(WARNING:: themes of eating disorders and mental conditions are mentioned.)
FOUR MONTHS AGO,
OCTOBER 23rd, 2020.
He lets go of my hand with a small smile, disappearing into the depths of the portal.
It snaps shut behind him, leaving me standing there, with my hand suspended out.
I drop it slowly at my side, shaking with disbelief as I sink to the floor, sobbing hysterically into my hands.
Silence and sadness surrounds me in a large circle, a circle I can't seem to get out of.
I feel someone's arms wrap around my shoulders, then someone stroking my hair.
"Shh, sweetie, it's okay."
I look up and see Athena, and she holds me gently.
"H-He's really gone..."
I continue to sob in her arms as Carden, Ryder, and Hazel detach from each other, falling onto the floor.
They seem to struggle to catch their breath, their eyes dimming down.
"What just...what just happened?!"
Hazel rubs her head, and Pandora comes out from hiding.
Pandora's hand is over her mouth in shock, and she slowly approaches Athena, tapping on her shoulder.
"Can I talk to her?"
"Yes. Be gentle."
Athena stands up, rubbing my head.
"I'll always be here for you, Aiden. I promise you that."
She disappears with the other gods, and Pandora shakily crouches down.
"You okay?"
I shake my head, and Pandora sits down next to me, hugging her knees to her chest.
"You did great."
"What the hell did I do, Pandora?! Nothing! Now he's gone!"
"You tried your best, and that's all that matters. Alec is doing what's best, Aiden. There's things he needs to work on."
She rubs my back before standing up, lifting me up as well as the rain starts to slowly come down again.
I see Mal from the corner of my eye, running over to a corner where I see a large boulder.
"Ryan?! Ryan where are you?!"
She hears a small groan, and struggles to lift the rock.
Xaiden and Pierce lift it, and Mal grabs a crumpled Ryan who was somehow hit by a boulder.
"Ugh, what happened?"
She looks around, struggling to hold herself up before collapsing again in Mal's arms.
I look at Pandora from the corner of my eye, wiping my eyes.
"I have to see if Althea's okay."
"Okay."
Pandora nods at me as I turn around, staring at the spot Althea once was.
I see a small pool of blood, and a ring.
Althea's ring.
I scramble over, dropping down to pick it up.
I stare at it for a moment, frowning before putting it in my pocket.
I jump back when something hits my head, looking down to see a red stained piece of paper.
That's weird.
I pick it up, and when I see the words written on it my face pales.
Thank you, Althea, for helping me send Alec to The Sinners Realm...I'm sure he'll have fun rotting with those heathens.
********
PRESENT DAY,
FEBRUARY 1ST 2021.
Have you heard of the sinners realm?
A place behind the mirror where you're worst nightmares, and also your biggest dreams lie.
My worst nightmare was what I thought to be my biggest dream.
Losing him forever.
But when it actually happened I only then realized he was the only one I had.
I am forever grateful that I still have Pandora, Xenodice, Persephone, Hazel, hell...even Hades down here in the underworld.
But it isn't the same.
I know it.
They know it.
Athena brings Althea with her down here every once in a while to visit, and Hades allows Mal and Ryan to come over while he chats with Lucifer.
Dean took off to a different world after it all happened, but we're still in close contact.
Pierce and Pandora are now a thing, and I'm happy for them...really.
My mom and Hazel are getting along very well, my mom also gets along with Persephone. But everyone gets along with her so it isn't much of a big deal.
Even though it has been four months, and everyone's gotten somewhat used to it, I can't.
I can't let him go.
The amount of times I stared at absolutely nothing and pretended I was talking to him is crazy.
I'm starting to drive myself mad at this point.
"Aiden?"
I turn my head slowly towards Hazel who peaks her head in the doorway.
"Hi, Hazel."
"Don't do this today...get out of the house! Do something!"
I lift my head from my pillow, giving her the side eye.
"Not in the mood."
