Days of the Past: Year 1998

A little thump of excitement came over the 8-year old Catherine Gardner when the car came to a stop in front of a grand iron gate. The iron gate was six feet tall and fashioned to look antique yet nevertheless looked new. Catherine observed as the driver rolled the windows down and presented an identification to the man in a little shed just located at the site of the road.

She knew the uniform all too well and realized the man was a security personnel of whatever establishment is beyond the gate. Little Catherine remembered her father wearing the same uniform whenever he bids her goodbye every morning or in the middle of the night.

The only difference is that the colors that hung in the left shoulder that she notices whenever her father gives her a bear hug and kisses her forehead. A little tug in her heart came with the recollection of such memories.

She was pulled out of her reverie when the security personnel gave her a little smile through the windows. She shyly bowed her head and stirred in her seat.

"Everything alright?", asked the man beside her.

She knew this man as her father's friend who often comes to the house. She remembered because her mother would always send her upstairs or to play outside because of "adult talks".

This man Lucian Gray - was of handsome stature from the depths of his eyes and the gentle expressions of his voice was always present when he talks. The man emits a friendly aura from Lucian and thought of her parents once more.

She gave him a little nod and the man smiled causing fine lines to appear in the sides of his eyes. She liked that.

"We're almost there Catherine. Cross Academy is located in the center of Angel Village. You will be living with me and my family, okay?."

The eight-year old looked up to the man beside her and somehow believed him. She had a lot of questions she wanted to ask, however her mouth could not find the words. Instead a tear escaped her eyes which made the man's heart skip a beat.

"It's okay. You don't have to talk now. You talk when you're ready. Uncle Lucian will wait for little Catherine. In the meantime, you will be safe with us." -- The man's voice was filled with assurance and kindness and gave her a little hug and a pat in the head.

Cross Academy.

She heard about that school from her parents and would sometimes find paperworks in her father's office whenever she sneaks in. She remembered the words: hunters, magic, witches and council. Though she does not know what it all meant, she knows its important stuff that her father talks about with the man beside her.

She will be attending that school and she would be living with the man beside her. A new family. Although it sounded new and strange, little Catherine was surprisingly calm.

***

LUCIAN GRAY looked at the little, frail girl beside her as the car made its way inside the village. Her scarlet hair covered half of her little face when she slouched in her seat. Catherine Gardner orphaned at age 8. It was a tragic accident that befell the Gradner family - one that claimed the life of his bestfriend and his wife that left their little girl behind.

Isaac and Elizabeth Gardner wanted a simple and normal life beyond the village walls and beyond what they called a 'cursed' life. But his bestfriend somehow knew that they can never never truly escape this life --their nature.

The little girl bumped her head in the car window causing her to wake up from her short slumber. Lucian smiled and touched Catherine,

"We're here." He said in a hushed tone.

Lucian regarded the girl's reaction to the mansion outside the car window. Whether she was scared, nervous or amazed; he doesn't know. He cannot read what was on her mind with her poker face and the inability to speak - which the tragedy left her. He got out of the car and Sebastian and Celia, their butler and housekeeper greeted him.

"Welcome back Mister Gray. Can I help you with your things Sir?", inquired the middle-aged man.

"No, thank you Sebastian. Catherine's things is in the trunk." Lucian told the butler as he made his way in the pavement leading to the main door.

"That is Catherine Gardner with you, Sir? Poor child." Celia said with a concerned tone. The housekeeper has been with the Gray family for years now and have understood the world that they live in. All of their staff do. Most of their staff has been rescued from the War that happened between Hunters and Demons. Most are orphaned and some have seek shelter in the unfluential families in the council.

"Yes. And she will be staying with us from now on. Is the family gathered?" Lucian inquired as the girl came out of the car, confusion visible in her face as she looked upon the mansion.

"This is your home now, Catherine." He called the girl's attention as he stretched out his arms to which the girl held out her tiny arms.

"Yes, Sir. The mistress and your sons have been waiting for both of your arrival in the lounge", replied Sebastian while carrying the girl's luggage.

"Alright, are you ready?" Lucian crouched to level himself with the girl and tucked her hair. The little girl tilted her head.

"You'll be fine. Tita Arielle is kind and had been dying to meet you. My sons, the twins - your brothers from now on -- Greg and Luke are a year older than you but I'm sure you'll get along just fine." Lucian pressed the girl's hand lightly.

He doesn't know when she can talk again but he can only hope it will not be more difficult than what she had endured so far.It was kindness and assurance that little Catherine saw in the eyes of Lucian Gray. With a brief nod, she pressed the man's hand in reply.

- Jade xoxo