Beck Adler Curwin's Story

---

Beck awoke slowly, his thoughts coming to him in a muggy, slow haze. It was nice and warm where he was sleeping, a change from what he was use to waking up in but a nice one. His hands gripped at soft sheets as he struggled to open his heavy eyelids. Wait a minute, sheets? He was in a bed? A pretty damn comfy one to boot. Slowly, he sat up and almost instantly regretted it as a headache slammed against the back of his eyes. He grumbled incoherently to himself at the discomfort until a sudden thought came to him and all pain and confusion was forgotten. Julia.

“Julia?” He asked aloud in a semi quiet voice, his hand reaching across the bed to feel for his sister. No, no he remembered why he felt like this. They had been jumped by, by someone. Where was his sister? “Julia?” He asked louder, fear creeping its way into his voice as he hurriedly tried to leave the bed only to fall flat on his face. “Oof! Son of a bitch!” The added frustration of not being familiar with his surroundings added to his anxiety and as he scrambled to stand up he instantly began groping around the room to try and ground himself with something. He had to find his sister but he couldn’t fucking see! “Julia!” Beck yelled her name this time, obvious distress in his voice as he stumbled blindly about the room. If they hurt her then so help them he’d kill every last bastard. “Julia! Where are you?!” He practically screamed for her as his frayed nerves began to snap and his body began to shift into its monstrous form.

Julia lay asleep in the room across the hall, the faint sound of what seemed like someone calling her name causing her to stir. “Mmmm, five more minutes Beck.” She murmured to her absent brother as she rolled over in bed, squinting her eyes shut harder against the growing pain in her head. What the hell did I do last night? I obviously drank way too much. The person calling her name soon became apparent as the voice grew louder, more worried.”Beck?” Slowly, she sat up in bed, running a hand through her hair until what had happened last night suddenly hit her. “Oh shit.” The sound of Beck’s scream instantly put her into motion as she vaulted from the bed and sprinted towards the sound of his voice. Throwing his bedroom door open she saw her twin, halfway in his transformation and clutching his head in agony. “Beck!”

Soft hands were suddenly on his face and he stumbled back, falling to his bottom, as Julia practically threw herself on him and covered his mouth. “Beck, shhhh, shhh it’s alright. I’m fine, I’m here. Calm down.” She continued her soft shushes until his breathes slowed and his shift stopped, slowly forming back into his normal self. “Julia, we have to get out of here before they come back.” Julia nodded her head as she smoothed her brother’s hair back. “Well yea because they obviously know we’re awake now ya loud mouth.” Beck furrowed his brow at her in a huffy expression as she helped him up and began to lead him to what he assumed was an exit when she suddenly paused. “Julia this is no time to enjoy the sights we need to go.” Julia brushed his hand away from her arm as she approached a hand written note. “There’s a note here.” She paused reading it over. “For us, from Arthur Sayco.” They both recognized the name and she looked towards her brother to gauge his reaction. Instead of surprise he looked confused though. “They left a note for a blind guy? Well obviously he didn’t think this through very well.” Julia huffed in frustration. “Beck! This is serious, this note says it’s from Arthur Sayco which means we must be at his manor. Do you know what this means?” Beck once again looked confused before unsuredly voicing an answer. “That we don’t have to sleep under bridges anymore?” Julia crossed the room to pop him on the back of the head. “No you goof, it means we’re safe. If this is really from Sayco. It could be a trick. What if it’s Bleeders.”

Everything was happening so fast, first they were kidnapped by unknown, evil beings and now they might be safe and sound at a friend’s home? Beck shook his head at the thought of it being a trick though. “No, if it were the Bleeders then they would have just done away with us while we were out. I really think this is the manor we’ve heard all about.” Julia stared hard at her brother for a moment despite the fact that he couldn’t stare back. “So you’re suggesting we go down and have breakfast with our kidnappers like nothing happened?” Beck shrugged his shoulders, puckering his bottom lip out in an I guess so expression. “Well I do like breakfast. He’s rich so I bet he’ll have those tasty croissant things you like.” He ended his last sentence in a sing song type voice; trying to persuade her. Ever since they’d left home his sister had been one of the most distrustful people he’d ever known. It hurt him because she use to be so open and friendly but now it was a fight just to get her to accept help from friends. Julia looked at her brother, the one person in the world she had left. It wasn’t that he couldn’t think for himself but ever since he lost his sight she felt the burden of making critical decisions for the both of them. If anything happened to him because of her decision then she’d never forgive herself.

“Fine but let me do the talking, alright?” Beck pulled his head back in a dramatic, aghast look. “You think I’d say something wrong?” Julia shook her head at her brother, grabbing his hand and dragging him out of the room. She had no idea how he could act so carefree in such a nerve wracking situation. He was screaming not but minutes ago but here he was making jokes. “Beck, everything you say is wrong.” She could hear her brother gasp at the accusation and she couldn’t help the small smirk that came to her lips as she cautiously began navigating around the large house. “Well, I never.” He replied in a hurt tone as he followed Julia’s guidance, never questioning her judgment on where to go.

The smell of food hit them and the sounds of quiet chatter amongst what sounded like a small crowd. Julia slowed her steps as she came closer to the doorway of the dining hall. There was a young woman standing there, seemed about her and Beck’s age and she appeared just as confused as they were. Julia narrowed her eyes, looking the woman up and down as she drew closer to her back. Was this one of the so called kidnappers or was she taken like them? Before she could assess the situation anymore Beck suddenly tore away from her, feeling his way through the door and brushing past the young girl at the door before asking to what he hoped and assumed was a full room. “Is that Chopin? I love this piece! Oh, I assume one of you are mine and my sister’s kidnappers? I have to say, a nice bed, breakfast and Chopin? This is perhaps the nicest kidnapping fiasco I’ve ever been involved in.” He smiled widely, his eyes focused at the floor as he listened to the music and waited for one of the occupants of the room to respond. Beck wasn’t stupid, nor was he careless but he did often trust his gut and his gut told him he was safe here so why all the caution when there was hot food waiting?

Jayce was sleeping peacefully. His room in the mansion was away from all of the hustle and bustle of the main hallways, it was in the west corner of the mansion on the second floor. It was the best place to watch the sunset from, facilitated by the fantastic window that his bed laid next to. Slowly, the light of the sun managed to work it's way around the mansion, worming its way past the sleeping Jayce's eyelids and forcing them to snap open. Jayce moaned and turned over, only to be woken once more by the growing sunlight. "Fine, I'll get up." Jayce grumbled, his eyes shut tight in a last ditch effort to keep himself asleep; an effort that failed miserably.

