Eclipsed Bonds

Ethan trailed behind Callum, his bare feet making soft sounds against the smooth marble floor. The hallway seemed endless, its grand decor and towering ceilings feeling more oppressive with every step.

"Is everything in this place massive?" Ethan muttered, more to himself than to Callum.

Callum glanced back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You'll get used to it."

Ethan snorted. "Not planning on staying long enough for that."

Callum didn't respond, though the flicker of something in his expression made Ethan's chest tighten.

They stopped outside a heavy wooden door. Callum pushed it open, revealing a room that was both extravagant and strangely welcoming. Like the room Ethan had woken up in, it was decorated in rich tones, with a large bed draped in soft blankets, a small sitting area near a fireplace, and tall windows covered by thick curtains.

"This will be your room," Callum said, stepping aside to let Ethan enter.

Ethan hesitated in the doorway. "You're serious? I'm supposed to stay here?"

Callum raised a brow. "Would you prefer the hallway?"

Ethan sighed, stepping inside and running a hand through his curls. "I just... I don't get it. Why are you being so nice to me? Aren't I some kind of 'risk' or whatever?"

Callum closed the door behind him, leaning against it with an air of calm authority. "You're not a prisoner, Ethan. We're trying to make this easier for you."

"Easier?" Ethan turned to face him, his frustration bubbling over. "You've trapped me here! I don't even know where 'here' is! And you keep talking about bonds and connections like I'm supposed to understand any of this!"

Callum's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. "I understand how overwhelming this must be. But you have to trust us."

Ethan let out a bitter laugh. "Trust you? I don't even know you!"

Before Callum could respond, the door swung open, and Teagan strolled in, his hands in his pockets and a grin on his face.

"Am I interrupting?" Teagan asked, his tone light and teasing.

"Yes," Callum said flatly.

Teagan ignored him, plopping onto one of the chairs near the fireplace. "You know, Ethan, you're taking this all surprisingly well. I half-expected you to try and throw something at us by now."

Ethan glared at him. "Don't tempt me."

Teagan's grin widened. "There's that fire I was hoping for."

"Teagan," Callum said warningly, his voice low.

"What?" Teagan spread his hands innocently. "I'm just trying to make our guest feel welcome."

Ethan crossed his arms, his frustration mounting. "I don't need you to make me feel welcome. I need you to tell me how to get out of here."

Teagan leaned back, his expression shifting to something almost serious. "And what if we can't?"

Ethan opened his mouth to retort but stopped, the weight of Teagan's words sinking in.

Callum stepped forward, his tone firm but gentle. "We're working on figuring this out. But until we do, it's safer for you to stay here. You might not understand everything yet, but there are rules in this world. Rules that even we have to follow."

"Rules?" Ethan repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Like what?"

The door opened again, and this time Ronan entered, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room before settling on Ethan.

"Rules like not wandering off," Ronan said, his voice cool and clipped. "If you're planning on sneaking out to explore, don't. You'll only make things worse for yourself."

Ethan bristled at the condescension in Ronan's tone. "I wasn't planning on sneaking out," he snapped. "But thanks for the vote of confidence."

Ronan's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "Good. Saves me the trouble of having to track you down again."

"Ronan," Callum said sharply, his patience clearly wearing thin.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, feeling more trapped than ever. "Why are you all so obsessed with keeping me here?"

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Ethan's question hanging heavily in the air.

It was Elias who broke the silence, his deep voice cutting through the tension as he entered the room last. "Because it's our responsibility."

Ethan turned to face him, his frustration flaring. "What does that even mean?"

Elias's green eyes locked onto Ethan's, his expression steady and unreadable. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then explain it to me!" Ethan shouted, his voice cracking.

Elias's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply. Instead, he glanced at the others, a silent exchange passing between them.

"Enough for tonight," Elias said finally, his tone leaving no room for argument. He turned back to Ethan. "Rest. You'll need your strength."

"For what?" Ethan asked warily.

But Elias didn't answer. He simply turned and left the room, his presence as commanding in departure as it had been in arrival.

Teagan stood, stretching lazily. "Well, that was dramatic. Sleep tight, Ethan." He winked before sauntering out, leaving Ethan and Callum alone.

Ronan lingered for a moment longer, his gaze sharp and searching. "Don't do anything stupid," he said finally before following Teagan out.

Ethan slumped onto the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands. "This is insane."

Callum stepped forward, his voice softer now. "I know it feels that way. But you're not alone in this. We'll figure it out."

Ethan looked up at him, his eyes filled with frustration and exhaustion. "Why do I feel like my life isn't my own anymore?"

Callum didn't answer. He simply turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

Ethan stared at the door for a long time, the flickering fire casting shadows across the room. He felt the pull they'd spoken of, that invisible thread tying him to these strangers, and it terrified him.

He didn't know what they wanted from him—or what this world wanted from him.

But he had a sinking feeling that he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.