(WARNING: This content may contain some things that can make you uncomfortable) -Unkonwn Strangerz

Working, reworking, working, reworking. Scratch paint, color, redo. Night after night. He worked over and over on them until they were perfect. The memories aren’t there, but that’s fine. They just need to stay. His hands carefully sculpted along, perfecting the hinges and placing them correctly onto the joint sockets. He painted and painted until his hands could no longer can paint until finally they were done.

...................

"Wake up, Kiki..."

A man's voice could be heard softly calling someone's name, whispering softly as if it were a lullaby melody. For a moment, her eyes slowly opened.

"Hello, Kiki…" His voice was soft, though it had a slight edge to it as if he was holding something back from her.

When she opened her eyes, She could see a tall man wearing glasses and clothes that looked like they were from 1916, who were quite stylish, and his eyes could clearly be seen full of hope and happiness when he saw her opened her eyes. In confusion, she looked around her a little nervously and realized she was in the statue making room in an old clock building. Her gaze went all directions to identify her surroundings before returning looking at the man in front of her in full of confusion.

The unknown man then smiled sweetly when her gaze returned to him even though she was still confused, but it didn't matter... Because his plan had already gone smoothly... for now....

"I'm Elias, No need to worry you will be safe here.." He finally managed to speak still in a soft tone

.....

She looked at him..still with a confused look..

"W-Where...Am I?"

she asked confusedly yet anxiously.

Chuckles "Hmm?.. Still confused? I see..." He paused before he spoke again... "Do you know this place..?" He asked her softly and curiously.

.....

She was silent for a moment and looked around her again, and for some reason she felt the familiar warm air inside the old clock tower along with the scent she had never smelled before...which gives her a sense of nostalgia and familiarity in her as if she had been there even though she had just woken up and was wondering why she was there with that unknown man.

....

 "I-..This place...feels familiar to me..." She responded, finally opened her mouth to speak in a slow and gentle tone of voice even though on the other hand she also still did not understand this situation.

"Familiar..." He repeated her words. However, inside him for some reason, a feeling of doubt, fear and confusion began to appear for a moment if she did not remember at all the memories of her past life. But, on the one hand, it also brings a little sense of relief when she at least feels familiar with this place, it's possible that her memory is still there.

"W-What kind of familiar..? Do you.. feel like you've been in this place before..?" Ask him again but this time with a little nervousness in his voice while forcing a smile on his shaky lips.

She was silent for a moment...her gaze was still full of confusion She tried to remember. But unfortunately, she couldn't even remember why she was even here?...Her gaze immediately locked to his eyes, before she finally shook her head slowly responding to him hesitantly..

 "I-... I don't know .." She whispered softly still in confusion. "I don't know this place....it just ...feels familiar..."

Elias sighed in frustration, felt as if his hope was starting to drain more and more... before he then asked again... "Do you really not remember anything?... At all??"

.....

She paused in reluctant, then for some reason, her heart felt anxious and beating faster unnaturally.. before then simply nods...

"I-... I don't..."

The moment Elias heard that, his heart felt like it was torn into millions, his knees felt so weak that he couldn't stand up anymore...but he chose not to show it, not in front of his beloved, Although it is already quite clear the tears contained in his eyes.

" I-...." He tried to speak, but not a word came out of his mouth as if his voice was stuck in his throat, Before suddenly being cut off by her voice suddenly asking....

"W-... Who...are you..?"

She asked with nervous and confusion in her voice.

For a moment, Elias felt as if his heartbeat stopped for a moment, and he felt as if he was dying from the inside. Before suddenly feelings of anger and frustration crawling inside him making him momentarily lose control over himself. Elias' heart practically shattered as Kiki asked who he was, seemingly not remembering him at all. Was it truly all just a pipe dream of his then?.. had he gone through all of this for nothing?!?

“H-HOW COULD YOU NOT REMEMBER ME?!?”

Elias shouted spontaneously in despair, looking at her with fear and anxiety. His voice losing some patience and soft demeanor it once carried. However, because the tone of his voice was suddenly high, he even shouted at her so suddenly that she fell silent with her mouth slightly agape

"........."

