The door opened and Demetri stood looking stunned for a moment then he immediately threw his arms around Remington and began to cry. Vezaias let go of Remington just in time to watch very jealously as Demetri nearly strangled Remington around the neck. Remington of course was stunned as well but he could tell who was hugging him nearly immediately.

  “What happened?! You have been gone for so long! And your eyes! What is going on?!” Demetri cried hysterically.

  “Maybe we should go inside before we explain.” Vezaias said seriously. Demetri quickly let go and ushered them inside and through the house. Things were still in boxes and the new stage and recording studio were not completely built yet. Vezaias helped Remington into a seat where they were immediately greeted by Maxwell and Zach.

  “Holy shit Remington what happened??” Maxwell asked.

  “Where have you been?!” Demetri repeated. “You have been gone for 11 days! Our keycards stopped working!” Remington quickly did the math. That would mean Demetri hadn't seen him since the battle that Vezaias faked his own death. That long? But he had seen Demetri twice since then. Both times it was like Demetri hadn't seen him since that same battle.

  “A lot has happened.” Vezaias answered for him. “We had a bit of a falling out with everyone at the base.” Vezaias said seriously.

  “What?? Tell us what happened!” Demetri nearly shouted.

  “It's complicated. Sorry to say I've shut them all out of our lives.” Vezaias explained vaguely. Demetri was struck. It was quiet. Remington's anxiety shot up quickly. Suddenly he stood up, nearly knocking the chair over then he started to walk away. Vezaias quickly got up and followed him, stopping him by the shoulder.

  “Rem where are you going??” Vezaias asked urgently.

  “I need to talk to you in private! Take me somewhere now!” He demanded angrily. Vezaias sighed.

  “Fine….” He turned to the others. “….we will be right back.” Vezaias reassured them. He took Remington by the arm and led him upstairs and to a more private location.

  “What is it, Rem?” He said. Remington was trying to collect his thoughts.

  “I've seen Demetri three times now, in 11 days. Each time he acts like he hasn't seen me yet, and he is surprised about the same shit! What the fuck is happening Vezaias?! Which one is real?! Are any of these real?!” Remington snapped angrily. Vezaias was silent. Remington was now frightened of the answer but tried to keep an angry face to hide it.

  “It doesn't matter.” Vezaias said finally.

  “It does fucking matter!” Remington shouted. It was quiet again.

  “Look, sometimes I do things that I cannot explain to you, and you know that. Sometimes it is safer not to know. I could tell you any of these are real. Or maybe none of them are. All that matters is that you are safe, and I brought you here like you wanted. Beyond that just be thankful you get what you want. It doesn't matter otherwise because you will never know when you are in reality or a delusion. If I told you this was real, how could you even know for sure? Your telescope only works when I want it to work because I have way more control than you know.” Vezaias said flatly. He sounded scolding. Remington would have shed tears over this if he could. “I will give you anything you ask me for Remington. Anything at all.” Vezaias pulled him close and held him. “Unless you ask to know what is real. Real doesn't exist anymore and you should just let it go.” Vezaias said soothingly. He kissed Remington's head. Remington couldn't react. He only stood blankly nestled in Vezaias's arms trying to process the fact that he would never feel like anything or anyone around him was real ever again. He felt hurt, betrayed, lied too, scared, but he forced that all away so he could trust that what Vezaias was doing was for the best.

  “Okay…” He said softly. “I understand.” The only way to eliminate the delusions he could make was…. Remington immediately trashed that option. It was better to trust Vezaias.

  “Good Rem. They are going to have questions, let me do the explaining. Let's go back downstairs.” Vezaias said then he took Remington’s arm to lead him in the right direction. They took their seats at the table where Demetri, Maxwell and Zach were waiting. It was quiet and nobody spoke right away. Demetri looked as if he was deep in turmoil. The anxiety in the room was thick.

  “Tell us what happened.” Demetri said finally.

