:::On Hold::: The Affinity Between Our Stars

Chapter 3: Cheeky Siblings

Where do we draw the line for the luxury that is security? Do we take for granted the freedom we get to keep? Do we accept everything as it is?

Do we turn a blind eye to the things that are done in the name of our safety?

Or do we take matters into our own hands when faced with unjustness, rather than letting others do it for us? No matter how safe we may be from the outside, we are always vulnerable on the inside.

Because that is what I believe.

I am Cayde Hunter.

And this is my story.

***

Walking towards me with an increasing urgency in her gait, the girl is seemingly aware of me within this strange place of light. She grabs a hold of my arm and tugs at it furiously, as if telling me to run with her.

I stand there, dumbfounded, not knowing how to react to this strange and breathtaking girl.

Seeing me standing there gawking, as if of an idiot on his first date, she parts her lips to speak.

Strange thing though, instead of hearing her convey her frustration by yelling, like a normal person would, I hear something sending a desperate message directly into the folds of my mind.

I look on and notice that her lips are in perfect sync with the urgent and pleading voice invading my thoughts. Now I focused my full attention on the voice, trying to unscramble the haziness surrounding it.

As the the seconds ticked by, her message became unmistakable. "Please, we must hurry!" She tugs my arm in emphasis.

"Who are you? And where are we? More importantly, what are you running from?" I croak out.

She looks at me in desperation. "I don't have time to explain why I don't have time to explain!"

Sensing something, she snapped her head to look over her shoulder. "Its here."

An terrible dread entered my stomach. "What's here?"

Instead of answering, she threw her arms around my neck and kissed me passionately. After reluctantly letting her break away, I stood there, looking more idiotic, if that was even possible.

I decided to get some answers.

"Who are y-" A primal screech of pleasure and hunger permeated from the light surrounding her, interrupting me.

I look behind her to see a sentient-like darkness devouring the light and reaching for us in an uncoordinated frenzy.

She smirks at my stunned reaction, part from the unexpected kiss and part in from the screeching monster, then turns serious again. "Find us."

"Find me."

The last thing I see before the demon-thing reaches us, is a prey-like fear emanating from the depths of her emerald green eyes.

The darkness consumes us.

***

I feel a pressure on my shoulder causing me to jump out of bed and form into a Juxstoff fighting stance almost instantaneously.

"Holy balls!" Rain shrieks as she abruptly backs away.

"Stay away, you foul beast! Let the power of Christ compel you!" She forms a cross with her fingers.

I chuckle tiredly. "Hey sis, you scared me."

"I scared you? You were about to go Kung Pao Panda on my ass!" She playfully jeers.

"Its Kung Fu, dimwit."

"Potato, potatoe." She sticks her tongue out.

"Anyway, what were you dreaming about to make you act like an elongating stick was up your bum?" Rain joked innocently.

My eyes widen. "Why you little........prick!"
I say as I push her onto the bed and proceed to tickle her to death.

"H-hey...I-I was...just-kidding!" She said in between giggles.

When I finally slowed down, the end result was a teared up Rain.

"Why the hell do you still do that, I'm a freshman now, just a grade under you!" She put a finger in front of my face while she tried to catch her breath.

I smother her hair. "Don't let it go to your head, you'll always be my little Rai-Rai."

"I swear, if you call me that today, of all days, I will find you and I will personally shove you into a vending machine." She threatens.

"Whatever you have to say to make yourself feel better."

"Oh, and you only have about ten minutes to get ready."

"Wait, wot?" I say, cluelessly amplifying my accent as I check the chrono.

"What the frack! Why didn't you tell me earlier, you twit. I barely have enough time to get dressed!"

Rain grins wolfishly. "Then you better get started, now don't you?"

"Ahhh, get out! I promise I'll get you back." I call from my bathroom.

"Whatever you have to say to make yourself feel better." She remarks cheekily as she leaves the room.

I use the Setisazer to thoroughly cleanse my teeth and I take a minute to get my unruly mess of hair into something socially acceptable before donning a fresh set of clothes.

Sprinting down the stairs, dad passes by to give me a fist pump as he simultaneously reads his newsholo.

"Mum, did you make breakfast?" I yell as I enter the kitchen.

"Over here Cayde!" Mum replies from the dining table.

I head over to my plate and proceed to make an egg-bacon sandwich with the two slices of bread. Scarfing it down and swilling a glass of milk, I get ready to head out with Rain.

"Cayde, Rain wait." Mum engulfs us into a hug.

"My babies are growing up so quickly." She mock cries.

"Yeah mum we love you too." I grumble, trying to avoid being smothered to death.

She reluctantly let's us go and kisses our foreheads. "Have a nice first day at school guys."

"And Rain." She calls as we're crossing the lawn. "Try not to be too much of a flirt."

Rain immediately turns red. "Will do, Mum!" Rain embarrassedly squeaks out.

***

Katie watches as her children head out toward their Hover Tafels and sighs.

Gordon comes up to envelope her from behind and lay his chin over one shoulder. "They are going to be able to live life Kate, be happy for them."

"I know Gordy but will we ever tell them?"

"Let's hope it never comes to that, Kate. For their sake and the M-Worlds'."