Sweat formed on his forehead and his heart raced with fear. He's never been this terrified in his lifetime.

The person snaking around him was not Claire. She looked like her - yes, but she's not Claire. She was his ex-fiancee, Gabriela. Only she, other than Dora, called him Andy. Only she would persuade him to get rough and reckless. But Claire-

Was it over? Was he too late to save her? After all the things they've been through, this is where it ends?

He closed his eyes to control the raging anger and fear in him. His jaw ticked, teeth clenched tight, he was about to react, when it happened.

A wave of realization hit him. The moment he thought about Claire's whereabouts, he had this weird connection very similar to what he used to feel before the curse broke, which pulled him to truth. Pulling him as if there's still some connection between them. He could feel her soul. That was as cheesy as it sounded but undeniable. And that - whatever it was - was calming his heartbeats to normal, making him sure that there's nothing to worry about. Claire was safe.

Ander, being completely relieved yet dumbfounded, removed Claire's arms from him gently.

"I- I have to take care of something." he told her, and whisked away, leaving Claire or whosoever it was beneath, completely clueless with an ugly pout on her face.

If his doubt was right, and she was actually Gabriela who either possessed Claire or transformed like Claire, he has to act oblivious as far as Gabriela is concerned. He can't risk her knowing that he's quite aware of what's going on.

But first he has to find Aria and ask her to escort Claire back to her house. Claire's not in control and totally unsafe. He scanned around for Aria as he dialed Dora's number.

"Andy?"

"Something happened to Claire. Gabriela did something. I'm not sure. I thought Claire was dead but then something called out and I had this feeling like she's fine but then again what is Gabriela trying to do? Why does she wants to take over Claire's body. I think she wants her dead but she can't do anything like that. Can she?"

"OK. Now take a deep breath and please repeat again. All I heard was Claire and Gabriela. I was sleeping, Andy."

Taking a few quick breaths, his tongue worked as his eyes scanned the area. He was explaining him how he knew it was Gabriela, when he saw Rick approach Claire. They were near the bonfire, Claire laughing at something he said. Ander saw him handing a red cup to Claire.

"I have an idea what she's upto, this Gabriela." Dora said after Ander finished his story. "She's trying to overtake Claire's body."

"You mean possessing her?" Ander asked as his eyes found Aria standing far away, talking to some people. Now that Rick was on the scene, he wanted Claire out of here as soon as possible.

"No. Not possessing. This is different. It's more like revivification, more like - more like rebirth." she explained.

"You mean like consuming Claire's body because Gabriela doesn't have one? But, Claire is safe now, right?" Ander talked hurriedly, his heart pounding again, unreasonably.

Suffocation.

A foreign feeling chocked him up . He needed air or he thought so, when his throat tightened. He breathed in heavily yet there was some void. Something or..

Claire.

He glanced back at Claire, again. A great mass of people gathered around when Claire stood few minutes ago. The music had muted somehow, the world around Ander was whirling.

"Yes. Exactly like that," Dora spoke from the other end, "And, she's safe. For now. But I don't understand why Gabriela isn't-"

"I'll call you later." Ander said, breathing heavily and ended the call, sprinting off in Claire's direction, his steps very hazy as if he was high. Shoving people away, he made his way through where Claire was supposed to be, in amidst of nonchalant whispering.

There she was, lying unconscious, some guy patting her cheek. He dropped down near her, fear bubbling in his belly as he saw the empty cup in her hand. Rick wasn't around, he noticed.

"Move aside," he snarled at the guy as he took Claire's head in his lap. The guy just stared at him, confused. "Goddammit, just move aside. Everyone of you!" he shouted in an commanding tone. The crowd moved backwards while he patted Claire's cheeks, checking her pulse. He deeply sighed as she stirred, her little body whimpering a little.

A hand landed on his shoulder. He was about to jerk off when he recognized the very worried voice.

"Is she alright?" Aria asked. Ander nodded as he picked up the cup and sniffed it. It wasn't alcohol. Orange juice? Mixed with basil and mint or some herbs? Nothing that could knock her unconscious.

