After that weird change of events, 2 days later Steven seemed back to normal, it was Thursday. He fed his fish and got out of his apartment, clumsy as usual, sleeping on the bus, running through the streets, and saying good morning to strangers.

But, he wasn't sad he caught himself smiling at the phone's screen:

"Hey, listen"

He loved to speak to her, maybe it was the boost to get him out of bed every morning. It was hard for him to imagine a life without Mira now.

"Who is the famous Egyptian 19th Dynasty Chef?"

Steven thought for a moment, trying to seek into the depths of his mind an answer, but couldn't. He replied:

"I have no idea"

She then started to type, he was anxious for the answer, as the bus shook with multiple people all at once, bumping into him. The only one smiling in a sea of serious sauces

"Gordon Ramses II"

He tried to hold it but exploded laughing loudly, as the people around him looked as if he was insane. But if that means to be insane, then so be it, he would be happy being it.

Steven arrived at the museum on time as usual, greeting people as he walked, and, even from afar he could recognize her silhouette.

How could she be so gorgeous? The way she stood with that elegant stance, that hair framing her body full of curves and that smooth, dark brown skin on a slightly tight black dress.

Mira turned her head, and, seeing him, gave a bright smile that could light up the whole world.

Steven made his way through the crowd and met her, the museum was a bit more packed than usual, probably because of the new exhibits that had just arrived.

Someone pushed him with their back, making him bump against her

-Oh-She exclaimed with the impact of their bodies, Steven quickly stood again you okay?

-I am, sorry.-He spoke awkwardly.

-It's fine.-She said while trying to stop thinking of the sensation of his body against hers.-Busy day today.

-Very.-He chuckled.-Oh.-He took his phone from his pocket, almost making it fall on the floor took this picture of Gus yesterday.

She got close to him to see it. Their cheeks almost touching, as she looked at the screen. The way she was so close made him inhale deeply her sweet, maddening perfume. He could get high on it forever. Almost closing his eyes to the sensation.

Blinked three times. Got away from the trance.

-Aw, so cute. Even though the pic's a little blurred. -She chuckled.-I'll teach you how to take better pictures someday.

-He smiled.

-STEVIE!-They already knew who it was. Stevie, take She gave him a small package full of treats- The others from Monday already ended.

He grabbed the package and was about to walk away when Mira interrupted:

-Um, Donna...-She started- I was thinking...Maybe I could take Steven on the tour with me? -She tried to explain- He'd be of great help since we have so many visitors today.

She looked at both of them, almost to make sure they were being serious.

-Yeah, of course, and I'll help the queen of England to choose her outfit of the day.-She laughed at them, Steven looked down, Donna never failed to disappoint - His job is at the gift shop Miss Anand. And that's what he'll do. He's not a bloody tour guide! How many times do I have to say that?-She pointed to Steven- Now go and do what you are being paid for.

And she walked away, with that superior mean air of arrogance that could be smelled from miles away. Or maybe she just stunk.

Mira accompanied him to the store, while Steven organized the snacks on the counter.

-Thanks...-He suddenly said- For trying to give a weak smile- even if it didn't work out, I appreciate it.

She retributed with a small smile and they continued to finish the last row of snacks.

-Hello.-Dylan approached the gift shop all of a sudden, wearing a blue skirt and blouse of the same color.

Mira decided to ignore it, trying to keep herself busy with a shelf at the top that didn't need to be organized by her for the 10th time that week, she knew that she didn't come there to speak to her.

-Hello. -He replied waving at her.

-How's the sugar trade going?- She looked at the snacks on the counter.

-I don't know what this has to do with Egypt. -He went all technical about it.- They didn't have that back then, did they? -He barely gave her time to answer- No. They liked figs and dates, and...

-My next tour's here but just checking, are we still on for 7:00 tomorrow? -She interrupted, he looked clueless at her-
"7:00 tomorrow"? "Best steak in town"?

He still had no idea of what she was speaking about. Faked a smile and a recent memory of it:

-Oh, yeah. Right. Yeah.

-Yeah? Okay. -She chuckled.

