Wow. I'm a bit surprised that I got this chapter done sooner than expected. Listening to music really gets me in a writting spirit though, and is very helpful to me when I'm trying to think of any ideas. Yeah, that's all I can think of to say right now.

I do not own Pandora Hearts in any way.

Chapter 25: White Noise

Since then, things were rather enjoyable.

Four days had passed since me and Carrie had officially started our relationship, and, although we didn't act like it much, we were boyfriend and girlfriend. We never kissed much, but we did hold each others hands from time to time. Carrie's friends found out right away, and she didn't deny it at all, but her friends kept thinking she was, at least until they saw us in town once, holding hands and sharing a kiss.

Back at home, things were pretty normal (Well, for me at least). I usually sat alone, reading, unless Carrie decided to join me, but she respected my wish to be alone. Other times, me and Elliot would play the piano, and Carrie was getting better at that also. Me and Elliot retained our mutual friendship, as I am still his servant. We still argued, and I would still correct him of any mistake, it is the job of a servant after all.

I remember one day, me and Carrie had bought some new clothes for Elliot from a store that she took me to once. At first, he kept complaining about them, but I think he likes his new clothes. He's just too stubborn to admit it. Me and Elliot had to share a room now, but he didn't seem to mind. Carrie had set up another bed in there with help from Sasha anyway.

Yesterday, Pandora had sent us off on another assignment, which went well I might add. We brought Elliot along too, although we gave him a different name to go by, which he complained about (it was to be expected). Carrie told me that only Maverick knew, so at least no one else would catch on.

Everything was so peaceful, and, just for that short time, I thought all our troubles were over.

I was unable to see what was coming next though.

"Okay, we need something to do today." I said to my two friends (well, one of them being my boyfriend), who were at the table eating breakfast with me. Sasha had gone off to a friends place in one of the neighboring cites for the weekend, which left us here.

"Well, what do you suggest?" Elliot spoke up.

"I'm sure she'll think of something, Elliot." Leo said, turning the page of a book, Cleary finished with his food. "Just give her time to think of it first."

I couldn't help but giggle in response. Oh, how I loved Leo. Ever since four days ago, a fraction of me had still been unable to believe that we were now together as something more. But this wasn't anything like a dream, because everything that was happening was real.

"Exactly, Leo. I'll think of something." I proclaimed, still trying to formulate ideas in my head. "Well, I need to get the box of Halloween decorations in today. Wanna help?"

"What?" Obviously Elliot wasn't liking this idea.

"Come on, it's just decorations." I insisted.

"And what is Halloween exactly?"

Face palm. Of course he wouldn't know. "Well, that's officially off my list of ideas."

"I could help you with that, Carrie." Leo said.

"What kind of day is named Halloween anyway?" This resulted in Leo hitting Elliot with his book. "What was that for, Leo?"

"Obviously, Halloween is some kind of holiday her culture celebrates in this time." Classic Leo. Was it even a wonder why I liked him so much? He then directed his words back at me. "I'll help you get that box, Carrie."

"Thanks." I picked up my dishes and went over to the sink to wash them. "Well, Halloween isn't really a holiday, technically speaking. But the when the night comes, everyone dresses up in costumes. Last year, I was a pirate and me and my friends went to a costume party." (A.N.: I did dress up as a pirate for something at school last year. Everyone kept calling me Jack Sparrow!)

"Sounds like...fun."

I turned from the sink, noticing his voice had hesitated and sounded strained on the last word. When I looked at Leo, the book he was reading was now on the table and he was holding his head in his hands.

"Leo?" I asked, walking over to him.

"Hey, Leo." Elliot spoke up. "What's with you?"

"Ngh...nothing." He managed. "I'm fine. My head just hurts a little."

"Are you sure?"

"...I'm..." He winced in pain, then he just collapsed altogether, falling out of his chair and onto the floor.

"Leo!" Me and Elliot exclaimed in unison, rushing to his side. Leo lay on the ground, curled up into a ball and clutching his head. I didn't have any idea what was going on, but I could tell that he must be in some serious pain.

"Leo, what's wrong?" I asked anxiously. He didn't answer me, only letting pained whimpers slide past his lips.

"Is he okay?" Elliot asked me.

"I honestly have no idea." I answered, lifting him off the floor with my arms. "But he can't just lay on the floor. Help me get him to your room, okay?"

He nodded, helping me lift up Leo. The both of us carefully carried him up to his room, and all the while, I was constantly looking back at Leo. His face was scrunched up in pain and his cheeks were flushed.

Once back we were back in his room, me and Elliot directed Leo over to his bed and laid him down. Elliot pulled the sheets over him while I bent down next to him and brushed hair away from his face (well not the messy strands around his glasses).

"Leo, are you okay?" I asked again.

"N-no." He managed to say, his voice strained. "My head feels like its about to explode!"

"Oh, Leo." I muttered brushing his hair with my hand. "I'll bring up some water and some aspirin to help ease your pain later. Just try and sleep for now, okay?"

"Okay." Before I got up, I leaned in towards him and kissed him lightly on the forehead.

"I love you." I whispered before me and Elliot walked out.

