Claire unknowingly already carrying Dade’s child.

“How are you feeling?”  Claire asked as she approached Dade with a smile.

Even now she radiated with beauty.  Her features soft and pure, laced with an innocence Dade felt unworthy of.  Though he did not intend to feel this way, he loved Claire.  Inside himself he hoped their forced relationship would blossom into marriage, and eventually, more children.  And though he felt for Carl, he now believed Claire was fated for him.

“Better when you’re with me.”  Dade said as he kissed Claire’s cheek, “You shouldn’t be standing up so long.”

“I’m fine.”  Claire said as she held Dade’s hand, “I’m sorry your brother isn’t here.  It would’ve been nice for him to finally meet his niece.”

“I hope he will.”  Dade said as he rubbed Claire’s stomach, “We’re all family now.”

“She has quite a kick.”  Claire said with a slight grimace, “She’s been rather active the last few days.  I hope that means she finally wants out.”

“Come on, Baby.  Let’s get you lying down.”

Dade led Claire upstairs into their bedroom.  Technically the bedroom was for both of them, yet Dade usually slept in his brother’s room.  Though Claire lived with him, he didn’t want to push their relationship until she was ready.  He helped Claire onto the bed and sat at her side.  He clicked the television on and handed the remote to Claire.

“You just holler if you need anything, Angel.”  Dade said as he leaned over and kissed Claire, “I love you.”

“I love you too, Dade.”

“Daddy loves you too, Sweetheart.”  Dade said as he kissed Claire’s stomach.

He rubbed Claire’s stomach affectionately as he pressed his ear to her skin.  He closed his eyes and imagined what it would be like when he finally saw his baby for the first time.  His heart filled with excitement and anticipation, knowing it was only a matter of time now before she was born.

“Sweetheart, look at this.”  Claire said as she tapped Dade’s head with her fingers, “How can people do this to one another?”

Dade opened his eyes and stared at the television.  The local news bulletin ran the same report that he’d seen last night.  He shook his head in horror as the details were read out.  He wondered how people could treat each other with such horror.  However, he found his attention pique somewhat more than last night, as more details emerged on the shocking murder of the young girl in Henderson.

“The young woman has still not been identified.  Authorities believe she is aged between 16-20.  Her head and hands have been ripped from her body.  The young woman’s torso had also been ripped through, and marks were left on her body that resemble satanic ritual.  Claw marks are the only clue for authorities now.  The young woman has yet to be identified, but she is the latest in a series of grizzly murders to affect the region.  Law enforcement have put a lockdown on Henderson as the town investigates it’s fourth victim in as many days.  Our on site reporter has sourced a sketch of the symbol found carved into the woman’s stomach.”

Dade jumped in horror as the distorted pentagram flashed on the television.  Instantly his nightmare replayed through his mind and he remembered seeing the same symbol carved into Storm.  The symbol was too unique just to be a coincidence.

“Baby, what is it?”  Claire asked as she sat herself up awkwardly.

“I’ve seen it.”  Dade said in disbelief, “I’ve seen that symbol.”

“Where?”  Claire asked with concern, “Where did you see it, Dade?”

Dade pulled out a piece of paper from his bedside drawer and handed it to Claire.  She studied the paper for a moment and looked at Dade with confusion.  The paper had a pencil drawing almost identical to the one shown on the news report.

“Dade, where did you see this?”

“In my dreams.”  Dade said with an uneasy shiver, “In my nightmares.”

 

* * * * * * *

 

“I’m glad that’s over.”  Dade said with a feigned smile, “I believe I am beat tired.”

“That was a good day.”  Marcel said as he sat down at the Marcus dining table.

“A very good day.”  Mike smiled as he squeezed Sarah’s hand, “You ok, Sweetheart?”

“I’m fine.  Just tired.”  Sarah sighed as she leaned her head on Mike’s shoulder.

“Dude, maybe you should get some sleep.”  Lucas said with concern.

Cervical cancer had ravaged Sarah’s body for years now.  And though neither herself nor Mike had said anything to the rest of the group, it was obvious her condition was rapidly deteriorating.  The painful treatment she endured had done little to halt the advance of her cancer, and both her and Mike knew it was only a matter of months before her body could fight no more.

“No.”  Sarah smiled sweetly, “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now than with everyone in this room.  Here with the people I love.”