 She remained silent...looking at him with fear and even moved backwards from him anxiously..

"I'm-..... Sorry..."

She whispered softly with fear and nervousness while her eyes never leaving his with a look that was clearly starting to feel uncomfortable and even more confused "W-What's wrong with him..." she thought to herself.

And when she noticed his change in demeanor and instead apologized even though it wasn't her fault at all, he softens his voice again in hopes to lessen the strain.

"N-No... You...You don't have to be sorry.. I-.... I'm sorry, I'm just-..."

Elias takes notice of how she flinches at his raised voice, his heart sinking a little as he watches her moved backwards away from him with fear. It was at that point did he realize that he scared her. He had never done such a thing before, had she really forgotten everything? Was her entire being altered by his mistake?

.........

The man suddenly felt so very hollow inside...

Sighed.." I-..." Elias barely whispered his response as he had to stop himself from tearing up. "I- I am Elias... the sculpture maker..." finally, he responded softly to her question earlier.

"Elias..." She repeated softly while fidgeting with her delicate fingers.

"Yes... Elias..." Instantly, his expression softened when he heard her soft and melodic voice when saying his name. Then he knelt down to her eye level to see more clearly into her eyes.

"May I ask you something...?" He asked.

She nervously moved slightly more away from him so that her back pressed against the wall. Anxious, She could only nodded her head.

He smiled warmly as she nodded "Do you... Remember your name..?"

"I-.. Don't" She whispered softly strengthened the evidence that she didn't remember a single thing, and it would be a bad thing if she didn't even remember herself. Elias thought.

Sighed softly "I see..." He said softly then gently reach out to gently patting her head reassuredly.

"It's alright, if you don't.." Smiling softly, even though it was clear he was holding back something behind his smile.

On the one hand, she was only able to remain silent during that moment while he's gently and lovingly patting her head which instantly removed the feeling of tension within her and replaced it with a feeling of warmth and comfort. Even though she's still confused and groggy a little bit.

"T-Thank you..." She muttered softly yet timidly-..but then slowly a sweet and gentle smile began to appear on her lips.

.....

For a second, it felt like after his heart had stopped, seeing how beautiful the smile that formed on those soft, reddish lips for a moment made his cheeks turn red, It was as

if because of that smile his obsession was starting to come to the surface a little, but he chose to hold it in for their sake.

"I-...." He muttered underneath his breath while still being flustered. Before, suddenly-..

~Grr Grrrr Grr~

'Stomach rumbling sound~'

Her cheeks slowly turned red, then she slowly looked away feeling embarrassed

Laughed softly "Ah .. It looks like someone is hungry~..." He smiled sweetly "Looks like it's time for dinner now.." Then Elias stood up again from his kneeling position, then stretched out his hand to help her to get on her toes.

"Why don't we fill your empty stomach with some food first, shall we?.." He smiled warmly, looking down into her confused, innocent eyes.

.....

There's a moment of silence as she paused while looking up at him,

Still struggling inside herself, is she worth trusting him?

...

But at the end----

Hesitantly, she then nodded her head reluctantly, before then she gently held his hand with her delicate hand reluctantly holding his hand

"A-alright..." She said with her soft voice. He then smirked as he suddenly pulled her with his strong arm that her lightweight body up, so she stood up straight.

She gasp in surprise-..as her body pressed against his muscular one, but with quick reflexes, he quickly caught her body before she fell again as his hands held her hips.

"Woah, be careful--..."

He looked at her with his worried look.

Kiki paused- then looked up at him with her embarrassed expression

"A-ah..I-....T-thank you..."

She said timidly, her arms then awkwardly clinging to his body

"No problem, sweetheart.." He paused for a moment, before then gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders...

"Come on.." He smiled warmly at her. "While the food is still warm.."

Looking up at him, she could feel some strange feelings in her heart as she sees his warm smile.. And unconsciously, she returned his smile and nodded.

.............

He smiled, before then gently start leading her to upstairs, her body still too weak to even walk by herself that he need to help her for walking.