"I have no clue as to what's wrong with him." Carrie sighed as she sat down on the couch. "All I can think of is that he has a very extreme headache or something."

"Look, I don't know ether." I said, sitting down also.

"I've had some pretty bad headaches before, but never that extreme."

I leaned back against the couch, closing my eyes in frustration. Up until the point when Leo had collapsed at the table, he looked perfectly fine. But now, the last time I caught a glance at his face, there were clear signs of pain written across it, and his body had responded by constantly trembling as I had pulled the covers of his bed over him.

I was just as clueless as Carrie on this one.

"Do you think we should take him to a doctor?" I suggested.

She shook her head. "No. Not yet at least. Unless it becomes so bad-"

"He said his head felt like it was going to explode."

She glared at me, knowing that I interrupted her. "To the point. Unless it becomes so bad that anything I give him doesn't help ease his pain, then we'll take him to a doctor."

"Carrie," I said, opening my eyes and looking over at her. "I know you're worried about Leo, and so am I, but we need to think of something."

"I know, Elliot. But, Let give him a few minutes of rest first. Maybe that will help."

I wasn't entirely sure with her idea, which made me roll my eyes at her. 'I hope you're right.'

Carrie walked into the kitchen, but when I saw her look out the window over the sink, she froze and leaned in towards the window.

Confused, I stood up. "What's wrong?" I asked. "You see something?"

She pulled away from the window and when I saw her eyes, they looked darker and the pupils of her eyes were just a bit narrower.

"Ready your sword." She ordered, walking past me to go look out another window, then shutting the blinds.

"Carrie, what's out there?"

"The Baskervilles."

Sweat covered my face as I continuously tossed and turned underneath the covers of my bed, unable to sleep due to the intensely painful pounding in my head. My eyes were closed tightly, but I couldn't sleep at all and I was very restless right now.

Just minutes before, I had felt a slight headache coming on, but it had soon evolved into a searing pain. I was unable to think, all the messages and thoughts in my mind misfiring. This pain was so bad, I felt like my head would explode (or implode) at any moment. I couldn't help but to grab my head at this, my shaky hands gasping my hair and pulling tightly on it, desperately trying to make the pain stop.

Carrie and Elliot had helped me back into bed afterwards, but I couldn't hear their voices at all, except for when Carrie's voice had broken through the ringing, her faint words I had been able to make out, but the last one I barely heard, and yet it was so clear. She had said 'I love you', and at least that was something to hold onto, that and the kiss she had given me on my forehead.

Still, I couldn't take this pain. I had no clue what was happening at all. I've had headaches before, but with a fraction of this intensity. Compared to the one that I had felt back in Reveil, this was 20 times worse.

I wearily let out a soft groan, my eyes fluttering open. The pounding in my head was still there as I rolled over on my side once more.

'I have no idea what's going on.' I thought. 'I wish I knew, but this pain is getting worse. Why won't it stop?'

"Because it won't stop, not even if you try."

I didn't care how much my head hurt, but I couldn't help but sit upright in bed. 'Again?'

"What now?" I hissed, angry, yet surprised that this voice had returned again.

"Just give up." It replied. "You know you can't fight it forever."

"And who are you to say that I can't try?"

"You know what fate awaits you, even if I am just a mere fragment."

Everything was heating up again, just like that time in Reveil. Being in this closed off room only made it worse.

"Stop it!" I cried, leaping out of bed and dashing out of the room. I caught myself on the railing, leaning on it and panting heavily. I felt dizzy, but when I looked downstairs, it got worse when I saw Carrie and Elliot. They were both lying on the floor, unconscious. A few black feathers surrounded Carrie, while Elliot's sword lay by his side.

"Carrie! Elliot!" I rushed downstairs, but when I reached them, I caught sight of something fly by my field of vision.

"The one you shouldn't be worrying about is them." A voice said. Turning in the direction of this voice, I saw a blond haired boy dressed in a cloak and wearing a look of blank emotion. I then recognized this person as one of those people I saw the night I had been kidnapped; Mark.

"You!" I exclaimed.

"They're fine, but you-"

"Shut up!" I interrupted, running out the open door, which I figured Mark must of opened to get in here, and into the front yard. That pain pulsed out again in my head, making me stop. But when I did, I was shoved to the ground, only aggravating my headache even more.

"It seems you're in pain right now." A deeper voice said as I weakly struggled to get free from their grip. "It be best not to move."

"Let...me go!" I managed to say, gritting my teeth together.

"Dan is right, Leo." I stopped squirming and looked up in the direction of the female's voice, knowing who that was too; Dan's sister, Heather.

"Heather." I growled. The last time I had seen her, Carrie dealt her quite the hit, but, considering that she is a Baskerville, it would only make sense that she stands here before me.

"Good to see that you still remember my name." She said, smiling.

"What did you do to Carrie and Elliot?" I demanded.

"Nothing much." She answered. "They'll just be asleep for a bit."

"I don't care what you say! If you dare hurt them, especially Carrie, you'll regret coming here."

Her smile turned into a sly one as she bent down in front of me. "What's this? Are you two now something more? That's grand, that you love such a strong girl, but see, we just need them out of the way."

