Evangeline arrived at the bamboo house where Nix once lived. She paused at the door for a long while before finally raising a hand to knock gently.
The bamboo house was utterly silent, as if even the wind had frozen in place.
Evangeline raised an eyebrow. Her fingertips gently traced the Contract Mark at her waist. The connection guided her; Loras hadn't left. He was still inside the house.
"Loras?" she called out softly, knocking again.
For a long moment, there was only silence, no answer. But she could hear faint, rustling and scraping sounds from within.
Evangeline's gaze narrowed. She finally pushed the door open and went inside.
The light inside the bamboo house was dim. Vines covered all sides, blocking out nearly every sliver of light.
She scanned her surroundings and finally found Loras in a corner.
He had wrapped himself in vines, forming a large cocoon as if trying to escape. Nothing could be seen through the impenetrable tangle.