Throwing aside the cup, he scooped up Claire in his arms, who weighed much lighter than he remembered. He recalled her carrying her after she'd been pushed from stairs, brutally injured. Not a memory he wanted to think about right now.

People made way for them as he rushed out of there, Aria following him. His boots crunched the sand beneath him as he ran towards the road, the crowd dispersing. The moment he reached there, a black car halted near them and honked. "Get in!" Rick called out. Ander, after sending a glare in his direction, kept walking.

"Oh, for God's sake! This isn't the time." Aria said worriedly as she opened the backseat door.

Ander groaned at first, but only Claire mattered then. So, he got in the backseat with Claire while Aria took the passenger seat.

"City Hospital?" Rick asked Aria as he drove.

"Claire's house." Ander snapped.

"What?" Rick questioned while Aria turned towards him and scowled.

Ander pointed towards Claire, who was once again stirring. "Claire's house." he repeated again.

Rick jerked the break. Ander was about to snap at him when he realized they already reached the house. The party wasn't that far, he remembered. Throwing the door open, he rushed out with Claire in his arms, Aria and Rick tagging behind. Aria opened the front door and rushed upstairs illuminating the floor as Ander hurriedly climbed behind her.

He had no idea why he was in such a hurry. Claire was alright, she even fluttered her eyes moment ago. He took her to her room and gently put her on the bed, taking a breath of relief.

"What happened to her?" Ander swirled around to see Claire's brother Jake standing at the door, with frowned brows. Now Ander thought of all the scenarios where he'd been trying to possess him weeks ago.

Ugh, no time for this too.

"She just passed out. She's okay." Aria said with a hint of doubt in her voice. Just then Claire mumbled something like, "Aria" declaring everyone she was awake. To Ander's relief, she sounded more like herself, very Claire-like.

Aria sat near her, smiling down at her with relief while Jake said, "Oh thank God! I'll call Abbey, though." and went away.

Ander wanted to sit beside Claire and hold her, make sure she was alright but there was some things he needed to take care of. He stomped out of the room and found Rick standing, his hands in his pockets. He went near him and punched him in the nose. Damn it hit hard and felt so good as he winced in pain. Rick, who clearly didn't saw that coming, swore out loud. He touched his nose and saw it was bleeding.

"What the.." he was slammed against the wall, Ander's elbow shoved hard on his chest.

"Now start speaking, Friar." Ander was quite surprised at the rage that was filling in his bones. He was moments away from knocking Rick unconscious and he actually didn't care, but he needed answers. "What the hell did you put in the drink?"

The fear in Rick's eye confirmed Ander's assumption. His eyes wavered as he was trying to come up with an excuse. "I didn't.. I didn't do anything."

"The hell you didn't!" Ander wanted to scream but Claire was feet away, recovering from God knows what.

Ander grabbed his collar and shoved him harder to the wall, "What-"

"Hey, you both," Jake interrupted, "What do you think you're doing?" Ander dropped his arms to his side and swore under his breath.

A girl, not much older than Jake himself, who stood behind him appeared, breaking the intense glaring game among the three, saying "Now if you'd excuse me, I have a patient to look after."

Ander didn't recognize her but made way for her. She walked past him and entered the room. Jake followed her after warning them, "Behave or get the hell out of here."

Ander assured with a tight nod.

"Why didn't you allow me to take her to hospital? If I'd added something in the drink, wouldn't it be convenient to take her there?" Rick broke the silence.

Ander turned towards him, his eyes staring daggers in Rick's. Ander wanted to confront him about seeing Rick at the witchcraft herb shop but he had no proof he might have used some potion against Claire.

"I don't know what you're trying to do here, man. But I'd advise you to stay away from her." Rick snarled with a curled lip and surprising confidence.

Moments ago he was in Ander's grasp with terror on his face. Ander tilted his head and raised his brow to mock him. "Oh really? Me?"

"Yes. You. Because it surely wasn't me who was after her soul just weeks ago, Ander Booth." Rick mocked back while he shoved his finger on Ander's chest saying, "So don't be an hypocrite and think with your century old brain before blaming me for anything. I'm not a psycho killer like you."

With that, Rick turned on his heels and walked downstairs, leaving Ander in confusion. And burning rage.