Being Grey (Beings Trilogy)

by Gina Keliher

  “Poppy, will you stay with me tonight?” I ask nervously.

  “Duh. Like you had to ask.” She jumps into the bed next to me. “What was it Alice? You saw something, someone didn’t you?”

  “Poppy, I’m scared.” I begin and she cuddles closer. “He knew me. Me. My Being. He saw right into me.”

  “The ‘Taker’? That’s what we thought. I’m so sorry we left you. It’s killing us all. Anything could have happened. Shh, you’re safe now, go to sleep.” She’s stroking my hair like mum does.

  What I’m scared to tell her is the attraction. The desire I felt towards this stranger. The absolute knowledge that I realised before I passed out; I can’t and don’t even want to fight him.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  I wake up Friday morning refreshed. Leaving Poppy snoring, I go downstairs for the first cup of tea of the day. I feel good but I know everyone else is feeling bad about yesterday, so I think it’s time for a little fun.

  I text Adrian, Robbie, Annabel and Stefan and tell them I’m ready to talk more. Do we want to do an 11 O’clock meeting? I have no intention of attending a meeting. But what I do know is the entire group is feeling pent up with frustration. I know how to relieve that. It’s a 2 minute drive from Adrian’s and it’s time to ‘Go Ballistic’.

  I call ahead and make the necessary arrangements.

  “Get up sleepyhead.” I yell up the stairs. “Time to have some fun.”

  Poppy appears 5 minutes later with her arms outstretched like a zombie. I hand her tea and she takes a few sips. “Did you scream fun? We’re going shopping?”

  “Oh I thought we’d do something a little different today. Maybe something to unleash some of the frustration from yesterday, some of the stress of your party coming up….. Maybe, we could just Go Ballistic today?” I say with a smile creeping up me face.

  “Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!” Is the screeching reply which is accompanied by one hand pumping the air and the other still holding her tea which is slopping all over the floor, whilst wiggling her hips. She’s awake now!

  Go Ballistic is a paintball warehouse near Adrian’s. We used to come here all the time for training. It’s far more convenient to shoot a paintball gun than to try and get teenagers into a shooting range, or driving us all into the country. And its way more fun as we get to shoot real people, each other!

  Poppy manages to contain her excitement, barely, as we get to Adrian’s. She’s driven today, my car still impounded, and we take Robbie and Annabel while Adrian and Stefan follow in the Roadster. Luke is in school but is too young to join in the festivities anyway.

  “This is the most ridiculous idea ever.” Annabel complains but I can see she’s smiling.

  “Totally, we should be out there hunting.” Robbie concurs, with the biggest smile ever.

  As we get out of the cars we all run inside, literally pushing each other out of the way to be the first in.

  “Hi guys, go suit up.” Charlie who works there says. He’s known us for years and even though we haven’t been around for a while, we’re hard to forget. We take this pretty serious.

  The first time we came as a group we argued forever over who would make up teams, so Charlie devised a simple answer. Three long straws, three short. Within minutes we’re all in the staging area, suited up in our overalls. We pull straws alphabetically.

  Adrian, myself and Robbie are blue. Annabel, Poppy and Stefan are yellow. We put on our armbands and head into the fight zone, loaded with enough paintballs to drown an army.

  As ever, Robbie is too fast to get splattered. He zooms around the place sending us all into giggle fits which result in losing concentration and getting hit. It doesn’t really matter whose team anyone is on. Today we’re doing it to let off steam.

  I manage to get Poppy on her bum from close up so she’s writhing on the floor in giggling agony. We’re all picking on Annabel but she’s hiding behind the tank, holding her own. Adrian just keeps popping up and down all over the place. It’s almost as if he can disappear from one place and reappear in another. Stefan managed to get me in the left shoulder a minute ago which resulting in me twisting to the left, firing paintballs all the way and hitting my own team multiple times.

  We’re all in a really good mood as an hour and a half later we get changed and head for refreshments on site. We can’t really go anywhere else as we all have blue and yellow hair.

