Masked

II

Somewhere in the middle of the night, I heard a crashing sound come from Amelia's room. I raced over to where she was and saw her weeping quietly.

"What happened?" I asked going over to her.

She said nothing at first and just stared at the floor, "I had a nightmare about you staying and it felt real. So I tried to attack the human but ended up falling out of my bed and landed on my wings."

"Let me see," I said and pried them apart gently as far as they could go. Unfortunately she landed on them pretty good, because small parts were torn and others were bloody.

"I'm surprised mom and dad aren't awake."

Amelia nodded and flinched as I touched her wings. "You look like you came from a battle."

She smiled and punched me lightly. Her long black hair was swirling around her eyes as she tried to move her dark grey wings.

You see gargoyles are a silver grey color when they are little. Once we start getting older we change to a lighter silver so we can blend in with the moon at times.

"Just don't try to fly too much tomorrow," I advised her while she looked at me mortified.

"I can't walk Michael, what if something bad happens to me and I can't escape?"

I patted her hair and said, "nothing will happen Amelia I promise. Now go back to sleep, but keep your wings spread out so the blood dries."

I pushed my black hair out of my eyes and helped her back into bed. "Goodnight Amelia, I'll see you in the morning before you leave."

She shut her eyes, "night Michael," and was soon steadily breathing, fast asleep. I swear she can fall asleep in like ten seconds. Turning back to my room, I laid down and pulled the covers up to my chin.

Morning seemed to come fast after that because after I had shut my eyes I felt like I opened them and it was broad daylight outside. I could hear my parents talking to Amelia about what happened to her wings. I got up slowly and stretched, extending my wings as far as they could go. I made my way over to where my parents and sis where to sit down with them.

Amelia grinned and said, "Michael heard me fall and helped me back up."

I verified the statement as my parents smiled at me with pride. We quietly ate the rest of our breakfast, which happened to be strawberry waffles from the other day.

After we finished up, my parents went to grab their stuff and pulled it to the entryway. My sister did the same.

"Well, I guess I'll see you guys soon. I'll let you know when they leave," I said trying to lighten up the mood.

Amelia started crying anyways and hugged me fiercely, "please be careful Michael. I don't know what I will do without you if anything happened to you..."

"Same with you," I said to her. Once I pried her off of me I hugged my parents.

"Be safe Michael," my mom said as her and Amelia went out to the doorway.

My dad said quietly, "if anything goes wrong contact us and we'll come get you okay?"

I nodded hoping I wouldn't have to contact them. I was old enough to fend for myself.

With that final goodbye my family left the house and I, without looking back. Instead of taking my advice, Amelia did fly out but she looked well enough to so I didn't really worry.

"What should I do now?" I asked myself glancing around. Well... the humans should be here by now. Let's go investigate, I thought and started moving my wings in an up and down motion to start off.