-Breath in, breathe out. Slowly.- I heard the voice of the skeleton priestess -Like that, good. You’re doing great, sweetheart.- 

“Breath in, breathe out. Breath in, breathe out.” I was on the ground, shaking, in a fetal position, my eyes closed and my head down. The priestess didn’t touch me, maybe she remembered what I told her before about my personal space. 

-Is she ok?- I heard the vampire’s voice asking in a hoarse whisper. 

“Is he awake now?” I felt the shame invading me. “They’ll think I’m a pathetic weirdo, having a panic attack out of nowhere” 

-She’s fine, V. Wait outside.- The priestess lost all the dreamy shades in her voice, she sounded like someone used to give orders.

“Like a totally different person. Was she lying to me?” I Imagined every kind of scenario. Maybe this was all a scam, or a weird religious pyramid scheme. Maybe she wasn’t even a real priestess. Organ trafficking, sex slavery, kidnapping for illegal necromantic rituals… My mind ran through all the worst scenarios and I felt the anxiety growing in my chest again. “Calm down now! You need to be lucid and get rid of them, quickly.”

-I don’t feel very good.- I said, without lifting my head. -Could you return another day? Please?-

-I’m so sorry about what happened, I didn’t know it was a triggering topic for you.- Her voice sounded genuinely worried. I lifted my head, she was kneeled at my side. I standed up slowly, taking a few steps back. I couldn’t tell if she was pretending or not. 

-Do you remember the identity of your friend? You talked to him before like you recognised him.- I said cautiously. 

-Who? Are you talking about V?- She seemed surprised. -Of course, I know who he is. That's one of the few things I remember.-

-Well, who is he then?-

-L, don’t tell her.- Said the vampire named V from the hallway. He came in and looked at me apologetically. It looked like the Dark Blood effects were over and he took away his ridiculous yellow aviator sunglasses. He had a very chilled and relaxed posture, like he had just woken up from his own bed. -I’m very sorry but that’s confidential, we don’t know if we can trust you yet.-

-You don’t trust me…- I said slowly, lowering my voice, trying to hide the fear and the anger. -But it’s me who shouldn’t trust you. You forced the door of my room and came in with no permission, you pretended to be asleep in the hallway. And don’t make me start with this lady here. Asking me weird questions, hugging me out of nowhere, provoking me to panic attacks. This is suspicious as hell. You, sir, don’t have amnesia to excuse yourself. So explain everything to me now or leave. Actually, explain everything AND leave.-

The two exchanged a look, then the skeleton priestess named L nodded, giving an invisible permission. V sighed and turned to me. -She didn’t do it on purpose. Her memory is shattered. Her answers sometimes make perfect sense, or she seems in control because her instinct or few of her past knowledge remerges for a moment. After she takes her medicine, she’ll feel better. You’ll see.-

I was surprised by the deep tenderness in his voice. “Is she like a relative? or is he in love with her?” At least, finally I was receiving explanations. 

I lifted an eyebrow and crossed my arms. -Well, go on.- 

-Yep, I pretended to sleep. I plead guilty, your honor. I just wanted to give room to you two ladies and let you bond without intruding.- Twilight Hobo Dilf awkwardly winked at me. “Am I wrong or does he have himbo vibes all over him?” My heart skipped a beat like in the worst romance novels.

-Oh, that’s very considerate of you. Thank you very much.- L approved like a proud grandma. 

I facepalmed again. “Ugh, these two are clowns. Why did I ever think they have enough brain cells to plot against me?”  -Ok, I’ll accept that, now can you explain kindly to me where you want to take me? And why? and do you know what the lady priestess thinks she owns me?-

-To the first question, that’s confidential. Second question, I don’t know. Third question, I don’t know either. I just follow orders. Her orders.- He pointed to the priestess. 

After my best death stare, V quickly added. -Ok, let’s say our home is similar to… A rehab. A safe place with a few very cool, accomplished, interesting people. Except me, of course.- He confidently put back his horrible sunglasses, as underlining he wasn’t none of the three. -Lady skeleton here is the boss.-

I lifted both of my brows. -I’m sorry, help me to understand. I don’t even have addictions, but you want me to go to a rehab run by an ancient, amnesiatic skeleton priestess. Rehab that didn’t really work on you, or am I wrong?- I asked with my best innocent voice.

-That’s not very nice to bring that up, not very nice at all!- Disapproved L. I ignored her, my eyes on the vampire. I felt sorry about being so cruel, but I was trying all the strategies to make them leave. 

-No, that’s fair.- The melancholic, weary expression was back on V’s face. -I relapsed after ten years of abstinence today, that’s… very unfortunate. I’ll have to deal with the consequences later. It’s totally understandable you don’t trust us.- He sighed, facing the priestess.  -L, I know you have some kind of an agenda here, but she doesn’t want to come with us and we cannot force her.-

“Finally!” I went to the door and opened it wider, staring at them. 

L rubbed her own chin, pensive. The vampire looked at her, waiting for instructions.

-Then, let me ask one last question, Hana.- She said. I nodded.

-Are you happy?-