Jayce woke as he usually did in the mornings. He yawned loud enough, and wide enough, to put a lion to shame, stretched, and then got up to get dressed. He threw on his usual assortment of clothes, opting for clean ones, as opposed to the ones he'd worn the other day and closed his door softly behind him. Jayce wore his jeans, a plain white t-shirt, his nearly threadbare black hoodie, his worn to death sneakers, and a light grey jacket. Though it was a warm day, Jayce wasn't too hot, he liked to wear his jacket. He'd been through a lot with it. As he walked through the hallways, Jayce noticed that, behind the normally closed doors, people were sleeping. "Huh? Where'd all these people come from?" Jayce thought quietly to himself. Shrugging, and moving on, Jayce was about to enter the main hallway when a glint of light caught his eye. He turned towards the half open door the light was shining through, only to force himself to contain a gasp. "Whoa..." Jayce whispered.

Laying down before him, completely asleep on her bed, was a girl. This wasn't just any girl though, she was blonde, with hair like golden fire in the light of the early sun. She was beautiful. Jayce crept ever so quietly closer, until he was standing in the doorway to get a good look at her. There were no words in Jayce's head, there was no explanation as to why he was drawn to her. All he could hear was a soaring concerto in his brain. "She's so perfect." Jayce thought to himself. He took a careful step forward, attempting to get a closer look, only to turn back as the wooden floor creaked dangerously underneath him. Jayce swore silently to himself, before backing gingerly out of the doorway and back down the hall to the main foyer.

Jayce followed the familiar path down towards the dining room, when he stopped for a moment, puzzled. There were lots of voices in the dining hall, and not the ones Jayce was used to. What had happened last night when he was asleep? As he approached, Jayce heard distinct voices, though some of them he couldn't place. There was Breanna and Michael, Jayce would probably be able to tell it was those two, via their bickering, even if he were dead. Maxwell was there too, complaining about the Chopin piece, though Jayce thought it was lovely. Mr. Sayco was there, and had addressed Ayda. Jayce smiled, little Rae-Rae was one of his best friends at the mansion, even if she was older than him.

Jayce peered into the door, only to be greeted by a raucous, almost party-like breakfast. There were many new faces, and so many people were talking at once, Jayce couldn't understand what was being said. He waved at Michael and Breanna, who smiled back at him, and smirked at Maxwell, making a silly face. "Well this is new." Jayce said aloud, mostly to himself as he walked towards his seat next to Ayda. He recognized all his old teachers and Mr. Sayco, but who was the little girl? And the other adults, who didn't look much older than Jayce? Jayce walked up to Ayda and wrapped his arms around her from behind in an affectionate, big brotherly hug. "Good morning Ayda, sweetie." Jayce said with a smile. "Are you as confused as I am? There's a lot of new people here." Jayce said. "Morning Mr. Sayco." Jayce said, as he took his seat. "What's all this?" Jayce asked, gesturing to... everything.

Julia stared in disbelief at her brother before stalking past the young woman and grabbing the back of Beck’s collar. “What the hell did they drug you with?!” she hissed under her breath, keeping her grip tight before he got any other bright ideas. Even if this was Sayco’s mansion, that didn’t mean crap until they got some answers; like why these people felt the need to kidnap them. Beck grunted, his eyebrows shooting up to his forehead as he was yanked back and his sister hissed in his ears. "Come now Julia, you don't want to make a bad first impression on our hosts, slash, kidnappers, slash, roomies do you?" A small smile came across his lips as he reached up and gently removed Julia's hand from his collar. He gave her hand a comforting squeeze. "Well, go on, you wanted to do the talking didn't you?"

“You just want me to take care of the talking so you can eat.” She stated flatly, posture still tense as she glared at his hand squeezing hers. “Fine. I’ll be nice.” Still not moving towards the table, Julia glanced over their kidnappers/hosts sitting around the table. They appeared to be perfectly comfortable and at ease at their place settings, like they had just stumbled upon them having breakfast. Then again, that is what the note said they were invited too… Eyeing them one at a time further up the table, she had a double take at a girl sitting among them, probably not even older than herself; and close to the girl, at the head of the table, was Mr. Sayco himself. The siblings had never met the man, but she knew his picture from the news articles they stumbled across. “Well I’ll be… Looks like we really are at his place Beck. And we have a company of eight looks like.”

After clueing in her brother, Julia looked at the man behind her current drug induced hangover. “So do we get an explanation for all this, or do we get more surprises to scare the crap out of us. “ Glaring at the man and waiting for a response, her attention sidetracked as more people walked in. Two men just sauntering in just as Beck had without a care in the world. Apparently one at least had been abducted as well, and the other? “I give up. I simply give up.” She stated at everyone’s nonchalance. There obviously really were more of them, and she got the feeling there weren’t going to be any answers until they all arrived. “Beck, if you say I told you so I’ll dress you in plaid for a month.” She warned her brother as she guided him over to a seat at the end of the table. “But what the hell; there’s food.”

Still keeping an eye on everyone, completely confused, Julia gave up and sat next to her brother with her arms crossed.

The first thing Aurora registered was that she was strangely comfortable. The second thing was that the sun was shining uncomfortably on her eyes. She covered her face with an arm before realizing that she couldn't see the sun where she slept at night. I must have been too tired to make it all the way to my tunnel after... After... Aurora shot up out of bed (Where in the world did this come from?) and winced, gingerly touching her head. Her last few memories came flying back to her. The path behind her favorite restaurant. Someone hiding behind the dumpster and grabbing her. Darkness.

Aurora quickly pushed away the covers and slid off the bed. Forgetting her situation for a moment, she giggled and climbed back up. She was about to slide off the slippery surface again when she remembered. The nearby window was her goal. Aurora opened it and looked down. "Shoot," she muttered. "Of course I couldn't be on the first floor of wherever I am." She still swung one of her legs over, however, before hesitating. How did she know that this was actually a bad thing? It couldn't have been Bleeders who found her, or else she would be dead right now. She straddled the window for a minute, considering. For the first time, Aurora actually took in the surrounding scenery of her room. A note right next to the bed caught her eye. She sighed before bringing her leg back in and retrieving the note.



