The Grey Area of Sater

Chapter 2

"GRAY!" Gray felt a hand on each of his shoulders pulling him back. He grabbed the edge of the desk in front of him in attempts to regain balance stabbing the heel of his hand with a shard of glass in the process. He was reluctant to see who was pulling him but the stabbing pain made him turn around.

"Ow that hurt!" he exclaimed shaking his hand, "Oh thank god, Aline don't scare me like that--" his sister cut him short.

"I ran around the entire school looking for you are you okay?" she caught her breath before continuing, "Your hand! It's completly covered in blood why did you grab a table full of broken glass are you an idiot!? What the hell just happened? Who said your name and why did they say it?" She spoke so quickly all her questions sounded like one word. Aline was shaking as if she was freezing, Gray could see the look of concern in her eyes. He placed one hand on each of her shoulders in in hopes of stabilizing her.

"First just calm down and I'll answer your questions," he looked his sister in the eye and spoke in as gentle of a tone as he possibly could, more to calm himself than anything else. "it's just a cut look I'm fine." Gray directed his gaze to his bleeding hand but Aline didn't follow. 

She closed her eyes and took some seep breaths. Gray could feel her shoulders loosening so he removed his hands leaving a red handprint on her left sleeve in it's place. He waited for her to open her eyes again before continuing.

He inhaled, "Okay, I have no idea what just happened but I think I should go check it out." Partial lie. Gray didn't know what happened but he knew with a hundred percent certainty that it had everything to do with Sater and his magic so he wanted to keep Aline out of it.

He was halfway out of the library before he felt a tug at his wrist, he ignored it at first but then the tug turned to a squeeze.

"Don't you dare go anywhere without me." Aline ordered in a low, assertive tone and Gray spun on his heel to face her knowing she wouldn't take no for an answer.

Gray was reluctant but after a moment of debating with himself her agreed though he could already see the look of hear on her face trying to accept the fact that  she would soon realize just how different the two of them are.

"Fine," he sighed, "but keep your distance from me... for your own safety." He said the last part under his breath but Aline understood.

"I don't care about my safety I'm clearly not the target."

"But I do so let go, if I get hurt you're not getting hurt with me."

That just made her tighten her grip, "How can I trust you won't run off if I let go?" She could read right through him. Gray sighed but gave her a look of approval before walking out.

He ripped the out the glass that had been hurting his hand the entire conversation though that didn't hurt any less.

"Be careful. I'll kill you if you get hurt." He ordered his sister without looking back at her. He knew what he just said didn't make sense but he didn't care.

I don't care if you discover my secret anymore I will protect you.

Gray grabbed Aline's wrist the same way she was still doing to him. he squeezed hard, let himself know she was still okay.

The two ran to to the back of the school where the voices came from but there wasn't anyone there to meet them.

"Uhhh, Gray... That has your name on it." Aline braught her brother's attention to an envelope with the words "Graynnon Raurral" written on it in calligraphy. Gray picked it up ripping it open with his free hand.

Inside was a letter, only the first line made him tighten his grip on Aline's wrist and pull her closer but she didn't seem to care. He read it aloud not caring if he exposed himself. Besides, he knew his secret would also be his sister's sooner rather than later.

Our dear Graynnon,
We are aware this letter is fifteen years late but please allow us to just say one thing. Letting you go to receive 'special treatment' was the worst mistake of our lives, yet, we regret nothing. Graynnon, we do not pretend to be able to imagine the pain you have gone through due to our choice, for that you have our sincerest apologies and we hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us. Alas, we give you this letter bearing news you may find unfortunate. Sater. You have discovered the truth about the continent and where you are from. To most, that would result in rejoice after so many years of confusion and loneliness. We must get to you and bring you home with us. Graynnon Raurral you are a rare soul indeed, you are quite valuable to Sater and its citizens. Your special treatment has only just begun.

The letter wasn't signed but Gray knew exactly who it was from. He let his hand fall to his side still holding the letter trying to process what he just read.

Gray could feel Aline breathing down his neck and that was when he realized she was reading the letter over his shoulder. Her grip on Gray's wrist got tighter and he felt her pulse quicken. She was getting nervous.

"Gray... wha-what is this?" She asked the question so quietly that Gray would not have heard if their faces weren't so close. "What is this." Aline was demaning a response now but Gray still couldn't give it. He shoved the letter in his pocket, let his sister go and tried to run but her grip was better than he had anticipated.

"Why are you so persistent about coming with me?!" he yelled

"I'm not going to let my brother chase after his kidnappers!"

I'm not chasing after my kidnappers I'm chasing after my life!"

"Gray..."

"Aline!" he snapped. He calmed himself down before continuing, "Aline... I'm sorry for yelling." He sighed and could see tears forming in his sisters eyes. "I don't want you to go for the same reason you don't want me to go." he grabbed hold of her wrist once more to show his sincerity, "I want to protect you."

A tear rolled down Aline's face and Gray wiped it with his free hand while blinking bach tears of his own.

"I'm sorry sis but this is something I need to figure out on my own." That was the first time he had acknowledged anyone as family which mad leaving her behind that much harder.

Gray twisted his wrist to loosen his sister grip though she didn't resist this time and ran off without looking back at her. It hurt him more than he wanted to admit.