This took way too long to finish. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. I'm ashamed to admit that ut was a little rushed and I had to cut it in two so as not to get too long.
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He was once reviled by some, hated by many, feared by all. A few dared to stand against him, and fewer still survived, living the rest of their days in constant vigilance and fear. Haze was a name that once instilled a foreboding sense of doom, carrying with it the wretched stench of death. It was what he embodied, what he strove to become, just as his father did before him.
But those days were past, leaving him with the hollow echoes of a life undeserving of any good. Haze expressed his malcontent with a deep, discontented sigh. The flames atop his head, though small, burned like a thousand miniature suns, flickering like fireworks across his skin. Each spark contained a measure of the anger he struggled to suppress.
When he heard the fledgling's words escape her pink, supple lips, he groaned in return. "There's nothing to talk about, Cupid. So I suggest you get out of my sight while I'm being nice." He warned, but it seemed her skull was three sizes thicker today.
"You are never nice, Haze," she retorted. He had nothing to say in return, for even in his hazy state, he could admit that much. "And even then, there are many things that we need to discuss." Cupid's gentle voice stirred something unusual inside him, her words bringing forth an unwelcome sense of peace that he was unsure about.
In any other scenario, Haze would have sliced off her tongue for talking back to him, but his body was spent, physically, mentally, and emotionally. He had no more fight left in him, his body visibly slumping as his fiery mane extinguished under the effects of his fatigue.
"You said my name," Cupid added, her words catching him off guard.
"So what if I did?" His voice held a sheen of dismissal, but there was an underlying hint of concern hidden beneath.
There was a small lapse of hesitation on Cupid's face as she was about to express her thoughts but decided to hold back the words she desperately wanted to convey. "Nothing, I was just surprised, is all." She tried to laugh it off, but even she could tell that there was a palpable look of hurt in her eyes. She could only hope that Haze was too disinterested to notice her world shattering before her.
Haze raised an eyebrow at her sudden silence but couldn't muster the energy to care about whatever troubled her. His heart throbbed suddenly, causing him to flinch and grasp at his chest.
What's wrong with me now? He despised the machinations of his own body. Shrugging off the baffling sensation, he returned his focus to Cupid, who now looked a little timid as their conversation dragged on.
"Either you speak your mind, or I'll take my leave. My time is precious, unlike yours." His familiar condescending tone returned, one that Cupid had come to know, and perhaps something more.
It took a few moments for Cupid to gather her thoughts, the weight of countless unspoken words pressing heavily upon her heart. Her mind swirled with the myriad things she longed to discuss with Haze. This was her chance to illuminate the shadows that had come to define their strained relationship. Why had they become strangers to each other? What had prompted such a devastating change? How had they allowed themselves to drift so far apart? She yearned to ask these questions, but she knew better than to push him beyond what he was willing to share.
"Why did you do it?" she asked, her voice trembling yet resolute.
"Did what, exactly?" Haze replied, a trace of mockery mingling with a sharp edge of annoyance in his tone.
"You know what I'm talking about, Haze." Cupid's voice wavered as she noticed the sudden fury in Haze's eyes at her words.
"You are not permitted to speak my name!" He roared, hurling a ball of fire at her. She narrowly avoided it, leaping aside as the ground where she had stood was scorched. Her concern was not for the ruined spot where she could have lost her life, but for Haze, who was now clutching his arm, a primal scream of agony escaping his lips.
He hissed in pain as the blood in his veins seemed to boil, his muscle tissue tearing apart. The noise he made was raw, a perfect mirror of the tumultuous pain ravaging his body. Tearing off the sleeve covering his arm, he looked at the grotesque blackness overtaking his pale, lifeless skin. His arm was riddled with dark veins, like lightning etched across his flesh, each rivulet of pain spreading like the branches of a malevolent tree.
For the first time in his life, he felt doubt, anguish, and — fear. He gasped as the encroaching darkness festered, weakening both his body and mind. His legs buckled under his weight, but instead of crashing to the cobblestoned floor, he felt tender arms holding him up, a foundation of security and warmth.
With what little sense remained, Haze realized Cupid was supporting his weakened body. The pain, anguish, and hatred that had flooded his thoughts began to settle into a profound calmness, like still water, undisturbed yet deeply moving.
"Haze! What's happening to you?!" Cupid's voice trembled with worry and concern. He wanted to dismiss it, to disregard the emotion in her tone, but he couldn't ignore the genuine care in her voice.
