Chapter 4

Nathan winced as he collapsed onto the threshold, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes.

The pain in his wrist had intensified, its sting almost like a thousand needles pricking him at once.

As the searing sensation lingered, deep and throbbing, Nathan wondered if Valentino could feel it too.

If he was affected.

If he even cared.

Another wave of pain hit him, alongside the now high-pitched ring in his ears. His vision blurred instantly and he went limp.

By the time Nathan woke up, night had fallen. He stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling, feeling incredibly exhausted.

Wincing from lightheadedness, he sat upright, eyes darting to his left wrist.

It ached dully now, with the red string still tied into a bracelet around it.

It had taken on a deeper shade.

He wondered what that meant.

Nathan glanced round the unfamiliar room and his eyes soon landed on an IV.

He was in a hospital ward, or so it seemed.

It was different.

Too cozy.

Almost lived-in.

He swung his legs off the bed and walked up to the door. As he reached for the door handle, his heart began racing.

He placed his hand on his chest, feeling it thump rapidly.

It was the same rhythm as when the red string first formed.

His eyes snapped to his wrist and shot wide immediately at the sight.

The string was no longer a bracelet.

It was now bright red, extending from him and through the door.

A tremor ran down his spine as he snatched his hand from the door handle, backing away slowly.

Valentino was here.

A plethora of questions raced through his mind, as the pace of his beating heart increased.

This time, with dread.

He watched in horror as the door handle turned, and a crisp click through the air.

The door swung open slowly, revealing...

Mikhail!

He heaved a sigh, tension leaving his chest.

Mikhail walked in, surprised to see Nathan was awake and mobile.

"You're up," he said, before his eye brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

Nathan shook his head and moved to sit at the foot of the bed. He shifted slightly as Mikhail lowered himself beside him.

"Nathan," he called, his voice gentle.

"You're not okay. What happened?"

Nathan wanted to roll his eyes.

The irony stung.

"I'm okay. Last night was just wild," he replied, throwing a chuckle to sound convincing.

He watched as Mikhail's eyes skeptically narrowed, and chuckled dryly again.

"Where am I?" Nathan asked, changing the topic as he glanced around.

"In my brother's house."

The words hit him like a brick. He snapped his head to his friend's direction, eyes wide.

"What?"

Mikhail nodded, resting his chin on his hand as he pondered.

"I thought it was weird, too, that he was the one who found you."

Nathan's mouth opened slightly, in disbelief.

So, Valentino was the one who found him.

"Did he do anything to you?!" Mikhail asked suddenly, a serious expression playing on his face.

He placed his hands on Nathan's shoulders, holding them firmly.

Nathan's heart ached.

He wished he could pour out everything,

Tell him how his life had taken a dramatic turn in less than a day, but...

He simply shook his head and smiled.

"No, he didn't. I just found out he was the one who saved me, even."

Before Mikhail could throw in another question, his phone buzzed.

He retracted his hands from Nathan's shoulders and took out his phone.

A sigh escaped his mouth, a helpless expression crossing his features as he looked back at Nathan.

Nathan looked away.

He knew who had called.

Elena.

"I'm fine, now. You can go." He threw on his most convincing smile and his friend nodded, patting his shoulder.

"The minute anything seem wrong, call me. I'll see you in the morning."

Nathan nodded and watched as Mikhail upped and left.

The room was now silent, the dread from earlier creeping back in.

He glanced down at his wrist, breathing softly.

The string was still extending out the room.

As he sat down, a scene of the door swinging open and Valentino walking in played endlessly in his head.

Through it all, a question lingered.

Why had Valentino come to his apartment?