Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 7

~ One month later ~

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Every day for the last month has been excruciatingly painful. I cried all the time unless I was working. It was strange for me. Not even when I was being experimented on did I cry like this.

The doctors at the lab practically tortured me, and even starved me on several occasions, still I had never cried like this. I wasn’t sure what was wrong really. The only way I could describe it was like my soul was being ripped apart.

Still, I picked myself up and forced myself to go on. I traveled on a bus for 12 hours before hopping off. But I didn’t stop there. I kept going for a few days. Some of the way I walked, most of the way was by bus though.

By the time I stopped I was at another small town in Maine. I found a motel to stay in that was cheaper than renting an apartment, and a job at a local diner. Bar tending was what I prefered but I didn’t mind waitressing either.

Today I called in sick though. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with me but I had been throwing up all day. Not one time in my life have I been sick. I sat on the floor of the disgusting bathroom and thought about what could make me sick like this. Then I started to realize that I was late for my period.

No way. No. I started shaking my head.

There’s no way I could be pregnant. I’m not ignorant to how the body works. Ambrose and I didn’t use protection and he definitely did not pull out of me any of the times he came. It felt so good at the time that I didn’t even care and the next day I was in such a panic to leave that I had completely forgotten.

Oh no, what have I done?

Shooting to my feet I grabbed my wallet and jacket and left my motel room. I pulled up the hood of my coat and walked to the nearest drug store. When I arrived I went straight for the aisle with the pregnancy tests. Would these even work for me?

I’m not human… but I guess it is worth a shot.

I grabbed the cheapest one and took it to the counter. The caisher tried to talk with me about if I was excited to find out but I was still too in shock to even reply to her. Taking the test I rushed back to the motel. As soon as I was behind the closed door I went straight for the bathroom.

Following the instructions I peed into a small dixie cup and used the dropper to drop my pee onto the strip. Now I have to wait three minutes. Three whole minutes. The longest minutes of my life. As I sat on the toilet to wait, panic really started to hit me.

What was I going to do if it was positive? I can’t keep this baby, if I have one. What kind of life could I give it?

I’m constantly running and constantly living in fear that I’ll be caught. I can’t imagine the amount of anxiety I’ll be under if I added a child to my mess of a life.

And Ambrose… I wasn’t sure how to even begin to find him. Not that I would want to drag an innocent person into this just because we had s*x once. Well… erm, we had one long night together.

Plus I was pretty sure he was using a fake name. I knew Morningstar’s existed but I doubted they would be so open about who they are. From what I hear everyone hates them.

Besides, he didn’t strike me as powerful. I don’t think anyways. He felt too safe and sweet to be a powerful person like that. It had to have been a fake name.

But the only other option would be to give this baby up.

Could I do that? What if I gave up the child hoping that a loving family would find it and then the people after me find out?

I have no idea how the lab got me in the first place, and they were human. What if they could find my baby?

No, I couldn’t risk it. All I ever wanted was to be free, to start a family of my own after meeting my mate. I didn’t want a lot out of my life, I just wanted something simple.

The fact that I would never have that is something I made peace with a while ago. Or at least I thought I did..

I looked back at the clock beside the bed through the bathroom door and saw that it’s been four minutes. I guess I was too stuck in my brain to pay attention. Taking a deep shaky breath I closed my eyes and stood in front of the counter. I grabbed the test and looked down to see two tiny pink lines. My world froze.

I’m pregnant.

I’m f*****g pregnant.

I’m going to have a baby…

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~ Five Years Later~

“Mommy where are we going?” My almost five year old son asked.

“We are leaving for the next town baby.” I said to him.

My son huffed and crossed his arms. His name is Tate Ambrose, and whatever my last name is at the time. I figured that if he was going to have a fake last name it might as well match mine, but I did give him his fathers name for a middle name.

Tate is so big that he’s been in a booster seat since he was three. Kid is a giant just like his father. That wasn’t the only thing that he got from Ambrose either.

Our son is literally a spitting image of him. Thick golden blonde hair, huge even for a kid, same nose, full lips, all of it. Even my sons eyes resemble his fathers. They are a deep blue but with flecks of gold in them.

“I’m sick of running Momma. I wanna go to school.” He said.

“I teach you everything you need to know, like home schooling.” I told him.

Tate huffed again.

