I’m not a weak man. I’m not a naive man. I’m not a soft man. Nor am I a gullible man. I’m just kind. Perhaps that’s my greatest flaw as an individual, though I can’t help it at times. When people deserve kindness, I reciprocate it, and that’s what I’m doing now as a cult leader. If it weren’t for Ravana and the truth of Abyzou, then I’d most likely end up dead. That’s how I’ve always been since I was young. And with that, I’ll stand with the same ideology to the test of time. Yet, it was tested when Abyzou almost took my life. On that day, being near death's doorsteps, it made me question why I became obsessed with such a mysterious woman like her. Could it have been love? Respect? Or something much deeper.

Learning that Samantha was the true Sinner of Envy made it more apparent of my obsession. Yet in getting to know this supposed copy of her’s has made me rethink my mind as an individual again. Sarah, she’s so kind, sweet, and adoring; she’s like the perfect daughter. And in turn, I want to keep this act up, but I don’t know how much longer I can hide the true intentions to which we seek. The idea of Abyzou erasing the fabric of our universe and rewriting it into a dystopia of ultimate peace and happiness still has me cemented to the idea of resurrecting her or to find out if the copy is actually her with her memories erased. But the longer this goes on, the longer I live this fake life with these wonderful people and interacting with people who aren’t menaces to society; I don’t think I can keep up with this much longer.

My name’s Shaman, and I’m a proud member of our cult, but soon to be regretful of his actions. I write in my journal to keep me sane, and on this day, January 28th, 2017, I'll keep writing until either I succumb to my own sins… or Ravana will be the one to ultimately take my life, as the narcissistic lunatic that he is. I aplogise to Sarah and especially to the wonderful little apprentice who reminds me of my niece, Angela Samr. I hope once this all ends, whatever the outcome ends up being, if God’s reading my journal, I hope you can forgive me and I swear I’ll confess to my sins… If I manage to survive all this…

Gathered around the wooden table, inside the deep rooted home of the Witch Cult representing Envy, all of the high ranking cultists are having a meeting; besides the second most powerful who presumes absent as always. He’d rather keep training so he can enact his revenge on the man who humiliated him in battle back at the academy: Leon Faust Bolverkr. At the moment, Eligor, Chelsea, Ravana who was pacing back and forth but with a vile grin on his face were waiting for Shaman to arrive.

“Where could he be? He’s making me grow impatient. I don’t like my patience—being tested, and especially, my intelligence! Being mocked.”

“Wh-what do you mean by that, Ravana?” Eligor asked.

“What do I mean, what do I mean?! What else does it mean, you oversized pellock!”

He turned to him, and pointed but his facial expression wasn’t matching his tone. It told the two that he was calm, eased tempered, but his voice was high pitched, stabby, and rabid. Eligor didn’t want to push his temper more and chose to stay quiet. Chelsea clung onto her lover and the two could sense his mana rising. After another minute of silence, Ahriman suddenly appeared, and he looked pleased, but his body shook as if he were terrified. He took his hat off, burnt it to a crisp, and kneeled before Ravana. Ravana clapped, and clapped, and clapped. He kept clapping and it went on for more than two minutes. Slow, heavy claps that didn’t change tone, rather consistently echoed sarcasm and annoyance.

“Welcome—back, Ahriman. How did your operation turn out, my friend?”

Ravana changed his misrepresented tone to a more softened deeper one. The two lovers glanced at each other, and wondered what Ravana had planned for Ahriman for failing his plan, although Ravana already knew of the outcome; But why act as if he were oblivious to it and treat it like he’ll give him another chance? They were afraid of what punishment they’ll see and what's stored next in Ravana's grand scheme: That being Edgar who’s currently training with his new gifted powers to also enact his revenge on Leon.

“My master, it turned out the way as I wanted but in the end, almost cost the lives of us all.” Ahriman said.

Ravana lowered his hands, dug his hands into his hair, and let out a sigh.