She was about to leave when he interrupted.

-Sorry. But... What? -He asked you to ask me out?

She didn't understand him at first, then, laughed about it. Believing it was a joke. Mira just watched, it was weird how she suddenly found Dylan's laugh amusing now.

-You're funny.-She smiled and walked away- I'll see you then.

He tried to smile but he was panicking, he didn't know what was happening, actually, he barely spoke to Dylan, so a date with her was quite...unusual, to say the least.

Mira finished organizing the shelf, she didn't have the happiest of expressions.

-Mira what was the

-Stevie, you absolute rascal. Donna came in, interrupting the conversation- I didn't know you had taken a crack.

-I didn't know either.-He replied.

-Hang on, did she say steak?-What a curious, nosy woman Donna was- What in the world's a bloody vegan gonna eat in a steak house?

She didn't say it, but Mira thought about the same thing. Maybe he would just take her out in that place because she wanted to? Weird. But Steven was a gentleman, so she wouldn't his efforts on a date.

-I don't know, Donna. Salad? Bread?

-Yeah, I can see why she went for it. Real catch you are.-Donna mocked.

-Hey Donna.-Mira came in.-You're in the line, interrupting his work.-She gestured, pointing behind her.

The manager looked back, and a kid who was trying to get a snack looked at her with a complaining face. He probably didn't even have money, but it was still a great excuse to say "The customer is always so right, so leave." Donna looked at Mira annoyed:

-My bad.-She said with meaning to the words and left promptly.

As soon as she left, Steven sold (gave it for free, basically paid by himself) the snack to the boy and turned to Mira once again.

-Do I have a date tomorrow?-He asked, with a half smile, feeling quite lucky.

-Um yeah? I'm not your secretary, Steven.-Something in that situation quite irritated her.

-When did I ask her out?

-2 days ago, She rolled her eyes and even bought her a McDonald's combo.

Steven still seemed blind to those memories. Furrowed his eyebrows, he hated McDonald's. Capitalist assassins.

-Did I?

-Yeah, you did.

-Hm...-He thought for a moment-- I was sick that day, maybe that's why I don't remember it. - Was the excuse he decided to believe for that behavior he didn't remember.

-Yeah, probably didn't want to speak much about that subject, so she left from behind the counter, preparing herself to leave.

-What am I going to do?-He spoke nervously.

-Steven.-She leaned on the balcony and looked into his eyes-Just be yourself.-She said gently -And...if she doesn't like it...then...-She said the words with caring,  looking down, something different in her voice, trying to show affection towards him and only him-She does not deserve an amazing guy like you.

Steven is the type of guy with no clue at all. In any situation, he'd be the last one to find out what was happening. So when she said that he just smiled, with no idea of how to reply.

-Thanks, Mira.-He replied.

She wanted to say something else, but, even after opening her mouth to say it, she gave up. Instead, activated her happy mood:

-Good luck eating bread the whole night!-She joked and left.

He laughed, but inside there was a crescent of anxious feelings that consumed his brain. All because of a date.  And inside of her, a slight pain that hurt even more every time she thought about that situation.

But smiles always managed to cover her scars.

🌙

Should she call him? No, probably not. He didn't show up for work that day, probably because he was preparing himself for the date. It was understandable, Steven didn't go out a lot. But it was quite weird to not have news from him.

It wasn't because he was going on a date with Dylan, definitely not because on that Friday night, while they'd be eating steaks (it was still weird to use steaks and Steven in the same sentence using the verb to eat), illuminated by candlelights, so romantic that Dylan would sigh, probably fall immeadtly for him, and, at the end of the night, slowly close the gap between their faces and...!

Mira threw herself on the sofa, didn't want to finish the thought. Something on that occasion bothered her more than it was supposed to and she didn't want to know the reason. She refused to.

Grabbed her phone, and stared at the screen again, at his phone number, which stared back at her, almost challenging her courage, her senses. Should she call? Why would she call him on such an important date? By now he would be getting ready to catch the bus, squeezed within the crowd as he always used to, tiny and delicate, smiling as a good old-fashioned lover boy.

