Twin Souls, Twin Worlds

Colter's Reaction (A.K.A 'M-Mr Gold!')

 Emma yawned expansively as she firmly guided Anya out of the lift and into the office area. Just that morning, Anya had woken her by smashing her alarm into tiny pieces when it went off. Taking her off to her desk, Emma caught hold of a spare chair and sat Anya in it firmly, just as Colter and his eleven year old son, C.J., stepped out of the lift themselves.

 C.J.'s eyes lit up when he saw her, but he looked up at his father first. Colter nodded, grinning, and he came running over.

 'Auntie Emma! I didn't know you would be here!'

 Emma blinked at him, then up at Colter. 'Colter, your son is far too energetic for this time of day.'

 'Blame his mother. She gave him Frosted Cornflakes for breakfast this morning.'

 She sighed and looked at the boy in front of her. 'Your father obviously didn't tell you about that, then. Chairs are over there, kiddo. Hope you brought something to do with you.'

 'I brought Dad's copy of Silverfur! I've been really enjoying it, too.'

 Anya's gaze shot up, and she smiled at C.J., leaving him dazzled. 'I've been readinng it, too. I'm Anya, Emma's sister.' She held out her hand as he gaped at her in shock.

 Emma didn't bother looking at Colter. She knew that he would have the same expression as his son. Instead, she stood up. 'Colter, can I speak to you for a minute?'

 Colter shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the blankness that had hit him. 'Um, sure. Listen, C.J., why don't you and Anya talk to each other for a while? We'll be right back.'

 'Sure, Dad. See you in a minute, Auntie Emma!'

 'See you soon, kid.' Emma waved back at him as she walked away from her desk. Once they were in the store room-the only place they could talk in private-she turned to look at Colter, who's face had rapidly turned grim.

 'Is this some kind of joke, Emma? If it is, it-'

 'It's no joke, Colter. That is Anastasia in there, from my book. She appeared in my dining room two nights ago, beat up Garin, and threw him out.'

 'That willowy girl threw out Garin?! Emma, what have you been taking?'

 Emma glared at him. 'I don't take drugs, Colter, and you know I don't. I was making toast for breakfast this morning and she was in the kitchen with me. I didn't know that she had her sword with her, and the toaster made her jump. She cut it in half, Colter!!! That's not something anyone from our world would do! And don't even get me started on what she did to my alarm clock, either.'

 'She has a sword.'

 'Yes.'

 'And we left her with my son.'

 'She doesn't have it with her now, Colter! I made her leave it at home.' Emma sighed and pushed her hands through her hair. 'And I made sure to tell her about how careful she'll have to be today. I don't want anyone outside of our group finding out the truth about all of this.'

 'Well, of course not. That would create some rather large problems. But you do realize that we're never letting you forget this, right?'

 Emma was about to reply when there was a roar of anger from the office area. She didn't hesitate to throw open the door and rush out to find Garin turning the place upside down.

 'WHERE IS SHE? I WANT MY WIFE, AND I WANT HER NOW!!!'

 Emma froze in shock, her eyes widening in fear. Colter took one look at her and pushed her behind him as Anya stepped forward.