Casting Shadows

Chapter 15

Chapter 12 (Mikey's POV)

*130 Years Ago*

My brother walks into the house with an arrogant look on his face. That is something that is recently new for him.  He is usually quiet, he keeps his head down, and doesn't cause trouble.  However, bullies at school tend to trouble him just as they do to me.

"Gee, are you okay? I saw you get thrown off the stairs and get beaten up again today," I say as he walks straight passed me and up the stairs.

"I'm fine, Mikey," he mumbles, not really paying attention to me.  His mind seems preoccupied with something.

Ever since he's been hanging around this man named Xavier he's been acting strangely. He seems more confident with himself, almost too confident.

I follow him to his room, only to find the demon-angel waiting inside.  I've only met him once so far and he seems okay, a bit cocky, but in general nice enough.  He greets both of us with a grin.

"Gerard, will I meet them tonight?" he asks.

My brother nods and I just stand there in confusion.  I don't bother to immerse myself into their conversation.  Not wanting to cause anything awkward, I exit my brother's room and go to my own.

I have plenty of tests to study for and I'm sure Gerard does too.  It's a school night, so I'm not even sure why he is having a friend over.  Both of my parents are at work, so they can't stop him.  It is very unlike him to be so sidetracked though.  Usually he comes home straight from school and hits the books.  That's what our entire school does.

We go to the best school in the dimension.  Even the leaders' children attend the school, along with the smartest and wealthiest students in Death Valley.  Everyone has to pass an exam to be able to be eligible to get into it, meaning everyone is serious about their studies.  I do not understand why my brother is suddenly choosing to fall behind and converse with Xavier instead.

Our parents don't even know he is hanging around a hybrid.  I do not foresee them being okay with it either.

For the next couple of hours my concentration fails me because of the noise Gerard and his friend are making. They're laughter pierces my ears as I try to read something about the human cardiovascular system.

"I'm home!" my mother calls from downstairs. She always gets home from work before my father.

When I see my brother and Xavier walk passed my room and down the stairs, I follow close behind. My mother greets all of us with a warm smile and Gerard introduces his friend.

"This is Xavier. He's a demon-angel."

Immediately my mom's cheerful expression morphs into one of shock and disgust. "Gerard, honey, are you saying that he's a hybrid?"

"Yes."

She gulps uncomfortably. "Oh, well I will discuss this with your father."

Gerard furrows his eyebrows and crosses his arms.  "What is there to discuss?  He's my friend and  you shouldn't be so discriminatory."

"I'm not being discriminatory.  Don't use that tone with me!" my mother scolds.

Xavier has a look of anger plastered on his face, but he shows no surprise.  He is probably used to being treated this way.  It's not illegal to be a hybrid, but it is highly frowned upon.  People have no tolerance for any kind of hybrid and even more so for a demon-angel.