"When fueled by anger, you should not make such rash, hasty decisions!"

     "Oh, come on! There's no way you can't see this, Noo! Are you blind!?"

     The gray-haired youth's squint deepened. "I take no sides other than the side of logic."

     "This is pathetic..." Shyed wiped her eyes off and stood from her seat. "I won't put up with this. You can be as blind and whiny as you want. Terra's gone and I'm sitting here trying to show you how stupid you're being and all you can do is complain about something there is not a shred of proof of!"

     "You showed us potential proof! If anyone's blind here, it's—"

     A shattering crash shook the room! A crack shot down the center of the long table, and at the head of it Ambrose's hand was buried in the splinters and cracks. His breathing had gone shallow as he collected himself. With a steady, flat tone, he said, "It seems we won't be making any progress today. Go and take a break. We'll try this again later."

     There was some hesitance in Shyed's movement, but eventually she continued on and exited, followed by Noodle. Tic watched Ambrose for a moment longer before getting up and leaving.

     The tall youth roughly withdrew his hand from the table. As the chunks of wood went flying, Hollis winced back. There was a slight sense of fear welling up as he watched this intimidating figure next to him. He knew now just how terrifying Ambrose could truly be.

     "That..." Hollis went to comment, but he held his tongue. It didn't seem like there was any proper way to talk about what had just transpired.

     "I agree," said Ambrose, a slight light-heartedness in his words, "that was a big mess, wasn't it? I didn't think it could go so wrong."

     "I...I'm sorry about what happened."

     "You have nothing you need to apologize for. Really, I appreciate what you said, you know?" He opened and closed his hand as he turned to Hollis, a smirk playing at his lips. "This whole thing is hard on everyone. They just need time to get their thoughts together." Though he said this with a smile, there was hesitation in his words and a gleam of despair in his eyes.

     He didn't seem so sure anymore.

     "I don't know about that," Hollis spoke under his breath. He felt the need to heavily disagree. He found Tic's actions inexcusable, even if he was grieving. The things he said showed he had little trust in Ambrose, right?

     "Either way," Ambrose spoke up, "I want to talk to Shyed, but given the fact that everyone is worked up, we might have to wait until tomorrow."

     "Why Shyed?"

     Hollis asked this, but he had high suspicions towards the little white-haired girl since she showed that picture. It was true that she was doing as was expected of her, but it was because of that picture that suspicion landed on Ambrose to begin with. She did defend him just now, but he found her sobbing to be somewhat over-the-top. Though really, how could he say that wasn't just a natural reaction? Regardless, he felt she was worth keeping an eye on.

     "Why? Who's to say. There isn't much reason to pin the killings on her, but there isn't much reason to suspect anyone in specific. I feel we need to look into everyone, so why not pick the one who doesn't blame me, first?"

     "Still," Hollis interjected. "You said you had tailed her before. You seem to have a specific interest in her."

     A smile etched onto Ambrose's lips as he sat back down. "Yeah. Then, it was because she was next to Terra in our group list. I was going in order since we had already talked with Terra. Now, well...I already said why now." He glanced to the shattered table before standing back up. Hollis followed. "I feel like she had the most reaction and since she defended me, it would be natural to speak to her over the other two."

     Hollis nodded. He actually agreed.

     They had made their decision. In one day, two at most, they would travel to Shyed's mindspace.

Hollis wasn't aware, but three days had passed since he and Ambrose had last spoken. It seemed he was preoccupied or having trouble sleeping, which would have been completely understandable. Alas, Hollis had found himself hiding in that room with no other company. It was getting lonely, but he wouldn't complain. He tried reading through the books on the shelves to occupy himself but found the text was total gibberish.

     This is a dream, why would I think any of the text was sensible?

     Once again, he found himself lying on the bed, wondering how much longer he was going to be waiting. Suddenly, the doors pushed open and in walked a youth, his hair dark with hues of purple when the light struck. His bangs were messy and left a clear view to his forehead. His face was pretty with strong, thick brows, and his jaw angular.

     Hollis only glanced over to this youth before returning back to the lights reflecting off of the ceiling.

     This boy had been sent by Ambrose to watch over Hollis while he was away. Time was moving on and the chance of the Somnium killer realizing Hollis was staying here was growing more probable by the day. Hollis understood Ambrose's concern, but it made him feel weak that the protective youth decided he needed to be watched over. Granted, Hollis did know he was weak, but it wasn't fun feeling that way, even if it was true.

     "Morning, or...night. You know, I don't know where you're from."

     "Would it even matter?" Hollis's brow perked.

     "I guess not." The boy's voice rose as he spoke. With a casual stride, he sauntered into the room similar to how Ambrose would. It was clear these two were close from the similarities in their mannerisms to the way they spoke.

     He continued, "You've been stuck in here every day now. Wanna take a walk around the space? It's really pretty once you get past Ambrose's ego in gold." He started to laugh, but seeing little reaction from Hollis, stopped. "It couldn't hurt to go out for a bit."

     Hollis rested his head and crossed his legs; his attention was once again on the ceiling. "I guess. But if something happened, it'd suck if you were thrown into some trouble because of me."

     Like if the killer came around.

     "I don't mind a little trouble," he retorted with a pout, his arms crossed. Hollis tried to ignore this, figuring he might go out on his own and leave Hollis to his dreamless naps, but he didn't. Instead, he marched over and dropped onto the end of the bed.

     "It's pretty cool that you took Ambrose's words to heart honestly."

     "Excuse me?"

