grayson and era
Where are we supposed to go? I want you to remember this.
Just because I understand, doesn't mean I really care.
Grayson had been preoccupied. He hadn’t wanted to see anyone but people seemed to just keep showing up. One after another people would pop their heads in and check on him to see what he was doing. A few would pry, trying to figure out what it was he had been up too. And after a few days had gone others would come in wondering why he hadn’t been around the castle. Grayson tried his best to look glad to see everyone but to be honest he just wanted them all to go away. He thought a few times about disappearing again just for a short while until he figured out the mysterious man was. He had his own parade of people coming and going that eventually he just locked his door. He didn’t want to tell them he didn’t want to see them so he had opted for the coward’s way out. He’d go down to the kitchens and grab a bit to eat but beyond that and going to the bathroom he didn’t partake in any daily activities. He had too much on his mind to focus on small talk.
Every once in a while Grayson would go over to where the loose stone was and pry it out of the wall just to double check to see if the wooden sword was still missing from behind it. Each time he felt like it would really be there, it was just a fluke that he hadn’t felt it before, and each time he was met with the same rage and frustration as the first time he found it was missing. How did the man in the black leather boots steal it? How did he even know about it? It had been years since he played with that thing surely people had forgotten it by now. Why was it even important? He caught himself on several occasions on his short walks staring at everyone’s feet, or listening into conversations hoping and trying to figure out who that person might have been, but was always met with the same disappointing answer. It was driving him crazy. As the days wore on Era even started to worry about him. Wondering what it was that she could do to make him forget about all of it. She questioned his sanity sometimes, after all she never saw a thing, and maybe it was just a realistic nightmare after all.
Grayson sat slumped down in his oversized chair. The weather was changing and summer had changed into autumn, the nights were cool and brisk. Brisk enough for Grayson to light a fire in the fireplace an hour before the sun was setting. He had the window cracked just a little, letting the smell of freshly charred oak seep out of the windows, a quiet glow for a quiet evening could be seen from his window. Era was curled up at his feet, snoring heavily. Grayson couldn’t help but laugh slightly at her as she’d flick her nose, raise a lip, or run like there was no tomorrow and yet she never woke up. He had a book on his lap, he had it open earlier trying to release himself into the depths of a book so he could forget about his own problems, but right as that moment was about to happen, right as he was about to let himself go and give into the words that were on the page he was always brought right back to reality. So he slammed it closed and stared at its leather cover and just let those thoughts roll around in his head.
It had been a long time since he had done any of these things. He had forgotten how much he’d missed his normal life and daily routines. Being able to sit next to the fire with his familiar dog curled up in a chair reading a good book, he remembered the first time he had learned to read. Saffron had…
“Saffron.” The name escaped his lips so quickly and quietly a hint of anger was threaded across it. How could he have forgotten his own sister? Anger swelled up inside of him rolling through his chest like waves as the break on the beach. How could he have been so blind? After all they had been through, they had been so close, and twice now he left her without notice and yet he didn’t even go to see her. He’d been so wrapped up in his own issues that he never once thought about words traveling to her that he was back. He’d been back for days and he hadn’t seen her yet, how upset she must be with him. He thought about how selfish he was and his anger just grew louder.
Grayson was so lost in thought that he had forgotten he didn’t lock the door when he came back in from his last snack run. He didn’t even hear the door click open. It wasn’t until some startled him with a dull and empty greeting that his nostrils flared and he waved his hand silently telling them he didn’t want to be seen. But the voice persisted and with a roll of his eyes he turned to see the intruder.
Grayson slunk deeper into his chair as he faced the girl who was nearly unrecognizable. She was older now, taller, her hair even seemed redder, and yet in an instant he knew who she was. “Saffron…I…” He looked down to the floor unable to even look at her. He felt so terrible. As Grayson stirred in his chair Era awoke from her slumber, she sneezed, tossed her head, and rolled back over to get up on all four paws. Her tail immediately wagging and wadded over to the girl licking her hand. Grayson coughed, not because he had to cough, it was one of those filler coughs like you didn’t know what to do or say, an uncomfortable state. “Yes, I’m back, I meant to come see you but…” he stopped short, he didn’t want to worry her, didn’t want to talk about the man in the black leather boots out loud. Era already thought he was crazy, he didn’t need his sister thinking that too. “I’ve been recovering, it was a long journey and I’ve been sleeping most of the time. My strength was almost back up I planned on going to find you tomorrow” It was believable to say the least. He didn’t even look at Era whose eyes were surly burning through him.
It looks like both of them have their own little secrets.
|