“I’m aware of what you did. But I was surprised as you drained out the mana and lives out of my thousand followers that I handed you just to plant all that energy into your hydrogen bomb.”

“You… you knew of my ultimate scheme?” Ahriman muttered.

Ravana took a step forward, and tilted his head.

“What made you think that a bomb like that would kill us? What made you think it would destroy the Exorcist’s? Who are leagues above anything that exists?”

He took one more step forward, paused and his thin smile appeared as he squinted his eyes.

“What made you think no doubly—that a bomb of that magnitude could kill our old friend Leon?”

“Hu-huh? He… he lives?” Ahriman gasped.

Ravana’s lips smeared up, and he smacked his teeth.

“Of course he does. Even if that bomb could destroy this whole solar system, which no doubly would force a mighty Exorcist out of his hiding—did you really think that it would kill Leon Faust: Wait, Leon Bolverkr, the GODDAMN DESTROYER!”

His yell trembled the earth. Everyone grew a drop of sweat, and Chelsea clung harder onto Eligors arm. Ahriman kept his grin, but his eyes trembled uncontrollably as he felt his master's anger reaching its peak.

“You think I’m stupid… don’t you?” Ravana muttered.

Ahriman still heard him, and quickly raised his head.

“Of course not! You summoned me and without you I’d be reduced to ashes!”

Ravana’s pupils dilated. He closed his mouth, and nodded.

“You’re right, I can.”

“My intentions weren’t to eliminate you or everything that exists. I was just following your orders as you predicted.”

“Hm, yes, indeed you did.”

“Everything that I planned out was all according to your magnificence. Knowing the outcome of my selfishness, and your attitude, I’d never attempt to do such a thing, again.”

“Huh?”

Eligor and Chelsea glanced at each other, and slowly panned back to the two. They carefully got out of their wooden seats and quietly took some steps back. Ravana’s expression transition, total stillness. He repositioned his head stance to normal and glared at the summon. He didn’t say anything again which brought an eeriness of silence. The lit candles moved, the air grew tense, and the other two could feel Ravana ready to explode. Anticipating the expected, Eligor put Chelsea behind him and put his forearm in front of his face, blocking any potential surprises. Ravana’s eyebrows grew inward and his eyes slowly widened.

“Did you just assume—how I’m feeling?” he asked in a calm manner.

He pushed up his bangs in annoyance without blinking or the thought of closing his eyes as he glared down at his summon. He clenched his teeth, and again tilted his head.

“Now hold on, my master! I did no such thing!”

“And now, you’re saying that I’m just implying the words out of your screechy voice?”

His calm tone made him shower in his own fear. He didn’t know whether he was going to be punished or meet his fate.

“No, no, you got it—I mean I’m just—I, I-I….”

Ravana smacked his teeth and scuff the ground once as he stepped forward. An awkward silence ensued when he clicked his tongue, and pointed at the summon, his finger being inches away from contact.

“Sir, I beg of thee, I never assumed you wrong or implied miscommunication nor—”

“Don’t ever imply that I’m wrong on behalf of what I believe!”

The summon went quiet for a moment, and the other two watched as Ravana eased down his finger. Suddenly, a cloud of red mist and white particles exploded in front of him. The summon had been eviscerated before their eyes.

“Tch… that’ll teach you for being so ill mannered and going against my plan.”

He turned to the two who were in fear but kept their still faces intact.

“That settles that. We won’t be seeing or hearing his annoying self ever again. Idiot really thought that I wouldn’t notice his demonic driven mind to extinguish all of humanity along with the man that gave him life?! Did he really believe I was that naive to not notice such a thing! How intolerable and self centered could you be?! Bwhaha!”

Eligor nodded. “Indeed, and he was given the rightful punishment deserving for a fool.”

Ravana shrugged, “eh, better than hearing his voice if I had tortured him.”

He placed his hands on his hips and went up to the pair. His thin smile expressing his confidence and implying that he had high hopes for them as his eyes locked onto their still yet feared faces.

