Blending Into Gray

Chapter 19

A high pitched wail.

Meanwhile, Geoffrey, still a lion, spit the remains of flesh from his mouth.

Looking down at my father once more, the lion nuzzled its head against my dad's, before stalking away.

The whine continued.

"Hey, 'Lias."

Arms shot around me, hugging me tightly.

"Please, please don't do that. I can't help you if you do that."

Oh.

It was me screaming.

I choked suddenly, my throat too dry even to swallow.

I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, where there was now a news reporter speaking.

What was that?

They had taken the camera off of my father, showing the street instead.

No, my father's corpse.

But that couldn't be right, could it?

He had just talked to me two hours ago.

He gave me a hug.

He patted me on the shoulder.

He promised me he'd be home to make dinner.

What was he doing, then?

"Hey, 'Lias? Hey, stop. Look at me, ok? Just - "

Rough hands on my face, pulling my focus from the screen.

I blinked, trying to focus.

Roman's worried face blurred a little in my view, his worry bleeding into my own chaos.

Why was his face all blurry?

"Hey. Just, focus on here, alright?"

What?

What was he talking about?

My father would be home.

Wetness streamed on my cheeks.

My vision cleared slightly.

What?

One of Roman's thumbs brushed across my cheek, wiping wetness away.

Tears?

Was I crying?

But that was ridiculous, there was no need to cry. There was no reason to, after all.

"You're upset. You're distressed, and uncomfortable, huh? Come on, let's just go upstairs for now, ok?"

Numbly, still unsure what was going on, I allowed Roman to pull me to my feet and lead my upstairs.

He was being very gentle, and considerate.

It confused me a little. That wasn't his normal personality, after all.

Roman shouldered my bedroom door open, then pushed it shut again once we were both inside.

He gently pushed my shoulders down when the backs of my knees hit the bed, and I stumbled into a sit.

Still being calm, he pressed at my chest until I fell back onto the bed, too.

"Roman?"

He didn't say anything, except for shaking his head a little. He walked over to my closet, grabbing a blanket, and tossing it over me.