Crimson Eye

Part 2

Grey's unwavering commitment to protecting Ashton had always come tangled with a dark, hidden truth passed down through their family like a curse. The night their mother vanished marked the start of their frightening journey. She'd whispered to them, sharing a chilling secret about their family's curse, the one linked to their eyes. Emotions like fear or anger triggered a change, making their eyes glow in an eerie way.

Ashton, being young, didn't fully get it, but Grey understood too well. Their mother had revealed her own eyes, displaying the unsettling glow before disappearing.

Facing their relentless pursuers now, Grey dreaded the exposure of their secret. Rain-soaked streets gave no shelter, and tension hung heavy in the air.

The man's voice oozed with sinister delight as he said, "Seems our little fawns have a secret, eh?"

Grey's heart sank as the secret he'd guarded so fiercely was laid bare. The funeral, their mother's message, and the curse—all converged into a storm of fear.

 Grey clutched Ashton tightly. The man tore him away, laughter a chilling prelude to their nightmare.

"Stop! Let him go," Grey screamed, desperation fueling his outstretched hands.

Cale chuckled, the sound chilling. "hold him" he ordered, his grin returning as he handed Ashton over to one of the other men. His crimson gaze locked onto Grey, freezing him in place.

Frozen, Grey couldn't look away. Cale's fingers brushed his hair back. "Your eyes are just like your brother's, bright and... with a beautiful tinge of crimson, like blood." His eerie words snapped him from his trance.

Grey instinctively covered his eyes, hoping it would conceal the dreadful existence of the crimson glow. He breathed in and out slowly, praying the color would recede naturally.

"with a beautiful tinge of crimson, like blood," Cale's unsettling words echoed in Grey's mind, fueling the fire within. With a primal roar, Grey lunged at Cale, fists flying through the air like a tempest.

 A sudden burst of crimson flames erupted from Cale's outstretched hands, an ethereal halo of fire dancing in the rain.

 The intensity of the flames illuminated the dark alley, casting eerie shadows on the wet pavement. Grey, momentarily blinded by the unexpected display of power, faltered in his assault.

With a deft and almost elegant movement, Cale evaded the flames effortlessly. 

The fiery tendrils licked the air harmlessly as he sidestepped Grey's attack, his powers bending the very elements to his will. The rain sizzled as it made contact with the residual heat, creating an ominous hiss that underscored Grey's futile resistance.

Seizing the opportunity, Cale, with an almost casual flick of his wrist, extinguished the flames as swiftly as they had appeared. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy as Cale seized Grey's wrists, his movements almost too swift to follow. 

Grey struggled against the invisible force that bound him, his muscles straining in futile resistance.

"such a weak flame?" Cale taunted, a wicked smile playing on his lips. He forced Grey to his knees, rainwater mixing with the dirt beneath him. The more Grey fought, the tighter Cale's hold became, a manifestation of the ominous power he wielded.

Gasping for breath, Grey's defiance wavered as he realized the vast difference in strength between them. 

"No games. We have time later, little fawn," Cale said, gripping Grey's neck and carrying him to a waiting car.

Grey flailed his arms and legs in a feeble attempt to make the man let go as he was pushed inside the car. Another man joined them, locking the door behind and trapping Grey in the middle.

"Where's Ashton!?" Grey demanded fiercely,  Cale's harsh grip on the back of his neck hardened.

"He's fine," the man replied, too calm for comfort.

Grey's muscles tensed, he craned is neck to glare at Cale. "How did you find us!?"

"We felt energy, had info you'd be here," he explained with an air of indifference. "Found your mother's body. But you vanished." His snarl accompanied the tightening grip on Grey's restrained form, signaling the impending struggle yet to come.

"Did your Mother tell you anything?" he pressed, anger flaring at the mention of her.

"N-no," Grey stammered, hurt and rage mixing inside. His family was Ashton and Mom, and now it was up to him to protect Ashton.

Cale's lips curled into a smirk as he noticed Grey's fear. "Relax, little fawn. No harm will come to you or your brother if you cooperate," he reassured, his tone surprisingly calm, yet with an underlying possessiveness. "You see, we've been searching for you two for quite a while. Got a bit worried when we couldn't find you earlier. Family is important, you know?"

Grey's eyes narrowed at the mention of family, his mind grappling with the contradictory nature of Cale's words and actions. "Family?" he scoffed, his voice a mix of bitterness and skepticism. "Your idea of family involves hunting us down in the rain?"

Cale chuckled, the sound echoing through the car. "Well, you know, family comes in many forms. Ours just happens to have a unique way of expressing concern. Speaking of family, have you met your old man, Mattel? Quite the character, he is."

As Grey processed the information, Cale continued  attempting to ease the tension that lingered in the confined space. "And wait until I introduce you to your three older brothers. They're not as friendly as I am, so consider yourself lucky to have me here."

Despite the attempts at a friendly demeanor, Grey's skepticism remained intact. "Why are you doing this? What does your family want with us?"

Cale's expression shifted, a more serious glint in his eyes as his finger tightened around Grey's neck. "Our family has a history. We share a connection, a bond that goes beyond the ordinary. And now that we've found you, it's time to bring you home."