“I want to make friends.” He argued.

I sighed. “I know baby, I know…” I trailed off as I faught back tears. “Do you remember why we are running?” I asked him.

Tate nodded his little head.

“Bad people are after us and they can never catch us.” He answered in a bored tone.

“That’s right right my little butterscotch.” I told him. “Now, it is late. Get some sleep we will be driving all night.” I told him.

Tate nodded and cuddled up with his blanket.

“I love you Momma.” He said as he closed his eyes.

“I love you too baby.” I told him with a smile.

Less than ten minutes later Tate was asleep. Finally I was able to let a few of my tears fall. It was always like this.

Tate hated moving around all the time but he is too young to really understand what is going on. It breaks my heart but I would do what I needed to for my son.

When I was Tate’s age I was being Experimented on by humans. At the time I didn’t know what was going on. I had no idea what life could really be like for me.

As much as I hated this life for my son, it was far better than what I had. And I had to hold out hope that one day I could give Tate the life he deserved.

One day.

After finding out I was pregnant I stayed in the town I had been in for a couple extra months. I always made sure that I was ready to run at a moments notice though. Thankfully I was there for six months and nothing had happened. I wasn’t sure why I was granted the extra time but I was thankful.

Especially considering I had Tate four months after finding out I was pregnant. If I wasn’t a supernatural I probably would have freaked out worse. And I did freak out, I had no idea my pregnancy would be so quick.

I was able to stay in the that town for two months after Tate was born. It was a godsend honestly. My son was an amazing baby though. He rarely ever cried and he has been a smart cookie since day one. It also seemed like he was growing at a rapid rate.

I was able to stay in the that town for two months after Tate was born. It was a godsend honestly. My son was an amazing baby though. He rarely ever cried and he has been a smart cookie since day one. It also seemed like he was growing at a rapid rate.

At least that’s what I thought at first. Tate was growing out of everything so quickly, he also learned how to crawl and walk very early. It was helpful but at one point I had started to freak out that my son was growing too fast.

Thankfully it seemed that he was just a big boy. Since his third birthday I noticed he wasn’t growing at a rapid rate, he is just a big guy, like his dad. Although it has really sucked not knowing what to expect since I barely have information on myself.

Never have I tried to get him to grant a wish. I thought about it several times just to teach him control, but part of me wondered if I never taught him maybe he would never be able to do it. I wanted a better life for my son, not this mess.

When Tate was around two months old I skipped town before my necklace could glow a warning for me. I hopped on the bus with my newborn and let it take us a few states away. Then I continued the life I had been living before I became a mother.

Some things did change though. For one, I became a theif. Before I was making enough money to feed myself and skip from town to town, now I had a whole other person to support. One that was constantly growing out of everything. And don’t even get me started on how much my kid eats. I fear for when he hits puberty.

When Tate was about a year old I decided we needed a car. Buses just weren’t doing it for us anymore. Not after some man tried to kidnap my kid from me. Don’t worry though, I killed him before he made it two steps from me.

I broke into a few shops and robbed them while no one was there. I tried not to break too much since I felt bad as it was. Again, I didn’t want this life.

After I had gathered a decent amount I bought a cheap piece of junk. It got us around for the last few years though. The plates are fake as is the registeration.

Thankfully anytime we were pulled over the cops took pity on me. If they didn’t all I had to do was ask my son to make a wish for me. Apparently, I can’t wish myself to do something.

How annoying.

So, so far Tate and I have been good. There were a few close calls after my crystal glowed and heated my chest. Thankfully luck always seemed to be on our side. Though Tate was growing tired of this life. I couldn’t blame him.

We have been driving for a few hours now. Tate and I had been in a very small town in Virgina. The people there were very rude and racist.

Apparently, I was the only one of any color, even if it was barely, and I had a son who shared a very small amount of my color. I’m not even that dark complected, and I don’t even know what ‘race’ I am other than Djin. Not that I could tell the people there that. We ended up only staying there for one month before I decided that was enough and we were moving on.

I have no idea where we are going to go. Tate is growing more impatient lately. Something aside from being sick of this life is going on. I can’t put my finger on it though. I wish that I knew more about what I am so that I could better help him.

Looking in the rear view mirror I could see that he was now awake again. I sighed as I watched him look out the window. It breaks my heart to see him look so stone faced. He’s just a baby for crying out loud.

