It had been a few hours since Cyprus returned home. He wanted to tell his family what had happened, but he couldn't. It would break Hazel's and Mahogany's hearts, and on top of that, he might have to kiss his exploration days goodbye.

"They were right..." he mumbled to himself while he sat on his bed. The cold but soft feeling of the carpet on his feet was the only thing keeping him grounded. They weren't even fully sure how responsive they were on the car ride home. His focus was more on making sure he didn't fully dissociate.

Indecision gripped his heart. Should the police know? Should my parents know?

He heard an erratic knock at the door again. That melodic rhythm called out again. "Cyprus!!"

"You can open the door, girls," Cyprus replied softly. They both burst into the room, tripping over each other and falling flat on their faces.

Any negative emotion melted away for a second as he tried to choke back a laugh. Mahogany immediately stood up and glared at him, making the laughter die off. Hazel was still face first on the ground.

Cyprus stood up and faced them. "What is it?"

Mahogany looked him up and down, seemingly judging him. "Did something happen when you went out?"

"No..." Cyprus ground his toes into the floor. "Nothing happened at all."

"Usually Chelsea stays after, and you guys came home really early," Mahogany noted as Hazel picked herself up and nodded her head.

"I swear nothing happened."

Hazel pointed at him. "You're doing the weird breathing thing."

In surprise, Cyprus looked down and paid more attention to his body. She was right. He was hyperventilating.

"You ran into those people, didn't you?" Mahogany questioned.

Cyprus sat down again, trying to calm his breathing down. "No, I didn't."

"Okay..." Mahogany tapped on sister's arm and Hazel covered her ears.

She inhaled, and Cyprus immediately caught wind of what she was trying to do. "Wait!"

Hazel uncovered her ears. "What?"

"Don't tell them."

Mahogany stepped a bit closer. "We don't want you doing dangerous stuff, right Hazel?"

Hazel nodded again. "What if you get hurt?"

Cyprus' gaze unfocused. Although he felt prepared, she was right too. What would he do if he went again, and those people were in another building? What if it was a giant cult? What if they already knew where he lived?

He felt his arms tensing up. "I won't."

Mahogany walked over to him, her voice sounding shaky. "You pinky promised..."

Cyprus was frozen solid. "I'm sorry..."

Hazel walked over and stood beside her sister. "It's okay, you'll just be safe next time."

Mahogany's face scrunched up. Cyprus reached to cover her mouth, but it was too late. "Mom!!!"

Cyprus' eyes widened. If his heart rate got any faster, he might have a panic attack. He'd have to bank on his mother not hearing it, but he knew that was hopeless.

Within ten seconds, their mother nearly broke down the door. As soon as Mahogany saw her mother's face, she burst into tears. She immediately knelt down to hug and comfort the distraught child, while Cyprus zoned out even further.

The air felt thick and thin at the same time. It felt suffocating. His mother seemed to not notice anything, but he could barely tell what was going on. The heartbeat was back in his ears as he watched Mahogany point at him and continue crying, likely saying something about his excursion.

His mom's eyes flared up, and she asked him something. He muttered a response, not exactly sure of the conversation. Her eyes softened, but her face still held concern.

Cyprus couldn't exactly tell what she was saying. The rhythm of his heartbeat and hyperventilating drowned out any other sound. It looked like she was giving a lecture. Hazel just danced to the left of him, blissfully unaware of the problem.

The chaos of the situation made it feel off. He wanted to be engaged, but he couldn't. He was too anxious.

Anxious.

What makes me anxious?

Paradox.

He tried to block it out of his mind, knowing it wouldn't be worth the focus right now. But the more he tried to avoid it, the more it stayed. The idea that even what he was doing right now was a result of paradox mortified him. He couldn't even focus on his mother's face anymore. It was all a blur.

"I'm sorry," he snapped back into focus. His mother paused, and he realized that he'd cut her off.

"You're sorry?" she asked him. "I'm concerned about your safety, mooncake. Now, I have to have a conversation with your dad, but it might finally be time to retire your Sunday trips."

Those last words stabbed him in the chest. "What?"

"There's obviously something going on, and with the news, it's not safe. I don't want you getting hurt."

"But Chelsea..."

"...is not my daughter. I'm worried about you."

Cyprus looked down at Mahogany. Her face was covered in tears. He wanted to comfort her. Give her a hug. Tell her it was alright. But he could barely move.

He opened his mouth to form a response, but nothing came out. Hazel still danced to a mysterious tune.

His mother stood, holding Mahogany's hand. "I'm sorry, Cyprus. You'll have to find something else to do."

With that, she turned with Mahogany and walked out, making Hazel skip after her, humming a random song. And Cyprus was left alone. With his thoughts.