Awkward silence stretches out unending at the dining room table. Grayson stares at Maximus as if he is waiting for the man to hit him. Maximus likewise glares at Grayson as if he's intent on murdering him.

I have no idea what happened after he was knocked unconscious. But I am happy they seem to no longer be trying to kill each other.... Physically anyway, they are definitely murdering each other in their minds. There's no hiding the intent glowing in those eyes.

Now that I showered, changed, and took something for my headache, I am feeling much better, refreshed even. This is the first time I am this awake at breakfast. Despite being up all night, I do not feel tired, simply excited at the strange new world around me. Besides the angry spirits that seem to hate my guts for some reason. But they seem to be in better spirits today, ha, spirits being in good spirits. That's as corny as it is hilarious.

I quickly eat the delicious crepe' covered in fresh strawberries and whipped topping before returning my attention to the death stare contest while I sip on my orange juice. Maximus purposefully chose to seat Grayson within arms reach. Maybe he's just worried that he'll go crazy again like he did earlier? I doubt that's all there is to his reasoning, but it's one I will be satisfied with until I get a better explanation.

By today's end, I plan to get an answer for all of the strangeness. Something about the way Maximus fidgeted earlier leads me to believe he did not tell me the whole truth. He also pulled Grayson away multiple times for 'questioning'. Between the two of them, there is many secrets they have chosen to keep from me. Which is just plain rude. I deserve to know about everything that's going on! I'm no younger than Grayson and refuse to be treated like a child.

The idea of being one of many dimensions is thrilling. I wonder how many different cultures, discoveries, and species there are... Well, were. Though I'm sure there are still more out there, many of them died as a result of discovery or at least that's what Maximus told me. It's so sad that something so innocent had dire consequences.

If I had the power, I would travel back in time and stop my mothers project from working, even if it meant erasing myself from existence, because of her never meeting my father. Saving that many worlds is worth it. I cannot imaging living day to day with that guilt on my shoulders in the way that Maximus does. Despite the irritating things he does, he's truly a remarkable man. I just wish there was a way to erase, or ease his overwhelming guilt.

"Kai!" Maximus calls, breaking me from my stream of consciousness.

"Yes!" I shout back, as it is required to be heard across this table.

"I've changed my mind. You and Grayson are going to be sent on a mission to find your parents! You will start with his dimension, since it is the most likely candidate!" He shouts.

Grayson jumps with each loud word. I giggle at how confused he looks. Since he's never been at the table with us before, he probably finds the shouting excessively strange. I was not a big fan of it when I first moved here either....

When I find my parents, it will be strange going back to the life I lived before. While I miss my friends, I know this is not something I'll be allowed to share with them. Anyone outside of my family will see me as crazy. If I had not received my first kiss by a complete stranger from another dimension, I would agree with them.

I blush, remembering the weird tingling sensation.

Things will never be the same, even if they are similar to the way they used to be. I am not the same, this experience has changed me. I'm not quite sure whether it's for the better or not yet, but I'm sure I will find out soon enough.

I kick my feet against the chair in anticipation. I'm going to travel to another dimension! I cannot believe I am thinking that, it's so exciting! My parents better be alive, I want to yell at them for how many days I cried in their absence, and hug them, because it does not matter anymore, they're coming home.

"When do we leave?" I ask, projecting louder than necessary and causing my own ears to ring.

Maximus holds up a finger, finishing up a bite of food. "Later today after both of you get some rest! There will likely not be time for sleeping during your search."

"Wouldn't it be better if we put off going for a week or so? I have four cracked ribs that will prove an issue if we run into trouble." Grayson says.

I can barely hear what he's saying, but when I close my eyes and focus I catch enough pieces to fill in the gaps. Both of use turn our attention to Maximus. A week seems reasonable, considering he probably needs to gather whatever necessary equipment we need to complete this journey safely, and return home after.

Home. I never thought I'd come to feel that way about this lonely mansion. My mom banned Maximus from seeing me when I was younger. Will that rule still stand once I bring her back? Even after all he's done for me? For us?

Closing my eyes, I sigh happily, imagining the warm hug my dad will give me if we find him. No, when we find him. They are alive, I need to believe that, or the risk is for nothing.