  Poppy is holding her bum, I’m rotating my shoulder and Robbie is showing off what is going to turn into a fantastic bruise on his calf.

  “That was a great idea Alice, I needed that.” Robbie says, punching my bad shoulder.

  “Fun.” Annabel says, still panting with a blue ear.

  Unfortunately, it’s soon time to get serious. “I don’t want to say too much more about yesterday except to confirm, as Poppy said you’d all guessed, that I believe Ian is the ‘Taker’. He must have somehow known which is why he didn’t come into the pub last night, but he made sure I knew as they were leaving. He waved at me.” I leave it at that, scared that if I say anymore I’ll blush.

  I haven’t stopped thinking about him all day, those smouldering good looks. Sounds like something out of a romance novel but I can’t think of another way to describe him. Hot doesn’t do him justice.

  “And Ian is?” Robbie asks.

  “We don’t know. He was mentioned in passing as they were leaving.” Poppy says.

  “Hang on a minute, that’s not true.” I’m trying to remember what Jason said. “Ian was in the car the night Phil died. If I remember right, he was in the front seat, playing with the radio.” I’ve knitted my eyebrows together in concentration.

  I look around the group and they’re all looking back at me.

  “What?” I ask.

  It’s Adrian who speaks up. “Alice, was anymore said? Think very hard. We’ve all assumed Adam was the one to blame in the ‘accident’. We know you said he pulled the scarf up over the driver’s eyes but it all must have happened very fast.”

  “I don’t think so.” I’m suddenly frustrated. “I wasn’t there at the accident, how am I supposed to know exactly what happened? All I know is Adam has a damned Being so he still needs to die. But Ian, there is something else that was said. Rich? People watcher! That’s the expression Jason used.” I can feel my cheeks starting to blush. He may be a ‘Taker’ but he’s also the most attractive thing I’ve ever seem. Unbelievably I want to smile at the thought of that kiss he blew. I want to catch it in my hands and bring it in tight. I almost feel lightheaded again.

  “Leave her alone. Can’t you see she’s getting dizzy at the thought of him? Look at the colour in her cheeks. That’s enough for now.” My protector, Poppy.

  I’m embarrassed at my reaction but thankful to Poppy for getting it wrong.

  I try and get it back together. “Bottom line is will he come to Poppy’s party? Do we even want him to?” Well I do, but just to see him again.

  “He’d be insane to. If Ian is a ‘Taker’, and he recognized you for being the opposite, why would he show up where he has to realize he’s outnumbered by tens if not hundreds to one?” Stefan asks sensibly.

  “It’s strange to think this Ian hangs out with Jason and Adam.” Annabel muses. “If he is a ‘Taker’, no offense Alice but we weren’t there to see what happened, why doesn’t he hang around in a gang? Like us. Why would he put himself in danger by being alone?”

  “I think I may have the answer to that.” Adrian says, watching me. Not looking at me, but looking at my Being. “But it didn’t happen in my time as a mentor. I need to discuss this with hierarchy. Let’s get out of here and I’m sure I’ll see you all over the weekend.”

  We’re dismissed with no answers? That’s not like Adrian. He’s already leaving so Stefan shrugs at us and runs to catch up.

  “What was that all about?” Robbie asks. “Discuss it with hierarchy. Those aren’t light words.”

  “Alice?” Annabel asks. She knows I’m holding somethi
ng back. She’s too smart for her own good.

  “No idea. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  I’m getting out of the shower. We’re home and yes, I’d had fun but as always it turned a bit serious. I want to let loose. Be a teenager, have a giggle. It’s late on a Friday afternoon and I’m heading downstairs, towelling my hair.

  “Got any plans tonight?” I ask Poppy.

  “Yes, we do. While you were in the shower Jason called.”

  “And……?”

  “We’re going to the funfair.” Poppy is excited.

  “We? You’re coming?” Should be another fun date. I love her but a threesome?

  “Jason asked if you had any plans as he wanted to take you. I said it sounded like fun so Jason invited roommate David along. A double date. And besides, I’m not letting you out of my sight before the party.”