“It’s time for us to commence phase two and three simultaneously.”

The two nervously grinned as he walked closer and eerily put his pale rough hands on their shoulders.

“I don’t have time to wait for Shaman. But I know he’s aware of what my glorious idea is heading at. And with his soft spirit, once he breaks, everything will flow the way I’m so eager anticipating.”

“And that involves Edgar attacking first, correct?”

“Uh huh.” he replied.

Chelsea forced a grin. “Thens we come ins afterwards to deals with the rest and exterminate Leon with the crystals you handed us?”

He slowly shook his head, “not entirely. This time, seeing how things were slightly altered—”

He panned his pupils to Eligor and winked at him.

“You my muscular friend. You will aid me once I come down from the heavens to retrieve the girl after Edgar’s plan falls flat.”

Eligor was confused as to what he meant by. He’s speaking as if he saw the future already.

“Ho-How can you tell if his plan will fall short? If I may ask.”

Ravana chuckled and patted his broad shoulder.

“Come now, do you really think I have faith in a loser like him? Of course I know he’ll succumb to his idea. Also, given the fact that I! Gifted him with power he’ll never reach on his own; with that drivel mind of his, he’d get drown with new found ego and ultimately try to become more than what he think’s he’s cable of.”

“Oh, like he’s going to try to target more than just Leon, right? For example, after, let's just say, if he actually defeats his foes crossing his path; once he defeats Leon, he’ll come after us and not give a single crap about the thought of resurrecting the Sin of Envy.”

Ravana’s eyes sparkled and gave Eligor a bro hug.

“With your amazing training and learning of the Exorcist’s, your nimble brain has grown into more than being a meathead! I’m so proud of you, my friend!”

Eligor smudges his lips and pat Ravana’s back, awkwardly.

“Th-Thanks?”

He let go and stepped back, putting his hands back on his hips.

“Chelsea, you’ll assist your man once he gives you a signal. If the way my plan plays out, then everything will flow the way it should.”

Eligor had one more thing to ask, but hesitated. Then, he mustered some courage to ask and hoped for the best.

“Ravana, if I was told correctly, weren’t you there a couple days ago in front of the copy? Couldn’t you have grabbed her right there?”

Ravana gripped his chin, rubbed it, and shrugged.

“I could’ve, but chose not to. But you know why?”

The two lovebirds glanced at each other.

“Wh-Whys?” Chelsea asked.

Ravana’s eyes glinted and he let out a brief chuckle.

“What fun would that be if it were that easy? I want everything to play out the way I foresaw it.”

He menacingly brought his arms to the side, and had an open mouth smile.

“Phase two and three will be a chaotic yet satisfying moment for us all. And I can’t wait for it to happen.”

He clapped his hands together, and blinked away his glint.

“For now, enjoy your peace, society, and Shaman.”

***

Three months later…

Sweeping and dusting away the burdens of invisible particles, Sarah was doing her morning routine in Herold’s art shop. After cleaning most of the tables and setting up for the day, she went out of her way to do more chores. Right now, she’s deep in thought as she sweeps away yesterday’s mistakes, but came to a stop when she made her way in front of the shop. Taking a pause, glancing to the outside world, Sarah’s mind went into a trance. Gripping the handle of the broom intensely, her face turned from being focused to a state of stillness.

It’s been three long, eye opening months for me. So much thinking, self reflection, questioning the institution of society, but while so much has happened in the months prior from the day my father went berserk; the outcome has become surreal. Since his heroic act, they just finished building a statue in honour of his supposed passing. No one remembered what happened after the explosion, only the aftermath, and only one person comes to mind for erasing their memories; my mother or should I even call her that but call her by her actual name… Abyzou.

