—it would be such a waste to let it die and rot.

Please refrain from opening this chapter if you are under 18 years old. Exercise discretion; this is a work of fiction with all its imaginative elements.

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"Alright," Alaric shrugged, unfazed. He moved towards the door, his footsteps light. "Call me if you need anything. I'll be locking you in from the outside. See you!" he called over his shoulder, his voice cheerful as if he were simply heading out for a casual morning run.

"Hey!" Raven's voice rose in protest, but Alaric ignored it, already halfway out the door. He shut it firmly behind him, turning the key in the lock twice. The sound of the lock clicking echoed in the stillness of the room, sealing Raven inside.

***

It turned out Alaric couldn't jog with a clear mind while knowing Raven was locked in his room. The thought gnawed at him, making each stride heavier than the last.