"Get off me!" he shouted, violently shoving Cupid away. She yelped at his outburst, stumbling back as he fell to his knees, his body shaking erratically. The fire in his eyes dimmed to embers, his gasping breaths a clear indication of his torment.
Cupid watched, tears welling in her eyes. She wanted to help him, to reach out and steady him, but she feared another violent reaction. So she waited, biding her time, hoping he would allow her to help.
It took Haze a minute to gather his thoughts, to form a coherent response. "Leave me alone, fledgling," he finally managed, sucking in a deep breath. "I am in no mood to converse with the likes of you." He groaned as he struggled to stand, the dark veins pulsing with pain, though he bit his tongue to hide it.
"You are clearly in pain, Haze! If you just let me help you—"
"I don't need anyone's help! Especially not from a disgraceful spawn such as yourself!" His anger flared, the flames under his control burning bright for a moment before subsiding into flickers.
Haze steeled his mind, focusing the intent of his power, as the blazing inferno within him transformed into a tamed blue flame. This fire, though more dangerous by nature, was held in greater control. His breaths became steady and precise as he summoned the flames to sprout from his hands, watching as they slithered along the length of his arms and spread across his body.
He could feel it — the darkness receding, the pain slowly dissipating. The agonizing torment that had once consumed him was now nothing more than a fleeting memory. For the moment, he was safe.
Haze sighed, a deep exhale escaping his lips as the cool air caressed his body. He took a moment to assess himself, feeling content with his current state. Though exhausted from the mental strain, he knew a full night of rest would restore his strength.
He sensed a pair of widened, astonished eyes fixed upon him. "Haze…"
He turned to meet Cupid's gaze, his eyes impassive while hers were filled with concern. She brought a trembling hand to her rapidly beating heart, clearly stupefied by how quickly Haze had recovered from the affliction. Though she sensed that the darkness might return, her mind was still reeling from his sudden transformation.
"Just leave me be, Cupid. Aren't you glad to be free from my clutches for the time being?" His glance, filled with disdain, was meant to dishearten her, but Cupid's persistence remained unshaken.
Despite the larger part of her that still felt antagonized by Haze's actions, a smaller fragment within her heart longed to give him the chance to make things right.
"Of course, I am. But I can't leave you by yourself, especially not after what you just went through." Cupid's voice trembled with a mix of uneasiness and courage.
"Why do you care?" he snapped, frustration evident in his tone. "After everything I've done, why would you even want to help me?"
Cupid hesitated, her eyes searching his for any sign of the boy she once knew. "Because, despite everything, I still believe there's good in you. I can't ignore that."
Haze scoffed, but there was a flicker of something softer in his gaze. "You're a fool," he muttered, though his words lacked their usual venom.
"Maybe," Cupid replied softly. "But I can't just stand by and watch you destroy yourself."
Haze wanted to argue back, but found himself at a loss. His mind was barren and blank, utterly exhausted to the point where his once rebellious nature was overtaken by a compliant calm.
He stared absently at Cupid, his eyes devoid of the fiery spark they once held. The weight of his fatigue had extinguished the flames within. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly, his gaze never leaving her wary eyes.
"Do what you will," he finally said, his voice soft and resigned.
"A little to the left, a bit more to the right, and that should do it!" A cheery, dainty voice directed a couple of birds as they hung the final touches of decor for the event.
"Apple, are you almost done with the streamers?" The fairest girl in all the land turned to her friend with a radiant smile and an even brighter demeanor.
"Just finished putting them up, with help from some of my feathered friends, of course." The birds perched on her shoulders chirped cheerfully, nuzzling her neck before Apple politely ushered them away.
"Hexcellent! This sleepover is going to be the wickedest of them all!" Briar chimed in, blowing on a party horn. Her friends reacted with mixed expressions.
"I thought this was supposed to be a party to help us study for our tests coming up this week?" Dexter pointed out, standing to the side, along with Daring and Hunter flanking him.
"Yeah, and should us guys even be here if this was a sleepover?" Hunter added, with Pesky squeaking on his shoulder before the little critter ran off, leaving only the teenagers in the room.
"I don't know what you gents are complaining about. I say we enjoy this night to the fullest." Daring proclaimed, checking himself out in a hand mirror, his teeth gleaming with that ever-present shine.
Dexter hummed in uncertainty, scratching the back of his head. "I still think we should've hosted this session at the Lifairy."
