The House of Grey- Volume 2 (13 page)

“
I don’t ever want to see you again, Elizabeth.” Martin’s words were forceful, now absent of the dreamy quality Kylie had elicited. Elizabeth did not look up but tears started rolling down her cheeks. He turned on his heel and walked away. Elizabeth looked up as he left. Kylie bent down and spoke to her, but Elizabeth gave no indication that she was aware of her presence.  

With nothing left to see, the spectators slowly moved away.  Grendall shifted reluctantly. He stared down with concern at the crying girl, but he too eventually left.

Monson, Casey and Artorius followed the rest towards the dormitories. Monson gestured to the other two to move them away from the entrance and out of earshot, and then barraged them with questions.

“
OK, what was that? What is going on? What just happened?” Monson gestured wildly with his hands, stepping in front of Casey as he did so. He was not sure whether to be impressed or disturbed. Nevertheless, the excitement of the situation had gotten to him. He had to know.

Artorius spoke, sounding confused. “Grey, what are you getting so excited about? I know you’re from out in the sticks, but stuff like that isn’t uncommon, you know.”

It was Monson’s turn to be baffled. “Arthur?”

Artorius shot a quick glance in his direction.

“
Sorry,” Monson said almost laughing. “
Artorius
, do you really not know what I’m talking about?”

“
Of course I do,” answered Artorius indignantly. “Kylie just broke up that Jerry Springer scene back there and I’m just telling you that it’s not all that uncommon. Couples fight publicly all the time. You should get used to it. Though I’ve personally never seen one get physical.”
 
 

Monson looked from Artorius to Casey, neither of them saying anything. No…there was something going on here.

“
Casey….” He repeated the name with a certain degree of pleading, “Casey!” But Casey shook his head. He did know something, but either could not or would not give it up.

“
Fine,” Monson said coming to a decision. “I’ll go and talk to her myself.”

He turned around and started to walk back. Casey ran after him.

“
Wait, Grey.” Casey grabbed his arm to stop him. “You can’t do that.”

Monson yanked his arm out of Casey’s grasp. “Why can’t I? If you won’t tell me what’s going on, I might as well get it from the source.”

Casey had no answer for that. Monson turned and again was off. His friends caught up to him in a hurry.

“
Grey,” said Casey, slightly out of breath. He tried to jump in front of Monson but Monson moved a little too quickly for him.  Surprised at his sudden agility, Casey shuffled to his side as he moved.  “Can’t you just drop it? Why do you want to know so badly?”

Monson answered without breaking stride. “Why wouldn’t I want to know? Kylie basically just brain-scrambled a few students and you play it off like it’s nothing. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not one to judge, but I have to at least ask. It will drive me nuts if I don’t.”

“
Grey, come on, I—”

Monson anticipated his objection. “Listen Casey, I understand that you have some things you aren’t ready to talk about. I know this. Artorius has things too, and I’m just as guilty. There are things that I haven’t even considered bringing up, let alone actually discussing. I have loads that I should tell you two, things you need to know, but I’m not ready. I assume it’s something similar with you. Putting all of that aside, what just happened is flat-out weird—surreal, amazing, magical and every other crazy adjective that I can think of.  I already have enough mysterious and unexplainable things keeping me up at night. I don’t need another. I’m going to talk to Kylie. You don’t have to come.”

“
That’s not it,” Casey retorted. “It’s not something I’m hiding from you. It’s something I don’t want to get into with
her.
”

“
What do you mean? What don’t you want to get into with her?”

Their conversation ceased. Casey, Artorius and Monson all listened as a voice, more like a whisper, interrupted them.

“
Yeah, that was a bad idea.” The whisper was weak and breathy. The boys ducked reflexively behind one of the hedges surrounding The Barracks.

“
Why are we hiding?” whispered Monson.

“
I dunno,” Casey shrugged, “I was just following you.”

Monson stood up slightly and peeked over the edge of the hedge.

On a grassy spot on the other side of the wall was Kylie.

