“What are you-”

“Shush!” He whispered. “What are you doing outside past curfew?”

I forgot that the mayor issued a curfew. I had brushed it off before, but it was late, so when I saw nobody outside it didn’t even cross my mind that there was a reason why.

I pointed to my mouth, making an irritated noise. I obviously can’t talk if my mouth is covered. He pulled his hand away so I could explain.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I was just walking around! Is that a crime?”

“At this hour, yes. What’s your name, anyway?”

“Ayako Gray. What’s it matt-”

He shushed me and grabbed my arm. “Let’s go.” He led me down an alleyway and then turned a corner to a small house.

“Where are we? I don’t live here, so can I just leave?”

He chuckled. “Well, no, sorry, but I need you for, er, something important.”

“Listen, I’m not interested in odd jobs, so let me leave.”

The man sighed, “I’ll let you go in just a minute if you really want me to, just let me tell you what I need.”

He pulled a key out of his pocket and opened the door. “Sit down.”

I could’ve booked it out of there, but I didn’t. Instead, I sat down on a small, brown couch. I looked around.

The house we were in seemed to boast loud and proud that it was abandoned. Cobwebs were strung all around, and the wallpaper was peeling.

I sat in silence until the man turned to look at me. “I’m Archie, and I’m not supposed to tell you much, since my sister, Beatrice, will be here soon, and she’s more friendly, I guess,” he called out for a couple of people.

Two teenagers slowly made their way down the stairway leading to the second floor of the house, laughing.

“Hey, Archie, James just said something hilariou-” She looked at me. “Who’s that?”

“I picked her up, Azar, she’s the girl Bea told us about, or where you too drunk or something?”

Azar chuckled. “Heh, possibly… is she important or something?”

Archie started to speak, but glanced in my direction and then quickly shut his mouth. “Beatrice can explain later, okay?”

“Yeah, sure,” Azar said. “Bea will handle everything for her wittle brother Archie.”

The door creaked open. “What’s this about me doing everything for my brother?” A slender woman with orange hair and thick glasses approached us.

“Hey, Bea. This is Ayako Gray, I found her walking outside a while ago.

“Hello, I’m Beatrice, and, I, too, am a Gray. In fact, everybody in this room is.”

“Y-you’re all Grays? Like me?”

“My dear Ayako, nobody shall ever be quite like you, you are more powerful than all of us combined.”

“Why would you say this? Why are you lying to me?”

She laughed. “I’m not. I'll explain later, okay?"

"Seems like you have to explain a lot."

Azar chuckled madly. "I really like you, girl!" She pointed at me. "You gotta join us!"

Everybody in the room suddenly fell silent.

"What do you mean?" I asked.