I need to know the truth

The hours after that were strained. I couldn't get that look off my mind. Though Athan returned to how he had always been, smiling and trying to get me to forget, I couldn't. I knew what I had seen. His eyes had flashed red back there, and I knew it was Ethanasios. What I didn't understand was why he showed up in Athan's body. None of that made any sense, and the more I thought about it, the more it looked like I was going crazy. I hadn't lost my mind, I could tell, but it seemed like I had. 

"You can stay here the rest of the night. Ethanasios won't get to you," Athan said with a smile, gesturing for me to step into the closet.

It was the room at the end of the same hall where I met Ethanasios for the first time. It was locked, but Athan used his keys to unlock it. I thought the room would have cobwebs in it, but was stunned to see how neat and well-kept it was. Not a speck of dust could be found.

"Is this your room?" I had asked when we stepped in before he switched the lamp on, bathing the entire room in a soft glow.

"… Yeah." He looked reluctant at first, like he didn't wish to acknowledge the room was his.

"It's not like you."

I had imagined how his room would be, comparing it to his personality. He was warm, and I expected his room to be like him, but it wasn't. It was cold. Everything was made of black, down to the tiles. It seemed like I had walked into a void, an attractive one. The only colour in the room was the lamp and the small streaks on his curtains.

"Not like me?" He frowned, glancing around like he was seeing it for the first time. "How?"

"You are warm," I blurted out my thoughts. "I expected something bright, not this black. This looks more like Ethan…." I trailed off when I saw the dark look in his eyes. "It's just not like you," I said instead, choosing not to mention his brother again.

He smiled at that, looking around the room once more like he was seeing it for the first time. "It wasn't decorated by me." His voice went lower, and he glanced down. "We did it together," he said, sounding like he didn't want me to hear it, but had to say those words to explain his actions.

"We?"

He peered up and blinked before a fake smile decorated his face. "We? I didn't mean it that way. There," he pointed to the closet as he continued, "Just hide in there tonight. I will come to fetch you in the morning, okay? If you stay there, he won't get to you. He won't even step into the room." His face clouded.

Anyone could see how much he didn't like Ethanasios. It wasn't a secret. He didn't even try to hide it.

"Can't I go with you?" I asked once more, stepping close to him. "You can take me with you, can't you? This way, he won't get to me. You can keep me safe."

"No, I can't." He shook his head and drew a step back. "I'm afraid I can't do that. It's just…" He stilled for a few seconds before his eyes widened. "It's almost time," he whispered, more to himself than me. "Here." He reached into his pocket and got an orange. "Have this while you wait for me. I will be here tomorrow morning to pick you up." He smiled, closing the distance between us so he could place a kiss on my forehead. My cheeks coloured at that. Despite the many questions I had, I couldn't help the flutter in my belly, like butterflies getting ready to take flight.

I closed my eyes and inhaled when I felt his cool lips on my forehead. I loved the warmth it brought, the way his lips made me feel all tingly.

"I will see you tomorrow morning, darling." He ruffled my hair, forcing me to snap my eyes open to look at him. "Trust me," he continued when he saw my expression. "I would have loved to take you with me, but it won't be possible."

"But —"

"We will see in the morning." He grinned, ruffling my hair once more. "Wait for me."

"I will."

"Now, go on." He urged me to enter the closet. "Don't make a sound. He won't find you, okay?"

"Okay." I nodded with a smile. It wouldn't do me any good to argue with him about this.

"I…" He trailed off, choosing not to complete his words. "I will see you tomorrow morning," he said at last and turned his back. "No matter what happens, don't leave this room," he added, turning to look at me.

"I won't, I promise," I lied through my teeth, smiling at him.

"Good." Nodding, he turned and left the room, closing the door gently behind him. I strained my ears to know if he locked it, but the lock didn't click into place. He left it open.

Letting out a sigh, I stepped over to the bed and flopped down on it, peeling my orange as I looked around. This was just the way I imagined my room to be, elegant without any bright colours. There was nothing wrong with the room.

After I ate my oranges and placed the peels on the ashtray on the table, I walked towards the door. I placed my right ear on it and listened, to catch any sound, but I got nothing. I knew it was night already and expected him to be breathing down on all doors, not this silence.

I let out a sigh before reaching for the doorknob, praying I don't regret taking this action. I needed answers and staying in here wouldn't give that to me. Oddly, I had this damned conviction that Ethanasios would tell the truth more than Athan would.

I opened the door only for my heart to still when my eyes locked with that of Ethanasios, his blazing eyes staring right at me as his lips lifted in a smirk.

"Gotcha!"