78 Family... (1/2)

”Greyson! It's time to wake up! Mother made her favorite flower cake and tea for breakfast today.” A young girl's voice called out. Hearing the voice calling out, a young boy lying on his bed opened his beautiful blue eyes. Yawning and rubbing his eyes, Greyson slowly sat up on his bed.

”Get up, get up!” A teenage girl burst into the room. Her long grey hair and serious grey eyes were an exact copy of Eden Ley. Hands on her hips, she glared out the still drowsy boy sitting on his bed. Walking over she slapped the back of his head and splashed a cup of water in his face.

”Alright, sister, I'm getting up!” Rolling his eyes, the young Greyson rubbed the back of his head, wiped the water from his face, and began to get dressed for the day.

”Hmph! How much longer will I have to wake you up like this? You are already 13-years-old, start waking up on your own. You have to help mother at the shop, as well.” Snorting, the girl's words were angry, however, if one looked closely, they could see the endless indulgence in her eyes. Greyson just shrugged before walking out of his room into the living room. There was an older woman's back facing him in the kitchen while she waited for the cakes to finish baking. Hearing footsteps, she turned around and warmly smiled. She was an exact replica of Sister Lily.

”Good morning, Grey.” Petting his head, she pulled him to sit at the table.

”Good morning, mother.” Following her lead, Greyson sat in his seat. Before long, delicious looking cake and fresh hot tea were placed in front of him. His sister and mother sat next to him and they all began to eat quietly. The entire scene was extremely peaceful and while no one really spoke much, there was a closeness that anyone could see. After breakfast was over, both siblings followed their mother out of the house and into town. As they walked through the town, everyone greeted them happily. Before long, the three stopped in front of their family restaurant. Per usual, they went about their own roles. Greyson cleaned the floors, tables, and chairs while Eden helped their mother prep the ingredients. The day wore on with customers filing in and out. Greyson and Eden took the orders and waited the tables while their mother worked tirelessly in the kitchen. Night arrived and the family of three closed the restaurant for the day and cleaned the inside. Although exhausted, they walked back to the house. Seeing is mother sit and hit at her back and shoulders, Greyson stepped up and helped to massage her.

These days were boring and repetitive, but filled with calm, happiness, and love. Deep in his mind, Greyson felt there was something wrong that he was forgetting, however, something was blocking him from understanding the lasting uneasiness. Week by week, month by month, life continued moving.

Another normal day at the store, Greyson and Eden were taking orders. However, today the restaurant was filled with a group of drunk customers. The men continued to bother Eden and tried to take advantage of her. Luckily, the other male regulars from the town helped kick them out. Letting out a breath of relief, the family continued on their normal routine and soon were walking back home. At this moment, multiple figures appeared from the dark. Expression sinking, Greyson could tell these were the earlier drunks that they chased off. Decisive in her actions, their mother stepped out and offered up their earnings for the day asking them to let their family off. Laughing wildly, the men took the pouch of coins but continued to attack the two women. Greyson tried to fight them off, but was continuously beaten up. He saw his sister and mother getting beaten and their clothes torn.

Something... anything... I have to do something. The blue in his eyes became even deeper as all the men were stabbed through by ice spikes. Spitting blood and with eyes wide in shock, the men all fell to the ground dead. His mother and his sister all puked in disgust, but soon got a hold of themselves and grabbed Greyson to run back home. Greyson stayed silent this entire time. Everything was so familiar to him and tugged at his mind. He kept feeling like he should know something. Grabbing his head in pain, Greyson could feel something was blocking his memories.

”Greyson! You need to wake up! Greyson!” A familiar voice echoed inside his mind. In shock, he looked around the room only to realize his mother and sister were not hearing the same shouts. Bewildered, Greyson felt a burning sensation down on his wrist as a red rope tattoo glowed on his wrist. Looking down at the tattoo, Greyson felt something arriving at the back of his mind. A name. There was a name to the voice. He should know it. Why couldn't he remember it? Furrowing his brows even further, Greyson massaged his temples trying to think of the identity of the familiar voice calling out to him.

”It's Lucius! Greyson you need to wake up! It's a mist spell, it's causing you to hallucinate!”

Hearing the name Lucius, Greyson felt as if the fog in front of him completely cleared. All his memories returned to him. The entire scene of the house in front of him cleared and he only saw a thick mist surrounding him. Looking down, he saw the now awake Lucius. Finally understanding what just occurred, Greyson could feel a cold sweat drip down his back. If not for Lucius, he did not know how long he might have been trapped inside the illusion. This area must be the second stage of the trial that he entered.

”Thank you, Lu. Are you alright now?”