  “I knew you would ask, but I gotta tell ya…I don't know if I should tell you everything that happened. It's not exactly a pleasant story.” Vezaias said, leaning back in his seat looking serious. Remington slipped his hand over Vezaias's thigh to intertwine their fingers.

  “I need to know.” Demetri said firmly with tears in his eyes. Remington heard Vezaias sigh deeply. He gave Vezaias's hand a squeeze as if to prompt him to explain.

  “They thought I was being an abusive boyfriend. So they began to secretly investigate us with their surveillancing talents. When they couldn't come up with anything solid to prove they were right, they planned on attacking us. They had no idea what was actually happening, and how dangerous I really am. They hurt Remington. I wouldn't stand for it. Nobody fucks with Remington and gets away with it. So I eliminated them from our lives, all apart from the members I found the least threatening.” Vezaias said maliciously. The tension in the room mounted. Remington heard Demetri begin to cry. He felt horrible listening to Demetri cry, without seeing him or being able to comfort him. “I don't think I should say anymore. The details of the battle are very gruesome.” It got quiet again. Demetri desperately wished that Remington could see him, as he gave him a devastated look. Maybe this was too risky of a request.

  “I want to talk to Remington alone.” Demetri pressed trying to sound firm. Vezaias immediately squeezed Remington's hand in irritation.

  “Why? If you have something to say that I should not hear then maybe you should keep your mouth shut.” Vezaias said angrily.

  “That's exactly why I do need to say it alone.” Demetri rebuttaled in frustration.

  “Nor is it very important for you to say shit to him! I am sick of everyone singling me out as if I've done something wrong!” Vezaias snapped angrily, getting to his feet. Remington was suddenly in a panic and trying to pull Vezaias out of his aggressive state of mind. “This is exactly how those assholes at the base were treating me, and I do NOT fucking appreciate it! You think I'm the problem?! I will show you what happens when I am the problem!” Vezaias was shifting in his rage, darkness poured out of him and splattered against his skin as it changed to red leathery scales, eyes blazing red, wings sprouting out, teeth sharp, muscles increasing, ears lengthening to a point as he growled like an unearthly animal. Remington jumped against him holding him back like a human shield.

  “No! Please no! Not them! Please don't, Vezaias! Please stop!!!” Remington sobbed frantically. Vezaias was so focused on his rage that he barely acknowledged the plea. Everyone else was frightened and Maxwell immediately put himself in front of Demetri, not that this sort of protection would have mattered.

  “Vezaias!!!” Remington clutched Vezaias’s face and jerked him to look at Remington. He buried his face into Vezaias's shoulder and cried. “Please calm down! Please stop it!” Remington begged. Vezaias put his arms around Remington and struggled to calm down. The scent of real human souls was making him starve. He hadn't been able to taste real authentic human flesh in thousands of years. Remington and Ephraim were the only real humans he had come close to until now, and his humanity left inside wouldn't allow even one morsel of that flesh, and only a few mouthfuls of blood was his pathetic allowance so far. The temptation was crushing him. He pulled away.

  “If only I could starve to death. It would be far less torturous than standing here with plenty to eat, but with no allowance to satisfy me. My willpower is stronger than I knew.” Vezaias said. “Talk as you wish. I will return.” Vezaias said then he left abruptly. Remington was shaking with adrenaline and turned towards where he believed Demetri was.

  “That was a dangerous thing to ask for, Dem. Now what is it that you want, before he comes back.” Remington said shakily.

  “First I want to know that you are okay.” Demetri asked, coming over to Remington.

  “I'm not! I cant fucking see Dem!” Remington said angrily. Demetri sighed.

  “I meant; ‘is Vezaias hurting you'. Skyler and Alt were here investigating you and Vezaias. They said you both had been acting suspicious. I just want to make sure that he isn't….”

  “He's not hurting me!” Remington interrupted. “I don't know why people keep assuming that but it's not true!” Remington pressed in frustration. Demetri was quiet before asking his next question.

  “What just happened then? He just changed into some sort of…” Demetri began.

