The House of Grey Prologue - The Original Modern Fantasy Thriller

The House of Grey Chapter 7 The Original Modern Fantasy Thriller

Chapter Seven

Taris Green

“Good morning, my dear Hero.”

Monson awoke from a very nice dream just in time to see a blurred figure pull open the curtains. The light was not welcome. “And how do we fair this fine morning, Master Grey?”

“You mean besides my brush with death?

Brian’s figure slowly became visible. “Yes, of course.”

Monson shrugged. “Besides the near-death experience I’m just fine. Thanks for asking.”

“It concerns me that you can be so nonchalant about a giant statue almost crushing you to death.”

Monson thought back to the night before. Casey had been the one who sprang into action. The huge gargoyle crashed right where Monson had been standing, and it had been Casey who pulled him out of the way at the last moment. An at-the-buzzer save is a bit clichéd, but Monson would always take that over an unexpected loss. Mr. Gatt freaked out, of course, and immediately took Monson back to his room before he summoning Coren’s entire on-call medical staff. It was well after 2 a.m. before Monson finally convinced Mr. Gatt and the doctors that he was fine. Surprisingly enough, Monson slept like a baby after that.

Monson shrugged at Brian’s comment. “Did you see Baroty’s Bridge? A giant falling statue is like a walk in the park.”

Brian pulled at the covers, apparently unconvinced. “I’ll take your word for it, but know that I have my eye on you. Now, how would you like to take your breakfast?”

Monson cocked an eyebrow. “You lost me there, Bri-guy. How do most people take their breakfast? With a fork, or spoon I suppose, depending on what you’re serving.”

Brian laughed.  For some reason, he seemed to find Monson very funny; it annoyed Monson.  “What I mean, Hero, is that unlike most people here, you have a choice. If you prefer, you can take your breakfast with your classmates, or I can have it prepared and brought up here where you can breakfast in peace."

Monson meant to answer Brian's inquiry, but was saved the trouble by a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it,” Monson said quickly before Brian could respond. He moved briskly out from behind the wet bar toward the great oak door, ignoring Brian’s objections. Monson gave Brian a look over his shoulder; Brian just smiled and shook his head.

“Whaaaaatz up!”  Casey bellowed, strolling into the apartment even before Monson could finish opening the door. Artorius followed.  “Aren’t you ready yet? We gots places to go, Hero. The clock waits for no one. Move it, already!”

“And morning to you, Casey.”

“What’s going on, Grey?" asked Artorius with a quick smile. “How you doing, you know, after yesterday—well you know.”

“I’ll live, I think,” Monson winked. “It’s not my first rodeo in the near-death experience category.”

Artorius smiled, but looked unsure.

“Well, boys,” interrupted Brian. “It would be prudent for you all to be off for breakfast.  You do not want to be late for your first lessons. Do any of you know the way to the GM?”

They glanced at one another and shook their heads vigorously. “Well then, let me acquire a school map and I will show you.”

Moments later, the boys found themselves in a sea of people. As Casey went into a full-out rant about football and something called the “power I,” Monson was left to observe his fellow students. This was his first time around the entire student body and he found the experience distasteful. Monson could already see cliques developing among the students, and for some reason this bothered him.  Maybe it was because he suspected he had never been part of a group or crowd, and was jealous.  He doubted anything would change; he couldn’t see himself inducted into the cool kids’ clique anytime soon.