Eric didn't say a word. In the dim and oppressive light, Ellen could distinctly sense his expression solidifying little by little. As she looked at his face, for some reason, a sudden wave of fear welled up inside her.
"Who is Steven Balance?" Ellen stared at him blankly, teetering on the edge of madness. "And what happened to him? Eric, say something!"
Something felt terribly off. Ever since his return, Eric's attitude toward her had been strange—what was he hiding? What was he so afraid of? Why wouldn't he say anything?
Eric slowly lifted his hand, leaned his head back against the chair, and placed the back of his hand over his eyes.
In that moment, he looked as if he'd reached the depths of despair.
Ellen stood up and walked over to him, standing before his slumped figure. With trembling hands, she reached forward and pulled his hand away.
Eric kept his eyes closed, his face painted with a mixture of anguish and torment.
