Adrien ran back to his room and locked the door. He had already failed; now, he had no escape. He sat on his bed and tried to breathe, but air came in his lungs in large gulps that made him feel as if he was choking.

"Adrien...".

He gasped; Val's voice had come from behind his door. He leaped up and stumbled backwards. "No!", Adrien cried out, "Don't --!".