SHADOW PLAY (SYLUS)

16

Regina sat waiting for Sylus, glancing at the clock every few minutes. She had called him once to check if he’d be late, but he hadn’t picked up.

She wanted to ask for a few days off next week so she could sign up for the hiking trip.

It was getting late, and there was still no sign of Sylus.

After waiting a bit longer, she sighed, feeling a quiet sense of disappointment.

Without dwelling on it too much, she stood up and paced around the room before finally deciding to call it a night.

As she sat in her room, she heard the soft click of the entrance door. Sylus.

Without hesitation, Regina stood up quickly, her heart beating a little faster.

She walked out of her room, her footsteps light but hurried, her face set with anticipation as she made her way to the living room to meet him.

Sylus stumbled inside, breathless and disoriented, feeling a dizzying heat rising through his body.

His skin was burning, a layer of sweat forming on his brow.

Without a second thought, he yanked off his jacket and tossed it aside, his chest heaving as he tried to steady himself, his eyes unfocused and face flushed with heat.

“Sir?” Regina called softly, her voice cautious as Sylus’s droopy eyes slowly lifted to meet hers.

She approached him, her steps hesitant, sensing something was off in the way he looked at her—distant, unfocused.

“Are you okay?” she asked again, concern lacing her voice when he didn’t respond. She took another careful step toward him, her hand instinctively reaching out.

“Don’t come near me!” he suddenly yelled, his voice strained and breathless.

Regina flinched, her eyes widening at the sharpness in his tone. 'Is he drunk?’ she wondered, her mind racing.

But that didn’t seem right—she knew from the report she’d read that Sylus could handle his liquor far too well to be this affected. Something else was wrong.

“But—” she started, only to be cut off by him.

“I’m fine. Just leave me alone,” he muttered, his voice rough as he braced one hand against the wall for support, his body visibly unsteady.

“You don’t look fine,” Regina replied, her voice a little firmer now, finding the courage to speak as she watched him stumble.

Her brows furrowed with concern, though her heart raced at the tension in the air.

He didn’t respond, but shot her a sharp glare, his eyes dark and full of warning. That look made her hesitate, but something about it only deepened her worry.

“Stay away,” he warned, his voice low and ragged as she moved to take another step closer. His eyes were hard, but there was something desperate beneath the surface.

Regina didn’t listen. She stepped closer, her gaze sweeping over him.

He was flushed, sweat beading on his face, his breaths shallow and labored. He looked so vulnerable, a far cry from his usual composed self. Something was definitely wrong.

“Let me get you some water,” she offered, her tone soft but firm, watching him struggle for air.

Her eyes were filled with concern as she moved cautiously, determined to help despite his resistance.

Sylus watched her turn away, gritting his teeth in frustration. "Ugh," he groaned under his breath, leaning heavily against the wall for support.

Every muscle in his body felt like it was on fire, his legs barely able to carry him past the living room. His room seemed so far away, an impossible distance to cross in his current state.