"You're never in the mood for anything...don't make me be that annoying ass older sister who drags you out of the place. Hades, Persephone, and Bailey can all see it."
"I'm debilitated and miserable. Let me be this way."
"I'm worried about you. Bailey's worried about you. Persephone's worried about you. Even Hades is worried about you. That says something. Just go out with me and the others today? I won't bother you anymore. I just want you to be happy again."
I sluggishly slide out of bed, rubbing my eyes.
"Fine."
"Okay. I'll see you in fifteen! Meet me out front."
"Mmhmm."
Hazel leaves the room, and I sigh.
I don't want to do this.
But I love Hazel...and I'll make her happy for once.
It's the least I could do since I missed her nineteenth birthday.
I still feel fucking horrible about it.
I open my closet, staring at all the things I used to wear.
Now it's sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
Maybe I'll try something today.
I slowly grab my baggy jeans and black crop top, grabbing a chain link belt as well.
I pull on the jeans and frown.
They don't even fit anymore.
They're too big.
I sigh before grabbing a tighter pair, wearing those instead.
I brush my untamed hair, putting on my makeup before shoving on my boots.
I look like shit.
Exactly what Alec would say.
Oh gosh darn it.
I can't stop thinking of him!
I rub my head before dragging myself from the room, sliding past Xenodice's room where I know she'll try to drag me to have an hour long conversation.
I walk past my mom's room where I hear her and Persephone talking, before attempting to walking past the main room.
He's going to see me.
"Aiden?"
Dang it. I knew I wouldn't be able to get past Hades without being seen.
I turn my head towards him, sighing.
"Yes, dad?"
"You're going out with Hazel?"
"I have nowhere else to go."
"Are you doing okay?"
"Not at all."
I hear him sigh.
"Have fun then."
"I'm sure I won't."
I pull myself forward, seeing Hazel out front talking to someone who's tall and dressed in all black.
I open the door, and Hazel turns around.
"Speaking of the devil. Here she is!"
The person's eyes move to mine.
"She looks like a corpse."
I glare at him before looking at Hazel.
"Hazel, who the fuck is this?!"
"Sorry. This is Raine. He's a knew friend of mine."
"Okay."
She looks back at Raine.
"Well anyways...I'll see you later, okay? And since your dad is friends with ours we'll see you later."
"Alright. See ya."
His eyes move to mine curiously before he disappears in a cloud of dust.
"Thank you for coming, Aiden."
"Yeah, yeah. It's the least I could do."
I hold my hand over my head, bending over slightly.
"Are you okay?!"
"Yeah...just a really bad headache."
"When was the last time you ate?"
"Yesterday morning. I had a cracker."
Hazel's eye twitches.
"You are going to get yourself an eating disorder if you don't cut it out. Thank goodness we're going out to get food anyways." She hands me a granola bar which I look at strangely. "Eat that. Eat it now."
I glare at her before unwrapping the granola bar, putting it in my mouth.
Hazel smiles before taking my hand, teleporting us to Eternal Moonlight, the underworld's most famous cafe.
If it even counts as one.
As soon as we approach it I see Pandora, Ryder, Carden, Mal, Ryan, and Althea.
They all wave enthusiastically, and I frown.
"Hazel...I hate this."
"You'll be fine. Come on."
"Something isn't right. Something's really wrong here."
Hazel turns back to look at me.
"I feel a presence, is that what you're feeling, Aiden? If anything Carden would know if something's wrong. You should ask her."
I sigh before following Hazel over to everyone else, who are already chatting about random ass things.
"Oh my for! Hey you two! Aiden! I haven't seen you in a good bit!"
Ryan hugs me tightly and I pat her back in response, holding onto my stomach which does not feel good.
"You hungry? I'll go get us a table."
"No...something inside of the restaurant is wrong."
Ryan frowns and Ryder grins.
"It's basically just a diner with a bar in it. What could be wrong?"
Mal smacks her over the head.
"Shut it! Ask Carden."
"The same thing Hazel said."
Pandora crosses her arms over her chest with a joking smile.