An understanding silence passed across the room.  Everyone knew from the frail smile, pail complexion, and lack of any hair; Sarah’s time was almost out.  Though even with her health failing her, she still looked as beautiful now as the day she married Mike on the shore of Lake Herren.

“I only wish Storm was here.”  Sarah sighed, “Has anyone heard from him?”

“I haven’t heard from him since he left Drake.”  Marcel shrugged.

“I think something’s wrong with him.”  Dade said with concern, “I can’t shake this feeling I have that something’s happened to him.  But I don’t know where to start looking for him.”

“Why do you think that, Dude?”  Lucas asked.

“This is going to sound crazy, but I’ve been having these nightmares lately.  And …”

“That’s never a good thing.”  Mike said with a frown, “We all know what happens when you two start having dreams about each other.  Shit happens.”

“I keep seeing Storm hanging from this pole in the middle of Lake Herren.  He’s cut up and bleeding.  And he’s like pleading with me to run, even though he can’t speak.  It’s like he’s trying to warn me.  And there’s this thing behind him.  It’s some creature, but I can’t tell whether it’s a man or some kind of monster.  It’s hidden in shadow.  I try to go to Storm, but I’m always too late.  It rips it’s claw right through Storm’s body.  And that’s when I wake up.”

“Whoa, Dude.  Severe.”  Lucas said with horror, “What do you think it means?  Do you think he’s ok?”

“Let me finish.  See that’s not the thing that gets me though.  It’s that this symbol is carved into Storm’s chest.  It looks like some kind of satanic symbol.  I’ve been drawing it since I had the first nightmare.”  Dade said as he produced a foolscap folder.

He emptied the contents of the folder onto the dining room table.  A myriad of assorted papers spilled across the table, each with the same pencil drawing upon it.  At first the group seemed confused, until one by one they all picked up a piece of paper.  Their reactions were varied and unsure, and Dade couldn’t tell whether they understood what the drawings meant or simply thought he was crazy.

“Dade … I’ve seen this.  It was in the paper this morning.”  Marcel said with the slightest deviation in his facial expression, barely showing concern, “Are you serious?”

“I am.”  Dade said with a heavy sigh, “I figure if people are going to think I’m crazy, I’d rather start with you lot.”

“Dudes, I saw this on television.”  Lucas said as he studied a smaller drawing of the symbol, “Are you telling me you drew this before you saw it?”

“I swear.”  Dade insisted, “Claire thinks I’m crazy too.  But I swear, the first time I ever saw this symbol was in my nightmares, carved into Storm’s body.”

Dade observed a mixed series of horrified expressions falling upon the group.  Marcel had his typical look of stoic calmness about him.  Only those who knew him could tell he was worried.  Lucas and Sarah were the most overtly horrified in the group, with furrowed brows and slack jaws.  Mike was the only member of the group who seemed to have a steady control of his emotions.  Instead of looking worried, he had an intent look of curiosity on his face as he studied the drawings.

“These symbols come from a religion that hasn’t been in existence since the sixteenth century.”  Mike said matter of factly, “Hmm …”

“Symbols?”  Dade asked, “As in plural?  How do you know any of this?”

“Religious history is one of my evening classes at SCU.”

“What does it mean, Dude?”  Lucas asked anxiously, “Why is Dade seeing it in his dreams?”

“Well … I’ve never seen it in this context before.  It’s easy to misconceive the symbols as one symbol.  It’s even more common to misconceive it as a satanic representation.”  Mike said as he continued to study the drawings, “Dade, I’m amazed you managed to replicate the drawing in such detail.”

“It’s hard not to when it’s all you see at night.”

“The drawing is actually two symbols that represent a merging of two entities.  There was once a religion that believed in the balance between God and Satan.  They believed that neither could ever attain victory on Earth.  They called themselves the Requiem of Dusk.  They were a radical group that drew the wrath of both the Vatican and the Satanists.  They were a secret order that only the highest levels of the Vatican knew of.  Ironically, it was only through the Vatican working together with the Satanists that they managed to wipe out the Requiem.”

“That’s wonderfully boring and shit.  What does this have to do with my dreams?”  Dade asked impatiently.

“Nothing, I imagine.  I have no idea what this means in relation to you.  The symbols represent two entities.  Rage and Tolerance.”