Mine and Ambrose’s baby.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Ambrose. It’s hard not to when I am taking care of his exact replica all the time. Still, I wonder what would have happened had I been able to talk with him the next morning. I’m not sure it would have changed the outcome of today but just to be kissed by him one last time would have been nice.

I wasn’t sure why I was so stuck on him but I chalked it up to sharing a child with him. After one amazing night together we created a whole person. A big part of me hurt knowing that I not only robbed my son of a father, but Ambrose of a son. And Tate is such a good boy.

But what could I do?

“Are you alright honey?” I asked Tate as I looked at him in the rear view mirror again.

“Yes Mommy.” Tate answered without looking at me.

“Are you sure baby? It’s one in the morning and you’re still awake.” I told him.

Tate turned his head to me and his beautiful eyes connected with mine in the mirror.

“My friend woke me.” He answered.

I frowned.

“Your friend?” I asked.

Tate nodded.

“He says that his name is Skoll.” My son told me.

“Skull?” I asked with a brow raised.

“No Mommy.” Tate said shaking his head. “Skoll.” He said again.

This time I just nodded to him.

Isn’t that what I said?

My son just shook his head at me. He knows I don’t get it. Little s**t is smarter than even me.

“So, where is this Skoll?” I asked my son.

Tate furrowed his brow.

“He says he is inside of me right now but will come out soon.” He told me.

I frowned.

“Well okay then. Did he just show up? Just now?” I asked Tate.

“Yeah. My head started to hurt really bad and then he was here with me. Skoll says I will never be alone again Mommy, isn’t that cool?” Tate asked excitedly.

“Yeah baby. Way cool.” I said as I tried to keep the hurt from my voice.

Tate and I had been to a lot of places that allowed me to bring him to work with me. The older he got though the more that stopped happening. My bosses just wondered why he wasn’t in school, ya know, since he’s so big.

So, I had to start leaving him in the apartments or motels that we would stay in. My poor baby spent most of his life either alone or with just me.

“I finally have a friend.” Tate whispered.

I smiled at him in the mirror.

“Well tell your new friend that you both need some sleep.” I told him.

“Okay Momma.” Tate answered and then yawned.

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About 30 minutes later Tate was softly snoring in the back seat. I pulled off the highway when I saw a gas station. Parking next to a pump I got out, locked the doors, and ran inside. I grabbed Tate and I a drink and some donuts for breakfast.

Then I prepaid for some gas before going back out to pump. My eyes scanned around us as the gas pumped into my car. Everything was quiet, this is the only place for miles.

I was standing outside looking inside the window at my sleeping son. Then suddenly, I was grabbed from behind. A hand wrapped around my mouth and an arm snaked around my middle. I was lifted up and I immediately started thrashing and screaming.

Elbowing the person in the ribs they left out a loud ‘umph’ before releasing me. I grabbed the knife that was in my shoe and turned to face the person. My necklace didn’t glow and now that I was facing the person I could tell that they are human.

A digusting looking man was glaring at me from a few feet away. He is dressed in all black with a hood pulled over his head but I can still see his face. The man looks to be maybe in his mid to late 40s, he has blue eyes and a crooked nose. He’s sneering at me and looks ready to pounce.

“Don’t come any closer.” I warned as I held the small knife up to him.

How was he able to just grab me? I know there aren’t many people here but surely the clerk in the gas station saw. Maybe he didn’t.

The man laughed lowly.

“You can’t take me on little girl.” He said as he took a step towards me.

“Hey! You leave my momma alone!” Tate screamed from inside the car.

The man turned and looked at my son. An evil smile played on his lips when he turned back to me.

Oh no.

“Looks like I’ll be taking you and your son.” The man said.

“Not a f*****g chance.” I said back.

The man lunged for me and Tate screamed out. With my son distracting me I dropped the knife and the man grabbed it. He held it up to my throat and grabbed me by my hair.

“Get in the car and we will drive off together.” He said as he shoved me towards the driver side door.

“Go to hell.” I spat at him refusing to open the door.

The man sneered down at me. He took a step towards me so that he standing directly above me, and then he kicked me in the ribs. The man kicked me again and pain shot through my body.

“No! Mommy!” Tate screamed from the back seat.

