The House of Grey- Volume 1 (2 page)

She was not disappointed.

He was performing magic, though his way was much different than the clown's. She thought that he was praying or something as he did some weird movement with his first two fingers while they pointed in the air.

Many questions bobbled around her head as she tried her best to comprehend what the man was doing. She received another shock as a funny light gathered around the man's hand. Was she seeing this right?

This new light didn't last long, as suddenly, a lollipop appeared! The little girl's eyes brightened as she looked at the lollipop. It was multicolored and as big as her head. Maybe he would share.

Oh, that's not how you hold a lollipop! You're going to drop it.

The man had taken the sucker and placed it stick down on the palm of his hand. He was balancing it on the palm of his hand. It sat there completely still. Frozen.

She looked on in awe, transfixed at the sight before her. This was unfortunate, because if she had been less distracted by the lollipop, she would have noticed his rather suspicious behavior.

"Welcome back, ladies and gentleman!" rang out the voice of the man on stage, effectively catching the attention of all those in the audience.
 
"Now, allow me to explain our exciting change of. . "

The girl stopped listening again. She didn't understand what the silly man at the front was talking about anyway. Besides, the man with the lollipop was much more — Hey, where did it go?

The lollipop was gone! He'd eaten it all? No way! He didn't even share! And she had thought he was a nice man. The girl sat back in her seat, feeling sad. Suddenly, there was a tap on her shoulder.

It was the man, and he was giving her a weird look. He was awfully hard to understand, this man with the funny coat. His two fingers were up again and moving quickly through the air, much faster than they had before. Are you praying again? But then why did you tap me on the shoulder?

Out of nowhere, he spoke.

"Look in your
pocket.
”

His voice was soft, almost musical. It had an indefinable effect on the girl. She felt lighter, though she didn't understand why. She did what she was told. Slowly she reached her hand into her pocket.

She felt something. What did she feel? It was small, long, round, and hard. What . . . what could it be?

She started to pull at the object in her pocket when the lollipop came out with a small jerk.
 
No, wait, that's impossible. It's too big. There is no way!  Should . . . ?

A voice interrupted her.

"Well, it's about time to go to work."

The man. He had spoken. Softly, yet with brilliance. Almost forgetting the sucker in her hand, the girl once again turned.

He was praying again.

Two fingers pointed upward and again moved with curious gestures. Up, down, left, right, half circle. They were too fast. She couldn't keep track.

More light? It was coming from his sleeve again. What was happening?

The young girl jumped as the crowd let out a collective moan. The loud man at the front was talking fast. The girl turned back toward the stage in time to see the pretty boy standing with an arm raised in triumph. He appeared to be scanning the back of the hall, looking, searching.

Before the girl could figure out what was going on, she was distracted again, this time by the loud man with the microphone.

"I don't believe it!" he almost screamed,
 
"I don't believe it! For the first time in the history of Coren University, a FRESHMAN has won!"

What? It's over? And the boy who looks like a girl won? Wait, isn't this all pretend? He wasn't supposed to win. Mommy and Daddy had said the winner had already been decided.

She heard a small snicker.

The man. The man behind her. The boy, the boy up front. He had been searching. Who had he been searching for? The girl turned back around to the man.

Only there was nothing there. No man, no funny coat, not even a chair. But she still had the lollipop. He had been there.

"Are you enjoying your sucker, honey?" asked the girl's mother in a sweet voice.” Try to save some for later. We’re going to eat soon."

What? How did she know about the lollipop? She hadn't shown Mommy, Daddy or anyone.

"Remember, if you're a good girl we'll go back to the Fun Factory and get you another sometime."

"Mommy," the girl replied, unsure of herself. She noticed a funny, almost glazed look in her mother's eyes, like she was dreaming. "What do you mean?"

"Silly girl," her mother answered, "you must be tired. Had a bit too much excitement for one day? Your father bought that sucker this afternoon at the Fun Factory, remember? It's your favorite candy store."

"Oh," the girl said. "But Mommy, I didn't —"

The girl cut herself short. Her mother was no longer paying attention, and the dreamy look was gone from her eyes. Her brother had just walked up to their row from the stage and he looked disappointed.
 

Fun Factory? She didn't go to the Fun Factory today, did she? There was a man. He had a funny coat. He gave her a lollipop. He had been here. The girl turned again, looking for the man she now wasn't sure existed.

Chapter 1 -
A New Place

An older-looking minivan rode smoothly up Main Street in a town in Western Washington. A young man slept under a blanket in the back while a chubby yet cute middle-aged woman with mocha brown hair drove, whistling tunelessly.

"Monson, honey, we're here."

Monson Grey awoke with a start, but immediately closed his eyes again. He had been sleeping and Molly totally woke him up. Uncool. Completely and totally uncool.

"Molly, not only was I actually sleeping, I was having the best dream ever! Curse you, you irritatingly spiteful woman, for waking me up."

"Oh, stop your whining. We're here." Molly pointed at a huge granite sign with the words Coren University written upon it. "This is a momentous occasion. This is the time when—"

Monson interrupted. "When you finally realize how stupid an idea this is?"

"The Monson Grey wit strikes again. I remember you being more pleasant before the incident."

"I remember you being nicer."

"Har har har, you're hilarious. You don't remember anything. I could be the mistress of the devil himself and you wouldn't know any better."

