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Deafening inhuman voices echoed in his mind, yelling and screeching incomprehensible words. Even if he tried to listen, none of the words went through his head—only noises over noises ringing in his mind, driving him insane.

Elliot shut his eyes in an instant, pressing his hands over his ears as he tried to block off the manic screaming. However, it was of no use. The noises came from within his minds, and shutting his own ears forced the noises to stay inside his mind. He might go crazy that way.

The heir of Alskar slumped to the ground of darkness, crouching as he lost strength on his legs. He gaped his mouth open, trying to yell in agony. Yet, no voice escaped his lips. His throat was dry, as though he swallowed a handful of sand. Tears welled up his eyes. His lungs begged for oxygen, and that was when he realized something was suffocating him, blocking any intact of air to his lungs.

As the pain became unbearable, he snapped his eyes open to—

Another pair of eyes piercing straight to him. Red orbs widened, glinting in the dark. The owner of the red eyes had his hands around Elliot’s neck, gripping so hard Elliot could not breathe. Weight heaved on his body, preventing Elliot from struggling himself free.

Though his eyes were blurry from the tears, and though it took him a second to proceed what was happening, Elliot screamed.

He screamed—screaming whatever word or noise he had in mind, trying to catch whoever’s attention. Elliot gasped for air and struggled himself free, kicking and scratching the Red-Eyes’ hands all the while steadily losing strength. All he wished was for someone to hear his plea and came rescue him.

As his vision became even more indistinct and he thought he was done for, his bedroom door was slammed open.

“Elliot!”

It was Charlotte’s yell, panic stricken in her voice. Her eyes widened at the sight, and she stormed the stranger off Elliot. The stranger’s grip loosened as Charlotte tackled him down; both of them falling on the floor. Charlotte was on top of the stranger, holding his arms behind his back. Eyes flooded in murderous intent and breathing heaved furiously; her fingers dug on the stranger’s skin. She was capable to harm him, and she did not hesitate. He had hurt Elliot—and it was unforgivable. If she could kill him in that instance, she would.

Henrique came into the room—gasping and panicking—to find the commotion in Elliot’s bedroom. “Elliot! Charlotte!” he yelled, dashing into the room with several maids and servants tailing behind the duke.

Charlotte’s attention was still pierced on the stranger that she paid no mind to the duke and his people approaching them.

Henrique inched closer cautiously, unsure about what to do with Charlotte. She was like a feral animal—a mother lion whose child was attacked. Although, for the best, he tapped on Charlotte’s shoulder. The maid jolted up, almost letting the stranger escaped. Upon realizing the duke himself had arrived, Charlotte regained her composure. Several guards held the stranger down as Charlotte staggered herself up.

The young maid stumbled her way towards Catarina and Victoria, her body trembled in emotion. Victoria caught the young maid with her arms, holding onto the weight as to not let her slip.

Elliot, though, was still laying on his bed. Despite having let free from the strangle of those shaky hands, his head pounded. The choir of sick noises from his dream emerged into his wake, punching and kicking his head. With vision so unclear, he fluttered his eyes to the stranger being hoisted away by several strong guards. A part of him sensed imbalance, while another part of him wished the stranger was not being dragged away.

He caught a glimpse of the curtain being blown by the night breeze, and he remembered his train of thoughts.

The stranger was his unknown guest—and Elliot was the one inviting him in.

As he tried to let out a desperate call, the pain in his head withstood him and dragged him down to unconsciousness.

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