     "He's really worried about you. Constantly. It's kinda scary if I'm being honest." He chuckled, but his brows betrayed the jovial tone of his comment. "And after what happened at that last meet-up, he's been torn up over it." His dark gaze passed over Hollis. "You've got a lot of sway over him. Don't misuse it."

     Hollis only blinked, his mouth falling as he sucked in his cheek. He hadn't realized any of that.

     "Alright..." Hollis sat up right and dropped his leg from the side of the bed. "Veri, right? You just showed up and haven't really said much about yourself."

     "Huh? You're not really interested, are you? Ambrose told me all about you, I doubt you're really interested."

     Damn, he saw right through me.

     "Well, anything would be better than talking about him right now." Hearing the weariness in the brunette's response, Veri laughed, his cheeks darkening as he fell over. "You are a unique kind in our group. I can see why he took to you. Alright, let's see. What d'you wanna hear?"

     "I'm good with anything."

     With a strong nod, Veri started with the first thing he could think of. "Well, if it's something about me, in reality, I can't go outside."

     He hadn't expected things to start off so strong.

     "You see," Veri explained, "I've been sickly, very sickly since I was little. If I go outside just about anything could make me sick. I'm so weak, I can't so much as leave my bed of my own free will." He paused. "I'm in my twenties and still live with my parents. They have to do just about everything for me. With the internet nowadays, just about anyone can be their own little celebrity with the help of a microphone and web cam, but I have no real social skills. It's hopeless for me unless I come here."

     His relaxed, dreamy expression quickly turned to shock, his form solidifying without a moment's hesitation. "I might have said a little too much, do you think?"

     Hollis shook his head. "I was getting pretty interested."

     "Really?" His cheeks flushed as he leaned away, his hands grasped behind his neck. "You know, if it wasn't for Ambrose, I don't think I could sit here and talk to you like this." He paused again before finishing, "Because of him, I learned to take on a form that, well...pushes my confidence a bit."

     So, is every pretty boy the result of that guy?

     Veri chuckled with forced pleasure. "Ah, look at this. I'm getting nervous now. Just talking about this makes me sweaty and awkward. I'm still pretty hopeless around anyone but him."

     "He sure has a lot of us around his little finger."

     "Doesn't he? A real people person if I ever saw one." Veri blinked, then once again. He sighed, resting his arm on his leg. "He's like that out there too, I think. We only ever video called, that's the closest I got to meeting him in person, but he's something. I'm kinda jealous."

     Hollis nodded, understanding to an extent those feelings. Being so positive and outgoing, it must be nice. At the same time, it's clearly going to be his downfall one day. It was quite the double-edged sword.

     As the two continued to converse, the man himself entered the room. With a gentle smile on his face, he greeted Veri with the utmost grace. Veri stood, stretching as he did, his smile like that of a naive child.

     "How ya doing? I've been sitting around this place for ages and let me tell you, it gets boring seeing the same bland walls over and over like this. Mind adding something fun around here?"

     "I figured you'd appreciate my taste, Veri. I'm the closest to the upper crust around here than any of you. This building is impeccable to any who see it."

      Veri scoffed and dropped his hand onto the taller boy's shoulder with gusto. "Only you would say that. This place is just your blown-up ego in tangible form. When you get a girlfriend, you'll see for yourself."

     Ambrose let out a laugh. Pinching the top of Veri's hand, he removed it from his shoulder. "The day I get a girlfriend is the day you give a speech to the whole Somnium server." He tilted his head with a sneer. "When you do that, I'll go out and woo a girl."

     "You woo any girl that sees you."

     Hollis crossed his arms as he listened to their back and forth with little interest, though now and then his ears would perk up and he'd take in the conversation with the highest of interest, but for the most part he tried to block it out.

     Once their discussion came to a close, Ambrose gave Veri a pat on the back and the dark-haired youth departed with a smile. Once the boy was out of sight beyond the closing door, Hollis spoke up, "So, what is it now?"

     "Ah, right!" The tall youth snapped his fingers as he approached the bedside. Noticing this, and assuming he was planning to sit next to him, Hollis stood. He cleared his throat and said, "You told me you wanted to check on Shyed, right?"

     Ambrose nodded. "That's right. As usual, she's been pretty scarce online, but she should be here. If not, we'll have to change plans, but it's not that big of a deal."

     I'd hope it wouldn't be, but who knows, Hollis thought to himself, but he didn't speak a word.

     With both fully aware of what needed to be done, they exited the golden mindspace and promptly landed in Shyed's. The world was gloomy and shadows hid most of the scene. Before them stretched out barren land and on that land was a massive, gothic castle. Towers adorned the walls and light from within appeared red through the crimson curtains.

     Hollis was shocked by this sight. A small girl like that made her mindspace like something out of Dracula?

     Of course, that's probably not what she really looks like...

     Without hesitation, Ambrose walked up the path to the castle, clear signs of confidence in his every step. Sucking in a breath, Hollis followed after. The path was long and rough, but they reached the castle without a hitch. The occasional bat that flittered by would startle Hollis at first, but he quickly got used to their presence and before long, he would simply turn in their direction to try and get a good look at them when they came close.

     Upon reaching the steps, they ascended and entered only to find themselves standing within a massive foyer. Unlike the exterior, the interior was pale and bright with a large, ornately decorated chandelier hanging above.

     "I find Shyed's taste to be...interesting." Ambrose laughed as he continued into the hall, Hollis following behind, stopping and staring in awe from time to time. It took no time at all for them to come across a room with its door ajar and a stream of life poured out from within. As they approached the door, the mumbling from within stopped and Ambrose gave a soft knock on the frame. There was a momentary silence before a small voice called out, "Come in."