Ms. Coremack was slumped on all fours breathing heavily, the contents of her book bag strewn all over. An almost hidden expression competed with her tight-lipped scowl, as if she was in pain but did not quite understand how to deal with it. She rolled onto her side and reached for her bag.

Artorius’ voice sounded quietly from behind Monson. “Who is it, Grey?”

“
It’s Kylie,” Monson relayed in a whisper. “And she looks like she’s about to pass out.” He moved back. “Check it out.”

Casey and Artorius peered around the corner.

“
What’s wrong with her?” asked Artorius.

Monson did not know the answer, but he had an inkling that Casey might.

“
Well, Casey?”

Casey looked at Monson.

“
What’s wrong with her?”

Casey took a deep breath, attempting to keep the concern from dominating his features. “Typical.”

A retching sound cut them off. All three looked around the corner. Kylie was on her hands and knees now, convulsing like she was going to be sick.

“
This is ridiculous,” said Monson finally, “I’m going to help her.”

“
Wait, Grey! We don’t know what she’ll do.”

Monson, already halfway to Kylie, simply waved over his shoulder.

He slowed his pace as he neared her, trying not to startle her. Her head bobbled dangerously as if barely connected to her neck. She looked up from the ground as he approached.

“
Are you OK, Kylie?” he asked in a low voice.

She shook her head as she looked at him. Her eyes were glassy and unfocused. He grabbed her arm and helped her up, astonished by how light she was.

“
Who’s there?” she breathed.

“
Monson Grey.” He tried to steady her, but her legs buckled. Suddenly Artorius was at his side.

 “
Here, I got you,” Artorius said gently. He picked her up, cradling her in his arms like a child.

“
Arthur…” she said. Her voice, while weak, sounded amused, like she was privy to some inside joke. “Then that means…that means….” Her eyes suddenly flashed with a wild expression, something close to fear and desperation. She searched frantically for something, wiggling uncontrollably in Artorius’ arms.

“
No—my…where is it? Arthur, help—he can’t see it. Please, help me find it….”

“
Kylie, calm down.  It’s OK. I’ve got you. Everything’s going to be all righ–.”

“
No, Arthur, please…don’t let him find it, he can’t—please Arthur help me find it—”

“
Did you mean this?” Casey’s voice silenced her. Kylie sat still in Artorius’ arms. Deathly still. She looked toward the direction of Casey’s voice, eyes still glazed and unfocused.

“
No, Cassius, don’t….” she said in a pleading whisper.

Casey opened a small black leather planner he held in his hands.  From the storm clouds brewing on his face, it was obvious he did not like what he saw.

“
Casey, what’s wrong?” Monson took a step towards him. Casey’s face drained of color the minute he opened the planner. He stared at it in shock, horror and anger. Overwhelming anger.

“
Casey?” Monson repeated, but Casey did not seem to be listening. He barely seemed coherent. His eyes shifted from the planner to Kylie.

“
How?”

Kylie looked distinctly uncomfortable. Monson saw that she seemed to be experiencing the fear of a child whose mother or father catches her with her hand in the cookie jar. This situation, however, was worse than stealing a cookie—many times worse.

“
It’s mine. You gave it to me. Isn’t natural that I have it?” Kylie’s answer felt like the truth, unlike most of her other actions Monson had witnessed thus far. Though as she spoke, Monson could see how much she was struggling to keep conscious. She needed to go to the medical wing.

“
You ripped it up!” Casey’s voice was dripping with rage. “I watched you do it! Now…now you’re saying you’ve somehow had it all this time?”

Kylie attempted a sneer. “Well, I may have ripped up one copy, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t others.”

Casey almost yelled, “This is the original and you know it. Why the hell would you have it? You ripped it up and threw it away—and me along with it.  Explain yourself, Kylie.”

“
Cassius, calm down. I’m not sure what you’re thinking but you really don’t need to get so upset.”

Monson shifted to look at Kylie. Her tone it was…it was as if she was goading him.

“
Enough of your bull!” yelled Casey. “Answer me!”

