Luna: Hey you guys, I'm sorry for, again, not updating as soon as I wanted. A sad and unexpected death in the family hit me hard.

Ib: Life throws unexpected things at you, but you'll be alright.

Garry: Yeah, we're here to cheer you up. Besides, writing cheers you up as well.

Luna: Thanks. But, anywho, they're not here to read family issues, so without further adieu~

Ib & Garry: Enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 4: Bound Reunion

"Say Ib...Have you heard of macaroons? They're these pastries shaped like hamburgers. And just the other day I had one at a cafe, and it was soo tasty. It was really really good! Even the cream wasn't too sweet. So, uh, if we get out of here, could we go there together?...No, wait...We WILL be going there! And we will get out! I promise!"

Who... My eyes crack open, greeted with a faint light. A light?

I start towards it with a reaching hand. Ah...It's warm.

The light shoots past, surrounds, and blinds me all at once. I shut my eyes tightly against the beams.

I let out a heavy gasp as my eyes fling open. Hacking up water, I struggle to sit up. My body is weak and my skin is cold, but my clothes are dry. I hold my trembling self and breathe in as much air as I can. That burns. I shakily get up on my feet while coughing.

I'm alive?

I almost fall over, but catch myself on a navy blue wall.

Where am I? I stand in the middle of a large corridor. Is this another area of the exhibit?

I walk past a red painting hugging myself, trying to extract any heat. Wasn't I just in water?

The corridor keeps stretching out in front of me further than I can see. I stop to look back down the other way to find the same view. Well, I have to go somewhere.

I keep walking for what feels like an eternity when finally there's a door in sight. In front of it, there is a little table with a vase on it. A note right next to the strangely familiar vase says "Grab it." A rose appears just then in it and I proceed to do as the note said. It reminds me of the rose at home.

There's a shift in the words. The note now says "You and the rose are unified. Know the weight of your own life."

"Don't you dare lose it. And don't give it to anyone, okay Ib?"

"Who said that?...Hello?" No answer. I keep hearing that same voice. Is it just me?

In the distance, I can hear footsteps and turn around to see a black figure far away.

That's odd. It looks like it doesn't have a head.

The figure becomes clearer, and I see that there really is no head. It's the red-dressed headless statue and it's still trailing paint. My ears start ringing again. Leave me alone dang it!

I move to the table's side and start pushing it out of the way, just enough for me to squeeze by. Getting ready to push the door, I try turning the knob. It's locked!

I look behind me. It's getting close.

I look for a key, but only notice four circles in the ground that form a square. I kneel down next to one and see that the metal plates can be pushed down. I push my finger in and hear a click. Maybe the door will open with this. Like a puzzle. But how can I push all four down at the same...the table!

I quickly get up and rush the table to the circles. The statue is also quickly making its way to me, hands grabbing the space in front of it.

A loud click comes from the door when I feel the table sink down. I run to the door, open it, and close it behind me just barely escaping the monster's grasp.

Resting my back up against the door, I feel thumps and push back to make sure it doesn't get in.

After the banging stops, I slowly push off the door. "God, I feel like I'm in that house again." Shivers run up my spine at the thought, but I quickly push it away, not wanting to remember any more.

Hurriedly, taking light footsteps, I make my way down the hall. Paintings line the walls. I stop to observe one of a beautiful woman in a red dress. Such a simple painting, yet so pretty. "Lady in Red." Simple title too.

The painting suddenly started to shake. Backing away I think out loud, "What is it this time?!"

The beautiful Lady came crashing out of her golden frame and swung at my feet. Her long nails caught my leg, tearing through my skin and penetrating deeper. As she moved I could feel her nails against my muscles, trying to rip them right out, puncturing whatever she couldn't. Pain swelled up my leg and my senses went wild with fear and panic. No, make it stop!

I used my other foot to kick her elbow. Her nails dragged out taking some flesh with them. I proceeded to kick her face as hard as I could. My mind was in a flurry still receiving the many spurts of continuous pain. I repeatedly kicked her, until there was no longer a half-bodied Lady, but instead a slump on the floor. It rested in a puddle of it's own blood. I huffed as my chest heaved.

My eyes widened as I fully realized the sight in front of me. Oh God...blood.

Turning, I cupped my mouth, but was unable to stop my insides from splattering out. I grabbed my aching and groaning stomach, retching when there was nothing left to empty out.

Please, no more!

I spit out several times before the increasing pain in my leg has my attention. My black leggings are ripped and blood trickles down my leg from where the nails had gotten through.

Letting my back rest against the wall, I take out my handkerchief and start to wrap the wounds. "Ugh–! At least they're all close together, otherwise it would be hard to cover them all with just my handkerchief."

Throbbing pain courses through my leg one minute, then is blanketed by numbness, followed by more pain. God damn this freaking hurts.

Sucking in a deep breathe, I tighten the handkerchief quickly. "Agh!"

After resting a few minutes, I straighten to test out how much pressure my leg can stand, but my eyes immediately find the slump. The body lays still in front of me while I try to swallow. A bitter, metal taste fills my mouth so I look away and walk away with a slight limp.

I need to find a place to sit for a while. Hopefully I don't run into anything else.

A few doors protrude from the wall so I decide to take a peek into one of the rooms. The door creaks open just enough for me to look around. Nothing but bookshelves as far as I can tell. I cautiously take some limping steps into the room. The door closes quietly behind me as I make my way to some bookshelves.

While passing the first set of shelves, something leaning against them catches my eye. I slowly turn to face it.

A gasp escapes. Is that...a person...? He looks familiar.

I get closer and see that the person is wearing a long tattered coat and has a strange but pretty lilac color for hair.

From my dream? No, that can't be right...He seems to be in pain.

"Go on Ib. I'll catch up."

My vision starts to blur as I watch the man on the ground breathe very slowly.

Why am I crying? It's not like this guy is dead. He's breathing. And besides even if he was, I don't know him. Okay! Get it together, Ib.

I slap my cheeks lightly and blink away the tears. My heart pounds while I kneel down next to him and mentally prepare myself.

Softly I ask, "Hey, are you alright?"

Luna: I feel like that was kind-of short. I'm sorry if it was, but I hope you liked it non-the-less.

Ib: What was up with "that house" thing though?

Luna: Everything will be revealed. Don't worry.

Garry: And I finally get to enter!

Ib: Make sure to keep updated to find out what happens!

Luna: And review while you're at it, please.

Garry: No comment?

Luna & Ib: Until next chapter!

Garry: Hey!