The Red to My Grey

by William Dudley Berridge Tuckey

  “Sophia, that’s enough; we can talk this all out once she’s feeling better.”

  Sophia was strongly set on the issue at hand, but she knew arguing the way we were wasn’t going to get her anywhere since Dad had already made up his mind about it. I took Laura inside and we passed the couch where Nami was sitting; she recognised her immediately. She couldn’t find words as she saw one of her old friends in a condition where they didn’t even have the strength to walk, wearing a new sickly pale face. Laura just smiled cheerfully and waved as we walked to the hallway to go to my room. Inside, Angel sat on the bed with Laura resting on her lap while I sat on the floor.

  “So, you’re like me then?” she asked looking up at Angel.

  “Not quite, I was born like this. It’s really not that bad at all,” she said in a panic

  “I know; you’re really pretty and kind. So, being like this must be fine too.”

  Angel blushed vibrantly as she turned her head away from her and I laughed; it was adorable. “Thank you.”

  “Well, Laura, your time here will definitely be interesting, I can say that much. As far as your rehabilitation goes, I know a guy who went through the same thing as what you’re going through; he should be willing to help you.”

  We then heard a knock at the door and Mr Swan entered the room. He sat down with us and explained that he had to leave Fellbroke for a while and wanted us to take care of Laura. Angel glared at him scornfully as she held her. I asked how long he was going to be away from Fellbroke for and he told me it was going to be for at least a year. Tears began to fall from the young girl’s face and I looked at the floor in disappointment.

  “Seriously an entire year, that’s a lot of responsibility for us. Even if she’s all better by then. Are you sure this is all about work?” I asked him, trying to come to terms with the idea.

  “It’s not something I can talk my way out of. People need my help. I can’t stay here in Fellbroke any longer.”

  “Who would have thought there’s a place with a more sadistic psychopathic murder than here in Fellbroke,” I replied sarcastically.

  “Very funny, Wade. I’m not leaving because I want to. I’m just…”

  “Doing your job?” Angel finished his sentence while biting her lip.

  The detective looked to her with a guilty expression on his face. He then hugged his daughter and said farewell to us. It would be a long while until we saw him again and our lives grew only more complicated after that night.

  For the next week I was actually able to go to work and do my job like I was supposed to. Risk spent his days over the week helping Laura back to her feet and to get well enough to take care of herself. He was surprisingly dedicated to her and it was like he had forgotten that she was almost nothing less than a stranger to him. Laura quickly found her place in our family and was adored by everyone. Celia tolerated her more than anything, but it was better than the bitterness she usually showed to Nami. By the end of the week Risk had Laura up and moving on her own, but only for short moments at a time.

  The following Sunday was my next day off and I woke up that day feeling a little more refreshed than usual. Angel was already awake and looking through the wardrobe for something nice to wear. She threw me my phone. I had a message from Risk saying that he was taking Laura to see the city. She had only been in a hospital bed up until recently. I went into the kitchen to make some coffee. Laura was sitting at the table fitting some new white joggers onto her feet with her white hair tied back into a ponytail. She was wearing a black t-shirt and some tights underneath a dark blue skirt. Nami was sitting beside her in a white sundress. I wasn’t really sure what they were talking about, but they were happily chatting together, so I kept quiet as I brewed my coffee. Angel came into the kitchen wearing a dark blue dress; she poured herself some coffee and sat beside me at the table.

  “Nami, you look lovely today. I see you want to look good for today’s date,” Angel teased her.

  “Date?” Laura looked around curiously at us. “W-what are you talking about?”

  “Throw a dog a bone and I guess this stuff will happen,” I said before downing the rest of my coffee once it cooled. I then went back to my room to get ready. I wore a pair of black jeans and shoes that I could still run easily in. I figured there would be a reason why Laura would be wearing joggers, so I went along with it. Risk and Cindy showed up at the front door of our house twenty minutes later and we all left for the centre of the city.

