Ander knew two things.

Firstly, Rick was up to something and didn't want Ander's nose in his business. Secondly, he has to poke his nose in his business. Because it concerned Claire.

The way Rick threatened Ander by affirming he knows about Ander's past, stated how deep he was in this situation. But without any proof, Ander was helpless. It's not like he could just 'poof' Rick.

He went towards Claire's room when Jake stepped out and stood before him. "She's alright. Thank you for bringing her here."

Ander nodded and craned his neck to look inside. "And you are? I think we've met before."

Ander met Jake's gaze and stared him confusingly.

"You helped Claire before," Jake said with a hand on Ander's shoulder. "When she tripped on the stairs."

Ander's mind flashed the images of Claire lying bruised near the front door, begging for help. "Yeah, right."

"Or did she really.." Jake looked somewhere behind Ander, deep in thoughts. Did he know what had happened in this house? Was he put two and two together right now? Ander didn't want to know.

"Can I go inside? I want to meet her." Ander asked him impatiently, as Jake was blocking the way.

"Yeah.." Jake said, focusing back on Ander, "Well, why don't you come back later. It's late and she needs rest. Abbey will take care of her. She's my father's caretaker." Ander narrowed his eyes. Mr. Hunter's caretaker? Mr. Hunter was here too? Of course! Where would he go?

Wishing him goodnight, Ander stomped out of the house into his.

Mrs. Monroe greeted him at the door, "Will, honey. I was waiting for you. Dinner is ready."

Ander clenched his teeth and climbed upstairs, shouting "I don't want to eat!" Ander was done for the day. He just wanted to plop on his bed and call off -

"Can I talk to you?" a little voice stopped him from entering his room. "It's not urgent or anything.. I.. just.." Kasie stood at her door, her eyes on the floor.

He would've jolted the door behind him but he said, trying to sound calm, "Sure. You wanna come in?" Flicking on the light, he sat near Will's untouched desk while Kasie gently lowered at the foot of his bed.

"So?" Ander asked while shaking his feet. This was the first time Kasie approached him and he didn't want to blow this away.

Kasie looked like a replica of young Theodora with her honey colored hairs and bright big eyes. Kasie's nervous gaze roaming around the room reminded Ander of his younger sister. She'd sit the exact same way, clenching and unclenching her fists when she'd done something wrong to piss off their mother.

His mother... His family and friends. A wave of nostalgia rolled over him. Rubbing his heel of palm over his eyes, he groaned.

Not the right time to recall a century worth of drama!

"I just wanted to tell you that some guy came few days ago." she hurriedly explained in a low tone. "He came to mom and tried to talk with her. He asked about Dora Granny and about Will."

Ander jerked his head towards her, his brows raised in surprise. "His name was Rick. He asked.. he asked about the attack.. he asked about what had happened to Claire."

He didn't know why was she telling this to him. So, he nodded. "Um... Okay?"

"He was very suspicious. He.. asked me too. But I.. I didn't say anything about you." Ander's eyes widened. "That day, Claire was attacked and.." she trailed off, too scared to speak out.

She knew it was me? He thought. Why is she still sitting here anyway?

"I.. just.. I just don't want Claire dead too. She's nice." Kasie sighed and continued, "She's in trouble, right? That house isn't safe." She stood up and paddled towards the door. "I just.."

She was worried for her. And she knew about the supernatural attacks somehow. "She'll be fine. She doesn't deserve that." Ander smiled at her, trying to assure her and himself.

"Yes." She glanced at Ander once before walking out of the door, "Goodnight! I'll go downstairs. Dad is out-of-town. So I'll be with mom if she.. er needs me."

"Okay." Ander stood up and shrugged. "Good night."

"And can you be a little gentle towards mom next time? She's.." she trailed off again, not knowing how to put her mother's condition in words.

"I know. I'm sorry." With that he fell on his bed while Kasie went out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

He didn't feel asleep easily despite such an eventful day. Although being tremendously tired, he couldn't stop thinking about Rick. What the eff was his problem? What was he up to?

But late at that night, he dreamt. The dream shook him up, leaving him terrified like a little child.

He was in Claire's house. The sun rays brightly illuminated the living room as he concentrated on the book on his lap. He wore a bright yellow dress.

'What?'

His delicate toes were painted blue.

"Claire, honey?" he faced towards the direction of the voice.

Rebecca - no, Juliet stood near her bedroom door, her tired eyes worriedly gazing him.

But why was she calling him Claire?