"What are you talking about?"

She stood up again. "We didn't come for them, we came for you, Leo."

"Huh?" I asked, confused. "Why me?"

"It's simple, really." She twirled around them glanced down at me. "One, you have the two gifts. Two, you have one of 'those' Chains. Three...there's a certain person dwelling inside you, isn't there?"

"You know?" I was surprised that they knew. They must of figured it out from the last time.

"Of course we do." She replied. "Can you please let him talk to us?"

"Don't. I hate hearing that-"

"I said it before, give up."

Not again. Seriously, I hate hearing those voices. "Get out of my head for once!"

"Ah! Are you talking with Glen-sama?"

I turned my eyes back up to Heather. "What if I am? I know you want him, but I can fight back too."

"Stop it now."

I couldn't help but release a strangled cry as another wave of that awful pain came over me again. I couldn't let him get free though, I had to keep him at bay.

"Oh, there you are Mark." She must be talking with that other Baskerville now. "Do you still have any of that stuff that you used to put those two asleep?"

"Yes, Heather-san." He replied in his usual monotone voice.

"Good." She then gestured to me. "Use it on him so Glen-sama can talk to us freely."

"So, it's true then?"

I heard her sigh at this. "Yes, Mark. Now stop being an idiot and help us out here."

"Right." He then knelt in front of me, placing something over my mouth and nose. The scent was bitter and dizzying, and at some point, I thought I heard Mark quietly whisper, 'I'm sorry'.

Even so, my thoughts were becoming more jumbled, the pain growing more intense, everything around me blurring together.

"You know, it was inevitable. This fragment is buried deep within you, now a part of you, and there is a slim to none chance that you can remove it."

I tried to speak against this voice, but I couldn't muster any energy to do it. I wasn't able to hold on any longer, and the last thing I knew, Dan released his hold on me and my head hit the grass with a soft thud.

All my energy was stolen away to leave me thrown limply aside inside my own body.

A quiet moan escaped me as I stirred and slowly opened my eyes. I found that I was lying on the floor, a few black feathers around me, and Elliot was close by, just starting to awake too.

"What happened?" I wearily asked, sitting up.

"Don't know." He answered, managing to stand, taking his sword from the ground and return it to it's holster. "But, if I'm not mistaken, that Baskerville knocked us out somehow."

"I think you're right, Elliot." I now stood up myself, still feeling the effects of whatever had put us to sleep. "But why would they-"

My eyes caught sight of the open door, and then it all made perfect sense. We had only been knocked out, not hurt or anything. The reason they came here wasn't for us, it was-

"Leo!" Gathering all the strength I could to move my legs, I dashed upstairs, Elliot following close behind. He must of realized it too. When I reached their room, I stopped in the doorway, looking inside with disbelief. The sheets were thrown back, messy and tangled, and what was worse...Leo wasn't here.

"They took him?" Elliot exclaimed.

Tears were welling up in my eyes, stinging them. "No." I whispered softly as I fell to my knees.

'No, this can't be!' My mind was thrown into an absolute panic, but at the same time, my heart was breaking, shattering, over and over again. 'Leo!'

I then broke down and cried. They hadn't come for us, they had come for Leo, and now they had him. I don't even know their reason why, but I couldn't comprehend the amount of sadness welling up inside me.

They took him, my love, Leo.

"Leo!"

"How long do you think it will take?" Heather asked her brother, Dan.

"I honestly don't know." He answered.

'Come on, wake up already.' Heather was actually very impatient at this point. She had gone to all the trouble of finding him, getting her team together, and now she had to wait even longer. She was already annoyed by how thick his glasses were, so she had slid them far enough away from his eyes so that she could see them when he woke up.

This boy was exactly as how she had thought from the beginning, an egg shell. She knew he wasn't from this time, and even confirmed it herself. Now that she knew that he possessed the three qualities, she was glad enough that she had stumbled upon the secret of the boy who emerged from the Abyss 200 years after he was killed.

Suddenly, she heard a noise coming from him, and glanced over at his eyes.

They slowly opened to reveal a mixture of violet and siver-ish black, the silver-ish black being more prominent than the violet.

"Glen-sama."

"Let me out! Let me out!" I screamed, my throat hurting each time I said it. "Let me Out!"

Warm salty tears rolled down my face as I stopped pounding on the dead space in front of me and I collapsed.

I couldn't contain my sobs, knowing that I was trapped here, while my body and voice was in someone else's control.

No one was coming to save me; I couldn't get out of here.

All I could think of, was Carrie and Elliot, praying that they were alright. I missed Elliot, but I missed Carrie even more.

"Elliot." I cried, my voice echoing in the void. "Carrie!"

I was listening to a song called Always Wishing You Were Somewhere Else, by Hammock, while writting the last few parts, and I swear, I nearly cried myself (Argh! I can't stop listening to it!). Although, at the point where Carrie and Elliot wake up after the attack, it fits the those moments very well. I kind of feel bad for Leo right now, especially since Carrie confessed her love to him not too long ago. I have school tomorrow, so when I get home, I'll start the next chapter right away. Feel free to leave a reveiw.