As Kiki followed Elias up the creaky stairs, each step felt like it drained what little energy she had left. Her legs wobbled, and Elias tightened his hold around her shoulders to steady her. The warmth of his arm contrasted with the coldness of the room. The old clock tower had an eerie chill to it, as though time itself had forgotten this place.

"Almost there," Elias reassured her softly, his voice a gentle echo in the hollow stairwell. He then opened the door, followed with a cracking sound of the wood door.

They reached the top, where the dim lighting softened the hard lines of the room. It was simple, cozy, just-...like home..even—nothing like the downstairs workshop. The kitchen had a worn wooden table, two mismatched chairs, and a single bowl of steaming soup resting in the center, while the light flickering sometimes. The smell was inviting, though a strange undertone lingered in the air—something almost metallic, but Kiki’s hunger was overwhelming.

Elias helped her sit down, his hands lingering on her shoulders a second too long before pulling away.

"There you go.." He grinned, then gently patted her head, before then sits across her, while resting his face on his palm

 She noticed how intently he watched her as she sits on the chair. His eyes gleamed with something she couldn’t quite place, but they were too soft, too expectant, like he was waiting for something beyond her simply eating.

"Thanks.."

She smiled awkwardly, while her other hand is fidgety nervously with her clothes underneath the table. She looked at him, who was still smiling as if he was enjoying the view in front of him, coupled with the awkwardness and silence in the room. She stared at the bowl that was in front of her, saw how the soup that had been prepared, yet-- it was still warm..."weird..." whispered her suspicious little heart.

"What's wrong?"

Elias asked as if he was worried by the slightly nervous tone of his voice.

.....

"N-.. Nothing.." She responded immediately, while looking at him.

"So? Why don't you eat yet?"

Elias' gaze hardened on her, as if-- it's not just a question, but a command.

"Eat it.."

"I-.."

"I said, Eat. It."

Elias' tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Feeling compelled by Elias' gaze that was so intense on her, she hesitantly took the spoon in front of her, her hand trembled a little the moment her skin came into contact with the iron surface of the spoon. But on another hand, she began to feel like she couldn't hold back her hunger any longer.

.......

Reluctantly, slowly and carefully she began to spoon the suspicious soup, the texture was quite thick with a little bumpy like rice. She looked at Elias for the last time, it looked like he was really focused on looking at her as if he was waiting for her to feed the soup into her mouth. She sighed resignedly, finally feeding the soup into her mouth, slowly but surely chewing it before hesitantly swallowing it slowly down her throat.

........

The soup, though warm and filling, had an unusual flavor. Bitter notes mixed with herbs she didn’t recognize. She hesitated at first, but hunger won out. Spoonful after spoonful, she ate, Elias watching her the entire time, his smile never wavering.

“Is it good?” he asked, his voice smooth but almost too eager.

.....

There was a moment of silence before then-...

Kiki nodded. "It's... fine," she murmured, though an uneasy feeling stirred in her stomach, not because of the soup itself, but because of him. "Wh-what...is this actually?"

Kiki asked suddenly because her curiosity could not be contained while looking at him with her expression full of questions about the food in front of her as she could tell.. something is 'off ' about this food.

A few moments in silence...

Elias just stayed silent... while looking at her... it seems he doesn't want to answer it..

.....

"It's food.." He said with his flat tone as he's finally answering her question which clearly not an answer she's hoping for.. She could feel herself slightly more uncomfortable now... As she could feel Elias' gaze was following ever move she did, watching her intensely...

Kiki on the other hand continued to eat nervously trying to ignore her feelings...

As she neared the bottom of the bowl, her eyelids grew heavier. A sudden wave of exhaustion washed over her, much stronger than before. She tried to blink it away, but the room began to blur. Her head felt heavy, her thoughts muddled. "What's... happening...?" She thoughts in confusion...

Kiki then suddenly yanwed-...

Elias leaned closer, his smile twisting into something less innocent, something darker.

"Hmm?~ What's wrong?" He asked while tilting his head innocently.

“You look tired, Kiki... Why don’t you lie down for a while?” His voice was honeyed but carried a subtle undertone of command.

"I-.. I...."

Kiki opened her mouth... But, not a single word could come out of her mouth.

ELIAS THEN SMIRKED,

Seeing her in such a helpless condition...