Mira called. She shouldn't, but did it.

Called at least 3 times. He didn't pick up at first, and the idea of him being too distracted on the date made her even more desperate, even though she wouldn't admit that to herself.

She was checking up on him, that's what she believed, just to make sure he was okay.

At the 4th call he finally picked up, curiously, it was silent, just a sharp breath on the other line.

-I can't talk now.- He finally picked up, his breath sharp and puffing, something in his accent seemed off.

-Steven? I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't be interrupting now- She felt her cheeks burn, what could he be possibly doing? Did the date go so well that they...

She heard the sound of a gunshot, almost jumped, and her whole body trembled.

-Steven?-She asked, he didn't reply.- What was that?

After some muffled sounds, she could listen to his breath again, fast, agitated, as if he was running from something.

-Don't call me " were his last words before she heard the "beep" announcing the end of the call.

Mira was confused, she couldn't stop thinking of what could be possibly happening. A gun? He should be on a date eating steak (well, maybe bread, but you understood it) but instead, she heard shots and he didn't answer her questions.

Couldn't handle it, grabbed her phone and called him once again: no answer. Whatever he was doing he couldn't pick it up.

Decided to do what she didn't expect to do that night: call Dylan.

She dialed the tourist guide's number quickly and the woman picked up the phone in just a short time, a weird timing for someone who should be busy on a date.

-Hello? Dylan?-Mira asked.

-Oh great, he asked for you to give the excuse. She had a bitter and offensive tone in her voice.

-What?

-You know what. Steven.

-What do you mean?

-He dumped me.-She replied.- He didn't show up and neither give a reason why.

Mira was trying to process the information. The Steven she talked with wasn't on the date.

-So he isn't with you...?

-No.

It was like slow motion, her heart speeded in her chest almost as if she would die. Her breath speeded and she felt her stomach twist inside. She wanted to vomit, maybe that would be a way to relieve it all. Her throat was sore for the 3rd time that single day.

-Mira?- Dylan tried to speak- Look, if he calls you, tell him that I don't care anymore. Just don't tell him to come after me again later. Got it? -She explained.- I need to go, bye.

Mira didn't answer, she couldn't pacify her senses, she would remember the call with him over and over again, a loop that never ended and tortured her mind, along with the symptoms of her condition, making her exhausted.

All she wanted was his safety.

🌙

Saturday and still no news. Called plenty of times but all of them didn't pick up. Wondered if she should notificate the police, but maybe Steven didn't want to be disturbed.

But what if something worse happened?

He never had enemies...well, that's what he told her, the more she thought about the subject she realized how twisted those facts were.

He never even showed his apartment or gave her the address once. Could he hide something?

He didn't look like one to keep secrets he seemed to be someone she could confide the depths of her mind to...or at least some. He didn't need to know everything, or she didn't want him to know everything.

She looked at the cupcake she was eating and left it on the table promptly.

What mattered was that whatever could've happened, she hoped for him to be safe, that he would show up any time soon. Until then, she sent a few messages to him, none of them visualized, and neither replied.

🌙

Sunday finally came,  it was already afternoon close tonight and she didn't know that at the same time, across the city, Steven had just woken up in his apartment, as if nothing ever happened, and not been able to find his phone. In his mind it was Friday, and time had stopped.

He just realized something was wrong when he saw Gus.

🌙

-We still expecting one more?-The waiter approached him at his table.

Steven's phone was bugging, as if someone threw it around on the floor, he had very little time to charge and he barely had time to see all the missing notifications.

He looked up, surprised by the waiter's presence, expecting to be Dylan, then replied to him:

-Yes. It's not looking so good isn't it?-He tried to joke, but the waiter left without a word.

Decided to finally use the phone, maybe Dylan lost track of time or just forgot about the date. He hoped for it to be the first option.

Gasped at the amount of calls, especially Mira's, so many of them, and with messages as well, asking if he was okay. He found it funny, was it because of the date? She was quite protective and found it cute of her to do.