"There's no time for that. We have to find them before... The seasons change." Maximus replies, receiving a look of disbelief from Grayson.

It's obvious the two of them are hiding something. I narrow my eyes, I intend to find out what. Maximus has known me longer than Grayson, why the hell would he tell him a thing that he keeps from me? It's not fair!

"Can I be excused?" I ask, pushing my plate forward to indicate its emptiness.

Maximus nods, ushering me away with the flick of his hand.

I push away from the table, storming out of the room, and slamming the door purposefully loud behind me. He needs to know exactly how angry I am, it might cause him to change his mind and let me in on their little secret... Or at least make them feel guilty for keeping it from me.

A big yawn comes upon me. Rest sounds nice, after all I was just up all night experiencing more weird than most people have to see within a lifetime.

The doors swing wide just as I start up the staircase, "Kai! Wait!"

I turn around to see Grayson sprinting towards me with a container of salt. "Here." He huffs, offering it to me while he leans heavily on the railing.

"What's this for?" I ask, taking it and raising my eyebrows.

He breathes heavily a couple more times before looking up at me. "Maximus said to sprinkle it around your bed, to stop the ghosts from interrupting your sleep."

"Oh okay, thanks." I say, taking a few more steps. I stop, fear settling over me at the thought of encountering ghosts by myself.

The ice that nearly impaled us as we ran seems like a lifetime ago. But at the same time, that nightmare happened, and could easily become reality again.

"Grayson? Can you walk me to my room?" I ask timidly.

Having to ask for someone else's help makes me feel weak, and stupid. But I'd rather feel that way than be alone against otherworldly forces that tried to kills us.

"Sure, but you'll have to tell me where to go. I can't say I know this places layout, it's huge." Grayson declares coming up beside me.

I reach down, grabbing his hand to assure myself that he will not leave me mid-way to my destination. His entire face turns red, but he says nothing as we start towards the thin stairway that I always dread taking.

It's odd that he's reacting like that, is he a bashful sort of person? Or is it possible he likes me. Like the like like kind of like. The thought of such a thing makes me blush.

I avert my eyes from him, focusing on the very interesting color of the carpeted steps. They just match the walls color perfectly don't they? Simply the perfect contrast, no other color could possibly fit so nicely in this kind of setting.

"Yes, the carpet looks very nice." Grayson says quietly.

I cough, "I was talking aloud? Um.... What was the first thing I said?"

He clears his throat, "You were noticing how oddly I am acting."

Oh boy. Every last bit of that came out my mouth. Can I recover from that? How embarrassing. I'm such a moron.

Silence stretches out between us while we continue up the stairs, finally reaching the top, and stopping just outside of my room. "Soooo." I start, but cannot grasp another word to break this awkwardness.

He clicks his tongue, "Sooooo, I guess I'll see you this evening?"

"It's a date." I say, smiling to hide the fact that I want to shove my head into the sand and leave it there after saying that.

Why would I say that? Date? It's not a date, it's a rescue mission to find my parents. What's wrong with me?

A weird, tight feeling in my stomach makes me feel like hurling. I don't know if it's from the food after being awake all night, or the now noticeably attractive guy standing in close proximity to me.

"You think I'm attractive?" Grayson asks, his eyes go wide.

Oh my god. Lightning please just strike me down now.

Without another word, I let go of his hand and go into my room, quickly closing the door behind me.

"What is wrong with me! Ah!" I cry throwing myself onto the bed, and burying my face into the pillow.

I bet I'm just tired, that's why I can't control what I'm saying around him. Once I get a good amount of sleep I'll be fine, he'll probably forget about all the embarrassing stuff I said, or at least be kind enough to not mention it. I hope.

Sitting up, I open the salt container and sprinkle a good thick circle around my bed. It's nice to know they cannot get me with this here. Now, I just need to calm the crazy amount of thoughts racing through my head.

With a stretch and another yawn, I tuck myself beneath the covers. The softness feels amazing, but it does nothing to silence my stupid mind.