Aurora let the piece of paper fall to the ground. The Arthur Sayco. "Well, at least I know he of all people isn't trying to kill me." She smiled before testing the door out of her room. It easily swung open and Aurora quietly stepped out, cautiously looking around for other people. None were in the immediate vicinity, but she could hear quiet music drifting from at least one floor beneath her. Aurora found a staircase and descended. The further she went, the louder the music, and the stronger the smell of food. Breakfast sounds pretty good right about now. Aurora turned a corner and saw several people standing inside a partially-opened door. That must be the dining room. Did they live here? Or had they also been... Invited? She gave them a tiny smile before stepping into the room. "Is there any chocolate? Or is that not allowed in the morning?"

Aniko Garay

It wasn't long after she had arrived at the dining room door that people appeared. The first were a girl and boy, about her own age. The girl gave Aniko a glance, obviously assessing whether she was a kidnapper or a kidnapped. It was clear that the two were kidnapped, if not by the girls hostel looks than the fact the boy threw the doors open and said as much to the room full of people beyond.

There was, now, obviously little reason to remain standing by the door. She was clearly visible to those inside, a group of half a dozen or so. Yet, she hesitated, preferring to wait and see how they reacted to the boys proclamation that this was the "...nicest kidnapping fiasco I’ve ever been involved in."
Another young man approached, his attitude equally blase as he causally greeted the gathered group with good mornings all around.

Aniko didn't know whether the addition of these fellow kidnapped people made her feel safer or more nervous. True, they were able to take a lot of the attention away from herself, which she appreciated, but it was obvious that Arthur Sayco had gathered them all together for something... She had, of course, remembered where she knew his name as soon as she saw him sitting at the head of the dining table. Arthur Sayco's picture graced the front of the news fairly regularly and his wealth was well known. He was also a name whispered amongst other Active. Aniko had to admit that his presence here did something to ease her nerves although it did nothing to solve her confusion. Just why had he brought her, and these other people, here?

Feeling that there wasn't much pointing in staying standing, and feeling her stomach give another loud rumble, she walked over and took seat at the table. She sat across from the girl and boy who had already taken their seats. Her seat also gave her an excellent view of the door.

Jessica stood still for a moment not being able to move a muscle. The silent was prominent and the wind was her only companion, along with the pitch black darkness that seemed to surround her. 'Not again…' was all she could think. She knew that it was just another one of her nightmares, reflecting one of her biggest fears, being left alone with nothing else but the sound of the wind blowing on her ears. She desperately wanted to break free of her nightmare, knowing exactly what would happen next was an unbearable thought, seeing the death of her loved ones all over again.

She was about to let out a cry in her nightmare, wishing that she could avoid the bloody scene, suddenly letting out a plea longing for someone to finally awaken her. But before she did she was suddenly awoken by a particular sound. 'This is new' she thought to herself, she had grown used to seeing the same nightmare over and over almost every single night but she did not recall ever listening to the distant sound of a creaking wooden floor. She shook her head in disbelief finally breaking free from her unbreakable nightmare.

She woke up in a sudden movement which made her head feel hurt. 'Maybe moving too fast is not such a good idea' she thought as she came back to her senses. It was obviously she had been drugged only to be kidnapped, the mere idea of being kidnapped only made her feel sicker. She got up as fast as she could without stumbling down on the bed again before she noticed something that caught her eyes. It was a small note that stood patiently on a table besides the bed waiting for her to open it, she came moved towards the note suspiciously as she opened it carefully.

'Morning to you all,
I’m sure you’re all wondering what the hell is going on. I can answer all your questions if you join me in the dining hall for breakfast. It would not be wise to run or try and leave. I would greatly enjoy your company.
Yours Truly
Arthur Ford Sayco'

’Sayco? the name resonated within her. She had heard the name of course, he was one of the wealthiest and most powerful man but even more importantly he was on their side, or so Jessica believed. She let out a sigh of relieve already having an idea of his plans. Sayco wanted the same thing that her father did, he wanted them to have a better life, a life in which they did not have to fear for their lives, in which they did not have to fear for what they were, gifted, special, different… Actives. Even so she did not appreciate the tone that he left with his, it would not be wise to run or try and leave.
She moved her head which now was clearer than ever, she was no longer hesitant even though under other circumstances she would have been. Instead she was determinate to confirm with her own eyes what exactly was going on. She moved slowly as her head was still suffering side-effects of the drug, even the lighting was too much for her to handle, even so she was finally able to reach the meeting place where she could finally get some clear answers.

As soon as she came closer to the dining hall her head ache in pain as there were a rare mix of noises emanating from the dining room. She couldn't help but feel relieved at the sound of other voices; the idea of being alone with Arthur Sayco was not particularly overjoying. She finally opened the door carefully only to see others already seated looking just as confused, another girl simply stared at the floor which made Jess wonder if they had done something to her or if she was just simply scared.

It was then when her glance stopped at the sight of a boy, however he was not just a boy he was simply the most amazing boy that Jess had even laid eyes upon. She had tried to keep her cool before her eyes meet his but it was useless, it was like she was hypnotized by his beautiful eyes that had a beautiful mix with blue and green, 'perfection' was all she could think. Soon after she cursed at her own self for being too blunt and simply sat close enough to the boy to steal a glance of his beautiful eyes every now and then, praying that he would not notice her obvious interest. She scolded herself quietly returning to her serious expression as she now stared at the puppeteer of this entire dramatic event. Noticing now the background music, a piece by Frédéric Chopin one of her mother’s favorite.

She wished to hear an explanation, not only for obvious reasons but to keep her distracted from starring too much to the boy who seemed to be way too friendly with the quiet girl. It was obvious that he had not being kidnapped instead by seeing how comfortable he was she could bet that he even lived there, even so he also seemed somewhat confused.

---

---

---

---

Dante woke slowly, as he always did, the sun streaming from the window landing it's rays across his eyes, and interrupting his sleep. Not that it mattered to him all that much. He hadn't had a peaceful night of sleep since he was ten. Which was twelve years ago. Usually he held off sleep for as long as humanly possible before finally passing out and letting Kila take over, as neither of them really liked to sleep. It was strange that he have such a deep and dreamless sleep as the one he was awaking from now.

Slowly Dante's eyes blinked open, and he rubbed them, turning his head on his pillow slightly to face the window and rolling his body in the bed to match.

Wait. Pillow? Bed?

Suddenely on high-alert at the discovery of something unknown, Dante sat up straight, all sleepiness forgotten. Frantically, he looked around the elaborate room and stood, pacing it, trying to find something familiar about it's features, and, if not, at the very least, remember how he'd gotten there.