  “It's complicated! I don't think you should ask these questions! He looks different, yes! But he had to accept this change and there was no other way! Otherwise he wouldn't be alive right now!” Remington shouted.

  “But what kind of change are you talking about?? He hardly even looks human anymore!” Demetri sounded frantic.

  “I'm not sure if he wants me to say!” Remington insisted.

  “Remington he had fucking wings! I'm sure if he didn't want us to know he wouldn't have let us see that!” Demetri pressed in excitement. Remington was anxious. This wasn't easy to explain.

  “Well….he is sort of………half demon now.” Remington said delicately.

  “What?!” Demetri jolted.

  “Holy shit.” He heard Maxwell say in bewilderment.

  “Honestly after all the crazy shit going on in this group, I can’t say that I am surprised.” Zach said amusingly.

  “Where the hell do you even find half of a demon?” Maxwell asked in puzzlement.

  “Well he didn't find half of a demon. He has a whole demon trapped inside of him. He is very dangerous now. But Vezaias has a lot of influence over it.” Remington looked fidgety. Everyone was speechless. Remington wondered what kind of reaction they were having currently.

  “Of course Vezaias could just find and tame a fucking demon.” Maxwell said jokingly.

  “Do you want to test the theory of how tame I am?” Vezaias’s voice was suddenly behind Maxwell. Maxwell nearly jumped over the table in fright. Everyone was suddenly tense except for Remington.

  “Maybe you could take that as a compliment?” Maxwell mumbled nervously.

  “Ah, yes a compliment. Vezaias is the most cunning human I have ever crossed paths with.” Vezaias said amusingly.

  “You have crossed paths with? As in; you are not Vezaias?” Maxwell looked stunned. Demetri was nervously watching this sinister denizen of Vezaias's new demonic body.

  “He has fallen to the background, though I am sure he can still hear you, and he is the only one stopping me from devouring you right now.” Vezaias said, smiling very threateningly.

  “As in eating?” Maxwell swallowed anxiously.

  “Zay! Stop it, you're scaring them!” Remington puffed out of frustration.

  “Hmph, humans are so delicate.” Vezaias said amusingly.

  “Who said anything about me being scared!” Maxwell laughed nervously.

  “Did I say delicate? I meant delicious.” Vezaias took a step toward Maxwell. He immediately coward. Vezaias laughed menacingly.

  “Zay! It's not funny!” Remington snapped.

  “Ugh, fine.” Vezaias wandered over and sat back in his chair looking very unamused. The tension was thick but Zach was the only one brave enough to speak up.

  “So you eat humans?” Zach asked seriously.

  “Hmph, if Vezaias would let me. I believe it carries a bit of un-appeal for him as he has a sense of morality as most humans do, and I'm sure cannibalism is very taboo here in the human world.” Vezaias scoffed.

  “You must be hungry.” Demetri said uneasily.

  “Vezaias has made me a meat factory. It's more nutrition than I have had in a few thousand years.” Vezaias said sourly. “But of course a few juicy morsels like you three would make a fine surplus for me.” Vezaias cooed at them. Demetri looked white as a sheet.

  “Are you sure? I want some proof.” Zach laughed nervously.

  “Shut up Zach!” Demetri snapped at him. Vezaias turned and looked directly at Zach and grinned while baring his teeth.

  “You could be a meal donor if you’d like. I already know the flavor of those two.” Vezaias sneered delightfully. Demetri hid his face in Maxwell's neck.

  “Maybe Vezaias should come back now.” Maxwell pressed as he held Demetri tightly.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “Ha! I do not take orders from you! I'm the highest of the royal bloodline.” Vezaias put his boots up on the table rudely. “Besides, now I'm interested. Are you not some sort of musical group? I've seen a view of your audience. I've not seen so much nutrition all in one place before in so many years.”

  “I'm sorry guys, this is the first time I've come to reality now that Vezaias is in demon form. I wasn't sure how he would behave.” Remington said apologetically.