What is the world like that we're going to? Maximus said it was dangerous. If we find my parents will we be able to get back or will someone kill us? Is it really dim and dreary like he described from his time there? An execution board sounds weird, is it like a giant wipe board? Or more like a bill board with names written on paper? Probably a wipe board, or they wouldn't have any more trees.

Though Maximus went there years ago, maybe they don't have trees anymore. It could be a fully desert planet. That would suck, climbing trees is fun. I don't want to imagine a world without trees. Not to mention the lack of breathable air. Unless they have desert trees and plants, that help.

I glance at the analogue clock on the dresser, it's eight am, I laid down two hours ago. "Ugh, I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep, even with how tired I feel. Maybe reading will get my mind off of things. I reach over, grabbing a novel from the night stand.

After another twenty minutes, I give up. I'm still on the same page, rereading sentences while my anxious mind wanders from dimensions to feelings and back again. I sit up quickly when I hear something sliding across the floor.

"If there's a ghost in here, go away! I have salt!" I threaten, holding the container in my hand like a sword, flicking some onto the floor unintentionally.

My eyes search the room frantically, hoping that no unwelcome guest chose to visit me. Another scrapping sound leads me to the source of the sound. Two pieces of paper are on the floor beneath my door.

I bend down picking them up and going back to my bed to read them.

"Hey Kai,

Since you embarrassed yourself earlier, I figured it was only fair if I did the same. I think you are attractive too.

-Grayson"

My cheeks burn as I go to read the next one.

"Hey Kai,

I can't sleep, and Maximus forbid me from going into your room, or knocking on the door.

So I found some paper and a writing utensil to see if you were restless too.

-Grayson"

I grab a pen from the top drawer of the side table, turning over the notes to reply to them.

Hey Grayson,

I tried sleeping and reading, but I can't.

Is what Maximus says true? Is your world dangerous?

Do you... Like me?

-Kai

Walking across the floor armed with my salt, I slip the note back under the door, pressing my back against the wall while I await his reply. My nervousness at asking that last part makes me feel jittery, like I've drunken way too much coffee while pulling an all nighter to study for a mathematics test. Ew, math, that's something I'm not looking forward to resuming. But it's the 'language of science'.

The paper slides under the door. I pick it up, taking a deep breath before flipping it over.

"I find you to be a very likable person.

-Grayson"

I hit my head against the door, hearing scuffling on the other side. Cracking it open slightly, I make sure to keep my voice low. "That's not what I meant Grayson."

"Then what did you mean?" He whispers in reply.

"Do you, like like me?" I ask, biting my lip in anticipation.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asks in reply.

How do I explain this to someone unfamiliar with the term?

"Do you like me enough to want to d-date me?" I ask, stuttering over the d word.

Even though I'm sixteen, I've never had a boyfriend before. I was just too busy focusing on my studies to have time for relationships... And my mother forbid me from seeing anyone until I was in my thirties.

"I-I uh... Maybe? I've never thought about dating before. Where I'm from you usually get married to whoever you care about immediately, since it's possible to have your name go up on the execution board any day after you turn sixteen." Grayson replies.

"Is that like a bill board? Or a wipe board so you can erase the names of people as they are killed?" I ask, hitting my head against the wall immediately after realizing how insensitive that question is.

He shifts on the other side of the door, staying silent.

I curl my hair around my finger, afraid that he hates me now. That board literally lists name to kill people, and I'm curious about what it's made of? Perhaps I should at least apologize.

"Grayson I-"

"It's electronic. The names are picked at random by a computer. People of a certain status are more likely to get picked than others because their name is entered into the mix additional times. If there's anything else you'd like to know about the place I ran from, I can answer all your questions." He replies with a robotic tone. 

I've ruined it, the moment is gone.

I stand up, brushing salt off of my leggings. "You know what, I think I'm going to try to sleep now. I'm see you later, Grayson."

"Okay, sleep well Kai." He says quietly before I close the door.

With a sigh, I lean against the door.

I need to purge my head of all my emotional thoughts towards Grayson. He is going to be my guide to help me find and rescue my parents, nothing more. The romantic in me created these artificial feelings, they are nothing more than the longing of a lonely girl who's read too many happy endings.

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