Time's Curse

Time's Curse: Chapter 3

Toni knew it was a bad idea to go into that mansion. He knew it as soon as the two of them walked up to the front of the eerie building. His eyes touched the window where Feli stood, amber mixing with emerald as the two stared at each other. But their gaze was soon broken by the sudden shout of Lovi, who went storming into the house to look for his brother. Toni had no choice but to follow.

Lovino was determined to find Feli. He had to... If his brother died here, he didn't know what he would do with himself! Toni struggled to keep up with Lovi, being the Italian that he was, his legs were built for speed. (Or running away, as Feliciano would have it.)

Honey eyes skimmed the empty hallways as a pant left his lips, fear immediately sparking in Lovi's chest. He had just spoken to Feli on the phone... But...

Interrupting his thoughts, a gentle hand touched his shoulder and pointed up the stairs, Toni leading him up to the second floor.

"Mi amor, we need to be careful, si?" Toni asked with a tender smile, "I saw Feli up here when we were approaching."

He didn't dare tell Lovi that he had seen a look in Feli's eyes that he had never seen before... It was a look that held such hatred for Toni. The usually oblivious Spaniard actually took note of it, causing a sick feeling to take over. He felt nauseous...

Tripping up the last stair, Toni felt himself fall forward, only to be caught by Lovi, who, in turn, blinked a couple of times as he held the shaking man in his arms. Toni had begun coughing and suddenly, he gasped for air, fingers clawing at Lovi's shoulder.

"H-Hey'a! Stop with that! What's'a wrong with you?" Lovino asked, shaking Toni a little. The Spanish man finally calmed down, able to pull in a long breath. Panting a little, he rubbed his head and stared at the ground, which swirled into a multitude of colors.

"Idiota, what the hell is wrong with you?" Lovi now had Toni on the ground, lightly slapping his face to stop whatever was happening.

Toni managed a smile, eyes shutting a bit as he calmed himself.

"Ah... Tortuga..."

Lovi rolled his eyes and stood up, helping Toni to his feet. Toni was still shaky, but he was going to smile for Lovi. He didn't want the boy to worry about him when he was already so wrapped up in the fact his brother had been in trouble.

And then Lovi saw Feli. Feli was standing by that same window Toni had seen him in when they walked up to the mansion. There was a look on the Italian's face that made Toni's stomach turn. Before Lovi could run over to Feli, Toni grabbed ahold of him and restrained him, bringing his lips up to his ear, "That's not Feli... Lovi... Listen to me, amigo...Look in his eyes,"

But the restrain Toni had on Lovi was broken as Lovi shoved him, wanting to embrace his brother. Upon taking another couple of steps though, he stopped, his eyes dulling as he noticed that look in Feli's eyes.

At first, he tried to play it off with a smile, "Oh, Feli! You're not'a happy to see your own goddamned brother?" There was a chuckle... And then silence. The corner of the small Italian's lips turned up as he stepped forward, tapping a knife against his leg with a hum.

"F-Feli... What the hell? What do you'a think you're doing?" Stepping back, he felt his breath catch in his throat, making breathing difficult.

That's when Toni took control. He snatched up Lovi's hand and pulled him the other way, back towards the stairs, forcing himself to keep breathing, even though the air was becoming increasingly thin... It was ridiculous...

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Toni was out of breath... He literally could no longer breathe...

Slapping the wall with a groan, Toni slid down to the floor, coughing and wheezing, eyes full of tears as he continued to force himself to breathe, Lovi close by his side, having no idea what was going on.