"Well, the joke’s on you, Molly. I'm already well aware of your tempestuous affair with the prince of darkness, but what does that have to do with anything? I'm also well informed about my memory loss, thanks. I'm the one who woke up in the hospital not knowing who I was, remember?"

She rolled her eyes. "How could I forget? You use it as an excuse every two seconds."

Monson smiled sweetly. "Which brings me back to my point: Why do I have to go to this school again?"

Molly threw her wallet at him. "He wanted you at this school and it’s completely paid for, so stop complaining."

Monson put his head under the blanket. "Can't wait."

Molly turned the car up University Street, and Monson finally got his first real eyeful of the school that was to become his home.

Coren University had an elite, Ivy League feel to it—an ideal the grounds and buildings took to extremes. The campus sprawled wastefully, taking up the better part of the valley, which was nestled in the middle of the only temperate rain forest in the world. No expense was spared on this school for rich kids, and Monson was already tired of the place.

A brick wall several dozen feet high encased much of the grounds. The wall was layered with vines so dense that the brick was barely visible. There would be no climbing those bad boys. 

Monson annoyance grew. It was bad enough that the mountains surrounding the city of Coren permitted only one way in or out, but now he felt like he was entering a not a school but a fortress, or worse yet, a prison.  Looking at the wall, Monson half expected to see battlements with crossbow-carrying sentries overlooking the incoming class. He didn't, of course, but he did see cameras.

Surveillance. Great. 

Monson half-grinned as he thought about crossbows. Now that would be cool.

He continued to scan the vines looking for… well, he didn't know exactly what he was looking for. Possible escape routes? Was it odd to scout the area for escape routes?  Maybe. But who was going to call him out on it? He didn't know anyone.  Besides, it was a habit of his, so he was grateful. Memory loss tended to make you grateful for odd things.

Once Monson and Molly entered the campus, the road forked, one branch continuing to run parallel to the large brick wall and the other curving out of view into the woods. After a few more minutes of driving, they reached an enormous iron gate where
 
the road veered off in a circle, doubling back on itself. Molly pulled in behind a black Cadillac Escalade and stopped the car. Her hands were shaking in anticipation.

She grabbed her purse. "Now where did I put that blasted key card?"

"Key card?" asked Monson.

" Yes—key card. Everything here is coded."

"Coded?"

"We aren't going to get a lot done if you repeat everything I say," Molly teased. "Yes, coded. You’re going to need your card for everything here."

"That sucks." Monson could already sense the restrictions implied by that little tidbit.  "Why would they do that?"

As Molly started to reply, the Escalade darted forward. 

"We're up!" She pulled into the now-vacant space, rolled down the window, and scooted up as close as she could to a large display screen.

"Welcome to Coren University," said a slightly robotic voice. "Insert key card identification, please."

Molly pulled out a small white envelope, opened it, and retrieved a blue key card. She placed the card in the computer display slot. As Monson watched Molly, a rare feeling of affection welled up in him.  You couldn't help but love someone like Molly. She was fun, and though she didn't act like it, smart. Molly's presence in this particular venture was extra fortunate, as she happened to be considerably more excited about Coren than he was. He did not want to be here—she was making him. But she was the adult; he was the kid. What could he do?

Big bold letters appeared on the screen at the same time the computer said, "Mr. Grey,
Horum Vir
. Welcome to Coren University—"

"What the hell did it just say?" Monson asked, drowning out the rest of the computer’s greeting and raising an eyebrow.

"Don't swear, dear," Molly said, trying to listen to the rest of the message. Finally convinced that there wasn't any more to be heard, she started to pull forward, saying, "I think we go this way."

"You didn't answer my question," Monson said, looking around as they entered the parking lot.

"I know." She glanced around, presumably looking for a parking spot.

Monson gritted his teeth. He HATED it when she did that. She had a really annoying habit of ignoring whatever she deemed unimportant.

Parking was a nightmare, due mostly to the considerable number of students, parents, and attendants. There seemed to be as many servants as students in this place; probably something to be expected at a school like Coren. The student population was exceptionally diverse, which Monson liked, but there was a noticeable socioeconomic gap; that he had not expected. Considering Coren was the wealthiest and most exclusive private school in the world, many of the students played their part and arrived in style. Stretch limousines in every make and color littered the visitor's parking lot, each arrival trying to outdo the last.  Other expensive modes of transportation were also plentiful, including helicopters, jets, and to Monson's delight, a hovercraft. Now
that
wasn't something one saw every day. 

Monson was relieved to see many people like himself. These were not the ultra-rich, but regular, clean-cut folks with normal-looking families and friends coming to see them off as they started on a path toward a hopeful future. This was a good school, after all, so they should be hopeful. Monson looked again.  Hmm . . . there were more scholarship students than he’d expected. That made him happy, somehow.

Monson observed the variety of students and families, curious how the different social classes would interact. At least that was his intention; the large number of good-looking girls in the crowd made it difficult. After a while, he gave up entirely and looked at the ground.

Monson wondered what it was going to be like being around this many people—this many
girls
. This was going to be the biggest challenge yet, he just knew it, and he
so
did not feel up to it. Nurses, even hot ones, in a hospital for weeks on end were one thing. Girls his own age were quite another. Right on cue, Molly pointed across the parking lot.

"Oh, Monson, honey, look at her."

Monson gasped.

"Molly!" He tried to grab her hand. "Don't point! I have to go to school with these people!"