What a miserable being, that lout... and me? Just a joke to him...

Despite myself, tears of disillusionment find their way onto my cheeks... No, I will not succumb to this pain... I refuse to let my heart break under the weight of indifference.

A shiver runs through me when the sound echoes at my door, my heart races like a wild horse, a throbbing pain tightens my chest, as if my ribs are breaking under pressure. "I don't want to see you, Bambi..." Whispered to myself, my own words echo in the oppressive silence of the room.

But despite this inner resistance, I force myself to lift my chin, to wipe my tears with a hesitant gesture, and to force my lips to stretch into a fragile smile, thus concealing the hurricane of emotions tearing my being apart.

Me: "Who's there?"

Angel: "It's me, my kitten... May I come in?"

Oh, it's Angel... Yet, even at his voice, my heart still tightens so fiercely.

Me: "Yes, you may..."

Angel enters with a broad smile, gently closes the door, then comes to sit next to me on the bedspread.

Angel: "Are you okay, my kitten?"

Me: "Yes... yes... Thank you for keeping your promise and not revealing what really happened."

Angel: "As I told you, I really didn't want to make you angry..."

He sighs.

Angel: "Why didn't you slap him, or show your scars? It would have made him think."

Me: "Angel... What's the point? I believe we all carry our own scars, wounds from the past that we cannot erase..."

In this deep silence, our eyes meet, charged with mutual understanding, as if words were no longer necessary. We let our thoughts wander in the abyss of our souls, exploring the meanders of our torments and hopes, in this silent intimacy that connects us beyond words.

Angel: "You're right... Mé...Romane... Tell me, why don't you want to tell them about your fight with Val and V...?"

Me: "I don't want them to fear me, to be afraid of me... To look at me like a monster..."

I struggle to contain my emotions that threaten to overflow in tears... And then, as if in response to my inner torment, Angel's hand gently rests on my head, exerting comforting pressure.

Angel: "Oh... My kitten... Of course not, you're not a monster, well... not more than we..."

His words are like a soothing balm on the burns of my soul, a glimmer of hope in the darkness of my fears. A slight laughter escapes my lips... He's right, we're all demons in this hotel... I am too... I hope... Well, we're all monsters in a way...

This realization flashes through me like lightning, illuminating the darkest corners of my conscience. We are all shaped by our inner struggles, our invisible battles, our buried secrets. And in this world of shadows and mysteries, we find a strange comfort in our shared humanity, in our common imperfection.

Angel taps my shoulder, encouraging me to straighten up to exchange a smile with him.

Angel: "Romane... I want to know who..."

Me: "Angel! I... I don't want to talk about it and then we'll be here all night..."

Angel: "Oh~ I don't mind~"

We laugh together, his light-hearted joke momentarily lifting the weight of our concerns. In this moment of complicity, I feel the same warmth and connection as when I'm with her.

Angel: "I won't force you to tell me... As you said, we all have scars. Anyway, you're awesome."

Me: "Thank you... But... You know, I learned to fight in my life... Let's just say I didn't have a choice and then... I didn't do anything mind-blowing and..."

Angel: "You're joking, Romane! You've beaten two Overlords in single combat... That's absolutely remarkable!"

Me: "Hmm... you're exaggerating. It's nothing special. They rely only on their powers... Their technique, their balance, their skill, all that is mediocre... If they just took the time to learn how to aim, maybe I'd consider them true 'Overlords'."

Angel bursts into laughter.

Angel: "You're truly extraordinary, my kitten (laughs)... Tell me, you know Alastor is an Overlord..."

Me: "WHAT!"

A shiver runs down my spine as I freeze, my wide-eyed gaze fixed on Bambi. An Overlord... him! The contradiction seems to materialize before me.

Angel lets out a laugh, his voice gently resonating in the tense atmosphere.

Angel: "You should see your face..." he says before regaining his composure, smiling in my direction.

Angel: "Say, could you teach me how to fight?"

Me: "Uh... yes, of course, but when your wounds are healed, Nina."

Angel: "Nina? Who's that?"

I freeze in place, realizing my mistake.

Me: "Oh shit! What did I say?"

I think to myself, I can feel the weight of silence weighing on us as Angel looks at me, a look of confusion in his eyes.

I quickly regain my composure, trying to dispel the confusion.

Me "Sorry, it's just that... you two look so alike that I... mixed up the names. Nina... she's my sister."

I smile embarrassed, sliding my hand over my neck, while Angel gives a slight laugh.

Angel "It's okay...Romane, can I ask you a favor..."

Me: "Yes..." I answer, wondering where this conversation is leading us.

Angel: "Even if what he said is unforgivable..."

He continues, before briefly interrupting himself. He sighs and continues.

Angel: "Make peace with Al."

His audacity almost makes me stumble over my own words. I look at him incredulously, my cheeks swollen with irritation. Is he teasing me there?

Me "Angel, you're..." I start to protest, but he interrupts me.

Angel: "Alastor may seem distant, arrogant and nonchalant, but..."

He hesitates for a moment.

Angel: "I've never seen him so worried, in total panic. I think if we didn't have our 'little' secret, I would have reacted like him too..."

I lower my head and ears, realizing that maybe Bambi was really worried about me, not just Angel. Maybe I was too hard on him. Maybe I should let Alastor apologize.

Me: "Okay, Angel..." I finally murmur.

Angel: "Thank you, my kitten ~" he replies with a grateful smile.

Me: "I think I should get some sleep..."

Angel: "You're right, me too... Good night, Romane."

Me: "Good night, Anthony."

Angel walks away with a wide smile on his face, and I find myself alone in my room. I lie down, kindly asking Pearl to put on my panda kigurumi. I close my eyes, and within seconds, I sink into a deep sleep, leaving behind the worries of the day.