She’s been quiet since that day she caught my dying, charred father in her nimble arms. I tried talking to her a couple of times, but even I could sense she didn’t want to speak to anyone. He’s been in a coma since and she’s been attending to his care and ensuring that he’ll wake up healthy. I tried to peep at them, but she would lock the door and sometimes I could hear her crying. Only once was I able to see him and get a pinch on his skin. Seeing him dead asleep and groaning ached my heart. I still feel at blame for what happened and the outcome that occurred. But in return, I was able to grow a stronger bond with Mandy, but for what? I questioned that when she kept asking the same thing over and over every time we hung out:

“Where’s your dad? How’s Leon? Is he with Abyzou?”

It grew suspicious of what her motive was. I know she’s after my mother, I know she became informed of what happened to him, but I question her morality. For now, I keep things to myself and once he wakes up, I know he’ll go crawling back to her and explain the situation.

During these months I’ve grown more accustomed to my powers and practice to control them while my father recovers. The outcome to it is astonishing and it showed that there’s more to me than I never thought was there before. Yet it also made me question more about my existence, and with two voices paring together to say how I was created made it more apparent as my powers continue to grow. With these thoughts in the back of my head still making me feel blue, I also grew a stronger bond with Angela and so much so, I even at times embarrassingly cried in her arms. Although she would still comfort me while insulting my mindset. She’s been a great friend and now I consider her as a sister. She found out that my father was the one who sacrificed himself to save the world and thought I was mourning my loss. Yet it’s just my young mind being flooded with complications.

On the other hand, Jack and I have grown so much closer, too close in my opinion. It started to make me think if I was falling for him and what confirmed the most powerful emotion in the universe… was seeing Jack and my new friend, Destiny, get along, too well if I’m being honest. It raised these problematic feelings of romanticism and fueled a new feeling of hate. Every couple of days when he came to visit, watch us work, or sometimes went out of his way to help out, she would unexpectdly show up. There were times when the two would show up, together, laughing, and she would cling onto him. Seeing that would stir a feeling I thought would never awaken in me, and that’s the feeling—of jealousy.

Sometimes, a voice would pop into my head, one that sounded exactly like mine or my mothers, telling me to soak in the feeling of Envy. It wanted to feed off the emotion and there were times I acted hostile towards her, but afterwards I would apologise. I-I don’t know why this is happening, and whether I should be worried about it exploding one day. I don’t want to hurt anyone or end up like my mother; someone lacking in empathy and being self centered. Time will tell as I continue forward, but for now, I have to keep focus on my mana control and especially, keep on the lookout for the cultists still after me.

Sarah blinked and mildly shrugged as she shook her head with the broom in her hands. She went back to sweeping the front of the shop and Angela happened to come back inside after putting up some more flower decorations.

“Hey goth girl, I think we’re getting a delivery soon. Be ready because it’s just us two for an hour or two.”

“Where’s Mr. Herold?”

Angela tied her hair up and grabbed her work apron.

“He went out to do some personal business: as he stated himself.”

“Huh, weird knowing that two girls are about to do some manly unloading without a man around.”

Angela raised a brow and grinned.

“Oh? But aren’t you some type of supernatural being? Can’t you just use your powers to help us?”

Sarah thought about it for a moment, but knowing the consequences of abusing her powers potentially giving a lead on her location, she can’t risk it.

I have to stay low for my safety. She thought.

She waved her hand and giggled.

“Nonsense, I think you and I can handle a couple of boxes.”

“Boxes?! Haha, you make me laugh gothic girly girl. We got cases of paint coming.”

Sarah frowned. “Blah blah, we got it, no sweat, right emo girl?”

“Hmph!”

Angela walked away, but Sarah shouted, “Hey” to stop her.

“Yeah? What is it?”

Sarah moaned, and gripped the handle on the broom again.

“Has Destiny been over your house as of lately?”

Angela raised a brow and wiggled her lips.

“Oh? This is interesting.” she muttered. “She has, why do you ask?”

“They’ve been awfully friendly, haven’t they?”

Angela ginned. “You know, it’s okay to say you’re just jealous.”

Sarah rubbed the top of the broom handle on her head.

“Is it really that?”