"The bitch is a witch and a prophet. Don't prophets predict things?"
Althea nods.
"Yeah. They do. How are you, Aiden?"
She looks at me with a smile and I give her a strained one in return.
"Honestly? Not the best. But I could be worse."
Pandora nods.
"Same here."
Ryder slings her arm over my shoulder, grinning.
"Come on, Aidy-waidy. Let's go."
"Fine."
Despite my better judgment I go into the restaurant with Ryder and the other girls, seeing Carden and Hazel already sitting at a table with menus in front of them.
I sit next to Carden who's next to Hazel and Pandora while Ryder, Mal, Ryan, and Althea sit across from us.
A waiter comes over, with pale blue hair, white eyes, and a bright smile.
"Hello, ladies! I'm Elias, and I'll be your server today. What can I get for you guys today? Any drinks to start?"
Pandora smiles at him.
"We will all have mimosas, please."
"Alrighty! I'll have those as soon as possible. Do you guys know what you want to eat or do you need a moment?"
We all look at each other and nod.
"Yeah. We could order now."
"Great! Let's start with Miss in red!"
Ryder winks jokingly and they both laugh.
"Okay...I'll have a grilled cheese."
Carden bursts out laughing.
"At ten in the morning?"
"Shut up! At least I'm not the one who still eats bagel bites!"
Carden flips her off and the waiter smiles.
"Aren't you guys silly. What about for you?"
Pandora shakes her head.
"I'll be fine."
"You sure?"
The guy cheerfully pulls out a different menu, pointing at something on the top.
"Our special today is a blood orange açaí bowl. I think you'd like it."
Pandora shrugs.
"Alright. It better be good."
"I promise it will!"
He leans closer as if to whisper to us.
"I'll even tell the chefs to add a little spike of rosé...it'll make it even better."
Pandora nods with a smile and soon enough he turns to me.
"Alright, what can I get ya?"
I look down at the menu, frowning slightly when the words start to move around on the page, forming a phrase:
Roses are red, violets are blue, do you see me? Cause I see you.
I let out a small gasp, jerking the menu away slightly before blinking a few times, the room blurring slightly before going back to normal.
What the...?
Everyone jumps slightly, and the waiter looks down at me.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?"
"I...I'm fine...yeah...fine."
I rub my throbbing head before shaking my head slightly.
"I'm good."
Hazel holds out her hand.
"Get her some pancakes, please. Add bacon and eggs to that."
The waiter nods.
"Okay. Is that all for you guys?"
Carden nods.
"Yeah. Thanks, Elias."
"You're welcome—what's your name?"
"Carden."
"Interesting...I'll remember that. And your order. I'll be back in thirty minutes or less."
Elias walks back off to the kitchen and Ryan smiles.
"Wasn't he just a sweetheart? Such a nice guy."
Mal nods.
"He was actually. I didn't get to tell him but I loved his hair."
They pause when they realize everyone's looking at me.
"Is everything okay...?"
Ryan nods.
"Yeah..."
I hold my hand out.
"Fine. I'm fine. Just give me a moment."
Hazel places her hand on my shoulder, leaning into my ear.
"You saw it too?"
*******
Around twenty five minutes later Elias comes back with our orders, placing them all in front of us.
As soon as he's done he smiles brightly at us once more.
"Well, girls, if you aren't quite satisfied after your meal we're having a sale at the bar! Thirty-five percent off any drink! We hope to see you there!"
He winks before going off again, and we all start to eat.
I try to get my mind off of what Hazel said, but I can't.
You saw it too?
I don't know what's going on but something still just isn't sitting well with me.
This place...it's weird.
Elias seems too friendly...but perhaps it's just me.
Althea frowns.
"You okay? Aiden?"
I jerk back into reality, looking at Althea.
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Definitely."
She looks at me suspiciously before shrugging.
"Okay...just know you can talk to me if something's wrong."
I nod silently, and Ryder laughs.
"Do you love your blood orange smoothie bowl, Pandora? You're gobbling that thing down."