  It was a lively day and the walk to the train station was probably the most we got to relax all day. We boarded the train and arrived in the centre plaza of the city lined with high buildings that had beautiful rooftop gardens and cars rushed past us every few seconds. Risk watched the two young girls as they ran around and danced as we moved through the busy streets. Angel, Cindy and I tailed behind them, wondering what today had in store for us. Angel was a little less hostile to Risk today, but I could still feel the resentment hiding behind her smiling face whenever she spoke to him. We went to a restaurant on top of one of the tall buildings. Its dining area was outside on the roof and had a vibrant courtyard filled with small trees and flourishing flowers. After being shown to our table and we had our orders taken, Risk wasted no time in showing just what we really came for once the waiter had walked away.

  “Laura, check this out for a second,” he said to her and he got out of his chair. He went into a sprint and leapt the courtyard fence, hurling himself off the side of the building. He disappeared from sight for only a second before running up the side of the opposing building facing the restaurant. He pushed off it, soaring through the air backwards, he backflipped towards us and landed flawlessly. Laura clapped and cheered for him as he bowed boastfully while on his way back to his seat.

  “Show off. Keep this up and I’ll have to keep you on a leash just so I can tie you down,” Cindy said jealously as Laura stared at him with excitement in her eyes. Risk whispered something in her ear and her face suddenly turned bright red and she quickly turned away from him. Nami heard what he said and went to repeat it and they both rushed a hand each over her mouth.

  “So, Laura, you want to learn how to do that?” Laura’s face was practically glowing once she started picturing herself lunging through the air and she nodded happily.

  “You really want to teach her how to free run already? She’s only just back on her feet, can she even run?”

  “It’s fine Wade, if she’s not ready yet then there’s no rush. If she’s going to be anything like me, then she would be best off learning this kind of stuff. Not everyone is a fan of red eyes these days.”

  “Well as long as you don’t push yourself too hard Laura, feel free to take on any challenge Risk gives you.”

  “I’ll do my best!” she said in a serious tone. When the waiters brought us our meals, we sat down and talked for a bit.

  “By the way how was your vacation? I mean going to the beach as a couple sounds really romantic,” Cindy asked, and Angel giggled to herself as she wrapped her arms around me while I tried to eat.

  “It was really fun. I want to go again one day. Maybe both you and Risk can come along next time.” Cindy and Risk froze up as she threw the idea out to them. The girls stared at them curiously and I laughed under my breath as I realised what was wrong with the pair.

  “Was it something I said? Giggle.” Angel was teasing them and got a fair bit of enjoyment out of the discomfort on their faces. The two girls were still a step behind on everything though.

  “Angel, we’re not a couple. He just stays at my house sometimes after he drops me home from work.”

  “Adorable. I think these two need to be left alone for a little while, so they can sort things out.” Once she said that, time felt heavy, distorted and cold. I looked up at the sky to see it was grey and the clouds were rapidly rushing, disappearing and reforming. As I went to look at Angel, the effect wore off and next thing we knew, we were on top of a giant skyscraper looking down on the courtyar
d we were just in. Both the young girls and I collapsed against the roof as if we dropped from thin air. Angel stood confidently as the wind blew through her long black hair.

  “Angel, when did you learn to?” I yelled only to go quiet as I saw the smile on her face.

  “The world’s a pretty strange place, don’t you think?” she asked me while staring down at herself.

  “I guess it is. Sigh. Just don’t do that again without warning me, it’s kind of scary up and vanishing from one spot.” I may have been fairly calm, but the two girls were freaking out as they gazed over Fellbroke from the giant tower. Risk texted me to ask what happened and I explained it to him. I could see the relieved expression he made even from the skyscraper. I sat down with Angel and put my arm over her shoulder. Something was bugging her today I just couldn’t get my head around to what it was.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s nothing. I’m sure I’m just overthinking things,” she turned her face away from me while rubbing her eyes. I went on to encourage her to speak up and I was starting to get an idea of why she was upset.