"And risk running into the Evil Step librarians? No, thank you," Ashlynn replied, as she decorated the floor with plush, silken pillows. Hunter joined her, laying out a large blanket in the middle and receiving a kiss as a reward.
"Besides, Godmother knows we need this. There are so many things on my mind lately that I just want to de-stress and hang out with my friends," Raven added, munching on some delicacies the group had prepared for the evening.
"Tell me about it," Blondie lounged on a beanbag, enjoying a bowl of porridge that was cooked not too hot, and not too cold. "This party is both long overdue, and just right."
"But remember, we still need to do a little studying before we get a little crazy with the partying. Especially for Professor Rumpelstiltskin's test tomorrow," Apple reminded them, returning in more comfortable but still appropriate attire for the night.
"I cannot tell a lie, spending the better part of my day spinning straw into gold is so not on my to-do list," Cedar admitted, smoothing out her wooden arms where splinters poked out.
The rest nodded in agreement as they placed the final touches and gathered the materials needed for the evening. Dexter eventually relented, "Oh, alright, I just hope nothing bad happens."
"Oh, relax, little brother. The way I see it, the possibility of something beastly ruining this night for us is hexceedingly non-hexistent," Daring stated confidently, unaware of the dark forces plotting against them as a knock at the door caught everyone's attention.
"Are we hexpecting anyone else?" Raven asked, genuine curiosity tinged with a growing unease. She looked around at her friends, who either shrugged or outright denied expecting another guest. A pit of dread formed in her stomach as the echoes of the knocks lingered in the air.
Suddenly, Dexter interjected, breaking the tense atmosphere with a hasty recollection. "Oh, that must be Cupid. I also invited her to join us, if the rest of you are cool with it." The air warmed slightly as the group of friends exchanged eager glances, ready to welcome the winged girl into their fold. Yet, despite their enthusiasm, the pit in Raven's stomach did not waver. It clung to her insides, a gnawing dread that refused to be soothed.
"I guess I'll just…" Raven's voice trailed off as she reached for the door knob. Her hand trembled, quivering with unease. A foreboding sense of despair seeped through the seams of the doorway, coiling around her arm like an invisible snake.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Raven finally gripped the handle and began to turn it, the metallic click echoing in the silent room. Her friends watched, puzzled by the delay in inviting their guest inside.
As the door swung open, what Raven saw on the other side made her heart plummet, shattering into countless shards of grim revelation. Her face drained of color, her shoulders tensed, and fear surged through her mind. Standing before her was the very embodiment of her nightmares, the source of her deepest despair. The sight shook Raven to her core, and without thinking, she slammed the door shut, the force of it reverberating through the room.
She had to do a double-take, her mind reeling in disbelief. Gathering her wits, she opened the door once more, only to find the same haunting figure confirming her worst fears. She slammed the door again, her hands trembling as she pressed her back against the wood, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
"It's Haze!" she screamed, her voice laced with panic. Her friends, initially bewildered by her frantic state, were quickly consumed by horror at the mention of his name.
"What?!" They shouted in unison, their voices echoing Raven's terror.
"Way to hex it, Daring!" Hunter snapped, his grievances clear.
"Me?!" Daring retorted, his voice tinged with insult, but his focus swiftly shifted to the impending threat.
"No time to argue! Quick, grab the supplies for threat level H!" Raven commanded, urgency in her voice. The group sprang into action, retrieving items to combat the looming danger.
A series of sporadic knocks interrupted their frantic preparations. "Wait, please, I can hexplain!" a high-pitched, feminine voice pleaded from the other side. Raven froze, recognizing the voice as Cupid's.
"Wait, everyone, stop!" she blared, her voice cutting through the chaos. Her friends halted, mid-motion, weapons, traps, and other makeshift defenses in hand.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Raven opened the door a third time, cautiously leaving it slightly ajar. She peeked out into the hall, her nerves relaxing as she saw Cupid shyly waving at her. Relief washed over her momentarily, but as she looked past her winged friend, her heart sank once more. Haze was creeping up behind Cupid, his presence a dark shadow against her light.
"Cupid, what the hex are you doing?! Haze is right behind you!" Raven's voice was a frantic whisper, her eyes wide with alarm as she tried not to draw the tyrannical prince's attention.
"Raven, listen, I need you to trust me on this one," Cupid replied tentatively, her voice soft but firm.