“Plenty of the first in the world, very little of the latter.”  Marcel said with a snicker.

“Tolerance is the Angel of Light, Septurion.  Rage represents the Harbinger of Death, Necromonger.”

“Dude, you lost me.”  Lucas shrugged, “You wanna break this down in English?”

“The requiem believed that our survival as a species depended on neither entitiy gaining ground on the other.  In other words, they believed good and evil both needed to survive, not just one.”

“But Dude, evil sucks.”

“This isn’t right at all.”  Mike said as his index finger traced the drawing, “I’ve read this wrong.”

Sarah smiled proudly at the love of her life.  Mike’s history of prominence lay on the football field.  It lay with things tangible and physical.  She knew he was as intelligent as the next guy, but he rarely showed it.  Now however, he was fully strutting his intellectual prowess, and that fact made her proud.  Everything he did made her proud.  She only hoped that when her time came to leave this world, Mike would find someone worthy of his love and affection.  Someone who could love him as much as she did.

“Sorry guys, I’m no expert.”  Mike smiled, “And these symbols don’t have a lot of reference sources.”

“Dude, you’re doing better than any of us.  There’s a mystery here and right now you’re the best chance we have of unraveling it.”  Lucas said as he patted Mike on the back.

“Ok, I’m going to take these drawings back to Saran City with me tomorrow.  I think I can get some help figuring this all out.  But I do think I’ve misread this symbol myself.  At first I believed it belonged to the Requiem, because of the symbols.  The Requiem were all about balance.  But the way in which the symbols are drawn and positioned, there is a clear dominance of the Necromonger over Septurion.”

“Right …”  Marcel said with a raised eyebrow, “Necromonger over Septurion.  It all makes sense now.  This is all about sex, right?  Necromonger likes it on top?”

“Not now, Snoogums.”  Mike smiled with warm recognition, “Ok, one of the flaws in the Requiem’s order was that in order to maintain balance, they needed to have an understanding of both darkness and light, evil and good.  Unfortunately, the part of the Requiem that studied evil fell victim to it’s influence.  Part of this sect broke away from the Requiem after failing to overtake the good.  No one knows what this sect called themselves.  But any record of their movements and existence is even scarcer than the Requiem.  That’s plain speak for nobody knows what the hell happened to them.”

“See, that’s why evil sucks.  Tempt yourself with a little and it just overtakes you.  But Dude, I still don’t get how this relates to Dade, or Storm.  I’m worried about him.”  Lucas asked with concern, “This history lesson is cool and everything, but this isn’t the fifteenth century.”

“Sixteenth.”

“Whatever.”  Lucas shrugged, “This is the new millennium.  What makes you think we’re not just dealing with some fanatic who knows a bit about these evil freaks?”

“I never said we weren’t.  It’s too early to say how it all connects.  But what does concern me is a text in the Requiem’s diary.  Basically, it told of how this corrupt sect had broken away.  The Requiem feared a dark prophecy proclaimed by this sect, saying that on the sixth day, of the sixth month, of the sixth year of our third millenium, a child bearing the name of six would rise to bring the purity of fire to the world.  A child descended of evil and light.  This child would herald Necromonger’s rebirth, and the death of mankind.”  Mike said with increasing concern, “I think I may understand what’s happening here.  Or at least an idea.”

“What?”  Dade asked with urgency.

Mike was about to answer when the house shook with the deafening sound of thunder.  At first the group thought nothing of it, when lightning again flashed outside the window.  The house shook again with the sound of thunder, and the buffeting of rain.  The intensity of the storm increased till the night sky was lit up by light and rain. 

“Baby, something’s wrong.”  Sarah gasped as she doubled over in pain, “Something’s wrong.”

“Dudes, I think Sarah’s right.”  Lucas said as he blinked his eyes in an effort to focus.

Dade was shaken by the sound of Claire screaming from upstairs.  Her cry was sharp and horrific.  Instantly, he jumped to his feet and dashed for the stairs.  It was the last thing he could remember doing before he blacked out.

 

* * * * * * *

 

“Storm!”  Dade yelled.

Dade could see his brother Storm hanging by his arms off a large wooden pole that rose out of Lake Herren.  His body was naked and racked with blood and open wounds.  He had a strange mark that seemed to be carved into his chest.  Dade cried out to his brother, but he received no response.  Yet Storm’s eyes pleaded with Dade.  At first Dade believed Storm was crying out for help, yet the more he stared, he believed his brother was telling him to run.  To save himself.