  I guess it’s sorted then. “What time we going?”

  “In about an hour so get a move on princess.”

  It would be a weird combination if everyone could see it. Poppy and I with our pure Beings, next to two guys with dark Beings. But all four of us having fun.

  We’ve been on the Ferris wheel - a baby London Eye - thrown hoops and eaten candy floss. This truly is gross but essential.

  “Shooting range!” Poppy squeals and dances off with David virtually dancing after her. Jason and I are following slowly.

  “I’m glad I had a chance to meet with Adam and David yesterday. Adam isn’t as bad as I thought.” I admit. Bad yes, but there’s definitely worse out there.

  “Thanks for saying that. And I can see David is glad we went.” Jason nods at the two of them.

  It’s comical. Poppy is leant over the rifle looking at David with a ‘is this how you do it?’ expression.

  “Come on, let’s join them.” I say, running up to the booth.

  Poppy and I win three in a row against the boys, no surprise, which gets us ‘beginners luck’, grumbles from Jason. We get huge bears for our win; the boys get to carry them.

  Poppy and I are walking ahead when she whispers “Did you bring up Ian?”

  “No, it seems a bit rude to ask my ‘may be’ boyfriend about one of his best mates.” I reply.

  “Hmm, I see your dilemma. Want me to ask David?”

  No. But I can’t say that. I would be jealous of Poppy knowing anything about him. I feel protective? No, that’s not right but I feel something between Ian and me. I haven’t met him, barely glimpsed him but there’s an attraction? An electricity between us? I don’t want him to have that with anyone else. It’s special.

  “Honestly Poppy,” I begin, “I’m having so much fun tonight. I know it’s going to come up sooner or later but can’t it be later?”

  For a brief moment uncertainty flitters across her face and then it’s back to sun shining Poppy. “Deal, but only if we can go on the horses.” And with that she runs off again, dragging David along with her.

  We escaped the haunted house, eventually. For some reason we kept ending up back at the beginning and I was laughing so hard by the time we really did find our way out I thought I was going to die. We played coconut shy, the rubber duck thing and even went in the freak show. Freaky. Its dark out and getting late.

  “I suppose we had better take you girls home.” Jason says and David shoots him a killer look. I don’t think poor David has ever had so much fun but he also looks completely pooped.

  We walk the short distance home, Poppy with her arm looped through David’s ahead of us. I know there’s no chance of a romance there but she’s been fantastically sweet with him tonight without leading him on. I would swear his Being has lightened.

  “I prefer fun Alice to psycho Alice.” Jason whispers in my ear.

  “Ha ha, so do I as a matter of fact.” I reply.

  We’re at the gate to the house. Poppy gave David a hug and a ‘toodles’ wave and slips into the house. David walks love struck back to the car which is parked up the street as we hadn’t used it to go to the funfair.

  “See you again soon?” He asks.

  “You’d better.” I joke. This time it’s me that leans in for the kiss. It’s longer than the last one and just as scrumptious.

  “Wow. Goodnight Alice.” He’s walking backwards smiling and bumps into the gate.

  I’m giggling at him as he tries to open it but is fumbling so bad he ends up jumping over the low wall instead. He waves and is gone.

  I walk up to the front door and am closing it slowly behind me when I feel a presence. It’s dark so I can’t be sure but I think there’s someone across the street. Underneath the lamppost that has been out for weeks.

  I open the door to look a little closer and he steps out of the shadows. It’s Ian. I step back and am about to slam the door but hesitate. I open it wider, wave, blow him a kiss and retreat. I can hear him laughing as I close the door.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Poppy is already awake and attempting to cook breakfast. The smoke alarm woke me. As I get to the kitchen she’s smacking the alarm with a broom trying to turn it off. I pull a chair over, step onto it and hit the button.

  “I wanted to do breakfast.” She says grumpily as I plop down on the chair.

  “Tea and I’ll do it.”

  She opens the windows to try and let some of the smoke out. “I had fun last night. I don’t fancy David or anything but he’s alright. Maybe if we can break the crowd up he has potential. What do you think?” she asks passing me a cup of tea.

