When I arrived at the manor before sunrise, I was greeted by Alice with a bone-crushing hug. She informed me that Finn had requested for the protective shutters to be closed, meant to seal windows and doors during daylight. However, she had stopped him from doing so. Tobias was not present at the moment, and as a result, Finn had taken up the role of overseeing the house.

His tone of voice and responsible demeanour showed that he was taking his role seriously. I could sense the tension in the air, knowing that the safety and protection of the manor were at stake.

“So...” Finn had said.

Alice anger towards Finn continued to simmer and grow, I could not help but notice the serious expression that adorned Finn’s face. He seemed completely oblivious to the emotions brewing within her, as his face remained stoic and composed.

Finn's physical stature was on the shorter side; however, his lean and fit figure gave the illusion of him being taller. His body, which was devoid of excess fat, added to his perceived height.

"Can you explain why you're late?" His overbearing tone reminded me of Tobias.

With a deep breath, I bit my lip to suppress the annoyance bubbling inside of me. I knew that engaging in a conversation at this moment could lead to something I did not want to deal with.

“I am going to my chamber.” I ascended the stairs, keeping a calm.

“Eden, there is still unfinished business between us,” Finn announced.

“Indeed, there is.” I singled him with a wave.

Finn declared, "I have my eyes on you!"

“I am relying on that."

Upon entering my quarter, I was immediately struck by the tranquil atmosphere. After a long night, I welcomed the soft, feathery white carpet under my toes. Slowly, I unbuttoned and removed my clothing, feeling a sense of release and comfort. My bed, though I did not sleep, provided a lush contrast to the plush carpet. After indulging in a long and satisfying shower, I finally laid down with a deep sigh. Gradually, my breathing became slower and shallow, and my senses seemed to expand.

My eyes fixated on the motionless fan blades above me, I could not help but feel a deep sense of frustration. I turned my attention to my collection of puzzle books, hoping to find solace in the familiar activity. However, the letters on the page seemed to blur together, making it difficult for me to concentrate. Feeling annoyed, I eventually gave up and turned my thoughts to the events of the night and the young child, Wren. The thought of such a helpless fate for a child troubled me deeply, more than I cared to admit.

The sound of, "You idiot!" filled the room as my bedroom door swung open. Alice barged in; her voice filled with anger as if she were possessed. "Why were you out so late?"

“Hey, Alice." I sat upright and grasped her hand. "Remember our conversation about not hitting me?"

When under distress, she tended to strike anyone in close proximity. However, the once seemingly innocuous punches from Alice had evolved into more forceful blows. It was no longer endearing in my eyes.

“I could not care less. You were asking for it. It is unusual for you to be out so late.”

“I lost track of time.” I lied. “I did not mean to worry you.”

Alice let out a trembling sigh and settled next to me. "I was nervous. I thought…”

“I was out committing suicide?” I interjected and chuckled just for the fun of it.

“You are stress, and I do not know what you are thinking. You might do something reckless.”

“If I had the will to end my own life, wouldn't I have already done it?”

I exhaled deeply, and the tightness in my chest persisted, causing a sense of heaviness to linger within me. Turning to face Alice, our gazes locked as we both laid on our sides.

In a hushed tone, I asked, "Please be honest with me. How have you been since you left? It must have been challenging to constantly be on the go."

“I have been facing immense difficulties trying to stay afloat, both mentally and emotionally. It has been incredibly challenging, especially since parting ways with you and Xavier.”

“We are together now, so please rely on me more. I owe you a lot, Alice.”

Her hand gently brushed against my cheek. "You don't owe me anything," she said softly. "What we do for each other comes from a place of love, not obligation. We are family -- you, Xavier, and I. I know you may not see it yet, but someday you will."

I inquired, "How can you be certain?"

“Because Xavier and I aren’t going anywhere without you,” she declared, snuggling closer to me.

I placed my hand on her head, gently patting. "I had a feeling you would respond that way.”

Alice and I stayed in the same position for a significant amount of time.

In the process of getting to know Alice, Xavier and I quickly realised that there were many things we still did not know about her. One thing we did learn, however, was that like us, she had also experienced the pain of losing someone dear to her. Despite this shared experience, Alice kept a lot of details to herself. Perhaps she did not fully trust Xavier and I, as we had only just met at the time.

Presently, Alice kept her air of mystery even though she knew everything about us. It was only natural to question how we could trust someone who refused to share their own story with us. But the answer was surprisingly simple. I found Alice to be a gem I could not afford to lose. She acted as a bridge between Xavier and I, keeping us in line and making our strained relationship somewhat bearable. While we were aware that someone was after her, we only discovered the true extent of the danger she was in after she disappeared like a fleeting whisper in the night.