Suddenly the kicking stopped. My eyes popped open in fear that he had went after my son. But what I saw was not something I was expecting.

The man was hovering a few feet in the air. He’s gasping for air like he’s being choked. I got to my feet and looked at my son who was staring at the man. Tate’s eyes glowed a bright orange color and black veins crawled along his cheeks.

I gasped.

“I told you to get away from my mommy.” Tate said with a dangerous tone, well dangerous for an almost five year old.

I looked back at the man in time to see his neck snap. The sound echoing in the empty lot. Then he fell to the ground in a heep. I stared at his lifeless body for a few moments trying to figure out what the f**k just happened.

“Mommy…” Tate said softly and I turned back to him.

I whipped the door open and looked him over. My baby’s eyes are fluttering shut. He’s clearly exhuasted.

“Baby are you okay?” I asked him.

Tate nodded weakly.

“Mommy you’re bleeding.” He said as he reached up and wiped some b***d from my l*p.

“I’m okay baby. Let’s get out of here. Are you sure you’e okay?” I asked him.

Tate nodded again with a weak smile.

“Skoll says that I am tired because I have never used my magic before. So I need a nap Mommy.” He told me.

I didn’t have time right now to figure out what that meant. So, I kissed my son’s head and hurried to the front seat. I’m sure this place has cameras. Before I drove off I turned to look at my sleepy son.

“Hey butterscotch. I know you are tired right now but I need you to make a wish. Can you do that for Mommy?” I asked him.

Tate nodded to me.

“Good baby. I need you to say ‘I wish that the cameras at this gas station recorded nothing for this whole night and day.'” I told him.

Tate nodded.

“I wish that the cameras at this gas station recorded nothing for this whole night and day.” He repeated word for word.

The familiar magic swirled through me. Tate gasped and I knew my eyes went white. Power tingled the tips of my fingers and toes.

“Your wish is my command.” I said in my powerfilled voice.

Once it ended and I was seeing clearly I smiled at my son.

“You did a very good job baby.” I told him and the turned around in my seat.

I sped off as fast as I could down the empty road.

A few minutes after driving my son’s voice floated to my ears.

“Mommy?” He asked.

“Yeah baby?” I replied.

“Did I kill that man?” He asked nonchalantly.

I froze.

What could I say?

I could either lie and tell him that he didn’t. But I don’t want to lie to my son. People lied to me my entire life and no matter how dark it was, the lies never made anything better. Or, I could tell him the truth and teach him how to deal with the guilt.

I took a deep breath.

“Yes baby you did.” I said softly and waited to see what he would say.

“Good.” He said shocking me.

I looked in the rear view mirror to see him looking out the window again. He has a stone cold look on his face.

“You were protecting me Tate.” I said.

My son didn’t seem to be bothered by the fact that he had just killed a man, while using a power I didn’t know he possessed.

“I know Momma. Skoll says the man deserved to die and that I shouldn’t feel bad.” Tate said to me.

“Well, while I am thankful that you did what you did Tate, you and Skoll are not who gets to judge who lives or dies. We do what we have to, to survive but we are not Gods. That means we do not get to say whether someone deserves death or not.” I told my son.

“Skoll says you’re right Momma.” Tate said.

I rolled my eyes. Great.

What would have happened if Skoll didn’t agree with me? This imaginary friend is already going to be a pain in my a*s, I know it.

“Alright, the two of you get some sleep honey. You said you were tired. We’ll talk in the morning.” I said.

Tate nodded and soon after he was back asleep.

After I was sure he was out for good I let what just happened finally sink in. Someone, a human out of all people, tried to kidnap us.

Why?

It must have been a wrong place wrong time thing. Still, that was crazy. I wasn’t prepared enough. I need to start carrying bigger knives and not give anyone the chance to run off again.

And then there was what my son had done. How was he able to do that? I couldn’t do that.

Tate said that his friend Skoll told him it was just his magic. What the hell did that mean? I wish Tate was better able to tell me.

This is so confusing. Is it because he is half human from his fathers side? I have no idea who my father is or what he was. Is it possible that during all those experiments that something was taken from me?

I sighed as I looked at my sleeping son in the rear view mirror.

What am I going to do with you my butterscotch?

I wasn’t sure what this means for us now, but what I do know is that I will protect my son no matter what comes out way.