"If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one." - Dolly Parton

Lyall's Pov

Once Vlad was gone and I let go of that pendent, all hell broke loose. At exactly around I'd say 8:00am Rose knocked on my door and came in with her usual smile. "Morning! Feel better? Lya…" She stopped mid sentence and looked around my room. I was still at the window but I didn't dare move a muscle. I just kept staring out the window while trying to ignore Rose.

"Lyall? Lyall!?" She screamed. I heard her running around the room looking for me, I even felt her brush by me when she was too close to the window.

"LYALL!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. I just closed my eyes and waited. I heard her run out of the room with the slam of the door. I took a deep breath and reopened my eyes. My vision was still blurry which was annoying but I didn't worry about for now.

I walked away from the window and walked through the door. I walked slowly, feeling weak and sore. I kept rubbing my chest and back. Feeling like something was putting severe pressure on them. As I walked slowly down the hall I heard a bunch of people running up and down the halls in a panic. I squinted at The blurry figures. Wondering why they were in such a frenzy. "Maybe it's because Vlad left?" I thought in wonder.

Suddenly a door flew open with a huge bang that made me jump out of my skin. "Ahhh~. What with all this lamentation~?" Iona purred. I only groaned after my shock. "I just had to run into her. But… on the plus side she can't see me." I thought with a smirk. She was still blurry when I saw her but once she got up to me, nose to nose I can see she was still beautiful, and still… very pregnant. I suddenly felt a lump in my throat when my eyes landed on her swollen belly.

I felt the guilt rise in me. Flashes of Vlad, and the kisses, and… I slowly looked down at the ring flower. The proposal… Suddenly I fell over on my butt and looked up at Iona. "Woah~ I wonder what I bumped?~ Was it you my little sapling?~" She cooed while rubbing her swell of a belly. I looked down at the ground in guilt and disgust. After she was done rubbing her unborn baby she left me alone along with her disgusting perfume.

I slowly got up and wiped the dust off my dress. Feeling tears threatening to fall down my face. Just as I was about to walk away I heard whimpering in the room that Iona just emerge from. I stopped at the sound. I turned around and walked back to the room. Inside though still blurry I can tell that this room was grand. A huge bed filled with fluffy pillows, perfumes and scents in every corner and every dresser. And everything looked like it was shimmering in gold.

I coughed from inhaling too much of the perfume. Then I heard it again, someone crying. I followed the sound to the bed but… nobody was in it. Then I heard it again but only louder. I lowered myself down to my knees then flat on my stomach.

Even though it was dark under the bed I could still see him. My Minhea was crying under the bed. He was covering him body and curling himself up in a tiny ball. My heart broke at the sight. I knew then and there what happened to him. He looked up straight at me with tear stained eyes and fear. He looked exactly like his father after….

My heart broke even more and I started to cry. I wanted to reach out and hold him but sadly he can't see me and it would terrify him if I try and touch him. I cursed myself for throwing away that pendent.

Then I suddenly had an idea. I reached into the pocket of my dress and grabbed the stone that I supposed to give to him. It felt cool to the touch. I slowly pulled it out of my pocket, held it for a few seconds and slowly dropped it close enough to Minhea. He suddenly stopped crying when he heard a gentle thump. He looked around and saw the stone. He gasped and quickly grabbed it in his hand. He held it for dear life and gave a small smile. I smiled at the sight.

"Fair maiden?" He whispered. My smile fell. He started crawling towards me. I stood up real quick and back away from the bed. I backed into the wall. Feeling the rough texture of the wall paper against my back.

I tried not to hyperventilate when Minhea crawled out of the bed. He kept looking around, looking for me. "Fair maiden? Lyall!? I know your here." He whispered/yelled. I could only stand there and hold my breath. He was about to call out again until Rose burst in the room. "Young Lord! There you are!" She sighed with relief.

I also sighed in huge relief, though it was foolish since they can't see me. I peeled myself away from the wall and walked towards them. Minhea just remained silent whilst Rose fusses over him. "My lord… you called out for Lyall… did you see her here?" She asked. He only just shook his head in a no while holding the stone in a death like grip. Rose remained silent for a moment with her hands on her hips and looking down at Minhea. She closed her eyes and let out a loud sigh. "My lord. We can't find Lyall anywhere. Are you sure you didn't see her." She asked her eyes still closed. "I have not seen her." Minhea said quietly. After a moment Rose reopened her eyes, exhausted. She just took Minhea's hand and left the room.

I just stood there for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts until I heard a huge bang! "AHHHH!" Elisabetta screamed. I jumped at the scream. A cold chill just went down my spine. That scream was blood curdling. "Something is wrong." I thought in panic. All of a sudden, Iona's room started shifting in and out from the present to the in between. When it phased into the in between the bed was covered in dust and cobwebs. The walls were chipped and decayed. And there was dried blood stains everywhere. I stood frozen in shock and fear. Then I heard another scream but it was different. It sounded like a howl, like something or… someone was calling me.

Then in and out of focus a shadow that was howling keep appearing at the corner of the room. Then it slowly came towards me. I couldn't do anything. Then the in between kept coming faster like someone was flickering the lights on and off in a fast motion. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. Then just when I think it was coming right towards me… it goes passed me, howling in its wake. "No… it's not me it's after… it's…Elisabetta !" I thought in horror.

All of a sudden, and sharp pain came from my heart like a sword was stabbing me. I screamed and dropped to my knees in pain. I tried to gasp for air but I couldn't get enough. Then I heard Elisabetta scream again. I turned to the door the in between still flicking on and off. I got on my hands and knees and started to crawl my way to the door.

"I have to get to her… I have to!"