Angela walked backwards, and raised her hands, shrugging.

“Perfectly normal. No need to worry too much, I’ve dealt with jealousy before. Besides, it’s understandable, you like him.”

“I-I don’t know.”

“Well, as you stand there, looking shy and gothic as usual, take some time to think about it. I’ll shout your big butt to come help me once the truck arrives.”

Angela walked to the back and opened the rear door. Sarah sighed and was about to go as well when Jack happened to welcome himself in. He looked lethargic and loose. Sarah tilted her head and wondered why he looked so dead. She tapped his arm and he reacted by jumping, which made her drop her broom.

“Wha-whats wrong with you, Jack?!”

Jack froze in a defensive position, but let out a grunt as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“My-my bad… I was just out all night.”

“Oh, like doing what?”

Jack smacked his lips and shrugged.

“Can’t remember much, too tired and thirsty.”

Sarah placed the broom against the front door frame, crossed her arms and tapped one foot on the ground while riaisng a brow.

“What were you doing, sir?”

Jack shrugged again and something almost came out his mouth which led to him storming to the bathroom. He accidentally ran too quickly, which led to his phone falling out of his coat pocket. Sarah saw his flip phone and couldn’t retain her laughter.

“Jesus Jack, still haven’t caught up to the times.”

As she reached for his phone, it rang, and she wondered who was calling him. Once it was in her hands, she saw Destiny’s name on the front tiny screen. That hateful feeling coursed its way back in her mind, and throughout her body, which led to her to squeeze his phone. She closed her eyes for a moment and carefully flipped it open, answering it.

“Hello?”

“Hagh? Who the hell? You’re not Jack!”

“No, he went to the bathroom. It’s Sarah.”

“Sarah?! Ahh! My adorable little friend, how are you?”

“Good, but could you answer why Jack’s been so lethargic this morning?”

“Shit, well no point hiding it now. You see, we had a bit too much fun, and in the party we participated in, things got intense, violent, people grew too drunk and he happened to be one of the victims to alcohol.”

Sarah’s left hand twitched, but her face remained still.

“You got him drunk?”

“Me?! Please, he chose to get drunk. And I had no clue as to how much he’s capable of consuming, my boys a freak.”

Her hand twitched again, and her right eye mildy twitched as well.

“Your boy?” she muttered. “But why didn’t you stop him from drinking, Destiny. You had that power in hand if he couldn’t contain himself.”

“Ey ey, chill, you’re acting like my step dad.”

She laughed which made Sarah frown.

“To summarize what happened afterwards, he got into a small scuffle with some guys, kicked their asses, and I took him home.”

“You didn’t participate in the drinking?”

“Shit, just a little, anyways tell him I’ll be seeing him later, I gotta finish my finals during after school hours. Alright bye, see ya gorgeous!”

Destiny hung up, and Sarah stood there with the phone still against her ear. Her eyes dimmed, the sunlight shining beside her, with her shadow on the ground, it began to act on its own. It grew larger in size and tried reaching its darkened hands off the floor to grab Sarah. As she stood in dead silence, the shadow let out a faint howl and eyes emerged, glowing the same colour as her mothers. Sarah eased the phone to her side, and hadn’t blinked. She turned to the sunlight, and the shade of yellow and white began to transition to a light red. She slowly began to ball one fist until Jack coughed his way back into the picture. Everything returned to normal and her shadow went back to being a part of her.

Sarah glanced at Jack and put her hand out with his phone in it.

“Here, you dropped this.” she said in a cold tone.

Jack wiped his mouth, and rolled his eyes.

“Th-Thanks. Sorry, phew, I feel a little better now.”

“Mm…”

Sarah didn’t say anything else but indicated to get his phone back, which he did grab, but she abruptly grabbed his wrist and it made him gasp.

“Destiny called, she said to meet her after she’s done with her finals.”

Sarah’s voice sounded different, and it sent a chill up Jack’s spine. For once, he did not like the way she’s acting. She appeared doll-like, stiff, yet empty.