“No!”  Dade yelled.

He ran into the water, and his brother screamed as something Dade could only describe as a creature, rose out of the water behind Storm.  It was a creature bathed in shadow and darkness, but it’s eyes were distinctly red, and distinctly human.

“Don’t believe him!”  Storm screamed at Dade, “You aren’t just part of him!  You’re part of me!  Fight him, Dade!”

Dade reached out to his brother, just as the creature impaled Storm by stabbing it’s arm through Storm’s back and out his chest.

“No!”  Dade screamed.

Instead of the nightmare ending, Dade was surprised to find it continuing.  The creature goaded Dade with it’s presence.  It stepped forward, but still Dade could not make out it’s face or form.  Besides it’s red eyes, it’s figure remained bathed in shadow. 

Dade kissed his brother’s feet as he wept.  He looked up and noticed for the first time a black obsidian knife plunged into Storm’s back.  He held onto his brother as the creature touched Dade’s shoulder.  Dade found the presence oddly familiar and he looked up at the creature’s eyes. 

The creature motioned for Dade to look back toward the shore.  As Dade did so he was surprised to see Claire standing on the beach, holding her bloated stomach.  She wore a white robe that fell over her body, yet left her stomach exposed.

Dade looked up at the creature who spoke to him with it’s eyes.  It urged Dade to go to Claire, and at first Dade felt relief.  Yet as he stepped forward, he realized he held the same knife in his hand that he’d just seen in Storm’s back.  The blade was dripping with fresh blood.  As Dade felt the blade in his hand, he felt a sense of understanding pass over him.  He looked up toward Claire and saw that the same symbol on Storm’s chest was carved into Claire’s stomach.  She wept with the pain as she held her stomach.

Dade rushed to her aid when the creature touched his shoulder again.  At once he felt that sense of understanding rush over him again.  He had to kill Claire.  He had to kill the baby.  He looked at the blade and then at the creature’s eyes. 

With a sense of determination he looked at Claire and charged toward her.  He barely made it two steps when he was blinded by a brilliant light.  The light washed over him and throughout his body.  He screamed in agony as he felt a dark urge within him being ripped out.  The pain was excruciating.  He covered his eyes as he barely made out the figure of a woman standing behind Claire.  Behind the woman stood six, seven figures.  He couldn’t make out exactly how many figures there with the light still blinding him.  And yet he knew that Claire, the woman behind her, and every figure behind the woman were focused on him.  Dade could feel their presence like a charge of electricity racing through his body.  He felt his hand begin to shake and the blade began to glow a brilliant white.

In that instant, Dade felt almost normal again.  He realized what he was about to do and felt rage overwhelm him.  He turned to the creature, and it continued to stare at him.  Dade resisted the urgings of the creature, and instead plunged the knife into the creature’s heart.

The creature screamed in agony as it grabbed Dade by the neck and threw him onto the beach.  Dade pulled himself to his feet and watched as the creature rushed back to Storm and ripped his heart out.  In a flash, both were gone.

Dade turned again to Claire and felt a sense of guilt rush over him.  He was soon blinded again by a brilliant light, emanating from the woman behind Claire.  Dade felt comforted by the light.  Just as the creature felt familiar, so did this woman.  Yet Dade could not see her face.  Nor could he make out the faces of the figures standing behind the woman.  He screamed out as the light began to burn his skin and send a rush of heat throughout his body.

The woman’s voice boomed, “Rise …” 

Dade awoke with the strangest sensation of lightness throughout him.  He opened his eyes to find himself laying next to Claire, with his arms wrapped securely around her.  The morning sun burst through the bedroom window.  Dade felt an odd sense of peace as he held Claire.  Memories of his nightmare ran through his mind, and he kissed Claire with lingerings of guilt.

“I would never hurt you.  Or our baby.”  Dade whispered, “I love you both.  I’ll do anything to protect you.”

Dade sat up and suddenly remembered the events of the previous night.  He remembered the storm.  He remembered Claire’s scream.  But he couldn’t remember getting to this room.

