The sky was dark. The inevitable rain to follow could not have been long, though he hoped desperately that it would hold off for at least a few more minutes, at least until he found something to eat. Hugging the already damp grey sweatshirt to his small frame he entered the next alleyway and began his search anew, praying that there would be something at least edible in the next dumpster. It was always times like this, when things were their hardest, that the little green boy reconsidered his decision to run. He had hated what his owners (they never let him say parents) had made him do, and he couldn't say he missed the physical or emotional abuse, but at least while he lived with them he could say he was somewhat warm and dry and was only hungry part of the time instead of all the time. He suddenly felt tears nipping at the backs of his eyes and immediately shoved his thoughts aside. He determined it was best to never think too much about his situation.
After finding some stale pizza crust wrapped up in a plastic bag he sat himself down beside the dirty green dumpster and began eating. The tough bread crunched and crackled in his teeth and tasted bitter, but it would at least ensure he wouldn't starve that night.
It was then that he heard it. A sort of cacophony of high pitched squeals and giggling, the frenzied shouting of several small voices all wanting to be heard at once. Peeking out from behind the dumpster he saw them. There were maybe ten of them, most young boys like himself, though there appeared to be one or two girls, and all ten or eleven years old, also like himself. He saw a bright red ball go flying past the alley entrance and heard one voice shout something about one more game before the parents made them go inside.
For several minutes he simply watched with great interest as the red ball flew back and forth across the alley entrance, reappearing and then disappearing from view. He listened to the excited cheering and yelling as the children took part in a fast paced game of dodgeball on the quiet street. A smile worked its way to his face. After another minute or so of watching, he felt like he had a decent grasp of the rules. Adjusting his gloves and pulling the hood of his sweatshirt up tight over his head, he insured that no part of his bizarrely colored anatomy was in plain sight before making his way out of the alley way.
He was nervous. Standing and watching at the street's edge, he fiddled with his hands. He wanted more than anything at that moment to play, but something inside him kept him silent. It pulled his mouth closed and squeezed his vocal chords. It cemented his feet to the ground, keeping him from making any kind of contact with the kids in front of him. Inside he wished to be noticed, that one of them would see him and do the hard part for him. He knew he'd find his voice then.
Suddenly the ball, bouncing off the back of a black boy as he tried to dodge, lobbed through the air over towards him. Reacting quickly he threw up his hands and snatched the rubber sphere between his palms.
A blonde boy wearing a red baseball cap came running up to him asking for the ball, and it was then that he realized this was the opportunity he'd been waiting for. Gathering all the courage he could he stepped off the curb.
"Hey," he said to the fast approaching boy. "Can I play too?"
The boy paused for a moment, studying the grey hooded boy in front of him. He turned and faced the rest of the kids and then turned back. The look on his face said he was unsure of what to say.
"What's the hold up?" shouted a kid from behind him.
"This kid wants to play too," he shouted over his shoulder.
The green boy suddenly felt a torrent of fear spread over him as the group of kids began making their way over to where he and the blonde boy were standing. Swallowing nervously he considered simply dropping the ball and running away as fast as his little legs could carry him, but instead he held his ground.
"You know how to play?" asked the tallest boy of the group.
"Uh yeah, I think so."
There was another pause as the kids looked at one another, considering, looking to see if anyone had anything to say to the contrary.
"Alright," said one of them finally.
The green boy's heart soared and his excitement was nearly uncontainable. He couldn't remember the last time he had actually played a game with other children. Unable to resist himself a wide toothy grin spread across his face. It would prove to be his greatest mistake.
The large grey hood of his sweatshirt may have hidden his face well enough, but it did nothing to hide his animalistic fangs. Smiling as big as he had, it was impossible for none of them to notice.
"Whoa," exclaimed a girl. "What's up with your teeth?"
Shoving his head down, he took a step back, holding up the red ball to his face, doing his best to hide behind it as he quickly squeaked: "Nothing."
The girl, now becoming more curious, eyed him suspiciously.
"Take off your hood," she said suddenly.
Panic and terror welled up inside the green boy.
"I gotta go," he said quickly.
Turning with his head facing away from the street he began walking away, completely forgetting about the ball in his hands, just focused on trying to get away without making too much of a scene. Of course the kids were quick to follow. More of them joined in with the girl as more calls for him to remove his hood filled his ears.
He was ready to run, but before he could he felt a sharp tug on his sweatshirt and quickly found himself completely exposed. His ratty green hair, his dirty green skin, his pointed ears, his sharp teeth, everything was out for the world to see. Dropping the ball he fumbled for his hood but the damage had already been done.
"Ewww," one of the kids practically shouted.
"Holy cow, did you see those ears?" shouted another, laughing and pointing.
"What is he? Some kind of mutant?" said another still.
That was all he heard. They were still jabbering and laughing after he yanked his hood back up over his face and took off running down the street. Angry tears, testaments to his stupidity, ran down his cheeks. How could he have ever thought he could fit in even for just a moment? It started to rain, but still he ran. It wasn't until the plummeting raindrops began blinding his eyes that he stopped. Cold, wet, tired, hungry, he stood, having no desire to move.
