R shrieked and lashed out, narrowly missing Lia, and tried to scramble away. He didn't know who it was but he didn't want that thing touching him, didn't want to see who it would become now. He still couldn't get enough air in, and he clutched at his chest, gasping between his sobs.
He finally managed to turn his head to the side and saw Lia, and only Lia, no one else. "Are you real?" he croaked. "Please tell me you're real."