However, no matter how hard he tried he just could not come up with anything, and panic began to set in. He hadn't had a black out since he was seventeen, hopelessly hooked on any drug that he could get his hands on. Back then, black outs were a regular thing for him, and he was used to waking up in the morning having no idea where the hell he was.

But not anymore. Those days were behind him, thanks to Kila, and she would never let him have another one again.

Suddenly, Dante realized something.

Where was Kila?

He was just about to rush to the door and tear the whole house down looking for her, when a bright flash of white caught his attention and he turned to spot a piece of paper on his bedside table, flapping ever so slightly in the fresh breeze coming from his just-barely-cracked window.

Forcing himself to relax and think rationally, something Kila, his traveling companion never did, Dante crossed to the table, picke up the paper, and made his way over to stand in front of the window. Using his telekinesis, seeing as, he was probably captured by the Bleeders and they already knew about what he was, he threw his window all the way open, letting the fresh air hit him and fill his lungs, allowing him to think his way through his situation.

Nervously, Dante unfolded the letter, half expecting to see his father's name, David Harold, scrawled across the bottom. It was the only logical explanation he could come up with, as his father was a rich man. The only detail of the kidnapping that didn't match up was that he was still alive.

Morning to you all,
I’m sure you’re all wondering what the hell is going on. I can answer all your questions if you join me in the dining hall for breakfast. It would not be wise to run or try and leave. I would greatly enjoy your company.
Yours Truly
Arthur Ford Sayco

Dante took note of the repeated use of the word all throughout the letter, meaning that there was more than one victim to this kidnapping. Had Kila been part of it? Why couldn't he remember being kidnapped? Why couldn't he remember the last twenty-four hours at all? The last thing he remembered was eating a weak meal of roasted squirrel and stolen apples with Kila, and then his memory went blank.

Dante had heard of Aurthor Sayco, and he didn't hate the man. When it came to the Actives, pretty much they either loved him or they hated him, but Dante was one of those rare inbetween types. He didn't particularly care for the man, as he thought his privileged life unfair, and he wasn't sure he was trustworthy, but he didn't hate him or think him a coward like Kila did.

Deciding to find out what was going on, Dante placed the letter back in it's spot, grabbed his leather jacket, slipping it over his black tee from the night before, and went out into the hall.

In the hall, he wandered a bit, taking in the building, awing at it's size, but also noting possible escape routes and hiding places. He wanted a plan in place before he met this Sayco character.

Finally, when he was ready, he made his way to the dining hall, where there were other people around his age trickling in, and, he could tell just from a glance they they were all Active, they were all kidnapped, and they were all just as confused as he was.

Various members of the group were making statements about the kidnapping, but Dante just took a seat, and took in the face of each person in the room, reading them, sizing them up, but also looking for Kila. She had to be here. He could feel it. Somehow, he would just know if she was truly gone. She just hadn't arrived yet.

After examining every face slowly, Dante's eyes finally made their way to the head of the table where he found a girl, probably around Kila's age, with raven hair and a very pretty face, sitting next to Arthur Sayco himself. If it weren't for the need to see his host, Dante would not have taken his eyes of the girl, but he had to know who it was that had dared to kidnap him in the middle of the night. He wouldn't even think about touching any food until he'd had a chance to get a good read on the man serving it.

"What the hell is going on?" He said suddenly, eyes on Sayco. "And also, I'm going to have to apologize ahead of time for my friend..." He said, turning towards the door as he heard a loud swear just outside. That had to be Kila. Any moment now, she'd barge in, unleashing a whirlwind of anger on this generally (surprisingly) calm group of individuals. "You'll know which one she is." He said with a sarcastic smirk as he leaned back in his chair.

---

---

---

---

Kila woke the same way she did everything-- All at once.

It was like, one moment, the world was either black, or filled with nightmare, the next, it was filled with color and reality. There was never any sleepy, groggy, inbetween stage for her. Just sudden clarity. She supposed that may be a side effect of her gift. Having the ability to create illusion tended to warp reality for her a little. It was like sometimes, things were too clear and too real, like she was too sensitive to every little sight or sound around her, and other times, she had troubles picking out the real from the imaginary.

Dante told her she was insane all the time. Of course, he was only joking, but he had never really known that he was actually half right. If someone else were to see inside her mind for just one day, they would see that there was something certifiably off about Mickayla Isabelle Striker.

Another thing about when she woke, was that, it was never gracefully.

She always gasped or screamed awake as though she'd been underwater too long and come up for a breath of air, or she was waking from a terrible nightmare, which, half the time, she was.

Kila never really slept anymore. Not since she'd been forced to live on high-alert. Her resting could hardly even be called sleep. It was more like she had her eyes closed, her body was sleeping, but her mind and a small part of her consciousness were still awake as ever, allowing for the drop of a pin to wake her.

So when the little blond hairs on her arm rustled slightly, Kila woke with a sputtering gasp and rolled out of the bed she was in, in a tangle of sheets and limbs, slapping her palms and knees down hard against a solid wooden floor.

Kneeling there, Kila coughed viciously for a moment before she got a handle on her surroundings and the sharp clarity of the world around her blurred just enough for her to focus on where was and what was going on.

Which were two very good questions. What the fuck had happened last night?

Instantly, she took in her lavish surroundings and jumped to her feet. "Holy shit." She whispered to herself as she glanced around the room, remembering the night before and fingering a large, rather fresh bruise on her upper arm. She'd been eating with Dante when some assholes had attacked them.

Well not really attacked. More like snuck up on them. They'd slapped something over her mouth and nose, but Kila held her breath, watching as Dante went limp across from her. She'd fought viciously, and had even kicked her attacker in the nose, causing it too bleed, and landed a punch on the stanger's eye, but they managed to get her all the same and whatever was on the cloth they'd slapped over her mouth had knocked her out cold. The memory was clear as crystal in her mind, and it instantly caused panic.

She knew of no one in this world that would want her alive. (Besides Dante of course.) She couldn't even begin to count the number of people who would have wanted her dead, but alive? Not a single name came to mind. Suddenly, anger rose up in her and she whirled about the room, looking for her things, and finding her bag next to the bed with a note sitting on top of it.

Her eyes skimmed through it frantically, searching for answers, but it was only some generic invitation to the dining room.

Deciding it was her best bet to get herself some answers, find Dante, and maybe kick some ass before breaking out of her lavish prison, Kila grabbed her bag and left the room, tossing the bundle on the ground just outside it so she could grab it quickly as she made a mad dash for the nearest exit.