  “Sure.” Maxwell said watching Vezaias in irritation.

  “Speaking of music. We have to talk about something serious. What will happen to the band? We no longer have a drummer. Will this mean that 'Nobody in Particular' will dissolve?”

  “I don't want to replace Alt.” Demetri said, trying not to cry. Maxwell held him close.

  “And with Remington's situation. I don't know if you want to try and continue or not.” Zach highlighted.

  “I do. It wouldn't be easy for me, but I love music. I don't want to give up on it.” Remington said unhappily. He shifted towards Vezaias. “Please don't make me give up.” He pleaded. Vezaias looked at him seriously, now nearly painfully.

  “Ugh, you're doing that irresistible face again! Stop it!” Vezaias groaned. Everyone looked amusingly at Vezaias. He put his boots back on the floor and considered for a moment.

  “Okay fine. Because you make that sweet face and it has so much power to sway me. I have a way to fix the main issues but however it will be strange at best, maybe a bit unnerving even, but I can fill the spot missing from the band and musically and visually there will be no difference.” Vezaias said seriously. “If you agree to it I can arrange it.”

  “I want to see before we agree to anything.” Demetri insisted.

  “Sure, whatever.” Vezaias said nonchalantly.

  Zexich returned from the lab with his limited access keycard that Vezaias had given him. It was configured to keep him inside the base without any hope to escape. The base was on lockdown and the computers were reset with Vezaias’s own secret security features. He was very good at covering all of his bases. Even the laboratory was secured so that Zexich could only work on things Vezaias had approved of. He knew it best not to leave Ava alone for too long but since it was necessary to sedate him often he was able to slip away for a few hours at a time to get work done that was so very urgent to relieving the emotional damage of his heart. He returned to the infirmary to check on Ava as it had been a few hours since he had checked on him, only to find the bed was empty. He was startled at this and came over quickly to inspect. It was strange and he must have been completely foolish to approach only to realize that the restraints were obviously still restraining somebody when there was an invisible jerk and suddenly Zexich was restrained and choked. He struggled and kicked and thrashed urgently then he realized Ava had reappeared as Rocks looking very angry, with his legs wrapped around Zexich's shoulders and neck.

  “Release me now!” He demanded.

  “Noughhfff!” Zexich choked.

  “I will kill you, you stupid doctor! Let me go now!” Ava yelled, squeezing tighter.

  “I caggghff!” Zexich struggled in a panic.

  “Right now damnit or I will break your neck!!!” Ava screamed. Zexich clawed at his legs trying to pry them enough to breathe. Zexich mustered up the strength out of sheer desperation and bit down as hard as he could. Ava yelped and with a firm kick knocked Zexich to the ground. He gasped and sputtered then rolled in agony for a moment holding his sore neck.

  “I cannot……unlock you! I do not…..have the key!” Zexich panted painfully. Ava was angry now and back to his own physical body.

  “I just don't want to be locked up anymore! That's all he knows how to do! Lock me up as if I were an animal! I HATE him! I HATE HIM SO MUCH!” Ava screamed then he began to sob and twist his face into the pillow. Zexich got to his feet slowly and shakily.

  “I do not completely agree with his method of helping you, but he is trying to help you. The drugs that you are dependent on are dangerous at best, even life threatening, and he does not want to lose you to the disease of addiction.” Zexich said solemnly. Ava only cried more. There was a sudden whooshing and Vezaias appeared with Remington hugging his arm lovingly. He approached watching Ava cry for a moment.

  “What's wrong with you?” He asked mildly.

  “Fuck off Vee!!” Ava shouted angrily then returned to his pillow awkwardly to cry. Vezaias scowled at him then glanced at Zexich.

  “What happened?” Vezaias asked seriously.

  “Ava decided to utilize the talent of invisibility to fool me into believing he had escaped and when I got close enough in my inspection he snatched me with his legs and tried to kill me.” Zexich sighed. Vezaias looked at Ava angrily.

