Masked

**I had written this story a long time ago and meant to post it here, but always forgot and never thought it was that good. We'll see! Let me know what your thoughts are**

"Michael hurry up we need to see if those pesky humans have invaded our home," my sister Amelia said.

"You know those could just be rumors Amelia?" I replied as we flew back towards our house.

"I know... but that's not what mom and dad told us last night."

I thought back to last night when our parents had told us it wasn't as safe anymore as it used to be. They told us the humans were wanting to experiment on us.

"Why?" Amelia and I had asked our parents.

"That's just what they want to do to test out their stupid science equipment," my father had replied bitterly.

"Are all humans like that though?" I had asked hoping that we wouldn't have to always run and hide every time we saw something walking on two legs.

"No, some are nice and will welcome us as if we were like one of them," my father added, "but don't get your hopes too high Michael. It's rare for a human to befriend a gargoyle."

I nodded and thought silently in my head, 'I'll show them that it can be done,' but instead I asked, "so humans have befriended us before and it worked out right?"

My dad shook his head while my mom sighed, "unfortunately no, at least not that we know to our knowledge. Don't try it Michael, they'll just trick you and you'll end up dead. We don't want that."

I came back to reality when Amelia asked, "hey Michael, do you think we could befriend the humans anyways... even though mom and dad forbid it?"

I looked at my sister in shock. Of course I had to cut her some slack for only being fifteen and reckless but still, even she should know. Even for me at age seventeen, I knew what my limitations were.

"Amelia are you wanting to disobey mom and dad?" I asked pretending to be shocked.

She looked at me and stuck her tongue out, "no, but I'm not convinced that all humans are bad like what mom and dad make them out to be. Do you?"

I shook my head to answer and ignore her question. When we finally arrived home, our parents were waiting for us at the entrance of our cave.

"What's going on mom?' Amelia asked, her voice raising an octave.

My mom replied, "I'm afraid we'll have to leave our home."

Amelia glanced at me then back at them, "why?"

"There's a group of humans wanting to experiment in our territory. If they find us, we're in trouble."

"We can fight them. We're stronger and fly remember?" I asked hoping it hadn't come down to this.

My mom shook her head, "unfortunately I don't think we can do that this time Michael."

I nodded and looked up at our house, "when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow," my father said behind me.

My parents went inside with my sister who was sobbing uncontrollably.

"Why does this always happen to us? How can we be hated so much by them?" I growled, looking at the stars in the midnight sky and wishing there was a way to convince them otherwise.

"That's it. I'm staying here and I'll fight the humans no matter what. This is our home and they can't take that from us." I went inside and said to my parents, "I'm not giving up yet. This is our home and we can still fight them. Mom please let me stay."

My parents both looked at each other and sighed, "I guess it's time he learned the truth for himself," my dad said looking at me for a split second.

"Wait so you're really going to let me stay here by myself then?" I repeated hoping I had heard them right.

My parents nodded and my sister looked at me shyly, "I would stay too if I had the guts Michael."

I hugged her, showing I understood her position, "I understand. I promise I won't do anything stupid, you can count on me."

"That's not what I'm worried about," my mom spoke softly.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," I said reassuring her and my sister.

My dad then interrupted, "it's getting late. Let's get some rest."

With that we all headed into our bedrooms in silence. Amelia followed me to my room and stopped by my entrance, "how do you know you're doing the right thing?" she asked nervously.

I could tell she was scared for me. We had never been separated before; Amelia depended upon me more than our own parents.

"Honestly Amelia, I don't."

She smiled, "that's okay. I'm sure you'll figure it out Michael. Good luck!" She then left to go to her room.

"Night Amelia," I said and turned to my bed. It was a regular mattress with two blankets scattered across it.

I laid down on my mattress and stared at the dim light that was shining through a hole in my ceiling. There wasn't really much in my bedroom to begin with. Just the mattress, some books and a photograph of my family. I curled my wings up behind me and fell asleep.

**Okay this chapter was longer originally, but I wanted to split it into two instead. So like I said, it's not the best story but it's an older piece of work. So don't hate! Just enjoy the story BTW like my chapter style of Roman Numerals?! Just something different.**