Angrily, Kila stormed down the hallway. Nobody got the better of her, and nobody separated her from Dante. As she walked briskly, she made note of windows, doors and exits, until she spotted a room just down the hall that people seemed to be gravitating towards and guessed that this was the one she was looking for.

In her haste to get to the room and rip into the asshole who'd brought her here, Kila's vision failed to alert her of the maid headed straight towards her, and Kila all but crushed the poor girl, causing the dishes and tray she was carrying to fly everywhere with a loud crash. "Fuck." Kila cursed loudly before moving on.

Without hesitation, she threw the doors of the dining hall wide and looked around at everyone inside. They all looked just as confused as her, but all seemed calm. Even Dante was there, casually sitting in a chair, eyes on her with interest.

"Would somebody care to tell me exactly what the fuck is going on before I kick somebody's ass?!" She spoke angrily, eyes on Arthur Sayco, ignoring all the Actives in the room, and refusing to take a seat. She wasn't particularly concerned about the others. It was Arthur she was worried about. He was the one who was 40-something years-old, and, as such, had to have some killer abilities. Even mind readers, empaths, or memory readers didn't bother her, as Actives with mind powers couldn't touch her. She was a blank slate to them, one of the nicer side effects of her gifts.

Kila's eyes dropped to Dante's. "Dante." She hissed at him. "Care to tell me why the hell you're just sitting there. This man is known for dealing with Bleeder's you moron, why do you think they don't touch him? Get the hell up. Vacation's over. We're leaving now."

Waking up had always been Rose's least favorite part of the day. Normally, it involved shocking herself out of bad dreams so that she could drag her aching body out of her cheap, lumpy bed and into a cold shower. She'd dress in clothes that weren't too nice, but also weren't too tattered so that she could spend eight hours bartending at some ratty strip club downtown and fend off the creeps who were constantly trying to follow her home.

For some reason, though, today was different.

Rose found herself fading back into consciousness gradually. For once, she hadn't had one nightmare, or at least she couldn't remember any of them. Actually... she couldn't remember much of anything. She remembered leaving the club early after having a fight with her boss... she remembered making it to the corner right before her apartment building when a pair of hands reached out of the shadows...

Rose wrenched upright with a hoarse cry, her power flying out in all directions, but she was alone in the room. Details from the night before were filtering back to her. She'd struck out with her power as soon as she'd felt the hands around her upper arms and they'd fell away. She'd started running, but three more shadowy figures emerged. She'd poured as much energy as she could manage into her power, she'd struggled as hard as she could, but they overpowered her. One of them hit her in the face while the others piled on top of her, covering her mouth and nose...

She scrambled out of the overstuffed bed she'd been tucked in, surveying the room she'd been put in. She didn't understand. She'd been sure when they grabbed her that this was it. The Bleeders weren't known for playing games. If they had found her, they would have torn her apart right then and there. She wandered hesitantly around the room and her eyes settled on a thick piece of cardstock propped up next to a glass of water and a pair of white pills.

Morning to you all,
I’m sure you’re all wondering what the hell is going on. I can answer all your questions if you join me in the dining hall for breakfast. It would not be wise to run or try and leave. I would greatly enjoy your company.
Yours Truly
Arthur Ford Sayco

A second note was scrawled in tidy handwriting underneath that note.

We apologize for the rough treatment you suffered. Please accept this aspirin with our apologies.
Elizabeth Victoria

Rose narrowed her eyes. She was confused and confusion exacerbated her already unpleasant temperament. No matter how nice the note seemed, she didn't like the veiled threat in the second line. She had no clue what to make out of the second note. She ignored the pills and crept out of the room, fully intending to find her way out of the manor. She stumbled from room to room woozily, still suffering from whatever they'd given her. She didn't even notice the voices until she had burst into the full dining room. Rose hovered in the doorway for a second, taking in the scene. She considered taking a seat and finding out what exactly was going on, but she suddenly caught sight of the man with dark hair sitting near the head of the table. In a flash, she recognized him from the night before. He was the one who'd smashed his fist into her face. Rose turned on her heel and sprinted from the room, hoping she could make it to an exit before anyone could catch her.

She passed three different forms as she ran and she didn't pause for either of them. She was barely thinking. All she knew was that she wasn't safe here, she didn't like it here, and she wasn't staying, Sayco be damned.

---

Ian was already awake and snooping around by the time he started to hear footsteps going up and down the hallway. He'd found his note and honestly wasn't very worried. He'd seen just a taste of what his kidnappers had been thinking when they touched his skin and while he wasn't quite clear on what was about to happen, he was pretty sure no one was going to hurt him. Plus, everything he'd seen so far was top of the line, nicest of the nice. He definitely didn't have a problem hanging around here for a while longer.

He combed through his hair with his fingers as he wandered through the mansion. He was relieved when he finally could make out some strains of some sort of classical music. He followed the music and voices to a set of huge double doors. There was a girl in the doorway, but suddenly she spun around and dashed from the room. Only a few moments later, another girl took her place. Ian slipped around her while she started raving and grabbed a piece of toast off of the table. He threw himself into a seat and turned to watch the new girl curse.

"Huh," he said when she was finished. "If she leaves, can I claim whatever free stuff she was gonna get?"

The warped world of Keira’s nightmares slowly solidified into darkness and then, into consciousness. With a thunderous head ache and a pair of sore, swollen eyes the young girl came to. She awoke from violent dreams that were no more than shards of memory.

Keira bolted from her lying position and after a moments pause, vomited over the edge of the bed. Once her throat had finished burning and her stomach had emptied she propped herself up on her elbow and stared down at the mess. She looked past the bile to the nice flooring and struggled to comprehend everything that had happened to her in the last 48 hours. Her brain throbbed, her eyes swelled and watered in the daylight and her heart hung heavily in her chest.

Jacob was gone. 48 hours ago her life had been as close to perfect as an Active could expect and not a minute had passed before it was gone. All gone or at least most of it. Keira looked down at her body before looking up at the ceiling quickly with tears in her eyes. She wiped them hastily and sat up properly, the last thing she remembered was running.

She had been running for her life and the Bleeders were hot on her trail like a pack of hungry wolves. She remembered stumbling her way through old turf, buildings and neighbourhoods that had been left untouched from the war, just foundation shells and rubble, she remembered hearing them calling out to her, hearing their heavy footsteps…someone grabbed her, a cloth went over her mouth…

Keira held her head in her hands and rubbed vigorously in an attempt to wipe away the drowsiness she was experiencing from whatever drug had been forced upon her. She couldn’t remember anything else. What happened back at the house dominated her memory, everything led back to that moment. The moment she lost the only person she had left in the world.

