Gray

Chapter 24

Gabriel

I sat on the porch of a small older cabin with Luke, our fingers intertwined as we watched the stars. The cat sat in my lap purring softly as I pet her. Just as I had hoped, it was like I was still me and this other person in the spell. I had an entire life story shoved in my mind where Luke and I were lovers who worked a little farm, selling our produce to the local market where Nate worked. I also knew that Reid was the mayor and Gracie his wife. She had been the local school teacher before becoming pregnant and now, Silas's new wife, Anna, was teaching. North was a local mechanic and still single.

Yet, I still knew who I really was at the same time, and I knew this creature in my lap was the true soul of our beloved, somehow trapped. Her eyes met mine, and then she head-bumped me and mewled. "I know Gray," I whispered as I looked up, somehow knowing Victor could see me and winked. Hopefully, he caught it and would know I was still me, at least for now. I had no way of knowing if the spell would wear me down or not. If Reid figures out that my memory hasn't been erased, I'm sure he'll take matters into his own hands.

I absentmindedly stroked her fur as I considered what might come next. So far the spell had sucked in those who had sealed their bond with her. Was the cabin some sort of portal, and would she be able to pull them from there regardless of the mark? If that was the case, then what of Victor? He was alone in the RV and unmarked, forced to witness everything. Then again, what was the point? What purpose did our presence in this new life serve, especially if we don't even realize who and what we are anymore... Fuck! I have more questions and no clue how to find the damn answers.

Owen

I bolted upright trying to find the source of the sound that startled me. I must have fallen asleep as we researched Gray's books. Looking around, I realized we all fell asleep. A scratching sound at the back door drew my attention. Carefully laying the journal down that I'd been reading, I crept closer. A distant flash of lightning lit up the yard and I gasped when my eyes fell on her. Gray stood in a sheer gown, her eyes almost black as her silver hair practically floated around her. Her mouth was moving but no sound came out.

"Sean, Kota, come quick!" I yelled, but neither of them so much as shifted. When I looked back through the window, she was near the glass pane now causing me to jump in surprise. "Gray? Can you hear me?" Her head tilted like a dog does when they're confused. "Gray?"

Her hand slowly raised to touch the glass. "Owen." I felt a shiver run through me at the hollow sound of her voice and instinctually took a single step back. A frown creased her brow as she pushed her hand through the window - literally through it. "Owen," she whined as her entire body came through the very walls.

I was scrambling backward now, "Gray, stop." Her face morphed into a ghoulish grin as she kept moving. My legs hit the back of a table and I found myself trapped. Still, Sean and Kota remained unmoving as if they had no idea what was going on. When her icy fingers gripped my arm, I let out a hoarse cry that was soon cut off as her lips met mine.

Shh, Owen. Don't you see, this way you all get to stay. Her words filled my mind as I felt the darkness taking over.

****

I slammed my hand down on the alarm clock grumbling as I dressed. After my second cup of coffee, I headed down the steps of the apartment and waved to Mr. Taylor. "Morning, North. How are you?"

"Doing well, sir. Busy day?" he replied.

"Just the usual," I grinned. "A few traffic tickets and such. Well, I best get to it."

He chuckled, "Yeah, me too. Have a good day, Judge," and waved as I headed down the sidewalk.  

Author's Notes:  And another one falls...

 I'm still writing slowly, so I apologize for the time between chapters.