“Sa-Sarah, you alright? You sound off?”

“In what way?”

“No hesitation. Well, how do I put it, uh, you sound like your mo—”

“Hey! You gonna stand there and not help out, goth girl?!” Angela shouted.

Angela came marching her way in, but saw her brother as well.

“Great timing, bro! You can unpack the heavy boxes for us instead!”

Jack forced a chuckle but sighed his way to his sister.

“Okay okay, I’m-I’m coming!”

He pulled his way out of Sarah’s grasp, and left her hanging. Sarah stood there with Jack’s phone still in her hand. She lowered her arms, and the life of her eyes began to dim out. She opened Jack’s phone again, scrolled through his contacts, and found Mandy’s.

“I wonder.” she muttered.

Sarah slowly dragged her thumb to the call button, but stopped halfway.

“Your time will come. For now, I need you to keep your envious thoughts intact, my loving self.”

She closed the phone, and in a creepy manner, brought her gaze to the window, staring out towards the sunlight one last time.

“There's no angrier emotion than jealousy, and at this pace, with her taking Jack away, we’ll both unite minds… and I can destroy everything that’s brought harm to my family.”

Sarah blinked and held it until her eyes reopened, and the twinkle in them returned. This time, she didn’t have a headache, rather, her feeling of anger stayed. She drew in her eyebrows together and wondered why she fazed out of consciousness again. Quickly, she realised Jack’s phone was still in her clutch. She hurried to go help the other two. Yet, her shadow remained and again, her mothers eyes appeared in it, growing bloodshot and fueled with rage.

***

The two lovebirds were sitting out in a field, but they weren’t alone as others had joined the Lucious space to do some spring easter egg hunting. They were on top of a hill, sitting beneath a tree that overlooked them. With spring blooming, and Michigan's cold breathe dying down, Samantha wore a spring dress Leon became hypnotized by. A red and black dress with wonderful stitching, some parts allowed to show her smooth pale perfect skin, and her black sun hat that made her more adorable.

“You know, these have been the best two years of my life, Samantha.” Leon said.

Samantha waved at some kids but they couldn’t see her since she was invisible to the human eye.

“What makes you say that, honey?”

Leon had one leg up, his arm leaning against it as he too waved to the children who could actually see him. They waved back and this made Samantha smile more joyfully.

“I can’t wait for the day to have children of my own!” she exclaimed.

Leon nervously laughed and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Right right… uh…”

She put the tips of her fingers together and Leon saw the excitement in her glistening eyes.

“Just imagine, Leon! Miniature versions of yourself, prospering and growing to be identical or opposite! Ah, just the thought makes me squirm with joy.”

Seeing her happy nature, her childish act, never would Leon imagine a woman like her to act this way given how he first met her. Yet through the past two years, he was able to see her true self and it prompted him to make the ultimate decision as a man. A choice a man would do to sacrifice everything in the world to accomplish the ultimate form of happiness in life, and that is—

Today’s the day, that I’ll propose to you, Samantha. Leon thought.

He swallowed his nervousness and stood on his feet. Samantha wondered what her man was prepared to do, and kept watch as he slowly balled his fist and reached into his pocket. He walked in front of her, and got on one knee. She tilted her head and raised a brow as his serious eyes locked onto her eyes. He gently grabbed her delicate small hand and held it. Her cheeks grew hot and she too grew nervous.

“Le-Leon…” she softly said.

Her delicate gentle voice tickled his eardrums and Leon ground his teeth for a moment. He closed his eyes, and once they were reopened, he was ready.

“Samantha… Samantha, all my life, I struggled to find true happiness. Before you, everyday was a struggle to maintain my ruthless nature. For a long time, I’ve been labeled a destroyer by all, a name given to me by Witch’s and Exorcists, a name meaning exactly as I was defined: Bolverkr.”

Samantha frowned and put one hand on his head as he kept his cool. Leon brought his eyes to the ground, fighting his emotions.

