nothing ever lasts forever.

Chapter Twelve

**Big warning for this chapter, themes of distress, nervous breakdowns and mentions of depression, SH, abuse and torture are present**

Theo's PoV

I sprinted out the door of the Ghoul Common room, running down the familiar hallways. I'd held my composure for long enough in that room, and before I knew it my breathing had become erratic. Not because of me running, but because of all the thoughts..the raging thoughts! I just wanted to scream out at these stupid thoughts that flew at a 1000 miles per hour, I wanted them to quiet. Even if just for a moment. "Fuck fuck fuck.." I repeated as I shamelessly dashed through the Manor, not bothering to apologise to the people I bumped into. Where could he be? Where could he be? Where could he be? Where could he be?

Those were all the thoughts that ran through my head, in fact they were the only thoughts that could go through my head at the moment. Fuck fuck fuck fuck where is he? He can't be in his room right? I audibly whimpered, eyes tearing up. Nononnono not the time- please no please no panic attack right now- I need to focus on Dew- Palms became sweaty as all sensible thoughts crashed out the nearest window. "No no no no please no-" I weeped. "What do I- what do I do?" I said out loud, whipping around, trying to figure out where to go. Terzo. Terzo'll know what to do! I raced up flights of stairs, stumbling on the last one. I arrived at the hallway where the superiors in the Manor resided, and skidded to a stop when I'd realized that in my haze, I ran right past his room. I knocked rapidly on Terzo's door. I quickly found myself knocking a bit too hard on the door. Hands shook, and under one's skin, a bruise started to form. The door opened, and the sense of lack of care and concern from Terzo angered me. That was until I saw the huge bags under his eyes that just barely showed from under his papal makeup. Terzo's eyes lit up as he saw me, but dimmed again once he realized the state I was in. "Mio caro, mio caro," He soothed, ushering me into his chambers. He prompted me to sit, but I stood at the door just staring at the former Papa. "Where's Imperator?" 

"She was just in here. Said she had to go have an important meeting," He mumbled. 

"No." I mouthed. No. I am not going to let this happen again. I am not gonna let her ruin him again. I am not going to let him fall back into that state of being. "Where?" I asked, a sense of urgency creeping in my voice. "I don't know-" 

"Where?!"  I demanded louder, not caring about the tone of my voice. "The only place I imagine they are is in the dungeon," Terzo shrugged. I didn't freeze. 

I wanted to, believe me, but I couldn't. I sped out of his room, leaping down those same flights of stairs. Every time I landed, I felt my ankle straining and threatening to collapse under my own weight. But I didn't care, because the only thing that mattered right now was my friends. Not just my friends, but my packmates, my soulmates. 

Opening the heavy door that led into the dungeon, freezing air sent chills up my spine. "Ghouls are monsters to be tamed! They serve under us, not equal to us! We summon them to get the dirty work done, and when they refuse to obey, we punish them." I heard Imperator say from a distant hallway, her slithering voice echoing. "What about Theo? He doesn't serve under you, in fact, I question if you let him have more power over the Clergy than yourself," Copia countered. I saw the two of them standing face to face in front of a heavy duty cell with a thick steel door. 

"Theo's different, you and I both know that C," Sister Imperator said, trying to make her voice sound soothing. "Imperator!" I yelled, lips curled in a low snarl. She turned to me, eyes mildly wide in fear. I could tell she was concealing most of her terror. And it was good to know that she was still weary of my kind. As she should be. "Theooo! We were just-"