"On what, hexactly?" Raven's eyes darted between Cupid and Haze, nervous sweat trickling down her face as she scrutinized Haze for any sign of danger.
"Haze… means no harm," Cupid stated, her words hanging in the air, creating an uncomfortable silence. Raven's expression twisted in disbelief, her mind reeling from the unexpected claim.
"What?! Cupid, are you being serious right now?!" Raven's voice rose in pitch, her words slicing through the air like daggers. Cupid flinched slightly at the sharpness of her friend's tone.
"Look, I know it's a little hard to believe—"
"Oh, it's more than just a little. Did you forget everything he's done, or do I need to remind you?" Raven interrupted, her voice dripping with incredulity, refusing to let Cupid defend Haze.
"I didn't forget, Raven. It's just that—"
"If you didn't forget, then why are you saying he's harmless?! The only thing he's done since he came to Ever After High is harm others!" Raven's voice trembled with uncharacteristic anger, her protective instincts flaring. She would not let a deranged, psychopathic lunatic endanger her friends again, even if the very object of her hate looked...hollow and empty?
"Wait a spell, what's wrong with him?" Raven's voice softened as she noticed the distant, vacant look in Haze's eyes. His impassivity was unsettling, yet it piqued her curiosity.
"Er, yeah, that's what I was going to talk about." Cupid rubbed her arms, trying to steady her nerves. "It appears that Haze had a long day today, and I couldn't leave him by himself after what happened earlier. So, I was hoping he could join us tonight?" Cupid's voice wavered, her proposition sounding as crazy as it felt. She knew she was asking a lot, insinuating that Haze be surrounded by those he had wronged. There were countless reasons why this was a terrible idea, but hope lingered in her heart.
"You're kidding, right?" Raven's voice was sharp, slicing through the thick tension. Her disbelief was palpable.
"Uh… no?" Cupid's voice was small, pushing the limits of Raven's patience.
"How do we know he won't try something the second he's inside?" Raven's rational mind screamed at her for even considering the notion, but something in Cupid's earnestness made her pause.
Cupid took a deep breath, meeting Raven's gaze with determination. "Because I believe he wants to change. I know it sounds crazy, but there's something different about him now. He's... lost. I think he needs our help."
Raven stared at Cupid, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She wanted to protect her friends, to keep them safe from the very real danger Haze represented. But she also saw the sincerity in Cupid's eyes, the hope that maybe, just maybe, Haze could find redemption.
Raven sighed, a deep breath that seemed to echo her uncertainty. "Look, Cupid, as much as I want to trust you on this one, there's just absolutely no spellbinding way we can be sure that he won't try anything around us." She opened the door wider, allowing a clearer view of both sides. Her eyes locked onto Haze's, taking in the blank, distant look. It was a look she could vaguely relate to, one that hinted at a deeper sense of grief and disappointment.
Raven snapped her fingers in front of Haze's face, trying to elicit any reaction from the impassive prince. "Even if he does seem a little… off." The word felt inadequate. The hollowness in Haze's eyes, his unresponsiveness to the world around him, was unsettling. He seemed like a lifeless doll, moving accordingly by those pulling the strings.
"He's looking a little dead— I mean, dead-er." Raven's voice trembled with unease, wary of any sudden moves from Haze.
Cupid's resolve began to waver. She had hoped for a smoother acceptance but realized she had set an exceedingly high bar. Just as she was about to give up, another voice chimed in.
"Raven, is everything going swimmingly on your end?" Apple joined her fairytale villain friend's side, equally shocked and frightened by Haze's daunting figure standing beyond the entrance. The scene felt ironically reminiscent of their first encounter, with one side standing boldly in the doorway while the other teetered on the edge of their emotions.
"Everything's going… okay? I guess," Raven said to Apple, who looked a little unsure about the events unfolding before her.
"Then why is he still here?" Apple asked, her resolve waning from being near Haze's unsettling presence.
Raven shook her head with a sigh and turned to Cupid. "You see what I mean, Cupid?"
"Yes, but I still want to try and see if you could give him a chance." Cupid's voice carried a hint of defeat, guilt soon etched on both Raven and Apple's faces.
"Um, can someone fill me in on what's happening, please?" Apple asked, her confusion mingling with fear as she hid behind Raven, quivering.
"Cupid is asking if we could find it in our hearts to have Haze join us this evening," Raven said bluntly.
"What?!" Apple's usually graceful and elegant voice broke with disbelief at the baffling proposal.