  “If something’s bothering you, tell me because you know I’ll listen.”

  “It’s just that I’m serious about being serious with you. You said there were some things you wanted to do first before we go any further than we have. I thought I was patient enough, that I’d be able to go without saying anything…I feel like we’re just playing around.”

  I looked at her with a somewhat guilty look on my face and I took a deep breath in.

  “Sigh. I know Angel. Despite everything that’s happened we probably just have been going with the flow more than anything else. Look, if you really feel that way…” I stopped when I saw the two young girls staring at me waiting for my response.

  “This isn’t a soap, girls!” I yelled at them.

  “Then what?” Angel asked softly.

  “Then we can get serious. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come around. I was worried about you, that’s all. Your crazy family, a twisted past and monsters around every corner. It can be a bit much for one person.”

  Angel threw herself towards me and pinned me to concrete roof of the building. She brought her head up and shook it with a smile on her face.

  “You’re not one person because you have me,” she then kissed me; the two girls applauded with clapping and laughter. To them I guess it really was like watching something out of a soap opera.

  “Ha-ha-ha Angel, you think you can put us back in the restaurant now?”

  “Oh, yeah I can, but what’s the rush?”

  “I drank too much tea. I really need to use the little girl’s room,” Laura painfully admitted.

  “Okay, done.” We all fell to the ground as we suddenly reappeared in front of Risk and Cindy. Angel and the two girls dashed to the rest rooms while I sat down at the table with Risk and Cindy. The pair seemed relaxed with one another.

  “So, what’s was that all about?” Cindy asked.

  “I think Angel wanted to talk some things through more than anything else. I definitely won’t be getting any rest any time soon.”

  “Then why did she want to leave the two of us alone?” Risk asked and was slightly confused.

  “She was probably reminded of her situation from the both of yours.”

  “What might that be?” he was asking as if he didn’t expect me to say it.

  “Being in love with one another and refusing to do anything about it just because it’s safer. The both of you should just be honest. You’re good people. You’re not going to let each other get hurt.”

  Risk stretched his arms behind his head and yawned. He then pulled Cindy to him by the waist.

  “Hey what are you doing…?” Cindy was flustered, and I tried not to laugh.

  “Are you and the girls okay to go back to the station by yourselves? I think we’ll call it a day if that’s alright with you?”

  I had no problem with it and so the couple went home together while Angel and I showed the girls a few more spots before going home. I ended up carrying Laura on my back during our walk home from the station.

  “Sorry you have to do this for me, Wade.”

  “It’s not a problem; you must be tired from walking around so much today. So, what did you think of what Risk was trying to teach you?”

  “It looks really fun. He looked like a superhero when he was running up the side of that building. Oh, is he secretly one? Running around at night, saving those in need.”

  “You’re real funny, Laura.”

  “You’re too kind. Chuckle. Seriously though, he could totally use skills like that to help people.”

  “Yeah, he probably could, but how about you concentrate on feeling better, so I don’t have to carry you the whole way home.”

  Laura went quiet and looked away from me to hide her eyes behind her snow-white hair. She apologised again, and I carried her all the way home anyway. It was around four in the afternoon when we got back; Dad and Sophia were in high spirits. It was Dad’s day off and he was enjoying spending time with Sophia; she was smiling as she rested her face against his shoulder as they watched TV. I sat down next to them and let Laura down off my back. Angel came and sat on my lap.

  “Hey kiddo, how have you been enjoying your stay over the week? Have these two been taking care of you alright?”

  “It’s been lovely, thank you all so much for doing all this for me,” she bowed her head slightly.

  “Well that’s good then, otherwise I would have strung them up by their ankles, ha-ha-ha,” Dad boasted carelessly. It didn’t take long for Nami to lose the sundress and throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. She sat behind Laura and braided her hair. Angel looked at me expectantly for the same sort of treatment.

