The Prince of Lost (boyxboy)

Five: Percival

        "Mora! What did you do this time?" Percy whispered-shout as he sat down.
        Beside him, his cousin Morana, was frowning. "Just be thankful I didn't do anything else." She had her arms in their usual fold in front of her chest, a stubborn gesture Percy was used to.
        Percy took a breath and was about to speak when a booming voice echoed throughout the room.
        "You!" A man, whose hair was too thin for his head pointed a finger at Percy. "What do you think you're doing here?" He stood behind his desk. And the furiousness in his facial expression said he wasn't happy.
        All heads spun to Percy, including a boy with a pink handprint on his face.
        Percy went to his feet, feeling the comfort of the plush carpet under his shoes. "I stand as Morana Winterale's guardian."
        There was a scoff. And a woman spoke up. But she was facing the man behind the desk when she said, "I cannot believe this. I demand to speak with a legal guardian!"
        "Yes, yes, Mrs. Dalton. And you will see him. Just not today. But tomorrow," Mr. Algerian promised. "It seems the existence of telephone in an old mansion is impossible." He gave a sideways glance over Percy and Mora. "So it was necessary to write down a letter."
        "Be sure that he comes!" The woman fumed. She slung her overly gem-studded bag over one shoulder and started to move out the door. She looked elegant in her white blouse, and biege blazer and skirt. Even her blond hair was fashioned in an intricate bun that was similar to a blooming flower just behind one ear.
        She stopped in front of the Frostmount cousins. "You shouldn't have returned to Goldenwood. Your family brings only discord," her red lips said with disgust. "Come, David!" She called and continued her way out of the door.
        The boy with the handprint on his cheek jumped to his feet. He nervously combed his hair, which was a dark shade of brown, with his fingers as he hurried by Percy and Mora. He had eyes as green as emeralds.
        Percy knew because the boy gave him a bothered glance. It almost seemed as if he was afraid of him.
        The door shut behind them. And the room fell into silence.
        "You know, they fear you," Mr. Algerian said in a quiet voice. "The memory of the past is still etched into their hearts and minds. As well as into mine." There was a pause. He was probably waiting for a reply Percy wouldn't give. "What are you waiting for?" He said after a long moment. "Get outta my office."

***

        In the late afternoon, just before the last bell rang, the news about Mora slapping a boy named David Dalton had already circulated among the students.
        And the glares Percy received only increased.

***

        The next day wasn't better. The whole school was shaken by another missing person. Her name was Felicia Hansburry. But today, there weren't only angry glances and loud rumors.
        The moment Percy opened his locker, an arm had touched his shoulder and turned him around. Then a boy was facing him, eyes streaked with tears, and hands gripping tightly at Percy's collar. He shoved Percy so that his back touched the metal, hurting his shoulder blades.
        "Where is my mom!" Amber eyes shone behind thick eyelashes.
        A crowd had surrounded them in miniseconds.
        "Hey! Get of my cousin!" It was Morana. She started to pull at the other boy's arm.
        But the dark haired boy pushed her away. Mora squealed in pain as her elbow smashed over the floor. She began to cry.
        Percy's chest began to burn. Not the hurtful ache of pain. But the roaring flames of anger. He had been too considering, too ignoring of the fact that these people could actually hurt them. Even mortals.
        But then there was a voice, "Are you alright?" Percy saw Cole Lincoln, helping his cousin to her feet who shook her her head.
        Cole's eyes dropped over Percy and the boy who had him in a vice grip. "Stop this, Hans!"
        Hans' grip loosened but he didn't let go. "Back off, Lincoln!"
         "Listen, my dad is doing his hardest to find Mrs. Hansburry." Cole gestured his hands as if he was taming a wild animal.
        "Your dad is useless!" Hansburry shouted back. "He's doing nothing against these freaks."
         "Say that again and your face will meet the floor." Cole looked angry at the insult thrown at his dad, and he wasn't hiding it. Percy guessed he wouldn't. It didn't take long for him to learn that the kids at Goldewood valued their parents more than their own lives.
        Hans finally let go of Percy. He was too concerned with Cole now. "Wait, I didn't mean it that way," he said defensively.
        But Cole's glare only deepened.
        The temperature dropped, immediately overpowering the heat that had been making the air humid for days. Percy knew it was time to make a move. Not over the Hansburry boy, but over Cole. If this continued, the whole Goldenwood would freeze into a winterland.
        By the cowardice that washed over Hans, Percy realised he noticed the change as well.
       Then Nigel was there, a hand on Cole's shoulder. He bagan to talk to the boy, trying to calm him, probably.
        "You better get your ass out of his sight," Percy told Hans.
        The dark haired boy ran into the crowd.