Book One: Rise of the King

Chapter Five

 Charlie found the microscope. Anna found the syringes. Shannon found the alcohol and medical wipes. Gray found another iPod. It had been decided that they would do the blood test in the cargo hold, to keep people from worrying about what was going on. Charlie and Gray worked to get some power from the battery packs that had been stored away for emergencies. They got the computer working and, while Shannon drew blood from Gray, Charlie got the intercom working so that Gray could have his music. It played quietly in the background while the computer analyzed the blood and hair samples from Gray.

"How long do you think this will take?" Gray asked his mother as they sat in the command room.

"I'm not really sure. At least an hour. I'm checking the blood for abnormalities that may be more immediate, but I think the DNA sample might be more telling." Anna answered.

Gray let out an impatient sigh. "An hour? Lord."

"Don't take the Lord's Name in vain, Graham." Anna replied.

Gray stood up. "I'm not gonna be able to sit here for an hour. Let's go find something to do, Charlie."

Charlie rose from his chair and followed after his friend, giving Anna's frown of disapproval a small, knowing smile. He understood what drove Anna crazy about Gray. He could be very difficult, though he didn't mean to be. He just hadn't ever really grown out of things that other people had. There were a number of ways he simply hadn't matured. His lack of patience was one of them. He was restless, impatient, hot-tempered. That was fine when you were a recluse and no one had to put up with you, but that wasn't the case here.

When the two men stepped out into the glade, they could hear Josh Claver's voice across the glade. He was working with the horses, which Gray had set him to years ago.

"Let's go see Josh." Gray suggested, not waiting for Charlie to agree or disagree, starting off across the glade.

"Can I ask you a question?"

Gray glanced at Charlie. "If you have to." he replied, afraid he knew what it was about.

"What's the matter with you?" Charlie asked. "Do you have ADHD or something? Cause you really have a problem being still."

Gray shrugged. "I dunno. I don't guess I do. I'm just restless is all."

"But why?"

"I don't know." Gray admitted, his tone uncertain. "I've always been this way. It's just gotten worse since we've been here. I have a hard time when I don't have something to focus on. If I have something to keep me busy, I have an easier time. If not, then I get into trouble."

"And you just run with that, as if that's okay."

Gray looked at him, clearly not happy.

"Have you ever thought about acting like an adult?" Charlie asked.

They had stopped and were looking at each other. Gray's clear grey eyes looked into Charlie's chocolate brown eyes with an earnestness that surprised Charlie.

"Do you think I enjoy being like this?" Gray asked. "Do you think I wouldn't rather be able to find some satisfaction? I see other people settle into these normal lives all around me and I think it would be nice. But I can't do it. I wish I was capable of doing it. But it isn't in me to sit still. Shannon is a great girl. I know she's in-love with me. Do you think I like knowing that I hurt her by not being able to feel the same for her?"

Gray let out a heavy sigh, looked away, his eyes taking in the tall grasses, the towering trees. He heard children playing, the animals fussing, Josh's voice. When he looked back at Charlie, he wanted so much for him to understand.