He didn't even look at when the messages or calls were made.

Decided to call Dylan first and then reply to Mira, so she could calm down.

He put the phone on by his ear as the line rang, and straightened up his posture on the chair, a bit anxious.

-Punchy. Calling me now?-She finally answered.

-What? -He asked oblivious- What do you mean? I'm at the restaurant for steak.-he still tried to lighten up the tension- It's steak time.

-Yeah, I ate steak by myself, thanks. Two days ago.

He was still confused. 2 days ago? That was impossible.

-What?-Was his first reaction- I thought we said Friday?

-Today. -Dylan sniffed sarcastically -Right. - She mocked- Welcome to Sunday.

-Come on, no. -He shook his head-I think Friday still comes after Thursday, doesn't it?

-It doesn't change the fact that today is Sunday, which means "lose my number."

She turned off the phone and left him there, hanging alone on the line...and date.

-But... -He grabbed the phone in his hands. The date on the screen confirmed once again what she said. He still refused to accept, called the waiter who passed by-Sorry, what day is it today?

-Sunday, sir. -He replied.

-No. -He muttered, the waiter tilted his head confused at him- Is it...-The waiter nodded- Really?

As he walked away he looked once again at the phone, and started to see all the missing calls from Mira, both from Friday and Saturday, then, the messages:

"Hey Don Juán, you okay? Good luck with your date! ;)"

Some minutes changed everything.

"Steven hey...what was that noise? You alright?"

She turned desperate.

"Steven, where are you? Dylan told me that you didn't go on the date"

7 messages and 6 calls.

"Answer the phone, please"

The messages from Saturday were also full of concern.

"I swear to God Steven, if you don't tell me  if you're still alive I'll call the cops, you dumbass"

He immediately dialed her number and when Mira heard it ring on the other side of her flat, ran immediately after the phone:

-Steven???

-Mira...-He asked in a slow, confused tone.

-What is going on? Are you okay?

-...Which day is today...?-He asked.

She felt it was a weird question, especially after his mysterious missing time away. But she still answered:

-It's Sunday. Why?

He held the phone tight in his hand, accepting the truth slowly, bitterly down his throat. Took a deep breath, then continued:

-I don't know what is happening to me.

-Wait, calm down, okay?-She was just as nervous as him but had to be alright for him.- First, where are you?

-I'm at the restaurant.-He replied.-Still at the restaurant.

-Restaurant....?

-Best steak.-His voice sounded weak, cracking.

She furrowed her eyebrows, did he mistake the date's day?

-I'm going there. Wait for me.

-The waiter wanted to kick me out-He watched as the staff closed the establishment- It's about to close... -He tried to chuckle- Well at least I have a box of chocolate to eat. -One pause- All by myself.

Listening to him talking like that broke her heart.

-Not anymore. She said to make him feel better.- Actually, I might take that box for myself heard him give a light laugh on the other side of the line- Wait for me next to the restaurant okay? I'll be there soon.

🌙

He was sitting on the sidewalk, the restaurant had closed, and the streetlights were the only source of light now. On his lap landed a pink heart-shaped box of chocolate and a bouquet.

Anyone in Dylan's place would feel lucky to have a date with him, was Mira's conclusion.

She approached him slowly, and he looked at her with lost puppy eyes, he wasn't crying, but destroyed, eating chocolates nonstop.

-She sat by his side.-You started to eat without me!-She stole one of the chocolates from the box.-Are these vegan?-He nodded- Good, I thought that now you'd be twisting your head for a girl, eating steaks and whatever...

He did want to laugh but felt as if there was a missing piece in his mind as if those 2 days were blurred, erased from his existence.

-Steven.-She touched his arm. He slowly turned his head to her.

-It felt like Friday.

-It's sunday.-She assured, he seemed so vulnerable, like a piece of porcelain that would shatter if she let him go.- It's Sunday, Steven.-She grabbed his hand and held it in hers. It was cold and fragile.

Tried to warm it with hers, as she told him it was alright, that everything would be okay.

-Dylan is not even all that told him.