  “Don't make it sound so dramatic you stupid fucking doctor!!!” Ava snapped angrily. Vezaias approached him very threateningly barring his sharp teeth. Ava cowered quickly trying to hide behind his long hair.

  “Heh, heh, hello Vee! I'm sorry! I just don't want to be chained to a bed you know!” Ava pouted anxiously.

  “What did I tell you about being nice to the doctor?!” Vezaias growled inhumanly.

  “I said I was sorry!” Ava rebuttaled quickly. “It was an accident!” Vezaias snatched him by the hair on the back of his head and jerked him.

  “Stop fucking apologizing to me and apologize to him before I twist your fucking arm off and eat it for supper!” Vezaias snapped and pointed at Zexich.

  “Gahh!!! Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!” Ava yelped.

  “Call him by his FUCKING NAME!!!” Vezaias shouted angrily and gave Ava another hard jerk.

  “Okay! I will!” Ava pouted painfully. “I'm sorry Zexich! My bad, okay! I'm sorry!” Ava yelped painfully. Vezaias released him.

  “Now if you promise to stop being a total drug whore bitch, I will reward you by taking you with me to reality.” Vezaias said seriously.

  “Really Vee?!” Ava was suddenly thrilled. “Can I go?? Please??” He begged.

  “If you stop being mean to Zex, and if you are going to fucking listen to me and continued to detox!” Vezaias pressed.

  “Yes! I will Vee! Please take me too!” Ava cheered gleefully.

  “Alright, then behave until I take you or you're not going.” Vezaias turned to walk away. First he took Remington's hand who had anxiously waited for him. Vezaias glanced at Zexich who was looking very puzzled.

  “Can I speak with you in private?” Vezaias asked seriously.

  “Of course.” Zexich led them into his office where Vezaias guided Remington to a chair before sitting down himself. Zexich sat crossing one leg over the other then gave Vezaias his attention.

  “How may I help you sir?” Zexich said pleasantly. Vezaias frowned.

  “First, cut the shit Zex. Do I look like a 'Sir' to you?” Vezaias looked disgusted.

  “It is a formal fitting title to someone in charge. Does it displease you?” Zexich looked amused.

  “It does. Stop it.” Vezaias said sourly.

  “Very well. Shall I call you ‘asshole’ or one of the other derogatory names you or your associates often use?” Zexich stifled a grin now.

  “What the hell has gotten into you Zex?” Vezaias asked flatly.

  “I was often referred to as a 'cheeky bastard'. I find it amusing that you defend me against your brother’s abuse. It has somehow caused a bit of a ‘Stockholm Syndrome' situation to manifest between us. In all rights I should hate you as you have already suggested, but for some reason I do not.” Zexich said. Vezaias looked at him seriously.

  “Zex, you are getting on my last nerve.” Vezaias said with gritted teeth.

  “Pardon me but you had inquired. Please go on with the conversation.” Zexich said overly politely.

  “I want to know how much do you know about the portal that Remington first arrived from, the same one that led me here the first time.” Vezaias asked. Zexich was immediately intrigued by the question.

  “Why, that was created by our forefathers. Two scientists who have long since perished. I am very familiar with the research that was left over from an attempt to destroy it. I've read eight reports on discovering the dark void, leading to the desire to create the portal, as well as fifteen reports on creating a connection to the dark void by building the experimental portal. They ran exactly five test runs of similar technologies before finding a successful model that would safely open a door to the dark void. Of course I don't believe they had any idea that they were literally prying a hole in the back of someone's subconscious mind. Had they known that then maybe perhaps….”

  “Alright enough Zex! Shit!” Vezaias snapped impatiently.

  “Ah, forgive me. I am a bucket full of knowledge and curiosity.” Zexich said amusingly.

  “I can see that. Bravo you get an A+ for knowing your shit. Now I need to know if you could make the same kind of portal that could lead us to a different destination?” Vezaias asked.