Azerath did not have many trees, though the few patches of forest that it did have were breathtakingly beautiful. It was here, under the shelter of their branches, which stretched across the sky like giant fingers, that the little grey girl liked to be. It wouldn't be long before they realized she was gone, but with her favorite book in hand she would definitely make the most of the time she had.
It couldn't have been more than a few minutes before she realized she was no longer alone. Something inside her tingled to life at the slow approach of a human life form from out of the thicket. The aura was far too light, too calming to be an instructor. She therefore determined it must have been a student. Closing her book, she looked up and waited for whoever approached to make themselves known.
"Oh."
After emerging through the trees and seeing the grey girl sitting before her, it was the first thing out of the dark-haired girl's mouth. Then, "I'm sorry, I didn't know there would be anyone else here."
The grey girl remained silent. She had been told countless times by instructors and other authority figures that she was forbidden to speak with the other students. Whenever she dared to ask why they would quote worries about safety. No one believed her when she told them of the all progress she'd made, of all the control she now had over her powers.
"You like to come here to read too?" said the dark-haired girl.
The grey girl nodded.
"Me too."
Without hesitation the girl approached and quickly took a seat against the tree opposite. Her smile was warm and her happiness was evident.
"My friends say I read too much, but I just can't help myself."
Licking her lips nervously, the grey girl closed her eyes and thought. After a moment she raised her head and faced the girl beside her. Collecting herself she spoke.
"I can understand the feeling," she said hesitantly, ensuring that her control remained unshaken.
She felt a small twinge of relief as the girl beside her continued smiling.
"This is my favorite place to read. It's so peaceful."
"Yes. I agree."
A feeling almost foreign to the grey girl swelled inside her stomach. Though she was admittedly nervous the truth remained that she was conversing with a girl her own age without incident, without any indication of danger, of losing control. For the first time perhaps in her life she felt what could only be the light, airy feeling of happiness.
"My name's Sapphire," said the girl. "What's yours?"
Giving the smallest smile, the grey girl took a breath. However, before she could speak, a voice cut through the forest, answering for her.
"Raven!"
Gasping in surprise, the grey girl inwardly shrieked as her control wavered, and a sapling behind her was suddenly consumed with black energy, snapping it in a dozen pieces. Looking through the trees she quickly identified the long flowing, dark purple robe of an instructor as he quickly approached. The look on his face was not pleased.
"Sapphire, come away from there," he said suddenly turning his attention to her.
"Why?"
"Do not argue child. Come here immediately."
Sapphire threw a sympathetic glance to Raven, looking for some kind of understanding before climbing to her feet and approaching the instructor.
"I don't understand," she said.
"Do you not see?" said the instructor. "That is the child of the demon. Look at her skin, grey like ash, the color of death, the mark of evil. She is a danger to us all. You must stay away from her." He turned to Raven. "And you will report back to High Priestess Azar immediately. I will not have you causing harm to any of my students."
There was shock and surprise evident in Sapphires eyes, and Raven could now also sense an overwhelming abundance of fear as the instructor gripped her tightly by the arm and led her away.
Biting her lip Raven did her best to calm herself though with each ragged breath that tore at her insides she found it was becoming increasingly difficult. As she fought back the tears she wondered if there would ever be a place, a time where there would be someone who looked upon her and did not see a monster.
With fingers entwined the two lovers gazed upon one another, lost in the moment. With nothing concealing them they embraced. Their bodies, their skin, green and grey melted together and became whole. As the moon shone in through the large window, they each took comfort in the feel of the other. There was nothing but beauty in that room.
Years later, with hands still clasped they sat at the kitchen table. From here they could clearly see the happy, smiling little girl as she played on the living room floor. The sweet little girl who would be soon be starting her first day of school. The beautiful little girl with the long violet hair, and the pale greenish skin.
"How could anyone look at her and see a monster?" said Garfield Logan, giving his wife's hand a squeeze.
"There are some that might," answered Raven Logan.
Their hands still clasped they each turned to the small unassuming piece of metal that rested on the table in front of them. The little circle. A ring that if worn could make someone who looked such as they did invisible to the world's prejudices.
Grasping the small device in his green fingers, Garfield studied it. He chuckled to himself.
"There was a time where I would have killed for one of these holorings."
Raven sighed.
"Yeah," she said. "So would I."
"I mean I know it'll help her fit in, but I just don't want her thinking that..I don't know...that there's anything wrong with her."
Raven nodded.
"I agree," she said.
There was a pause. For several moments, neither parent spoke.
"So what should we do?" said Raven finally.
Setting the ring back down on the table, Garfield looked into his wife's beautiful eyes. She too looked deep into his. Leaning in the two shared a quick kiss before each turned their attention back to the still playing girl.
"Coraline," called Garfield. "Could you come in here? We'd like to talk to you about something."