-She said I dumped her and shook his head.- I...I don't even remember...-His words failed him.- Told me to forget her number.

-Well-Mira spoke, he lifted his eyebrows surprised.-That's her loss.-He laughed as if she said a joke.-What? It's true. She could've at least tried to understand She was truly annoyed with Dylan inside you want, me can sabotage her tour tomorrow.-She gave a mischievous.

-No, but thank you very much.-He chuckled finally.

Mira looked at him, his face covered in chocolate crumbs, she smiled:

-What a mess you've made.-She commented in a caring tone.

-Hm?-He couldn't speak because of the food in his mouth, like a glutton child.

-Here...-She leaned close and caressed her fingers next to the corners of his mouth, cleaning with attention as he kept staring at How did you get so dirty...-She laughed.

Her eyes were almost as peaceful as a clear sky, a shelf when needed, home to the homeless. They were calm, deep and mesmerizing. The smile on her lips was graceful, a bit rosed by the previous lipstick, now ruined by chocolate. Her skin was smooth, glowing by the streetlights, her hands delicate as they touched his face. He had chills across his whole spine. Steven Grant could never describe the feeling he had at that moment, the effect that Mira had on him as she stood there, close, feeling slightly her breath on his skin, electrifying, hypnotizing.

-Okay...now I think it's clean.-She concluded.

By an impulse of his own, almost as if it wasn't him, he held her hand there, at his cheek. Mira widened his eyes, his hand covering hers, and her heart racing nonstop.

-Steven-

He stuttered a bit to say the next words, probably falling back to his senses (or to his real self), feeling insecure again:

-Thank you spoke the words full of gratefulness and meaning. Thank you, Mira.

-I did nothing-

-For staying here, for...supporting me.-He shakes his head.- I know I'm not the best company and-

-Hey!-She squeezed his cheek, and he made a face, chuckling softly.-Don't say that ever again. She gave a small, smile, looking slightly at his face, down at his lips- You're not a good company...-She looked back at his eyes- You're the best company. Ever.

He looked down at the sidewalk, deep inside he was crumbling, almost as if he was about to break down, but she was the glue that stuck him all together, all his pieces back again into their places.

Affording to lose her would be as bad as losing sunlight, remaining in a world of shadows.

-Steven.-She finally said.-Can you tell me what happened now?.... If you want to, of course.

He sighed, he squeezed her hand for a moment, she held his face as she held a precious, ancient dynasty vase, and stared into his eyes as someone admiring the Ninth Wave of Ivan Aivazovsky

-I don't remember the last 2 days.-He spoke.-It's almost as if I blacked out completely.-He tried to explain- And Gus, oh my God, Gus!-He turned suddenly, held her shoulders, and she let her hands go from his face.-He is not Gus, Mira. His fin, it's not him. He has 2 fins!

-2 Fins...?-She asked.

-2 Fins, believe me. And, and I went to the shop, and the owner said I was there yesterday, it just doesn't make sense!

Mira also started to think about it. She knew that it did seem crazy, that maybe Steven imagined all of that, but something inside of him, something about him seemed to be telling the truth. She wanted to believe him.

-Well.-She put his arms down, held his hands delicately, as precious whatever happened, we'll find out what happened. Okay?-He nodded sweetly.-And we'll find Gus...or know about what happened. Together. Alright? But don't overthink too much about this.

He gave a weak smile and nodded two times.

-I. I mean the same thing, if you have something that bothers you...'ll be glad to help, in any way He tried to mean the same for her.

She gave a smile and said that understood, but she knew that deep inside she didn't want to tell, she didn't want to seem weak for him. And, as soon as she'd get back home, she'd return to have that secret, that sick, twisted secret she hated about herself.

-Come on, I'll take you home.-She said.

Little did she know that at that night, Steven would find out and mess things up even more. All by himself. (Or versions of him).

🌙

-And this is the Goddess Ammit, she...-Mira looked across the museum, Steven had finally arrived, she was worried that he could've stayed at home because of last night. But her smile disappeared when he started to talk with a man who seemed to intimidate him.- Excuse me...-She turned to the tourists-Dylan, hey-She said to the other tour guide- Take this one for me, please. I have something to do.