  “I don’t know how to braid hair, Angel.”

  “Come here sweetheart, I’ll braid it for you. Chuckle.” Sophia called to her after watching Angel’s face go blank with disappointment. She happily hummed to herself as she had her hair done until Sophia started asking questions. “So, what’s next for the two of you I wonder?” she said as if she was talking to herself.

  “Mama? Are you thinking out loud?” Angel asked curiously.

  “Something like that. Say, Angel, are you still feeling how you did before your vacation?”

  “Mama, what are you saying?”

  “You have a certain glint in your eyes. What did you promise her, Wade?”

  My face went bright red and I got up off the couch, making the excuse of needing to go to the bathroom. I quickly left the lounge room and rushed myself inside the bathroom. Unfortunately, fate decided this was the worst possible thing I could have done. I noticed the air was damp with moisture and the tiles were wet. I turned around to see Celia in the bath trying to hide herself underneath the water.

  “Get out, jerk!” she screamed at me.

  “Lock the damn door next time, moron!” I yelled back after walking out. I went back out into the lounge room and Dad was staring at me with a smile on his face. Sophia had a rather sly look in her eyes, like she could see right through me. The two girls weren’t exactly sure what was going on, but they spilt the beans on what I promised Angel. The tension and embarrassment left the atmosphere of the room.

  “Wade promised her he was going to get serious from now and she’s been like this the entire way home.”

  “Um Nami, I don’t think we were meant to say anything about that,” Laura said nervously.

  “Oh? Is that so? I think I’ll hold you to that. So, just what is your idea of getting serious then?” Sophia asked us, and we looked to each other, not really sure what to say. “Well? I asked a question, didn’t I?”

  “I suppose trying to find our own place wouldn’t be the worst way to start,” I answered nervously. Dad tried to get Sophia to back down a little. I wanted to be done with the conversation. Angel just played with her hair as she listened to us.

  “We’ll talk about this once we’re finished with dinn
er; now go enjoy the rest of your night off,” with that said, Angel and I went back to our room to try to relax.

  Angel got changed out her nice blue dress and slipped on one of my shirts. She leaned over my shoulder and peaked at my phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m looking for something nice to draw.”

  “Draw? I didn’t know you liked drawing.”

  “Well I used to draw quite a fair bit, but I haven’t much time since I’m trying to keep you entertained every night. What about you? Did you ever do anything artistic in that house before I met you?” She nodded and asked for a piece of paper and a pencil. In a few minutes she sketched up a really detailed, but strange foreign-looking flower. “That’s really good!”

  “Thanks. Flowers like this used to grow in the gardens around the house. They’re beautiful; sadly, I never even caught their name. I haven’t seen them since.”

  “What colour are they? We could ask around and see if any of the florists in the city know about them.”

  “They were light blue and during the night they would change to a bright white to mirror the moonlight. Sigh. Don’t bother. I was probably just imagining all of it. I wasn’t thinking quite right in my old house.”

  I wondered what happened to that house after the night I burned it to the ground. For something Angel and I spoke about quite a lot, it was surprisingly distant in my mind. There were times I forgot that place even existed, but if I had never stumbled across it then Angel would have still been living inside its walls. I asked her if she wanted to go back there as a way of closure or to at least satiate my curiosity. Her eyes widened after I said that, and she asked when we would be going.

  “Why don’t we go right now? We can probably make it before dinner.” And we did since Johnson came along with Sabrina and he ended up driving us there. Angel was alright with the idea, so we went to visit the remains of her old home to uncover anything we might have missed, but also to relive that night from a few months ago.

  The building was nothing more than burnt out, weather-worn support frames and charred concrete. All around the broken house, weeds, tall grass and the beautiful flowers that Angel described grew; they shined faintly under the light of the moon. Angel was ecstatic; she sprinted up and fixed one of the strange flowers to her hair. She ran back to my side and grabbed my phone from my pocket only to hug up against me.