“I didn’t want to be the monster and unstable being that rose himself off the ashes of his first victims. I didn’t choose to be given a second chance at life, and in return, I took the lives away of the people who did. Never would I have imagined to live such a peaceful four years. But that was almost broken when you saw who I truly was in that tournament. For a second… I thought I’d lose you.”

“What makes you say that you’d lose me?” she replied.

Leon shook his head and kept his eyes to the ground.

“Because you saw the terrifying being everyone has feared through the decade; the man who destroyed worlds, a potential threat to the universe if left unintended. Seeing how powerful I’ve become and once it gets to my head, I don’t know what can stop me.”

He slowly brought his gaze back to hers, and gently smiled.

“But then I met you.”

She blushed and covered her face with her hand.

“Ever since I did, everytime I’m around you, you bring nothing but joy and true happiness. And these two years have proven that you’re my kryptonite.”

He let go of her hand, and brought out a red box from his pocket. Samantha lightly gasped and her eyes began to swell.

“And today, I’m making the ultimate decision.”

He put his one free hand on top, and slowly opened it, revealing a glamorous purple diamond wrapped in platinum engravings. She covered her mouth, and her heart raced.

“Will you, forever tame this beast, and become the beauty that’ll turn him back into what he dreamt of being again—”

Samantha’s eyes drowned and she got on her knees.

“—and that is living a normal life, to be labeled human, again.”

Samantha dropped her hands, and wrapped her arms around Leon.

“I do…” she whispered into his ear.

He couldn’t contain his emotions anymore, and his eyes leaked. He held her, and she could hear his soft whimpers.

“I want nothing more than to be your beauty and for you to be my beast. Because Leon, in the end, you’ll also help me achieve what I so long sought after.”

Leon stopped whimpering, wiped his face, and gently let off as they were eye to eye. Her glistening crimson eyes kept him nervous but he couldn’t contain his joy and he smiled as big as he ever could.

“Wh-what would that be?”

Samantha’s smile thinned out, and her eyes grew big.

“A family.”

Leon grunted, groaned, and gasped for air. He carefully opened his eyes, and felt liquid sliding down the side of his face. He could see a familiar ceiling and sniffed a nostalgic frequencies. He felt his muscles dead, a lack of motivation to move, but he could feel someone holding onto his left hand for dear life. He managed to give himself some strength to move his head around to glance at his surroundings.

“Wh-Where am… I?” he weakly said.

He managed to glance harder and raise his head a bit. At last, he could see where he was, and it made him groan in emotional pain.

“I’m… home?”

He lay back against the pillow, and let out a soft grunt.

“Ho-How?”

He glanced to his left and saw Samantha of all people, sleeping bedside with a chair pulled up. His arm was buried beneath her head, and he had no energy to react but only to question, why?

“Samantha…?” he murmured.

His eyes trembled and he let out a painful soft moan filled with all his past emotional pain.

“what has… go-gotten… into—you?” he muttered.

Her soft breathing calmed his emotions and seeing her this vulnerable made him almost forget the events prior to where he’s at. He tried moving his arm, but she moaned, and prevented him from doing so. She instead pulled his hand up to her face, and rested it gently on the bed for her to use as a pillow. Leon let out one tear, and couldn’t believe his eyes. Although, his feelings haven’t changed but were beginning to reignite an old spark.

“I have no-no energy to react… to this,” he muttered.

He slowly began to shut his eyes and let out one deep sigh.

“Whatever… I’m just tired…”

He went back to sleep and again his brain resumed the last scene he had, the scene of him proposing to Samantha and soon after, his mind went dark. He heard her faint screams, her howling terror, and most of all, her wretched laughs that forever have haunted him. He trembled in his deep sleep and oddly enough, her laughter's transitioned to cries for help. Hearing the cries tamed his tremors and once again, he could sleep in peace without a troublesome thought. Samantha clinged harder to his hand, and murmured, "don't go" with tears slipping out her shut eyelids.