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Towards that cursed studio that started this entire situation. I flinch at every little noise, jerking the gun upwards at empty air. I key in the code Xander whispered to me last night after our forest chase and unlock it, walking into the echoey, dark room.

It’s still cold in here, like the room is holding the memories from that night.

Lazily clapping my hands twice, the studio illuminates green.

“Ugh,” I mutter under my breath. The photo of Xander with his teddy bear flashes in my head.

Walking up to the pole, I place the gun down next to the wide, circular podium. I unlock my phone and scroll through my playlist, settling on Elastic Heart by Sia, the piano version.

The gentle melody of the piano fills the dimly lit room, and I place my phone next to the gun.

I let the music flow through me. Rolling my shoulders and breathing out, I step up onto the podium and grab onto the pole for the first time in days. The singing starts, and my mind takes over, feeling every single word. I twist, climb, and turn on the pole. My limbs are exhausted, but my body continues to dance like it needs it.

A light sweat breaks out across my forehead as the lyrics continue, and my body fights tears through the flow of movement. But my throat starts blocking up as I listen to the words, and the sweat starts on my hands, making me slip off the pole and land on my ass.

Great, why don’t we add an injury as well?

A sound pulls my attention to the door. A dark figure stands right by the doorway. I scramble off the podium, falling again and grabbing the gun, pointing it at the figure.

The song finishes and starts again as my hands vibrate with fear. I’m clutching the gun so hard, and I just hope that it’s loaded and my aim is good.

I find myself wishing Xander had taught me how to use a gun sooner. Consequences of me pulling a trigger be damned.

“Who the fuck are you?” I grit through panting breaths. The figure’s arms come up in surrender as they step forward. I wiggle the gun in their direction. “Not a step closer.”

“Angel, it’s me.”

I almost drop the gun from my grip as my shoulders momentarily slacken. I shuffle myself on my bum backwards as I keep the gun aimed at him, but I hit a wall.

He continues his slow pursuit towards me.

“Stay the fuck away from me, Xander,” I warn.

“Please, just let me explain.” He speaks so softly. Like he’s trying to tame a wild animal.

“How the fuck did you get in?”

Jacques said it would be impossible to get past Daniel, dammit.

“I live here,” he says, like it’s obvious.

“Where is Sid?”

“He’s safe,” he answers quickly.

“Stop walking towards me,” I warn again, but my voice begins to tremble.

“Angel, I need to explain.”

His face comes into view now. His eyes are much more sunken since this morning, but they’re wild. His hair looks like he’s run his fingers through it one too many times.

He crouches in his black joggers and t-shirt and starts crawling towards me.

“Stop.” I point the gun at him, bringing my other hand to it and gripping it with both.

“You need to hear me out.” His voice is still soft, but there’s a hint of desperation and anger.

“And if I don’t? What are you gonna do? Chain me to the pole?”