................

Gasp!

Suddenly-.. Elias stands up then without warning-.. He suddenly lifted her weak body in his arms...

"Shhh....." He suddenly placed his finger above her lips with his cold finger, shutting her mouth before she could say a word

.....

 "Don't worry.... Everything-.... Will be just... Alright..." He whispered with his husky shaking voice right into her ear.. Sending a shiver down her spine..As if... there was something unsettling.. But- Unfortunately, she's too sleepy to even reacting to it..

.............

He then guided her back down the hallway. Every step he took, echoed in the silent and dark hallway. While, on another side, she could feel her body getting more and more weakened at every steps he took.

.. .. ... ... .... .... .....

.. .. ... ... .... .... .....

.. .. ... ... .... .... .....

.. .. ... ... .... .... .....

After some time... They then arrived into a small bedroom. The room was barely furnished—just a bed and a small nightstand with an old-fashioned clock ticking away softly.

Elias then approached the bed, then gently placed Kiki's weak body on the bed. The bed feels unnaturally comfortable as she was placed on it, the surface feels cold yet wet slightly.

As she sat on the edge of the bed, her body swayed, the weight of sleep tugging her down. But in the back of her mind, a spark of awareness flared, a warning she couldn’t fully grasp. She then let out a soft sigh...

Elias smiled, then reached out to gently cups her cheek, gently caressing her cheek with his cold, rough hand, the opposite of her soft and delicate skin.. Then he leaned down closer to her..

"Goodnight, My sleeping beauty.."

He whispered his warm breath gently caressing his skin slightly, While his hand slowly... gently... And carefully... goes to her jawline .... Slowly...down to her throat... Caressing the side on her neck where her pulse at with..just a little pressure..... Just-.. A little...

...It won't hurt........

...It won't be painful..........

...Right?......

...........

...RIGHT?......

Kiki then gasp-... Making him smirking in satisfaction...

Before he finnaly pulled away from her...then walk away frok the bed...

Elias stood by the door, watching her intently, his hands clasped behind his back. “I’ll be right here if you need anything,” he said softly. "You’re safe with me.."

"̴͚̫̲̳͚͈̭̊̄̆̐̌͜ͅͅFͮ͗͑̈́ͦ̑͏͖̺̱̻͈̼̯̜̔͆͂̇͡͝ͅo̵͇̬͎͕̺ͦͮ̀̚ͅr̷̨̲̦̰̪̠͈̥̻̗̣͚̺̿̅̓̇̀̒̐̏̀̕͜͟e̒ͦ̇̈҉͙͓̳͉͎̱̗͖͙̼͍ͪͪ̽̑͊́͢v̷̩̣̗̩͇̦̠͈̥̻̗̣͚̺̎͂̀́̏̀̕e̒ͦ̇̈҉̵͙͓̳͕̺ͮ̀̚ͅr̨̲̦̰̪̿̅̓̇̀̒̐͜͟ "

He whispered the last sentence like a faint, unrecognisable noise, she couldn't really tell what he said due to her heavy drowsiness...

"Bye bye!~"...

He said for the last time as his demeneor suddenly changed drastically to more childish and joyful one as he waved at her, then finally closed the door with a loud bang... Leaving her all alone in the darkness and coldness of the room ... Alone...

.....

Kiki paused... Then takes a deep breath... while looking up at the ceiling... Her body felt limp and weak.. As if she couldn't even move one muscle. She felt so weak in that dark and cold room.

.....

Kiki’s vision blurred again, the soft ticking of the clock the only sound as her head rested on the pillow. She wanted to speak, to ask him something—anything—but the words slipped away, and darkness enveloped her.

'Tick... Tack... Tick... Tack...'

The soft sound of the clock ticking

.....

it feels quiet...and cold...

'Lub... Dub... Lub... Dup...'

...

"Strangely...I could even hear my own heartbeat..."

Kiki thought to herself.

While her eyes slowly closed while her breath is slightly swallowed.

.....

She then sighed...

"I'm confused.... But-... everything...will be fine, right?... Tomorrow-... Everything will definitely become clear to me..."

.....

....

...

..

.

"Right...?"