"Yeah! It's really good, actually."
********
We all start chatting again when I drift off from the conversation, my eyes catching on a guy with jet black hair leaning against the bar counter.
He's smoking a cigar, and has a glass of some sort of alcohol next to him.
I stare at him for a while, in a trance of some sort.
His eyes move from one of the girls flirting with him to me, and my heart stops in my chest.
What the—?
Jet black hair, tan skin, a lip piercing, is that...Alec?
Then my eyes snap on his, and my heart rate goes up.
Bright blue. And bright red.
Two different colors...
He smirks at me, blowing me a kiss before looking away.
I shrink back slightly in surprise, and when I look back to where he is he's gone.
Holy shit. That was crazy.
Where the hell did he go?
Did I imagine that?!
I feel a hand on my shoulder and I get snapped back into actuality again.
I look at Hazel.
"Huh?"
"What're you looking at?"
"Nothing, nothing. I just zoned out."
"Okay. Me and the others are going to the bar for another drink, do you want to come?"
"Uhh...yeah. Sure."
I stand up, looking back at the spot again where I see the remnants of a cigar and an empty shot glass.
I was not imagining that.
There was someone there.
*******
I sit at the bar while the others dance, and Althea sits next to me.
"Hey...what're you up to?"
"Nothing really. Why don't you go dance with them, Thea?"
"I'm not really a dancing type of girl. I'd trip and bust my ass."
I laugh slightly.
"Look who finally said a cuss word."
Althea smiles.
"Oh whatever."
"Hello, again, you two. Is there anything I can get you?"
We both look up to see Elias, making drinks behind the counter.
Althea shrugs.
"I'll have a glass of white wine, please."
"Alright. Anything for you?"
"I'm good for now."
"Okay! Just let me know if you've changed your mind."
I turn my head to Althea with a suspicious look.
"I have a sneaking suspicion you aren't twenty one yet."
"I'm not. But I'm a goddess. It doesn't matter what time you start doing anything. Persephone got married to Hades when she was seventeen. She's twenty one now. You can do anything you want and no one will give a flying fuck."
I shrug.
"Lucky you. I would have to wait until twenty one to start drinking when I was on earth. Just turned eighteen last year."
"Aww...you're so cute and young."
"I assume you aren't that much older than me."
Althea nods.
"I'm not. 19 like Hazel and Al—never mind."
I look back down at the counter and Althea frowns.
"Sorry."
"It's fine, Thea."
"Okay...I'm going to go to the bathroom if that's okay?"
"Totally okay. I'll watch your drink."
"Thank you! I'll be back!"
Althea disappears around a corner, and I stare blankly at her drink as I hear a deep voice.
"Are ya just gonna stare at that all day or take a sip, mamacita?"
I jump slightly, my back hitting someone's rock hard abdomen.
"Oh, sorry!"
I scooch forward a little, hearing a chuckle as I turn around to see—my face pales.
It's this guy again.
The spitting image of Alec but with blue and red eyes instead.
I get another weird feeling in my gut, one telling me to take Althea's drink and get the hell out of there.
I stare at him a moment longer, before blinking and rubbing my eyes.
"Sorry, I'm just tired. Really tired."
"We all are at one point."
I look down at Althea's drink before back at him.
"And to answer your question this is my friend's drink."
The man smirks.
"The one that went to the bathroom? One of the ones on the dance floor?" His grin stretches even wider. "Or one of the ones making out?"
"Huh?"
I move my eyes past him to a darker corner of the restaurant, seeing Ryan and Mal aggressively making out.
I frown at him.
"How did you know—?"
"I can see, babe."
He lights another cigar and blows the smoke in a different direction, drawing my attention to the sharpness of his jawline.
I immediately snap my eyes back to his face when he looks back.
"Just half blind in my right eye. Something me and my brother don't share."
"Brother?"
"Yeah."
He grins again and his left eye sparks.
"I have a twin brother."
"Oh really?"
I return the same grin.
