Phantalmina struggled with her notepapers. The song she didn't want to finish appeared in front of her a couple of times. Every time she put it aside, it only took 15 minutes before she brought it back and hummed the first lines. It had to be finished, she told herself. But there was no feeling in it, so how could she..? It was driving her mad.

If she ignores it, it will haunt her till next winter. But if she tries to finish it, it wouldn't be the same. Ugh, how she wished to crumple the notepaper, throw it in the trash, and be done with it. But still, the melody allured her to keep writing it no matter what.

Is this how her father felt when he wrote his Opera of Don Juan the Triumphant? That could explain many things.

Yet again, Phantalmina took the notes and put them under her book and a few other songs. She then stood up and moved around a little in the office, trying to make up her mind. Just forget and move on.

But the lure was strong. It was calling her. Better get out of the office and get some air.

Once outside the office, Phantalmina closed the door and took a deep breath. It was a good thing no one was in the hallway at that time. Or so she thought.

"Hola."

Phantalmina winced hearing that voice. At first, she would have thought Elizabeth might have been around asked by Justin, Dusk, or others. But founding Goth close by the office was the last thing in mind.

"What are you doing here?" she asked the big bat. "You better have not been hunting in here, have you?"

"Oh no, pequeña," Goth said. "I'm aware of our agreement."

"Then, what?" Phatalmina asked. What was he up to?

Goth smiled and moved closer to her. Not too close, but enough for her to look at him.

"I happened to hear some conversation a little while ago. Some of your friends don't sound happy."

"What? Who?"

Goth was smiling inside. Not to show for the girl.

"The flying beauty with dark mane and light fur. Bigger than the others."

"Ashley?"

"Ashley," Goth repeated the name as if trying it. He had heard her name many times from her friends but never got the chance to "taste" it on his lips. He liked it. "Yes, her. I saw her talking with the brown rat in this area. She sounded so sad, almost afflicted."

The little girl's face froze.

"She… did?"

"Yes."

Phantalmina was shocked. Was Ashley hurt because of her? For ignoring everyone when she was mad. She reached through their bond to listen and figure out if all this was true, or if Goth was tricking her.

But once connected what she heard stung her more.

I won't take it anymore. I can't.

I don't care how long will it take.

I won't wait for her to come out.

Phantalmina gasped. That was Ashley. Those were her thoughts. She really was upset.

A familiar pain was stinging in her chest that made her let out a few words that were hardly any louder like a whisper. "I shouldn't have done the band."

Thanks to his ears, Goth was able to hear it and got confused about her words. "Perdon?"

"Nothing," Phantalmina bit at him. No one should hear that. Not him. "Just leave. I wanna be alone."

"As you wish," Goth said and moved back to the corner of the roof and back to the stage area.

On that mark, Phantalmina open the door and went back inside the office. Once the door was closed, she collapsed to sit on the floor and cried. But this time no voice came out when she cried. Tears ran and her mouth was open, but still with no sound. Except for a few sobs when she took a breath. All the hurt feelings from that time when she made the blood-bands rushed inside of her and she couldn't make it stop.

Ashley was talking to a brown rat. Justin? Did he know too? Her friends are turning away because of her stubborn behavior. Her sadness was slowly mixing with anger. Anger thwarts herself. She caused this.

As she sat there, a familiar alluring was calling her from the desk. She looked up at the desk knowing what it was. She didn't fight it, not anymore. She rose and went to sit at the desk and pulled the sheets out and started again to write the song she thought she wasn't going to finish. Except now, it will be.

A couple of hours passed and the creatures on the stage began to wonder. At this time Phantalmina should have returned from the store and brought food. But there hasn't been any sign of her.

"You think she is still in the office?" one of the cats asked.

"Why would she do that?" Dusk followed asking.

Others began to ask the same things, till Munkustrap turned to Justin.

"Justin, can you go and check on her? Something is wrong," he said.

"I'll go with Elizabeth. She has permission to enter the office," Justin said.

"Please do."

Justin then turned to Elizabeth, hoping she would come with him to check on Phantalmina.

"I hope this is not much to ask but…"

"Yes, of course," Elizabeth said. "I'm worried too. I want to know if she is alright."

With that, they headed to the office.