"That's hexactly what I said," Raven confirmed.
"Cupid, you're not serious, are you?" Apple's voice trembled as she struggled to understand Cupid's sudden change of heart toward Haze.
"I am," Cupid replied, her voice trembling. "I truly hoped my friends could share my sentiments. But I guess I was asking for too much." Tears welled in her eyes as she held back her sniffles.
"I'm sorry. I should've known you girls would react this way, especially after what Haze put you all through." Her voice faded into quivering whispers, laden with regret.
"I appreciate the invite, but it is still my job to look after Haze. See you all tomorrow, and I wish for you girls to have a spelltastic night." Cupid gently took Haze by the wrist, her touch tender yet firm as she began to lead him away. His steps, which once upon a time marched with authority and power, now sounded inanimate and bleak.
Raven shared a look with Apple as they quietly observed Cupid and Haze's slowly retreating forms.
"Raven." The fairer of the two bore a look of guilt and shame, "Apple." while the more wicked of them shared the expression and dismay.
Their walls began to crumble as Apple gave Raven a pleading look, before the daughter of the Evil Queen eventually relented and nodded in agreement to their shared thought.
"We better not regret this, Apple." Raven added, to which Apple gave her a gentle smile.
"I have a feeling that we won't." Though a little uncertain, both finally made up their mind.
"Cupid, wait!" Apple spoke up, halting the pair's tracks before they left their sights.
"Hm?" Cupid spun on her heels, careful to not twist Haze's wrist as she looked back to her friends.
"Raven and I gave it some thought, and we'll be thrilled to have you and Haze join us for tonight." said Apple, meanwhile keeping her distance from the menacing individual.
"Are you sure? Because I wouldn't want to bother the others with Haze around." Cupid replied, a little concerned yet relieved at the offer.
"We're sure. Just as long as you keep a tight leash on him during the party, and guarantee that nothing bad will befall our friends. Sounds fair?" It was a proposition that will at least provide a shallow sense of security.
"That would be lovely. Thank you, for having us, and giving Haze this chance." Progress was still progress, no matter how small it may seem.
"Of course. I'm all about seeing the good in everyone. Even towards someone as diabolical and vindictive as Haze is." Cupid couldn't argue back, but was nevertheless glad for the opportunity for growth between Haze and those around him.
Raven was still doubtful about Haze joining them, but she was determined to unravel the reason and just cause for Haze's actions, and to see if there was a way to bring him into a better light. So, she conceded with a sigh as Apple brought the pair back to where the session was being held.
"Good news, everyone!" she chirped hexcitedly. Her friends peeked out from one of the couches laid about, each holding a weapon or tool of some kind in the event of worst circumstances.
"Is Haze gone? Did you get rid of him?" Blondie pursed with slightly quivering lips.
"Not hexactly." Her friends looked worried to prod further from how she phrased her words.
"Listen, this may seem a little unorthodox, but Apple and I came to an agreement that we should at least try and make this whole thing work. So, without further ado," Raven begrudgingly pushed the door open to reveal Cupid awkwardly shifting from where she stood, and Haze in all his malevolent glory.
"Are you insane?!" Blondie cried out, her face paling as she gripped the edge of the couch.
"Relax, Blondie," Raven said, trying to sound reassuring even though she still had her doubts. "Cupid thinks he deserves a chance. So we're giving him one."
"This is madness!" Dexter exclaimed, his face scrunched up in concern. "He could hex us all the moment we let our guard down."
Apple stepped forward, holding her hands up. "Everyone, I understand your concerns. Trust me, I do. But Cupid is our friend, and she believes Haze can change. We owe it to her to at least try."
Daring scoffed, crossing his arms. "This is a terrible idea. But if it means keeping the peace, I'll go along with it. But if he tries anything…"
"I won't let him hurt any of you," Cupid interjected, her voice firm. "I promise."
Hunter grumbled, but nodded in agreement. "Alright. But I'm keeping my eyes on him."
Blondie reluctantly put down her makeshift weapon, still eyeing Haze warily. "Okay. But if anything goes wrong, I'm out of here."
Cupid smiled gratefully. "Thank you, everyone. This means a lot to me. And I promise, we'll keep everything under control."
Raven sighed, feeling the weight of the decision pressing on her. "Alright. Let's make this work. But Haze, one wrong move and you're out."
Haze didn't respond, his vacant gaze not changing. It was unsettling, but Raven pushed the feeling aside. She had to believe Cupid knew what she was doing.