"I'm sure whatever girls you both know have a lot of fun."
He takes a drag from the cigarette, before leaning against the wall besides me.
"I get it. How dirty minded you are for such an innocent looking face."
I make a face.
"I look innocent to you?"
"Very...I can see through your big eyes, all I see is innocence."
"You can see through my eyes? That's concerning."
He nods.
"Mind reading. One of my many talents."
"Are you here all alone?"
I look into the crowd of people before back at him.
"Alone?"
He smiles before placing a twenty dollar bill on the counter beside me.
"You're never alone."
When I blink he's gone again, and I pick up the dollar bill and peel the sticky note from it.
Use this to pay for your friend's drink, darling. Until we meet again...
- A
*******
After a while we all go back home, and I smile at them.
"Thanks guys. It wasn't too bad. Maybe I'll go out with you guys again soon."
They all smile as me and Hazel depart from them.
Ryder winks.
"Never a problem, babes!"
Ryan and Mal share a look before looking at me with a grin.
"We saw you talking to that guy...what's his name?!"
Pandora jumps up and down.
"A guy?! Who? Who?"
I flush slightly.
"No one important. But I actually don't know his name."
Carden's eyes gleam with mischief.
"That just makes him more mysterious. What does he look like?"
"He had jet black hair, tan skin, a lip piercing, a tattoo on his neck, and blue and red eyes."
Hazel's eyes expand.
"He sounds hot."
"Yeah...he has a twin brother."
Ryder bites her lip.
"I need to get hooked up with that brother, ASAP!"
I smile.
"Yeah. In the note he signed A...which means we have another A guy on our hands."
*******
After the girls left, me and Hazel went back inside Hades's home.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom...meet in your room?"
"Yeah, sure."
Hazel branches off towards the bathroom, and I begin to walk past the main room when I hear my mom's voice.
"Are you kidding me?! You can't send her off on the river alone, Hades! She'll die!"
"She'll have Althea! The girl needs help. She needs to forget about him! The only way for that is for her to go to Tempest!"
"The witch?! You are not sending my daughter to a witch."
"Our daughter, Bailey. All decisions aren't up to you! Let me help her!"
I hear an angry sigh.
"You promise you'll bring her right back if something goes wrong?"
"I promise, Bailey. As long as she has on the necklace I'll be able to keep track of her."
"Okay. When does she go?"
"Today. It takes two to three days to get to Tempest. She lives on Acheron and we're on Lethe."
"Alright. You better not get our daughter killed. I won't forgive you again."
"I understand, Miss Bossy."
My eyes widen, and I run towards my room when I hear my mom coming towards the door.
I slam mine shut, leaning against it as my heart races.
They can't be planning to send me out...tonight?!
********
I hear a knock on my door and call out.
"Who is it?"
"Hazel!"
"Okay. Come in!"
The door opens and Hazel slides inside, sitting next to me on my bed.
"I just wanted to talk to you about something...about earlier today in Eternal Moonlight."
"About what? The fact that I saw a random dude that disappeared and reappeared every time I blinked? The creepy waiter? Or the menu?"
"Start with the menu. What the hell happened?!"
I release a breath, moving my eyes to hers.
"When I looked down at the menu, I'm telling you, the words started moving until they formed the words roses are red, violets are blue, do you see me? Cause I see you. It was creepy as hell. As I was looking at it I felt warmth spreading from my arms to my veins. My my hands were going to blow. It was weird as fuck."
Hazel frowns.
"That is weird as hell. But did you see it?"
"See what?"
"The...the person behind Elias?"
"The who behind Elias?! Who?!"
"They were extremely pale, and had no eyes. A black smile. Sharp teeth. Some sort of demon."
My eye twitches.
"That's scary."
"It was...it was smiling at me."
She sighs before motioning with her hand.
"Continue."
"Okay. Elias was giving me strange vibes. He was almost too happy...something was just off."
"I can agree. He was nice, but too nice."