A male scream sent Keira staggering to her feet. Her eyes darted around the room she was in, it was a bedroom, luxury sprang to mind as she surveyed the fine bed and utilities; she had no idea where she’d been dropped off. Bile threatened to rise in her throat once again but she swallowed it down as best she could. This could be the situation she had been dreading for a long time. Someone had found her and if she wasn’t dead already, there was no doubt in her mind that she was here to be used. More focused now on the severity of the situation Keira noticed the note left on a desk, she snatched it up and read carefully.

Morning to you all,
I’m sure you’re all wondering what the hell is going on. I can answer all your questions if you join me in the dining hall for breakfast. It would not be wise to run or try and leave. I would greatly enjoy your company.
Yours Truly
Arthur Ford Sayco

Her first initial thought was there were others. “All” meant there were probably others, like her, who had also woken up and found themselves in this situation. Arthur Sayco was the next thing she registered, the name sounded familiar and after a moments thought jogged a memory of Jacob mentioning him. He was an Active that had never suffered the hunt. He lived in harmony with the Saviours. He was to her knowledge…on tier with the humans.

She screwed up the note in her fist and threw it at the bed room window over looking the grounds. Her mind clocked on to the window and she moved swiftly over to it. Keira tried to squeeze her fingers under the frame in an attempt to open it. The damn thing wouldn’t budge an inch. She stood back, took a deep breath in and out and turned her efforts to studying it. As quick as a whip she realised she wasn’t escaping from this particular window.

She turned around and lent up against it, frustrated and admittedly scared. She was still riddled with drugs, confusion and hopelessness. Everything had gone so unpredictably wrong, she wasn’t sure where she stood anymore or what she should do. She could stay in this room but no doubt someone would come and fetch her. She could try to escape but this was obviously Sayco’s estate. If he was equipped enough to find her what was the likely-hood he’d premeditated how to detain her.

Keira listened to people moving around outside the bedroom door, people who sounded just as confused and angry as she felt. Walking over to the bedroom door she opened it a crack and watched the back of a girl storm out of view. There was no point in remaining where she was, as a sitting duck.

Keira followed the stampeding girl in front of her all the way down to a set of doors. A young maid was knelt down with broken cutlery in hand, a girl was sprinting down the hall, another (the one she’d been shadowing) was bulldozing through the double doors with no precautions. Hearing no gun-fire, screams or the distinct click of a silencer Keira walked over to the double doors and peeked inside.

A dining room sat prominently in the centre of a grand, well lit room. The table already had a fair few individuals seated, those who obviously lived at Sayco manor, those who could live here and those who had noticeably been living it rough for quite some time. Keira saw both men and women and in response hoisted one of her vest straps back onto her shoulders before folding her arms consciously over her bust. She was dressed in a pair of dirty grey track-suit bottoms, a vest top and socks. She’d been caught unawares by the Bleeders and these people, thus she was as good as wearing her pyjama’s.
She shuffled in cautiously behind the ranting girl and stood just behind her. She wasn’t sure if she should be standing here or running like the other girl she’d seen a moment ago.

---

---

Janne Jenesen

Of course, his initial plan didn't work for long.

Two pairs of hands pulled him out from under the covers and dragged him into the hallway, protesting and legs flailing underneath boxershorts. "I'm not even decent!" he tried to say, but was shoved into the dining room anyways, the two butlers' grip strong to prevent him from running away. He had seen another running towards and then past them in the hallway. Someone must have already tried to escape.

He arrived in time to here the end of Mr. Sayco's speech. He didn't pay too much attention, too busy taking in what Mr. Sayco actually looked like, along with the dozen other random people in here, most of whom he didn't know. Then again, he didn't go outside, so, surprise surprise.

In an attempt to get back in bed, he turned invisible, but the men's grip didn't slacken. Disappointed, Janne stayed invisible just to spite them. And because he figured two grown men holding so tightly onto nothing might be a humorous sight.

Arthur Sayco had a way with words that caught and held the listeners. He was passionate about his cause, that much was perfectly evident. But, even as Sayco made eye contact with them all, Aniko couldn't help but think of her misgivings.

Aniko thought she had misheard at first, it sounded like Arthur Sayco intended to train her - and the other Actives gathered - to fight with their powers. Sayco had obviously got the wrong girl. She couldn't fight, her power was to travel through people's dreams. Perhaps, given training, she could turn those dreams into nightmares but, really, how could that possibly defeat the bleeders? A few skittish, sleepless bleeders running around wouldn't have much effect on Sayco's grand plan.
Aniko also couldn't help but wonder at the ease with which this man had kidnapped this number of Actives. Aniko herself had thought herself below the Bleeders' radar, but obviously she had been traceable. It worried her that she had been found so easily, was her family safe? They would, no doubt, be worried about their daughter... unless of course they already assumed that the bleeders had killed her. Her heart sank at the thought of her parents and brother believing her dead.

Aniko held her tongue as another captured Active spoke, pointing out logically that if they could leave why hadn't he just let the girl storm out without pursuit? Aniko found herself agreeing silently and then, before she could stop herself she blurted out,
"What use is walking through people's dreams against the bleeders?" It was the first time, outside of her family, that she had spoken of her gift, but if they really were all Actives - and she knew that at least the boy standing invisible between the two butlers was - than there was little point in pretending otherwise.

The other question that she wanted to voice, but lacked the confidence too was in regard to this 'Active age'. Not all humans were bad, not all of them were like the bleeders. How many innocent people would be caught between the Bleeders and the Actives? That isn't to say she wanted the Bleeders to continue, she loathed them. If she did join Sayco, and she hadn't completely decided yet, it would be purely to see the bleeders downfall.

Keira stood back and let the speech and questions unfold. She turned in on herself to think once Sayco had, had his say on why he'd brought them all here. She couldn't argue with the fact he'd already saved her by kidnapping her, to her knowledge she was being actively hunted at the time one of Sayco's handy men slipped a cloth over her mouth. She couldn't disagree with his cause either, he was offering her his hospitality, a chance to hone her abilities (something she'd been tackling all her life) and a chance to free her kind from the oppression they'd been suffering.

Most importantly though Keira highlighted one word she'd heard in his inspiring speech. Safe. He said she'd be safe here. For the first time in her life she'd be well and truly safe. It wasn't something a girl like her could comprehend, she'd been looking over her shoulder for so long, the idea of a place that offered sincere security, it was sanctury. A sanctury that came 48 hours too late.