Mira left the crowd, and before Dylan could reply, she walked towards the direction of the two men. Steven had in his arms a cane between them, as the men held them close, his sleeves pulled up. But the expression of her friend wasn't good at all. Which concerned her.

-There's chaos in She overheard the man speak.

At that moment, she interrupted:

-Steven!-She said, her friend quickly apart from the man and the cane.-I've been looking for you everywhere, come with me.-She glanced at the man, while placing her arm around Steven's shoulder-I'm sorry,  did I interrupt something?

-No, no,no.-Steven answered quickly. He looked terrified.

-No, not at The man gave a fake smile, and she couldn't help but notice the tattoo on his arm, a balance.

-Excuse me, are you a lawyer?-She pointed.

He looked at it, sniffed, then at her:

-You're quite observative.-He continued-Something like it.

-Hm, got it. She nodded.-So, please excuse She took Steven away from the creepy guy as soon as possible.

As Mira noticed they were far, she finally asked him:

-Who was that guy? He looked...I don't know...Weird.-She whispered and made a face.

-Just...a visitant.-He wouldn't be able to explain it to her. Not now that he couldn't even explain it to himself.

Mira knew he was lying, but wouldn't insist on it, instead, she changed the subject:

-Donna said you have storage to take care of today.

-Yeah.

-Want some help?

-Oh, I wouldn't bother you-

-You never bother me.-She smiled, and something blossomed inside his chest.-See you later then.

🌙

-Why so many snacks?-She asked, helping him to archive the prices on the computer.

Steven chuckled,

-I don't know. They have nothing to do with the historical aspect of that era.-He lifted his shoulders up and down. He looked at the box- I guess that was the last one.

-Really? -Mira said excited.-Oh great, finally free!- She stretched her arms and yawned- I wish Donna would do this once in a while, so she'd know how tiring it is.

Both of them grabbed their stuff to leave, the lights started to turn off and they were walking towards the exit.

That's when Steven stopped.

He heard a sound, something barking within the darkness.

-Did you hear that?-He asked her.

-Hear what?-She stopped beside him.

-A dog.

-A dog? In here?-She furrowed her eyebrows - I think you've heard it wrong.

-I'm certain He walked back inside.

Mira sighed:

-Steven if it was a dog the cleaners would have noticed it.

-Hello? Here boy..-He whistled.

-Seriously?-Mira spoke Celtic and followed him, staying by his side as he searched for the unknown dog.-Hey dog, show up!

-He's not gonna show up like that.

-And how do you expect him to do so? By whistling a song to him?

-Something similar. He continued to do the same steps to find the dog, walking towards a hallway, when he heard something groaning lowly.-I think I've found it.

He saw a shadow in the wall, his feet immediately stopped, and his heart raced, from the shadow's form it was plausible to say that the creature was double his size.

He took steps back, grabbed Mira's arm with strength, and pulled her next to an exhibit, both of them on the ground, hiding behind it.

-Steven! What the hell-

That's when she noticed his agitated breath, the frightened eyes, the way he held her arm like his life depended on it, almost hurting her skin.

-Steven, what did you see?

"Steven Grant of the gift shop. " a voice from the speakers interrupted "Give me the scarab and you won't be torn apart."

-What the fuc- Mira was about to speak when Steven pulled her even closer.?

-Shhh.-He told her to be quiet.

A sudden growl, he could see it now, in a pink to light purple, disgusting flesh, running bestially towards him, craving for his blood.

Steven got up, pulled Mira by the arm, and started to run. The creature jumped on the walls as it followed them, but unlike Steven, Mira couldn't see it. She just saw him, running from nothing.

They continued running nonstop, Steven opened a door to a janitor's room, they both entered but he was still desperate, and let Mira's hand go for a second only to pull a shelf into the floor, creating a huge mess all around. Mira swore loudly, not believing in the chaos he was creating, but he ignored her protests, grabbed her hand, and entered a door by the right side, closing it fast.

