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They had run far away. Alias could feel Mark grasping his hand, tightly as if he was afraid he would leave, disappear again. He was panting and by the time they reached Alexander he was bowed, trying to calm his breathing. They hadn't returned to the clearing, his best friend had led him elsewhere, somewhere the voices couldn't reach him. 

Allias was still confused. He looked around him, trying to figure out where he was but the place didn't seem familiar. The three of them were quiet, only Mark's ratchet breathing was heard and Allias focused on that, staring at his best friend and he breathed in heavily one last time before he returned back to normal. 

"What happened?" Allias asked but again there were no words. Mark locked eyes with him, dissatisfied and approached him. His footsteps loud. He raised his arm and slapped him. Allias felt a sting where his palm landed and with the corner of his eye he noticed Alexander flinch, surprised.