Casey cocked his arm back, balling his hand into a fist. His arm shot forward but then abruptly seemed to slow down, as if it was moving in slow motion.

There was a sound sort of like a
whoosh.
It echoed in that small clearing reverberating clearly through the air. The sound grew more pronounced as Casey’s balled fist connected with a small pine tree.  The sapling exploded into fragments, sending shards of wood flying. The tree did not just bend in the opposite direction and crack; no, the force of the blow literally shattered the tree.  In its place was a splintered stump about a foot and a half tall. Besides the stump, the only evidence of the tree’s existence was the thousands of tiny pine matchsticks and remnants of pine needles strewn across the grass. Casey looked sharply from his hand to the fractured stump.

Monson and Artorius stared at their friend.

“
What just happened?” asked Artorius. “That—that’s impossible.”

Monson’s mind reeled as he tried to comprehend the strange sequence of events. He mouthed the words as if he knew it all the time.

“
Flash fist,” whispered Monson. “He just threw a flash fist.”

 
Horror lit up Casey’s face. Apparently, the situation was just as shocking to him as it was to everyone else.

“
You never did learn how to control your temper,” said Kylie, with a hint of a smile. “And now look what you’ve done. You used your
special
move on a defenseless tree. Al Gore is going to be pissed.”

Kylie’s voice sounded very weak. Monson watched her head bobble, finally lolling back and coming to rest on Artorius’ chest.  She needed help now. Casey looked like he was trying to say something, but Artorius spoke up.

“
That’s enough, Cassius.” Monson thought Artorius was trying to sound reassuring. He was not sure if he was succeeding.  “I need to get Kylie to the infirmary.”

He turned and started to walk away. Casey yelled after him.

“
Wait, Arthur,” Casey’s voice sounded desperate, “I’m not done talking to her yet.”

Casey took a step towards Artorius, apparently intending to prevent him from leaving.  To his surprise, Artorius stopped abruptly.

“
Hey Casey.”

Despite his anger, Casey managed to look surprised.

“
Yeah?”

“
Don’t call me Arthur.” He gave Casey a huge, cheesy smile.

 
Monson laughed…of course, he laughed. Being the fool that he was, he always laughed at times when it was least appropriate. Obviously, Artorius was attempting to use humor to avoid confrontation, but Monson still felt guilty for laughing when Kylie was in such bad shape.

Casey’s lips parted. Monson half-expected him to start yelling obscenities. He did not. He said one word.

“
Artorius.”

Arthur Paine’s self-proclaimed name sounded strange coming from Casey. On another day or in a different situation this might have been a sort of moral victory for the big guy, but the moment was lost as Artorius moved at top speed carrying Kylie to the medical wing.

“
Wait Casey,” Monson quickly positioned himself in front of Casey before he could give chase.

“
Grey, get out of my way,” answered Casey angrily. “This is between me and Kylie. You don’t have any right to interfere.”

“
Funny you should mention that.” Monson’s voice held a cold note, but he did his best to sound calm. “You sound like that moron, Martin. Is that how you’re going to deal with this?  You gonna give Kylie a good slap? You know, smack her around a bit until you get what you want?”

 
Casey’s arm coiled and struck. A clear boxer-style left cross sailed at Monson’s face. The punch’s form was sloppy.  Monson saw it clear as day, and knew exactly what to do; he knew exactly how to block it. His instinct kicked in and he again felt his body start to move. His hand even began sweeping upward, cutting towards Casey’s incoming blow. Resisting the instinct, he halted his sweeping hand just as Casey’s fist connected with his jaw.

Monson dropped like a sack of potatoes. Casey’s anger lingered for a several seconds, but then was siphoned away in a burst of revelation. He ran off as reality penetrated his fog of emotion.

 “
Take as much time as you need.” Monson closed his eyes. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”

Chapter 21- Friends No Longer

Knock, knock.

Monson looked up from his computer at the clock on the wall.

Eight o’clock. Huh,
thought Monson stretching his arms.
I wonder who it is.
 

“
Master Grey,” Brian’s voice came from the other room. “You have a visitor.”