She shook his shoulder again, sounding a little more panicked. "Maverick? Mav, wake up. Please." * * * Her eyes widened and she stood up, hurrying over and kneeling down, picking up her field guide protectively and holding it to her chest as she looked up at him. "Why are you being so mean?" she asked, her voice caught in her throat. "What's going on?" * * * He frowned, feeling the panic growing in his throat. He went down the stairs, trying to find the others. * * * Sylas frowned, going down the stairs to see what was going on.
He didn't wake up, turning away from her. *** He loomed over her, watching with dark eyes. "I'm not being mean. Stop acting so sensitive." *** Maverick and Theresa were asleep downstairs. *** There would be shouting. A loud argument between two people.
She looked up, noticing that the room was closing in on her and her eyes widened. "No..." she whimpered, looking around frantically. "No, no... Maverick! Maverick, please. Wake up." * * * She looked up, tears shining in her eyes as she stood up. "I don't..." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I don't need this." * * * Monty came in, looking around for Theo. "Guys? Guys. Have you seen Theo? I woke up and she's gone." * * * Sylas frowned, opening the door warily.
He sat up in annoyance, obviously sleepy. "What is it?" *** He tore the book from her, standing over her. "You aren't good enough." *** Maverick squinted at him sleepily. "What are you talking about, Monty? Who is Theo?" *** It was Lilith and her mother. They were arguing about something. The words seemed muffled. Her mother grabbed her wrist forcefully, raising her hand to hit her.
She pointed a shaking hand at the walls. "The walls! The w-walls, they're shrinking! Come on, we gotta go!" * * * Tears spilled over her cheeks and she tried to grab for her field guide, panic in her throat. "No, that's... that's not true. I'm good enough. Give me my book." * * * He paused, looking at Maverick. "Theo. Theo, you know. Theo." * * * Sylas' eyes widened and he moved forward, trying to grab at her wrist to stop her.
He looked around with a frown. "They're exactly the same." *** He kept it away, stepping back and opening it again, tearing pages out. "Awful. Terrible." *** He shook his head slowly. "What are you talking about?" *** He would find himself unable to move, his muscles tense. The scene before continued to unfold with a cry from Lilith.
"Maverick, please," she pleaded, taking his hands. "Just come with me right now. Please." * * * A scream came from somewhere deep inside of her and she lunged at him, desperate to get the field guide. "No! Don't you dare!" * * * "Theo," he said, his voice sounding panicked now. "Red skin. Red hair. Orange eyes. Theo. Do you think this is some kind of joke?" * * * Sylas began to lose it, his eyes widening. His breathing increased as he froze in space and a low groan came from his chest.
He looked confused. "No. Stop. You're just fine." *** He kept away from her, continuing to tear out the pages like it was some sort of game. *** He frowned. "Calm down, Monty. You must have had a bad dream, or something." *** Her mother forced her down, continuing to attack her as she cried out in pain. Bruises were forming and her nose bled. He would continue to be frozen in time, only able to watch. It was like he wasn't there at all.
Tears filled her eyes as she watched him for a moment before grabbing his hand and beginning to try to pull him to the door. * * * Her breathing hitched in her throat as she tried desperately to grab the book, but her attempts grew weaker as she looked at the shredded book. "How... how could you?" * * * He looked at them before turning, intending to find her. He plunged into the house, looking frantically and calling her name. * * * Sylas tried to close his eyes, but his eyelids refused to slide down. He watched in horror, dull sobs in his throat.
She would feel his hand in hers as she pulled him, but when she looked back, she would find the space empty. The door stuck closed. *** He threw it to the side. "I can't believe you assumed better of me." *** There would be no replies. It was like she never existed. *** This would continue for a few minutes before something stirred. He would hear a muffled voice from afar, being pulled from the dream state.
Theresa looked around, panic, seizing her as she began to try prying the door open with her sword. * * * She sat down on the bed, looking down at the scraps of paper, hugging a pillow to her chest. "I can't believe it either." * * * Monty shook his head. "She must have gone outside. I'm going to find her." * * * Sylas struggled weakly, his brain numb and his body hopeless.
It wouldn't budge. The room continued to shrink. *** He watched her, his gaze nothing less than a look of pity. *** The front door was locked. Cassian approached him. "What are you doing, Monty? Do you know what time it is?" *** The voice would become clearer as Lilith tried to shake him awake. "Sylas. Sylas!"
"No," she whimpered, lying back against the door as the room closed in on her. "No, no... please. No." * * * She didn't meet his gaze before slowly setting down the pillow, getting on her hands and knees, and trying to pick up the pieces. * * * "What's wrong with all of you?" he asked, clearly panicked. "She's your best friend, Cassian! Why aren't you concerned?" * * * He gasped as he woke, his eyes wet with tears as he looked up at her, trembling as he inhaled the cool air.
The walls creaked, and she was alone. *** The papers were blank. All the work lost. *** Cassian glared at him. "Who are you talking about, Monty?" *** Her eyes were wide and fearful as she looked down at him. "Are you okay?"
She tried to open the window, running desperately to try to break the glass. * * * A sob choked her and she whimpered, hugging herself as she sat back on her knees, tears falling down her face. * * * "Althea Naia," he snapped. "Theo. Is this a prank? It's not funny." * * * He was shaking, but he reached up, caressing her face gently. "You're... you're okay," he said hoarsely, relishing the ability to speak and to hold her.
It seemed to just bounce off, the glass not even chipped. *** He glared at her before leaving the room. She was alone. *** He frowned at him, raising an eyebrow. "I've never heard that name before. This isn't funny." *** She looked a little confused, but nodded. "I'm okay. I think something is going on."
Her breathing hitched and she turned to look at the walls that were approaching. * * * Her sobs were released and she knelt down, her hands flat against the ground and her forehead on her hands. She wept, quiet, soft gasps that shook her entire body and she yearned for relief that would never come. * * * Monty glowered before turning towards the door. "She's real," he said gruffly, attempting to pull open the door. "I know she is." * * * "What... what happened? Where are we?" he asked, his hand not leaving her face.
The door refused to open. Cassian crossed his arms. "I think you're losing it." *** "We're at the house," she replied gently, standing up. "Something is going on. We need to wake up the others."
"I am not," Monty said hotly. "Why is the door locked?" * * * "Did you have a dream too?" he asked, standing up.
Cassian huffed, turning to go back to bed. "Fine. Go on your wild fantasy chase, then." *** She nodded, hesitating. "I did... I woke up because I realized it wasn't real."