Part of her wanted to run, she'd known loneliness and self dependance for so long it seemed such a risk to place her welfare into a strangers hands, yet Arthur Sayco had something about him, whether it was his image or his deep southern voice, there was confidence, honestly and safeness in his representation. Keira had more than herself to worry about now, she had to make the right choice.

Stepping forward, past the other Actives that still lingered uncertainly by the door Keira aimed a stern, serious look at the hot tempered young man who had recently entered and backed Sayco's speech. She then turned her attention to Arthur and tried her best to smile. It came out as a grimace but it was close enough.

"If this place is really safe. I will stay. You'll need me if you're going to bring down the saviour empire, but I will not promise my participation. I will not risk my neck for this dream, not yet."

Julia had to fight back a grin as Beck goofed off. Sure it was probably inappropriate given the circumstances; but Beck was Beck, and what Beck wants she gives. Turning to look back over the gathered Actives, her hint of a grin quickly sobered away. They had just been offered a ‘safe’ place to stay. To be able to sleep under a roof with food and a bed. Train and learn more about their gifts. Perhaps even find out why Beck lost his sight; maybe even get it back. And she could learn to better defend them and fight; she wasn’t going to deny her abilities were raw at best. But it all sounded too good to be true.

“Seriously though, Beck. What do you think of this whole haven offer? Do you want to stay, or get out of here. I want to know what you think.” She said quietly, grabbing a glass and tilting it to swirl the water inside of it.

Julia was one of the few people that Beck was able to read like a book despite the fact that he couldn’t see her face. He knew everything he needed from the tone of her voice and from her tone now he knew it was time to be serious. His face straightened and his eyes drifted to look towards the table as he thought. “Well, I think of it this way. We stay here with the possibility of Mr. Sayco being an extremist bound on killing all humans but on the other hand we’re given safety and training which we both desperately need. It could be a trick and we could be biting off more than we can chew but if we leave then we’re going right back to our old life, if you can even call it that. So I guess I’m saying we either take our chances here or run and hide for the rest of our lives. I’d rather take a chance. What about you? I want you to feel safe Julia.” He reached out for her, missing his mark a couple of times before his hand finally came to rest on her forearm. “You’re my main priority so if you want to go then we’ll go.”

Staring at the glass before setting it back on the table, Julia placed her free hand on top of his. “As much as I think this is likely to bite us in the butt; it’s not like our other options are any better. We can stay here long enough to get some training; heaven knows we both need it. But if things start to go south, we walk. Maybe we can work something out about the human part; but the bleeders can go to hell, and I’ll be happy to give ‘em a boost myself.” Grip tightening, Julia looked at her brother despite the fact he couldn’t see her. “And no worrying about me, that’s my job. You just keep your girlie tail out of trouble if we’re staying.”

‎ Beck’s familiar smile crept back to his face at the playful jab. “You’re just jealous because I’m more feminine than you.” He chuckled and raised her hand to his lips to give it an affectionate peck. “Love you pussycat.”

“You’re only feminine because you hit like a girl.” Julia returned the jab before once again leaning back into the chair and resuming her watch of the other Actives, wondering who else would stay or who would choose to go. Taking another look at the girl sitting across from them, Julia couldn’t hold back the smirk as she thought about the stranger’s question. Surely if these people could train a state 2, then there had to be something they had in mind for state 1’s.

Aurora cautiously sat down as Mr. Sayco was talking. He just had a way of talking that made everything make so much sense. Even though they had just met, she felt like he was trustworthy. At the words "my family", Aurora felt her chest constrict. He was talking about them. Her. Then and there, Aurora knew she was staying. No one else had ever accepted her like that before. The questions that most everyone seemed to be concerned with flew right over Aurora's head. This was the place where she belonged. And, as a special bonus, she would be trained in her power. [i]I'll finally have a use for my other half[i] she mused. "I'm staying," she announced to no one in particular. The people in charge would probably get a head count later.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard twelve year old wanting chocolate from a girl nearby. Aurora chuckled to herself. People always thought she was younger than her age, but they had never been five whole years off. She called from a few seats over, "For your information, I am seventeen," she couldn't keep a grin off her face. "But you were close!" Aurora giggled and walked up to them. She held out her hand. "I'm Aurora."

---

---

---

---

Dante sighed and leaned back in his chair a bit when, just as he'd expected, not a moment after apologizing for her, Kila barged through the door in an earthquake of anger and temper. "Would somebody care to tell me exactly what the fuck is going on before I kick somebody's ass?!" She screamed, seeming frustrated by the fact that she was the only person in the room not wandering around calmly. She then turned her eyes on him and he only raised an eyebrow, letting her talk. "Dante." She hissed at him. "Care to tell me why the hell you're just sitting there. This man is known for dealing with Bleeder's you moron, why do you think they don't touch him? Get the hell up. Vacation's over. We're leaving now."

Dante rolled his eyes. "Kila, stop making an ass of yourself, and at least find out why we're here." He said back, eyes on hers, letting her know he meant business. That he had no intention of leaving until he found out what was going on.

That seemed to shut her up. Dante didn't exactly know why. Maybe she'd come to her senses, or maybe she just didn't want to argue, though neither scenario was very likely, but seeing as, Dante could never make her shut up if she didn't want to, he chose not to question it.

Kila refused to sit. Dante wanted to stay and listen to whatever Mr. Sayco had to say, so she'd stay, but there was no way she was sitting down. Instead she leaned up against the wall behind Dante's chair, half shooting daggers at the back of his head, half watching everyone around her, listening to their conversations, and taking in their faces and expressions.

Finally, Mr. Sayco decided to speak up and her eyes locked on him, as did Dante's, watching as he stood. “I realize that all of you are confused, I also realize that most of you do not trust me and I understand Why. I would like to start first by saying all of you are safe here, no one will harm you here, I will not allow it.” Kila just rolled her eyes, refusing to believe that some random stranger would offer them safety, while Dante blinked and listened intently. “I’m sure you are all aware of who I am, but if you are not I am Arthur Ford Sayco, the owner of Sayco Manor and Sayco Wheat Co.” Yeah, we all know who you are. Kila thought bitterly to herself, and instantly deciding to distrust him more, just because of his smooth, charming tone. She dind't trust people who could draw people in with words, for she did it often herself, and so did Dante, so, when she glanced at him in his chair in front of her, and saw him nodding his head slightly, Kila grew angry and kicked the back of his chair hard, causing him to turn and glare at her, to which she merely smirked and shrugged.