"Yeah. But that guy...I swear he disappeared. Not that odd, because we all have powers, but something was off. I always got a terrible feeling of dread when he was around."
Hazel opens her mouth to say something when someone else knocks on the door.
"Aiden? You in here?"
"Uhh...yeah, dad. I'm here with Hazel."
"Okay. Can I talk to you about something?"
"Yeah. Come in."
He opens the door, and Hazel stands up with a smile.
"I'll talk to you later, Aiden. See ya."
She waves to both me and Hades before leaving my room, shutting the door.
Hades turns his head to me.
"So...me and your mom decided that you need to go to Tempest."
I frown.
"Tempest?"
"A witch. You and Althea are going on the Lethe river to get to Acheron."
My eye twitches.
"Why?!"
"Because you need help, Aiden. This was the first time you left the house in four months. It's unhealthy and you're barely eating as well. You need to forget him."
I frown before looking at him.
"So you're sending me to a witch so my memory can be erased?! I can't just erase him!"
Hades grimaces.
"It won't be erasing him, Aiden, more of easing your mind from the thought of him. Trust me. I'm just trying to help you." He fastens a chain necklace around my neck. "This will allow me to see where you are. If you ever get in trouble I'll teleport you back from it."
I nod, looking down at the necklace.
"Will I be alone?"
"No. Definitely not. Althea's going with you."
"She agreed to that?"
"Yeah. Her and Athena agreed. They want to help you as well."
I sigh.
"When do I leave?"
"You're going to do it?"
"Of course. I'm miserable."
"You're leaving at 11. Persephone already got your things that you'll need. I just have one thing for you to follow out there on your own."
"Yes?"
"Don't drink the water of the river, don't listen to the souls, and lastly, this one's the most important."
I watch him expectantly.
"Don't make eye contact."
********
ONE HOUR LATER...
11:00 PM.
"Be safe, Aiden, Althea. Don't die."
I look at Hazel with a small smile, hugging her.
"We won't. Love you."
"Love you too."
Persephone waves enthusiastically.
"Bye guys!"
My mom smiles.
"I love you, sweetie."
Hades nods.
"Good luck."
Me and Althea wave, before following Xenodice down to the docks.
"You guys ready?"
"I mean...yeah..."
"Alright. I just gotta tell you...these waters are very violent."
"Violent?!"
Althea makes a face.
"Why did no one tell me this...?"
"You guys'll be fine. Just watch out for rocks."
She takes out bags and puts them in, smiling.
"Watch your step! And bon voyage!"
We both wave as Xenodice unties the boat from the dock, releases us into the bright white waters of Lethe.
*******
FOUR HOURS LATER...
Althea fell asleep and now I'm stuck steering this thing.
I didn't sign up for this!
This whole thing is bullshit! I don't want to steer a boat!
I guide it through the water, occasionally looking at the GPS.
"Crash the boat, Aiden."
"Huh?"
I look around, hearing another voice.
"Over here."
I turn my head around, seeing two apparitions.
"Crash the boat, Aiden. Then you won't feel that weight on your shoulders..."
I turn away, tuning out their voices.
Hades said not to listen to the souls.
Dumb things.
After around twenty minutes I still hear them, and tap Althea's shoulder.
"Ali! Thea! Althea!"
"Huh?"
She jolts up, and I stare at her.
"For five and a half hours I've been doing this. Your turn."
She mumbles some inaudible things before sluggishly going to the wheel.
I shut my eyes, before opening them again.
"One thing. Please don't fall asleep. Or crash us. I guess that's two."
Althea yawns.
"Mmkay."
I shut my eyes, and Althea takes control.
********
TWO HOURS LATER...
(ALTHEA'S POV)
I wake up to being almost thrown off the boat, flying over the driver's seat.
Aiden jumps up as well, looking around in confusion.
"What in the living hell was that?!"
She looks over to see me laying face down on the floor and lets out a stream of curses.
"Althea! Did you fall asleep?!" She stumbles forward when we go over another large wave before looking at me expectantly. "I told you not to!"