"Mom!" his lips moved. He sounded like Claire too. He twirled his hairs with his fingers and stood up.

"Who's behind you, dear?" her mom asked.

He twisted around as he felt hands on his waist. A man stood there, his large hands around his body, his eyes surprisingly familiar. It had a yellowish glow around the light brown eyeballs.

His lips were set in a smirk, which curled upwards, showcasing fangs like teeth. The man was much taller compared to his short, fragile body. He had a dark aura around him. Ander was frightened.

"Agapi Mou," the man said.

Ander's eyes would've opened wide if he could control the body when he realized that the man was actually him. The man was Ander Booth.

The man's large hands caught him by his neck and lifted him from the ground. Seconds later, the man threw him backward.

He fell.

Water surrounded him. Sea green, hazy water. It was all around him. Inside him. He tried to go up to the surface, gasping for air. But his limbs didn't work. He couldn't swim somehow. But, he knew how to swim!

Claire!

She couldn't swim. Was he seeing everything through her eyes? Was that even possible?

Strong rope-like structure bounded his legs, pulling him deeper, the water getting denser. He opened his mouth to breath, although he knew he should not do that. His eyes got droopy, his body threatening to go into deep sleep. Something was floating beside him.

A body. A stale, lifeless body. A skeleton. Some dress was draped around it. Ander hadn't seen that dress before but he knew it belonged to Juliet.

The body opened its eyes. "Cla-aire! Sav-v-ve.. me-e." The voice gurgled just before he heard laughter booming over the water surface. Looking up, he found himself again, bending over to look into the water.

"My love, you cannot even swim. How can you save the ones you love?"

The other Ander, the fake one laughed again. He wanted to punch the fake-Ander in his face but somehow he felt threatened. He felt safe in this crazy muddy water than to make an eye contact with the fake-Ander.

The fake-Ander extended his hand and pulled him out of the water, only to throw him hard on the ground. He got on his elbows, crawling back to save himself from the demon.

He eyed around, finding loads of gravestones scattered around. The fake-Ander kept approaching him. A tall figure walked towards them. Jake.

His face was pale, thinner than usual. His eyes red as blood. He wobbled like a zombie and reached before him. "Look at me, Claire. Look at what you did to me. To all of us!"

Turning his head, Ander saw another lifeless body beside him, blood spluttering out of the head. It was his father.

No. It was Claire's father.

"Stop! Please!" he whined. His voice still sounded like Claire.

"How can you live with yourself? How can you? You destroyed everything!" Jake continued, his face showing zero emotions. The fake-Ander laughed again, enjoying the heart-wrecking scene in front of him. His eyes turned back towards Jake.

A hand swung by, cutting off Jake's head. It fell on the ground with a thud and rolled a few times. The yellow dress he -or Claire wore, was covered with blood.

A weeping sob left his throat, and he cried. "Nooo-oo-o!" his eyes never leaving Jake's cold face.

And then, he heard a laughter. A lady's laughter. He swung in the direction of the owner. Ander knew her even before his eyes met hers, yet he looked at her with confusion.

Ander woke up with a jolt. His face and neck sweaty, his heart throbbing in his throat.

Just a dream! He thought, taking in a deep relieved breath.

He rubbed his eyes and then blinked it many times. He tried to cool down and relax but it didn't help. He felt like he was still watching that dreadful nightmare. He wanted to sob hard- scream- curse. He snatched his hair, groaned and got up from his bed. Walking towards the window, he snatched opened the curtains and then the windows. Cool breeze hit his face and he felt awake. Somewhat.

The window faced Claire's house. He peeked out of it, glancing at the silent front yard and street on his right. Turning left side, he found the lights on in Claire's room, the windows were wide open. But he couldn't see in.

He frowned, thinking about the nightmare. A thought hit him, as he rushed out of his room towards Kasie's room. Kasie told she would be with her room, so the room would be unoccupied.

Luckily, he was right. Without turning the lights on, he hurriedly walked to the window that faced Claire's room.

Aria sat near Claire, holding her as she sobbed.

"It was just a nightmare! Jake's alright. Your dad's alright." Aria consoled her, her voice loud enough to reach Ander's ears.

"But I saw them, that lady.. and.. " she said between her sobs.

Ander turned and rested his back against the wall. Sliding down, he sat with his elbows rested on his knees, his fingers shoved in his hairs.

Ander knew what nightmare she saw. He felt it, each and every moment of it. As if...

As if their souls were still connected.