“I’m sure you’re asking yourself why in the world was I kidnapped, but be honest with yourselves, had you simply been asked to join Mr. Sayco “The Selves bastard, in the mansion on the outskirts of the city” you wouldn’t have come, you would have thought it was a setup a trap. There for kidnapping you was necessary.” Dante chuckled slightly under his breath at this, knowing very well that there was no way in hell he would have come, and even less of a chance that Kila would have.

“As for the reasoning behind why I have gathered you all, I intend to train you all help you better control your gifts, then when the time is right we will make the Bleeders pay for what they have done to you all and your families, We are going to make the New Age an Active age, I will no longer allow my family to be treated as a pest a lower class.” Kila's mind had begun to wander off, glaring at Dante, clicking her tongue, tapping her fingers, figuring this man had nothing useful to say. But those words made her head shoot up instantly, and her eyes narrowed on Sayco. He wanted to train them? And had he referred to all Actives as his family, or merely his literal family? Either way, she was not his family. Her only family was Dante, and they weren't even related by blood.

She stood and gripped the back of Dante's chair tightly, knuckles white, jaw clenched as she watched Mr. Sayco make his way to the door. As much as she wanted to see the Bleeders suffer, she didn't want to join forces with anyone, She was perfectly content with her and Dante's little duo, and wanted to keep it that way. Besides, what Mr. Sayco was talking about was more than making the Bleeders suffer. He was talking about a revolution. About taking over completely. How many innocent humans would get caught in that? No matter how much Dante hated the humans, Kila refused to believe they were all bad. He father had been human, as had her older brother, and they'd died trying to protect her.

Dante felt Kila's movement behind him, and reached up to hold one of the hands she was using to grip his chair with while he listened to Sayco wrap it up.“If you do not wish to stand with me and fight for the freedom that is rightfully yours, you can leave, I am not holding you hostage, nor will I force you to put your life on the line if you are not willing.” He said in a way that felt sincere. “But, I promise for those of you who do fight I will protect you with my dying breath."

When he was done, chatter then ensued. Questions were blurted out, but, for the most part, people chose to join Sayco, and Dante couldn't say they were wrong, however, he felt Kila moving again behind him.

"Nice place, really," Kila said sarcastically, "but you'll have to enjoy it without us. Dante and I are good on our own." She then turned to Dante. "Dante, get up. We're leaving."

This made Dante leap out of his seat suddenly and place a tight grip on her shoulder just as she was about to stalk out of the room, forcing her to stay. He shot an apologetic glance at Sayco before whirling Kila around. "Micky." He said, eyeing her. "I think this is real. As much as I like to work alone, and you know I do, I think this is sincere."

Kila rolled her eyes. Dante was the only person, (aside from those with official records on her), who knew her real name and gave her nicknames other than Kila. "I didn't say this wasn't real, dumbass. What I said was that I want no part of it." Her eyes were hard on his. She didn't want to live comfortably in a big mansion filled with people. She wanted to be alone with only Dante. She didn't want to be bothered or pampered. She wanted simple. Okay, not simple seeing as they were on the run, but she had a feeling that if she stayed here, she'd be driven mad by sheer lack of adventure. She already felt like she was going insane, the last thing she needed was to lose that tiny bit of sanity she was clinging to.

"Don't be stupid Kila." Dante said, practically reading her. "We're staying. For the cause. The two of us on our own aren't doing shit. I know we thought we were, but this is bigger." He tightened his grip on her shoulder, and glanced around, eyes once again catching the gaze of the dark-haired girl he'd seen before, having a hard time tearing them away. He had this gnawing feeling that he should stay. If not for what Sayco had said, then for this girl he hardly even knew, and it was crazy, but he was going to follow it. His instinct had never steered him wrong before. "If you leave," he said, eyes once again on Kila. "You leave without me."

Kila caught the way his eyes roamed and hesitated on the dark-haired girl, and an angry fire rose up in her. "You're kidding." She said, shoving his hand off her. "Please tell me you're kidding me?" She hissed so no one could hear her but him, though as she talked, her intensity and volume rose. "You're staying for a GIRL?! You're staying because there's a girl here you think is hot, aren't you?" She shoved him back hard. "You're unbelievable. I'm sooooooo going to kill you!" Kila knew he wasn't only staying for her, but she had no trouble giving him shit over it. If she was going to stay, she was going to make it as big a deal for him as possible.

With a groan, she flopped down in a chair, signifying to Dante that she was willing to stay with him, crossing her arms over her chest and kicking her feet up on the table, which Dante then pushed down as he too sat again. Kila flipped him off and then propped them back up again.

"Look at the bright side," Dante said jokingly to her. "Maybe we'll be able to figure out why you're so certifiably insane."

Dante laughed, but Kila didn't. That struck her. He meant it as a joke, and she knew that, but what if he was right? What if these people knew why she felt like some days everything was so clear she was suffocating, and others, she couldn't figure out what was real or not? Maybe they would know why she was always running in fast forward, and maybe they'd be able to fix it. However, Kila immediately put the thought out of her head. That was crazy.

Sophia heard the name 'Sayco', and felt as though she had been kicked in the stomach by a mule. Sayco. Her head reeled and her world went black.

What had happened last night? She had been grabbed. Chloroform. Sayco. Her mind reeled as she lapsed into one of her minor blackouts. Her head fell back against the chair she was sat on, and her knuckles turned white as she clutched the table.

What the hell happened last night?

So she had been taken, and stolen. It was like the opposite of when she had left home. Mother. Father. Sister. Stranger. They were all connections. Friends. Family. Stranger. Her mind was a whirl as she thought this through. Stolen. Escaped. Trapped. As always. Nowhere to run. He claimed that she was safe. Was she? Red lights. Don't walk. Don't run by the side of the pool. Pool like luxury, like this manor. Like Sayco. But it hadn't been Sayco to catch her. Dark figures. Shadows. Alley. Dirty. Not clean like this table. Not like Sayco. Different people. One rich, one poor. Rich, is money. Money is payment. Payment for capture. Kidnapped. Stolen. Why? Sayco says training. Training. Sister was bound. Black. Black memory. Years passed. Aged. Darkness. Active? Active needs training. Like football. Like sports. Train to get better. To be safe. Black. Pain. Headache. Wrong. This darkness is wrong. Needs safety. Training. Sayco. Trust. Other people. Trust. Training.Stay.

And with that headache causing blackout, she found herself gasping for breath, after an unknowable time had passed by, but she had made her decision. Sophia wouldn't risk going into another bout of that blackout by changing it now.