Ch. 2

Alan sighed with exhaustion as they continued through the city.

"How much further away is it, Cherie?"

"It's right outside the city limits."

Claude only glanced around at his surroundings, that being the first he's seen them.

The classical wooden city grew emptier with fewer houses the closer they got to the limits.

"…"

"You alright, bro? You looked spaced."

Claude speedily shook his head, hoping he would rid himself of his doubts.

"Yes. Cherie, tell us more about your family. Who are they?"

"Um…My dad owns a fishery in the next town, and my mother is a biologist."

"Interesting…"

"What're you thinking' Claude?" Alan knew Claude well, and knew he was distracted.

"Nothing."

They arrived at a rather large house literally where the city began. It was lively with pearl white stone walls and unkempt moss growing along them. The driveway was empty save for a fountain and a young figure leaning against it. It looked up when they came in it's audible range.

As they got closer, his features were made more visible.

He had to be in his thirties with tied back, honey brown hair.

"Michael!" Cherie raced over to embrace him, and he kneeled to accept it. She turned to meet the confused gazes of her new friends.

"This is Michael, my caretaker."

"Thank you for bringing her home. I looked all about the city last night…"

"I was at Alan's house! He and Claude took care of me. They're so nice!"

Claude blushed when he and Michael locked glances. The house taker's deep blue eyes pierced right through his soul. Their gazes remained locked until Michael addressed the little girl.

"Why did you run away, Cherie?"

"Mom and Dad said they didn't want me using my powers anymore…Mom said she would take me to a laboratory…"

Claude figured she wasn't telling much of the truth about her parents.

She turned to face them.

"I know I told you two that I got fed up with my parents forcing me to grow up too fast…This is the real reason…"

Alan opened his mouth to complain to no avail when Claude covered his mouth with his hand.

"Why you ran away was not what was important. You're home. Now we have a long walk back, so we'll be on our way."

"Please, allow me to give you two a ride back. It is the least I can do."
"Michael is the only person in my house who thinks about how I feel."

Claude and Alan exchanged glances.

"Sure, why not?" The violinist asked.

Michael only smiled.

"I'll go too!" Cherie giggled.

Back in town, after departing Alan's house, the three arrived at the Royal Family Mansion.

Michael parked outside of the large steel gates when Claude told him to stop.

"Thank you so much, you two. Unfortunately, I have to get by my parents without them knowing I was with strangers…"

"It is not a problem."

"Bye, Claude!"

Claude leaped over the gate when the limousine was well out of sight and snuck through the bushes beside the mansion.

After he caught his room window on the second floor in his sight, he used the ballroom window as leverage to be able to reach it.

As he allowed his lithe body to stumble through the window and collapse onto the bed, he thought.

Is it going to be this way forever? Will I have to continue sneaking around to do what makes me happy?

His mother rapped on his bedroom door, as if answering his unheard questions.

"Why is there a little girl at the door? What have I told you about befriending strangers?!"

Oh no…

Claude opened the door to face the furious middle-aged woman.

"You reputation will be ruined! Imagine what your father's family would say after they hear word of my son wandering hitherto about the city."

"Mother, about that, I have to talk to you…"

"…" She only glared, attempting to destroy his will to refute her. He pulled his gaze to the ground.

"I would like to move in with Alan for a while…"

Her eyes widened.

"Are you ungrateful? Is that what it is?"

"No, I-"

"If you leave this house again without my permission, consider yourself dependant and without any of the family inheritance. Now go greet your visitor." A wicked grin passed across her face, and she left as soon as she arrived.

Would it really be a bad thing to leave?

The moment Cherie saw Claude descend the stairs from the front door, she ran to him for an embrace, in tears.

"Claude! Michael was in a crash not very far from here! His wheel exploded, and we skidded into a tree!

"What?!"

Marie crossed her arms and inwardly smiled.

"He's hurt! Please help!"

"There is not much I can do, Cherie…"

"He's right. He is no longer allowed to wallow about in the streets with peasants."

Cherie shut her eyes tight before bolting out the door again. Claude turned to face her.

"Are you crazy?! I'm going." After picking up his violin case he followed Cherie.

After Marie's jaw dropped in disbelief she furiously spun on her heels to ascend the stairs.

Claude and Cherie stopped during mid-run at the scene. It was worse than Claude had thought, but he sighed in relief when he noticed it had collided into the tree sideways. It had missed the driver's side of the car. He caught a glimpse of the chauffer's silhouette, his head resting on the steering wheel.

Claude ran ahead and Cherie stayed some distance away to be out of harm's reach as the fires cackled and spat.

"Hey!" The red-haired aristocrat forced open the door opposite of the unconscious driver for it was sealed shut with the fire. There was no response, so Claude dove into the car and after he unbuckled the seatbelt, he dragged out Michael. Soot covered parts of the man's face and clothing, and a head wound had blood dribbling down the side of his face. Besides this, there were no other visible injuries on the man.

After lifting him into his arms and sprinting away from the burning car, Claude gently sat Michael up against another tree. Cherie kneeled beside him and looked up. She was surprised to see no signs of any emotions on her friend's face.

Claude thought of the consequences of what he had just done. His mother would slay him if he ever stepped anywhere near the house again…He could live with Alan for a while, even though it could cause trouble for his brother too.

"-aude!"

"Claude!"

Claude shook his head to pull himself out of his thoughts. There were more pressing issues.

"Cherie, we need to get Michael help. I need you to run ahead into town and get an emergency room at the nearest hospital ready."

The little girl nodded before embracing him and running off back into town.

Claude sighed before lifting the limp body again and speedily following her.