Stolen

Chapter 1: Griffin's New Bar

Disclaimer: I don't own Harvest Moon, or any of the characters

I walked into the bar to be assaulted by loud music and the heavy smell of alcoholic drinks. Griffin had really outdone himself with the new interior design; inbuilt stereos, multi coloured spot lights, lit dance floors and walls that seemed to glow; even during the day. Being the only bar in town you'd think it'd be a rundown shack of some kind, but good old Griffin spiced the place up; making it the best place to party in the region. I feel so out of place.

My parents never let me go out to clubs and parties, and rarely let me spend time with friends. This is my first time sneaking out, and i feel like shit. My stomach's in knots, and I keep feeling like I'm going to get caught by mum or dad if I turn around. It's so sickening I'm considering going home. The only thing keeping me going was knowing that Gray would be there with me.

Gray and I have been best friends since high school, and neither one of us has ever had a romantic relationship. People used to think we were together, but I'd shrug them off carelessly. Gray didn't talk to many people as it was, so he just ignored the gossiping and the rumours. He'd never had a friend before me, and I took pride that he'd confided in me, and trusted me. Neither one of us had what you could call an easy life; my parents had always been overprotective to the point of isolation, and his mum had abandoned him on Saibara's doorstep when he was 6.

I stood by the bar waiting for him to arrive; Get Out Alive by Three Days Grace blaring from the speakers above my head.

Where is he? I've been here for half an hour and he still hasn't arrived.

By this point I was sulking against a wall with a sugar free cola and watching the dance floor. I glanced towards the door again, and noticed a familiar Stetson in an unlit corner of the room. "Gray! Over here!" I yelled out above the music. His face was pointed down; hidden in the shadows, but I saw a smile form on his face. I pushed through the crowd and called out again.

It's as if he can't hear me or something! Damn Griffin for putting the music up so loud. Today just had to be rock night.

I finally reached Gray and looked up at his face. "Hey Gray! Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages!"

"I was busy. Want a drink?"

"I'm alright; I left my cola... shit I lost it..."

"I'll get you another one. Go dance a bit" he replied tersely before striding to the end of the building line.

"Okay; meet you out there..."

Something's off with him; he's not being himself at all. I wonder what happened to make him so tense.

I wandered onto the dance floor and looked for people I knew. The flashing lights made it hard to notice any one person, but it at least gave me a clean perspective of the interior design. The light that reflected off the floor hit the ceiling and i realized that there were actually sparkles painted on it. Shards of green, blue, yellow, purple, red, pink and silver were plastered across the ceiling in hypnotic patterns and shapes.

I caught glances of Gray through the haze as he worked through the crowd. He carried two drinks and kept his gaze pointed at me. I reached the outskirts of the throngs of people; not one whom I recognised, and sat myself in one of the booths built in a cave-like shape that seemed to have been carved out of the wall itself.

Another stereo must be built into the ceiling here or something 'cause I can clearly here Let It Die by Three Days Grace. Griffin must have finally bought one of their albums after what,9 years now?

I smirked to myself at the thought. They're probably one of the better rock bands of our time.

I feel my stomach churn as I wait for Gray to come back. What will my parents think if they find my bed empty? It's not like I have brothers or sisters to distract them or cover for me.

I saw Gray's shape as he sat on the opposite side of the booth. He settled my drink on the table and sipped his own as he lent against the seat. I reached over to pick it up and noticed him staring at me with a sharp look in his eyes; not one I had witnessed before. I hold my glass securely against the tabletop and lean forward against the table to get a better look at his eyes; they're more expressive than most, though he doesn't let his guard down for just anyone.

"Gray; what's wrong? You're not yourself... Is everything alright at home?"

"Nothing Chelsea. Work's been tough; that's all."

"It has to be more than that; I've never seen you so...so out of place, even though you come here every other day" I exclaimed as I sipped my drink.

"How would you feel about going somewhere where you could follow your dreams?" he exclaims whilst gripping my hands on the table. "Imagine becoming a farmer. You could have livestock, grow crops and everything. Live your dream."As he finishes, I notice his strong hands insistently grip mine as if trying to force the idea into my body through sheer force.

"That's ridiculous and you know it. Say; what this drink anyway? It's the worst cola I've ever had" I pointed out. I feel a fog forming in my head as I stand to trash the drink.

"Maybe you should take a seat. You ain't lookin' that great Chels" He said as I stumble across the dance floor.

I turn to tell him I want to go home when the lone white spot light hit his head, and I see not Gray, but someone else entirely.

A man with Silver hair and violet eyes.

He glares with such a force at that moment that I fall backwards in my futile attempt to escape. I will myself to get off the floor and run, but it's as if I've lost my limbs.

He picks me up and wraps his arm around my shoulders. From my viewpoint I can again see into the crowd, and in the far recesses of the room I see a familiar face scanning for someone; worry printed on their brow.

"GRAY" I call out with the last of my strength, just to see him watch me disappear out the back door.

Authors Note

Yay I've finally written it! I've been thinking about writing this for a while, and now I've finally done it!

Please review; I love to hear what people think, and I do take into account any feedback. I've rewritten parts of this chapter after being embarrassed by my own inexperience ha ha, but no doubt there are still thinks which can be improved.

I also take requests if anyone wants to see something happen between the favoured couple down the track, although you may have to wait a bit for me to establish their relationship; especially with the events of this chapter.

Until next time!