  Last night. The kiss. Or should I say kisses?

  “He’s alright.” I nod. “But I definitely think Stefan is more your type.”

  “I wish.” She says dreamily. “Can you believe it’s only two weeks today until the party? Should we be planning something or go shooting? Want to go fencing, running, riding?”

  “I have a much better idea. I’ll make breakfast, you choose a movie and we relax. When we run out of movies, we call the others to bring more over.”

  “Excellent idea. After all, we need to preserve our strength.” She says laughing, running into the lounge to see what movies we need to catch up on.

  “Bacon, eggs and sausage.” I yell.

  “Yes, yes and yes please.” Is the response as the doorbell rings.

  “Who was it?” I say after a minute.

  “Morning mad hair lady. I’ll have some of that.” Stefan says, ruffling my hair to make it worse.

  “And me and Luke are here too.” I hear Robbie call from the lounge.

  “Oh and Annabel is on her way over.” Stefan can see me trying to figure out how 5 rashers of bacon and three sausages will feed us all. “I’ll run to the store.” He says.

  He’s back in ten minutes by which time Annabel has shown up. I’m cooking up the hugest breakfast ever.

  “So what did you have in mind for today?” I ask Annabel, who’s helping me cook eggy bread.

  “Honestly? Nothing. I was just going to sneak over and see if you wanted to have a lazy day. Paint nails, watch movies, that sort of thing. Then the boys called me. Early.”

  “That’s exactly what we were going to do.” I tell her. “Breakfast’s ready.” I call.

  The boys run in as if they haven’t eaten for weeks and start loading up their plates.

  “So what’s the plan?” I ask Stefan as we sit at the too small kitchen table.

  “No plan. I brought the new Robert Downey movie, Jackie Chan, that creepy one that got great reviews. Just fancied a lazy day with my friends, is that Ok with everyone else?”

  “Robbie?” I ask, amazed if we were all thinking same thing.

  “Monopoly and a pack of playing cards.” He says, showing us the cards in his pocket. “But I’d rather watch movies first.”

  “Yeah, new Jackie Chan.” Luke pipes in.

  Brilliant. The only thing better than a lazy day is a lazy day with your closest friends.

  We watch Jackie Chan first. I don't know if it's just us o
r whether he is one of the funniest people in film.

  Stefan is repeating every line with an attempt at a Chinese accent and Robbie is attempting all the moves. Luckily only one lamp has broken so far.

  There's a great fight scene that Robbie and I try to replicate which is impossible in the space we have, so before you know it we've rearranged the furniture to make room. Annabel laughs so hard when I accidentally land the perfect kick, right in Robbie's chest, that I think she'd have wet herself had the bathroom not been right there.

  Poppy is using the opportunity to cuddle up to Stefan and put her face in his chest laughing that she can't watch anymore. He's got his arm protectively wrapped around her but he can't take his eyes off the idiots on show.

  Soon we have to flop on the floor as we're laughing too hard to stand. The only one not dying laughing is Luke who is looking at all of us with pity but still with a smile on his face.

  Have you ever laughed so hard you don't know how to stop so you make that 'huuuuuh' noise? Like trying to breathe out loudly? Well Stefan did that which made the rest of us laugh all over again. We're complete idiots.

  "Have you seen this?" Annabel asks with tears pouring down her face. "The next movie has loads of fight scenes. I don't know if I can take anymore." The end of that sentence got so high pitched I literally blew snot bubbles laughing.

  "Can't can't take it. Hurts. Stop it." Poppy says holding her ribs in, to which the reply is we all jump on top of her to start tickling her. Luke first.

  Chapter Thirty

  I haven’t been sleeping well lately. Part of me keeps thinking about Ian and the other part of me (the sane one) keeps telling me to warn the others because now he knows where I live. Where Poppy and I live. And that's not good.

  I'm starting to think of him as my secret. I’m confused.

  So, a change of scenery is my plan. I can't keep fancying Jason and fantasising about Ian.