-What are you doing?!-She yelled at him.-Steven what is going on? Could you at least tell me?

He was trying to catch his breath, he was still painting, so anxious that she thought he'd faint at any moment, Mira put a hand on his shoulder.

-Steven?.... Steven looked at me and looked into her There's nothing out there.

"Yes, there is." A voice spoke to him. Steven widened his eyes frightened.

He looked at the mirror behind Mira, his reflection looked at him, seriously, as if it had a life of its' own.

"Steven"

-Steven - Mira called him.- Steven listen to me.

"Steven, I can save us" the reflection insisted.

-Steven listen to me.-Mira pulled his face towards her- Listen to my voice, you are safe.

"No, you need to listen to me. " The figure showed up on the other mirror "We are going to get killed if you don't listen to me, we don't have much time"

The two spoke at the same time and he was about to turn insane.

-STOP!-Steven yelled. Mira looked at him surprised. He quickly turned to her.-Mira there's someone....telling me in my head...

-Your consciousness?

-...I...no.... Just...-He took a deep breath- if anything goes wrong, call the cops.-He gave a step away from her.

"Good Steven, now listen to me." The man said as Steven turned around to see his reflection speaking to him. Mira didn't understand a single thing about what was happening. "I can save us, but I can't have you fighting me this time." His self spoke "You need to give me control. You understand?"

-What...Control of what?-He muttered to the mirror.

The reflection walked towards the door in the mirror, pointing, as Steven could hear the loud noises of the monster outside.

"That thing's about to break through the door. We are out of time."

Steven was losing it, shouting uncontrollably, it was almost as if his brain was splitting into 2, his mind twisting his thoughts. He'd like to understand what happened to him, but instead, he just got more and more confused...and now in danger.

"Alright, listen to me"

-Damn it! No! No!-He yelled shaking his hands in the air, trying to slap his face to wake up.

Mira stopped his arms before he could hurt himself, grabbed him by the shoulders, and tried to calm him down:

-Steven, oh God, Steven, wake up.-She told him. He was almost crying as she spoke those words...you think we are in danger...-He nodded- Fine...-She started to think- What is your gut telling you to do? Uhm? What does it say?

"Look at me. This is real." The reflection insisted.

-This can't be real... this isn't real.-Steven shook his head, and Mira tried to hold him...

"I'm real"

-No, you're not real, none of this is real...-He looked at the mirror behind her, she tried to follow his gaze but saw nothing uncommon.

"Yes, I am. Steven, you gotta give me control, it's the only way."

-Oh God...I'm gonna die.-He had his eyes completely haunted, looking at the door.

-Steven, listen to me.-She held his face.-You won't die, do you understand?-She told him fiercely.- You can't panic now. Alright? Now tell me.-She looked at him.-What is our way out? Think about it.

"Listen to her," the reflection said. "You won't die. She won't die. Just let me save us." He spoke with intensity at Steven.

Steven turned back to Mira, scared, but decided to follow the weird reflection's wishes and her advice.

She caressed his cheek. He trembled.

-Whatever you do, it'll be okay.-She tried to understand him, in her thoughts, he was having a panic attack, something related to anxiety. Little did she know what was going to happen.-It's okay.

He blinked twice, turning his head down until something pulled it up again as if he was being possessed, his eyes glowed like never before. She gasped, he seemed about to fall and held his body, as some sort of swaddles involved him.

That's when the dog broke in, and he quickly, grabbed Mira on time, avoiding the attack, now involved in a suit. She stood on the corner where he put her, as she observed his white silhouette fighting against something, still invisible to her.

It didn't look like Steven at all, it was involved in swaddles, white ones, reminding her of mummies, while wearing a white cape and glowing eyes, with a moon symbol carved on his chest.

When he finished killing the possible creature (and had destroyed the bathroom), he turned around, and, as soon as she looked at him in the eyes, Mira could not recognize if that was her friend.

-In what chakkar have I got myself into?-She muttered

And, before anything else could be spoken or done, the darkness embraced her, and Mira fainted.