"About what?" Mystery asked uneasily.
"About your grandfather" Raven said slowly.
Mystery looked shocked "But, he's dead"
"No honey, he's not. He promised me he would have nothing to do with you and your brother. But something has happened"
Craig thought that Mystery looked like she was going to fall over so he gripped her arm.
"What does he want?" Mystery asked
Raven got up and went to stand at the window, not knowing how to tell her. So Robin spoke up.
"He," Robin started, glancing at Craig, silently telling him to hold onto her. "He agreed that Raven's first daughter would…marry a son of his friend to join their kingdoms. An arranged marriage."
Craig caught Mystery as she fell over. Unconscious.
"Mystery, wake up"
She heard people calling her. But one voice stuck out.
"Craig?" She asked quietly
"I'm here"
Mystery's eyes fluttered open.
She saw the worried faces of her mother, her father and…Craig.
She sat up slowly and everything started to spin.
"Easy" she heard Craig say.
A glass of water floated over. "Drink this" he mother said.
Mystery took the glass and began gulping it.
"Slow down" her father told her "You'll make yourself sick"
Mystery took little sips before setting the glass down and staring at her mother. "An arranged marriage!"
"Yes," Raven said calmly.
"How could you?" She screamed at her mother. Taking it harder than everyone thought she would.
"Honey I didn't have a say in the matter"
Mystery stayed silent.
"My father, you're grandfather, is the devil."
Both Mystery and Craig stared at Raven, shocked.
Raven stood up and went to the window. "I asked him never to contact me again. But of course this was too important" She said disgusted. Then she turned to Mystery "I'm sorry"
Mystery sighed "Who is he?"
Raven shrugged "I don't know, I've never met him"
"When do I meet him?" Mystery asked
"Your wedding day" Raven said quietly.
Mystery almost fell over again but Craig caught her. "I don't even get to know who he is until my wedding day?"
"No"
Mystery thought for a moment and then turned to Craig. "Take me for a drive?"
Craig nodded and the two went out the front door.
Raven wrapped her arms around herself and sighed "Why did my father do such a horrible thing?"
Robin came up to her placing his arms around her and kissing her temple "I don't know honey."
The car was silent for the first ten minutes of the car ride. But Mystery finally spoke up.
"I guess now I don't even need to worry about guys." She said with a slight grin. Trying to make light of the situation.
"No, no you don't" Craig said smiling back.
Mystery sighed "17 years of not knowing my grandfather at all and suddenly he's telling me who I'm going to marry. What a functional family"
"At least you didn't say normal. Cuz we all know your family is not normal" Craig said, moving out of the way of Mystery's swat.
"Oh you're so nice" Mystery said sarcastically.
Craig just grinned "So where do you want to go"
"Our spot" She said quietly.
"Our spot" was a place that the two friends went to whenever life got hard. It was a hill that overlooked the whole city. A place they went to get away.
The two arrived in a half hour and by the time they exited the car, it had grown dark and the wind had picked up.
Mystery shivered and pulled her jacket closer to her body.
Craig came up behind her and put his arms around her, sharing his body heat.
"Thanks" Mystery said looking up at him with a smile.
Craig shrugged "It's what I do"
The two went and sat down. Craig still holding her. They sat in silence for a while before Craig noticed her shaking.
"Are you alright?"
Mystery sniffed "Yeah, it's just kind of sinking in now. I'm going to get married, to a complete stranger. And just hope that we like each other."
Craig hugged the sobbing girl tighter. "It'll be alright. I'll always be around if u need me."
Mystery smiled "I know"
"I just wish…" Craig cut off before he finished his sentence.
"What?" Mystery asked curiously.
"Never mind, it's not important"
"Please?" Mystery said with a puppy face.
Craig looked away "NOOOOO I will not give into the face"
"You mean you won't give into the face again" She teased him.
Craig laughed.
"Thanks" Mystery said turning serious
"For what?"
"Bringing me here, taking care of me"
"It's what friends do Mystery. They take care of each other"
She leaned up against his chest. "I'm glad you're my friend Craig"
"I'm glad you're mine"
"I'm gladder" Mystery said making up a word a picking a fight.
"Nuh uh" Craig said
"Yeah huh" Mystery said back
Craig started tickling the girl, sending her into a fit of giggles.
"Uncle! I give!" Mystery said laughing.
Craig stopping tickling her and Mystery sat up.
"Think we should head home now?" Craig asked
"Probably. What time is it?"
Craig looked at his watch. "Midnight"
"Defiantly time to head back"
When the two reached the Greyson house Craig, as always, walked mystery to her door.
Mystery hugged him. "Thank you"
Craig lifted her off the porch in his hug and then set her back down, "You're welcome. Have a good sleep."
Mystery opened the door "Bye"
Craig waved and waited for her to enter the house.
After she disappeared inside he stood there for a moment thinking, then went back to his car and drove away.