"Let's get back to preparing," Apple said, trying to inject some cheer into her voice. "We still have a lot to do before we can start studying and having fun."
The group slowly returned to their tasks, the atmosphere tense but determined. As they worked, Raven couldn't help but keep a close eye on Haze, watching for any sign of danger. This night was going to be more challenging than she had anticipated.
"Madam Yaga, to what do I owe the pleasure of this late night visit?" Milton Grimm spoke behind his desk filled with all manners of papers and important documents he'd been meaning to sort out.
The Mistress of the Dark Arts entered the Headmaster's Office with a discontented disposition. "Just wondering if you'd need help with anything regarding the recent troublemaker lately."
"You mean Haze? Nothing much for the moment, though I doubt it would stay that way for long. He's probably holed up in his room doing who knows what and hopefully away from the other students." he began to rub the side of his temples to mitigate the incoming headache.
"And how is he fairing with his punishment?" Baba Yaga asked, a little skeptical.
"Well, seeing as how I haven't received any further complaints from the students for the day, I have enough reason to believe that he is complying to a certain extent." It was greatly relieving for the most part, but Grimm couldn't get rid of the nasty feeling starting to brew within the pits of his stomach.
"And what of his classes?" Madam Yaga prodded further.
"Hmm, let's see here…" Grimm pulled aside the reports from some of the professors in the academy regarding Haze's attendance.
"He did attend his Mythology class, but the report states that he spent the better part of class sleeping and ignoring his professor."
"No surprise there. What else?"
"Not really seeing much here. Most of these reports are about students seeing him wandering the halls and reporting it as suspicious behavior." Milton explained.
"Can't say that I blame them. Everywhere he goes it's always one problem after another." Madam Yaga sighed in both annoyance and exasperation. "Is that all?"
"Hmm… Oh, it seems that Professor Badwolf actually made a bit of progress with the young lad. He managed to convince Haze to attend his class willingly and contribute to the lesson albeit in a manner not fit for mortal ears. Huh?" Grimm had to do a double-take at the end part, but was nonetheless glad that someone effectively made Haze comply of his own volition.
"Really?" Madam Yaga curled a brow questioningly as Milton Grim nodded for confirmation of their earlier statements. "Well, that's wonderful. If he can keep Haze in the reins then the rest of the school year should go off without a hitch."
Milton Grimm imagined the possibility which prompted a satisfied smile. "Should we assign Mister Badwolf as Haze's personal advisor? This way we could not only keep a closer eye on the boy, but we also have a chance to educate him properly."
"That's not a bad idea, but I doubt Big Bad would accept this request willingly without proper cause. Maybe we should find a more thorough method of handling Haze and not rush in without an actual plan in mind." Madam Yaga reasoned as Milton Grimm had to begrudgingly agree with her statement.
"Perhaps you're right, however we will not discard such a possibility, we need only to refine and ensure that nothing will go wrong should the worse come to light." he added as Madam Yaga gave a firm nod before both noticed the time.
"Oh, dear, is it already that late? She checked the miniature grandfather clock hidden up her sleeve, "I best be taking my leave. I'll see you tomorrow to discuss things further, Grimm." she excused herself.
"Of course, Baba Yaga. Safe travels, and take care." he bid her goodbye as the doors to his office closed behind his coworker which left him alone in the room.
He swivelled on his chair to face the grand window behind him, taking a peek over the expanse of his school with an uneasy expression. He expected her arrival as the mirror beside his desk sparked with green malicious energy followed by a dark cackle. Milton bore a scowl as he turned around to face the fractal cracks forming on the mirror as a shadowy silhouette appeared on the reflection.
"I don't why you keep coming back here, but just know that your playful mockeries aren't working." The shadow simply cackled louder. The echoes bounded across the walls as the green light blanketed most of the room's surfaces.
"It's only a matter of time, dear Grimmy." The shadow's broody words taunted him. Yet, Milton's resolve did not waver.
"Yes, time that you don't have." He grabbed the mirror before shattering it using the edge of his desk. The fragments fell to the floor in abundance as the wails of the reflected figure echoed before they diminished into silence.
The dark green light vanished as well as any remnants of the malevolent figure from the mirror's remains. Grimm sighed before groaning to pick up a broom.
"That's the fifth time in a week." he said, disgruntled, as he swept up the mess. Leaving none the wiser.