I relive this tragic moment, the images overlapping in my mind with frightening clarity. His face distorted by hate, his breath laden with nicotine and alcohol, the icy blade of the knife relentlessly plunging into my flesh. My sister, a cry of despair tearing through the room, her tears falling like salty pearls on my skin as I inexorably slip into darkness, while he, that coward, flees into the night, leaving behind chaos and fear.

Suddenly, I am back, trapped in this hellish loop of terror and despair, five minutes before my death. His hands, like icy claws, gripping my throat with relentless force, his eyes burning with madness fixed on me, his hoarse voice whispering promises of eternal suffering. Terror overwhelms me, choking all hope of salvation. "Let me go... No... Let me go... Please, leave her alone... No!"

A piercing scream bursts from my entrails as I wake up in a start, body sweating, burning tears streaming down my cheeks like rivers of despair. "No, don't cry, Romane..." I whisper in a vain attempt to comfort myself, before rushing to the toilet, breathless, to free my body from the demons tormenting it. It was just a nightmare, a sinister reflection of the past that can no longer haunt me. It can't hurt me anymore...

I approach my bed, my trembling legs struggling to bear the weight of my tormented thoughts. The shadow on my balcony freezes my blood, bringing back the terror of the recent nightmare within me. No, I tell myself, this can't be real. It's just an echo of my nighttime fears, an illusion created by my exhausted mind.

A familiar voice breaks the oppressive silence of my room.

Alastor: "Mélody.., my dear, are you okay? I heard noise and... Are you alright?"

A sigh of relief escapes my lips as I realize it's only the reassuring presence of Alastor. My heart beats a little less fiercely in my chest, but the images of the nightmare persist, gripping my mind like elusive shadows.

I decide to ignore it for now, too vulnerable to face a conversation. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I close my eyes, seeking to appease the storms raging within me.

A sigh of relief escapes me. It was Alastor, not him... I'll ignore it, I don't want to see him right now... I'm not in the right state. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I close my eyes and try to regain my composure, attempting to chase away the frightening images that continue to dance in my troubled mind.

Alastor: "Mélody... I... I'm sorry about earlier... I know you can hear me, I'm not forcing my way in. Please, open up!"

His plea echoes through the room, imbued with a sincerity I cannot ignore. Why doesn't Alastor leave? Why does he seem so worried? Could it be for me? But I'm nothing to him... We've only known each other for a short while.

The tapping at my window persists, an echo of his anxiety. I feel I can no longer ignore it. Rising slowly, my limbs still numb from the nightmare, I make my way hesitantly towards the French doors, ready to ease Bambi's fears.

When our eyes meet, I feel my heart ache painfully in my chest. It's as if all the tension built up is released in an instant, overwhelming my defenses. Tears, long held back, finally find their way down my cheeks, bearing witness to the distress consuming me.

Without thinking, without restraint, I throw myself into his arms, seeking refuge. And there, in that comforting embrace, I finally feel safe, shielded from the turmoil plaguing me.

I expected him to push me away, to reject me because of our differences and past disputes. But instead, he holds me tighter, as if wanting to erase all the pain tormenting me.

Alastor: "Do... Do you want to talk about it?"

I shake my head, refusing. I'm not ready to speak about "him." But Alastor seems to understand, starting to gently stroke my hair. His gesture comforts me, reminding me that I'm not alone in this ordeal.

A gentle warmth envelops me as he holds me close. I feel so small, so vulnerable, yet so secure in his arms. Yet, I know I must end this embrace, even if it tears at my heart. I can't burden him with my troubles.

I release myself slowly from his embrace, forcing a smile on my trembling lips as I try to wipe away my tears.

Me: "Sorry... I... I..."

Alastor: "Oh, Mélody..."

Suddenly, he grabs my wrist, pulling me back into his arms, plunging me once more into his comforting embrace. Why is he doing this? Is it for me? Questions swirl in my mind as I lose myself in his protective embrace.

Me: "Alastor?"

Alastor: "Forgive me for what I said earlier... I... I didn't mean it, my dear."

Me: "Alastor... It's forgotten... Can you let go of me?"

Alastor: "Just a bit longer... Just a little..."

My heart races, beating wildly. Calm down... Despite myself, I nestle closer to him, feeling the comforting warmth of his embrace envelop me. Alright, just this once, because I feel safe in his arms.

I'm surprised by an unexpected sound. Is it Alastor's heart racing? Alastor releases me gently, his fingers delicately brushing my cheek, wiping away the last of my tears. His touch is tender, almost intimate, and I feel a wave of warmth wash over me.

Alastor: "Feeling better, darling?"

Me: "Uh... yes."

That "darling" again. My heart races every time he says it. Come on, Romane, keep it together...

Alastor: "Good... I should go back to my room..."

He places a tender kiss, a gesture so soft and unexpected that it leaves me speechless. My heart races at this tender contact, so charged with emotion.

Alastor: "Goodnight, Mélodie."

Alastor gently releases my face and turns away as if he's avoiding something. I feel my cheeks flush, and in a desperate attempt to regain composure, I lightly slap my cheeks. No, no blushing allowed... I smile at him, trying to conceal my embarrassment.

Me: "Thank you, Alastor. Goodnight."

He gives me one last hesitant glance before turning away to leave. The shadow of his back slowly disappears through the French doors, leaving me alone in the gentle night. I curl up in my blankets, my heart still racing, a comforting warmth enveloping me as I think back on this strange and unexpected connection between us.

And as I close my eyes, a faint smile tugs at my lips, because for the first time in a long while, I feel less alone.