Throwing a sarong around his waist, Dade rushed to Mike’s room and found both he and Sarah sleeping soundly.  He smiled in relief as he watched the two holding each other.  His eyes began to water as he thought about Sarah’s death that seemed to be closer with each passing day.  He wished he could do something to help her.  He couldn’t imagine her leaving so soon.  She was still so young, and she was family.

With a fearful sigh, Dade closed the door and turned next to his own room.  Since he’d spent the night in his mother’s old room with Claire, he figured someone might sleep in his bed.  He was relieved when he found it was Marcel who lay sleeping in his bed.  Even now, Dade thought fondly of his former boyfriend.  He thought in another life, perhaps it would have worked out.  In his heart of hearts though, Dade actually wished Marcel had of been the one to be with Storm in the end. 

Finally, Dade proceeded to Storm’s old room and found Lucas asleep on his brother’s old bed.  As far as Dade was concerned, everything was perfect.  The morning was perfect.  Everyone was sound asleep.  Everyone was safe.  All was right in the house.

Dade made his way to the bathroom between his room and his brother’s.  He stood in front of the mirror and proceeded with his morning wash ritual.  He finished brushing his teeth and was about to step into the shower when he was saw something that he didn’t believe.

“Did I just see that?”  Dade said as he looked closer into the mirror.

Dade frowned as he realized he must have been mistaken.  For an instant, he thought his irises flashed a brilliant red; an unnatural red.

“You’re going crazy, Marcus.  Crazy.”  Dade said to himself, “Just crazy.”

 

* * * * * * *

 

“Does anyone remember going to bed last night?”  Lucas asked as he sat eating breakfast, “I didn’t even plan on sleeping here last night.”

“Neither did I.”  Marcel said, “The last thing I remember is that storm.”

“Weird, huh?”  Lucas shrugged, “But I had a great sleep anyway.”

“Because you slept in Storm’s bed?”  Sarah smirked, “I had a great sleep too.  Best sleep I’ve had in months.”

“Dade, Sarah and I fly out at midday.  I’ll check out that symbol for you and send you an email.  There are people much smarter than me at SCU, they’ll have a better idea.”  Mike said with a nod, “Did anyone else wake up feeling pretty … great?  Strange almost.  I can’t pick it.  Maybe it was just nice being home.  Being together with you guys.”

“I’ll drink to that.”  Lucas said raising his glass.

“Oh please, you’ll drink to anything.”  Dade grinned, “Now when are you leaving again?”

“Dude, so harsh.” 

“I’m just playing.  You know you’re welcome here.”

“Thanks, Dude.”  Lucas said with a smile, “I really appreciate that.”

“I’m flying out this afternoon as well.”  Marcel added, “I just want to say that I think it’s really great that we all managed to get back for this.  June would have loved yesterday.  And listen, as far as Storm goes … what good are resources if you don’t use them?  I’ll track him down.  I’ll let everyone know what I find.  I guess until next time though, whenever that is, I wish everyone here the best of luck.  And you can pass that on to Claire too, Dade.”

“I will.”  Dade said with a bittersweet smile.

Once upon a time, Dade loved Marcel as much, if not more, than he loved Claire.  And though by the end of their relationship he believed Marcel was not meant for him, he would always carry a genuine affection and love.  There were still moments when he would look at Marcel and wonder what life might have been like had they walked a different path, but now he knew his life was with Claire.  He simply hoped that Marcel would one day find that person who would fulfill his life.  In many ways, Dade expected that person to be Storm.

Dade turned his attention to Lucas, who he knew was the one person standing between his brother and Marcel having a relationship.  He liked Lucas, but he resented the hold he had over his brother.  He didn’t think their love was healthy, because it was all consuming.  And because of this, Lucas’s one moment of infidelity almost broke Storm.  Though not as much as Dade’s betrayal.

Dade felt a familiar pang of guilt as he remembered the day he turned on his brother.  In a day of weakness, wrought by the news he would be a father, Dade betrayed his brother.  He let his darkest emotions overwhelm him, and the cost was his relationship with Storm.  To this day, Dade had not heard one word from his brother.  And more than Lucas ever could, he believed he was responsible for his brother’s departure from Merlow.

“I just want to say that it’s been incredible having all of you here.  I only wish you didn’t have to leave.  You guys are my family.  I love you guys.”  Dade smiled, “Even you, Sheridan.  Let’s not leave it so long before we get together again.  And hopefully next time, we’ll all be here.  To us.  To the Pack.”