"I was tired! I'm sorry! The water's so—" I get thrown forward again, gripping onto the side of the small boat before looking back at her. "Rough! I don't know where we are!"
"Let me take control!"
I stagger backwards and she grabs the steering wheel before banging her head against it.
"It's fucking locked!"
"What?! How is it locked?!"
"It's not—it's not turning!"
Aiden struggles to move the thing when I met out a large scream, and she moves her eyes in front of us, letting out a scream as well when we smash into a large rock, smacking it before flying forward.
We both land with a loud splash in the water, and I inhale a big ass gulp of that, when I realize that's bad. That's really bad.
My mind goes blank, and I sit there, staring at Aiden as she flips around like a fish.
"Althea! Help!"
"Me? Who the hell are you?"
Aiden stops splashing around, coughing out some water.
Her face drops.
"Fuck, Althea. You accidentally drank the water."
*******
(AIDEN'S POV)
I stare at Althea, seeing her confused face.
Goddamnit.
I grab Althea's arm, dragging her out of the water.
I cough out more water, and Althea just sits there.
"Who are you?"
"Aiden. My name is Aiden Weiss. You know me."
She makes a face.
I stare at the wreck of our boat, then realize I can just get Hades for help.
He said if I had the necklace—wait a minute. The necklace!
I reach my hand up, feeling for it.
Not there.
I look down and smack my head.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! The fucking necklace!"
"This?"
I snap my head around, my eyes glinting when the catch on the chain necklace dangling from his finger.
"Give it to me."
"And why would I do that?"
I move my eyes to his face and my heart just about skips a beat.
"You! You're the guy—the guy from the bar! Why the fuck are you everywhere?! And how the hell did you get my necklace?!"
"I took it. And of you want it back...you'll just have to come with me."
"I...Uhh...what?! No!"
"Then I guess you aren't seeing this again!"
"Wait!"
He pauses, and for once we make eye contact with each other.
I get a dreadful feeling in my stomach as his words echo through my head.
"...don't make eye contact..."
My eyes widen and I try to move them away, only for me to not be able to.
"What're you—"
"Look into my eyes, Aiden. What do you see?"
My vision starts to go in and out and then it blurs, disorienting me.
I try to look away, and he switches between himself and Alec. Himself and Alec.
"What do you see?"
"I see him. I see him."
My eyes widen and tears well up in them.
"You're him."
******
I wake up in a dark room, hearing the small cries of someone familiar.
I jerk up, banging my head.
"Ow! Althea?! Is that you?!"
"I-I'm here...A-Aiden?!"
"Your memory...are you okay?!"
"They disabled my powers. It hurt so bad, Aiden."
I squint, and see her crouched in the corner, with bruises on her wrists.
"Can you get up?"
"Yeah. They didn't tie me."
"Who's they, Althea?"
"Twilight."
"Little Althea decided to speak up..."
Both of our eyes snap on a guy in the distance, walking back and forth, back and forth.
A light turns on and we both gasp.
"Elias?!"
"Hey! I guess you're both up and ready...which means I can get our lovely friend."
"Who?!"
He grins at me.
"You know him."
Elias disappears into thin air, and a door opens.
We both snap our heads towards it and see a tall guy come in, kicking it shut with his foot.
"Well, well, well...what do we have here? Two little mice! Aren't you guys cute. My brother wasn't lying...the bastard tends to."
His eyes snap up to mine and he grins.
"Hey, Aiden."
My eye twitches.
"You did this?! Bar guy?!"
"Oh enough with that...you should know who I really am..."
We both look at him strangely.
"Don't give me that look! I promise it's exciting!"
"You! Over here!"
"Alright, train conductor."
My eyes widen at the person's voice.
Wait a minute—
I hear footsteps and my eyes trail the person who goes next to bar guy.
Both of them smile at me and I stare at them in complete shock.
"Hey, sweetheart. Welcome to The Sinners Realm."
Bar guy grins.
"I'm Alaric, and that's my twin brother Alec."