  “Me? You want me to make a portal? Hum…” Zexich looked deep in consideration now. “I suppose knowing the research I have already seen, I could come up with something like it. Oh but it would take time and effort and money and possibly some muscle. I am not exactly super human when it comes to handling heavy materials you know. Where exactly would you like this portal to take you to?” Zexich asked very curiously.

  “To the nightmare realm that my kind are trapped inside.” Vezaias said seriously.

  “Oh but that sounds very dangerous. Are you sure you want to open a portal to this place?” Zexich asked frankly.

  “They are my kind! Of course I want to do this!” Vezaias snapped. “It is my only mission!”

  “I cannot promise you. What I can say is that if there is a possibility, I will find it. I believe the portal our forefathers created had no aim for a specific destination. Trying to connect our world to this place you speak of, well that would be the most difficult part. Otherwise building a portal to perform that operation would be the easy part, aside from the physical labor.” Zexich mused thoughtfully. “The challenge sounds very intriguing though. Now you have sparked my interest. I am very motivated to 'give it a whirl' as they say.”

  “Good. Are you making any progress on the recreation?” Vezaias asked.

  “It has been slow. For my other work I always had plenty of help….” Zexich looked emotional suddenly. He swallowed back the pain as flashes of memories flooded his eyes. “…..and I have been busy with your brother. He needs a lot of my attention.” Zexich trailed off painfully.

  “I will get you some help, and make sure you can focus more on it.” Vezaias said solemnly.

  “I know it is mostly for your best interests but I appreciate it.” Zexich said softly.

  Vezaias left back to his bedroom with Remington. He maneuvered him towards the bed to sit down. Remington sat obediently and waited for whatever would happen next. He could hear some rustling of fabric and then some delicate footsteps. He was curious, was Vezaias changing clothes? Just then he felt Vezaias take him by the hand and intertwine their fingers while guiding him backwards onto the soft comforter. Only a moment later Vezaias was pressing his body onto him while kissing him deeply and sucking on his mouth like hard candy.

  “Hahh…Zay….” Remington whispered as things became intense quickly. His clothes were soon on the floor and he was ravaged by Vezaias’s urgent need to satisfy himself.

  “Oh Rem, I missed this so much!” He whispered in his ear.

  “Haahhh, so did I.” Remington panted.

  “Rem?” Vezaias said before digging his mouth into Remington's neck.

  “Mhmm?” Remington huffed with a pleasurable gasp.

  “How serious were you about dying for me?” Vezaias hummed in his ear. Remington was digging his fingers into Vezaias's hair and coaxing things to progress, he tried to kiss Vezaias instead of answering only to be pulled away abruptly.

  “Of course I would. I would do anything for you.” Remington pouted, struggling to pull him back.

  “Good. I just wanted to make sure.” Suddenly Vezaias was relentless, dragging him into position and manually lubing himself before shoving himself deep inside. It was rough and forceful and before long Remington was screaming in pleasure and pain before feeling teeth sink into his shoulder.

  “HAAAAGGGHHHHH!!! Zay that hurts!!!” Remington screamed.

  “I'm sorry Rem! I'm so hungry and you taste so fucking good!” Vezaias moaned as he lapped up as much blood as he could just before he reached around to give Remington a few firm jerks. “And I love it when you scream for me.” It didn't take much longer before Remington was finishing all over Vezaias's hand. “Mmm Rem. Now it's my turn.” He smashed Remington into the bed and proceeded to slap himself harder and harder inside, throwing his head back and gasping loudly in pleasure as he finished.

  Lux held Ephraim as he slept. He was wired with energy so he wouldn't be able to sleep right away, and he desperately wanted to smoke a cigarette but it just wasn't about to happen. He was too worried about Ephraim to put him down or do anything else but stay put. He began to examine Ephraim closer. He ran his fingers through Ephraim’s fine silky colorless hair. For comparison he ran his fingers through his own thick coarse swirly hair, then back through Ephraim's feathery hair again. It was near to a point where he had both hands groping Ephraim's scalp and fluffing the white shag that covered his head. He then placed a finger on Ephraim's eye pulling away his eyelid so he could see the pale clear pink iris. He traced Ephraim's eyebrows that from a moderate distance you could not really see because his colorless hair matched his colorless skin. Except for the pale pink color of his eyes, and the same color that lined the crease of his lips and rosied his cheeks when he was blushing, he was nearly as white as snow. Lux then got even more curious wondering how much color the rest of his body had. It would be too embarrassing to ask to just look at his body out of sheer curiosity. He continued to investigate getting much closer. He was very fascinating to look at. Suddenly he realized Ephraim's eyes were open. Lux blinked curiously. Ephraim's cheeks immediately flushed

  “Lux?” Ephraim said meekly. This didn't seem to faze Lux at all, he only continued to look now with a better view of Ephraim's strawberry champagne colored eyes.

  “Your hair feels like feathers.” Lux said seriously. “I think you are a bird.” Ephraim looked confused.

  “Uh, did the voices tell you that?” Ephraim asked.

  “A dead bird. A dead ghost bird. How strange. Please do not tell Vezaias I said that. He’ll get angry.” Lux continued, while ignoring the question.

  “Uhrm…..sure…” Ephraim said awkwardly.

  “Great, I've been laying here all night looking at you. Can I have a cigarette now?” Lux said seriously. What a strange conversation. Why would he ask permission?

  “Uh, yeah, sure.” Ephraim said, sitting up awkwardly. Lux slid off the bed and stood up tall stretching out his body. Ephraim did his own inspection now. Lux looked in way better condition than previously. His limbs were completed, and the chewed flesh of his body looked patched, though each bite left an obvious scar. He had to have had over 20 bites on him. It made Ephraim cringe and fill with tears. He was a strange guy, he said and did strange and awkward things, but Ephraim was really starting to like him. Lux took a seat at the desk and pulled out a cigarette to light. Now that his curiosity had passed he began to look stressed out. He fidgeted and rocked back and forth trying to expel as much nervous energy as possible.

  “Are you alright? What's wrong?” Ephraim asked as he observed Lux's behavior.

  “Ughh, he is going to be hungry soon…..” Lux put his face in his hand. “…….I was supposed to be on a schedule to help calm my mental health issues. I would follow Remington around on his routine, and I had just gotten used to the schedule and it was helping, but he hasn't been around. So I have just been sitting in this room anxiously anticipating when Vezaias will show up everyday….” Lux sucked on his cigarette harder with shaky hands. “I miss Remington. I miss him so much.” Lux was emotional now wiping his tears away. Ephraim watched him silently cry, and visibly shake. He wondered what he could do to help him. He could go and find Remington, tell him how much Lux misses him, and bring him to see Lux. At the same time it was daunting to go anywhere in this strange base alone.

  “What was your schedule like?” Ephraim asked.

  “Collect my morning medication, gym, shower, briefing, then we would go searching for Vezaias when he was considered dead. Then we would come back and collect my evening medication and go to sleep.” Lux said, taking a deep shaky breath.

  “Well, do you want to go with me to the kitchen? I'm a bit scared to go alone.” Ephraim said meekly. Lux didn't answer immediately. He smoked his cigarette until it was just a butt and then smashed it into the ashtray. He stood up and found his shirt then after pulling it on he left with Ephraim through a portal.

  “Okay uh here we are.” Lux said nervously.

  “What is it?” Ephraim asked.

  “I'm starving.” Lux said anxiously.

  “So do you want something to eat?” Ephraim asked. Lux began to pace back and forth now.

  “I don't think it's an emergency. I don't know if I can fucking tolerate it.” Lux was walking in a circle now.

  “Why?” Ephraim asked worriedly.

  “Because I hate being poisoned!” Lux snapped. He put his face into his hands and reversed his circle.

  “Poisoned?” Ephraim looked at him in puzzlement. Just then a portal opened and Vezaias walked out followed by Remington, Ava and Zexich.