Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

What an amazing way to end my day.

It was a normal, or seemingly as normal of a day as I can even have anymore.

My mom died when I was seven, she was taken by a heart attack in her sleep. What a way to go, right? Peaceful, and supposedly without much pain.

After she passed my dad just gave up on me and my brother. He lost his wife, a grieving husband. I understand that, but doesn't mean you gotta ditch your kids. But y'know, it's the average teenage experience. Your mom dies and your older brother is a prick who leaves you by yourself with your father who ignores your whole existence. Then your brother drags you into an otherworldly facility ten thousand feet under water because he commited suicide instead of going on the mission he signed up for to get out of his life ruining jail time. The usual.

Well, I might as well introduce myself, I'm Coraline Hager, yeah, what a cool name, I know. At least it isn't something stupid like Sebastian Solace or whatever.

I'm a fourteen year old whose brother is twenty-one. Yeah, nearly a decade older than me, crazy right? Talk about an age gap, jeez. Guess my brother came out so bad they had to try again. I'm not sure they succeeded in the second attempt either, but that's besides the point. For someone being so much older than me, somehow my older brother still manages to drag me into his problems like the dick he is.

This time, unfortunately was not something easy. No, because he just had to ruin my life further than he already has. It wasn't just him getting me to do his chores or lying to save his sorry ass from getting in trouble. None of that...this was different, and...bad, to say the very least.

He was just convicted of actual vehicular manslaughter and a DUI, a horrible combination if you ask me. And if you're smart enough you'll find the connection between the two. In my personal opinion, I thought some punishment would be good for my brother. Maybe he'd learn a lesson. But of course nothing can just ever go my way, can it?

I never really cared for my brother, or my dad for that matter. But, given my situation it's kind of hard to care in the first place. I learned how to be independent of those two and stand by myself a long time ago.

After mom died, everything else just collapsed in on itself. Including my family. The only thing I maintained for myself was a good GPA. But I'm sure in this situation, good academic value doesn't help very much.

Yeah, lemme just throw my grade report at the Wall Dweller behind me, it'll scare them for sure. You know what they say, the educational system is the scariest thing on earth.

Anyways, my brother was convicted, being sentenced to twenty years or so, doesn't really matter how long he was sentenced. He signed up for some...program or whatever after just a few weeks of being in jail. Guess he couldn't handle the criminal life, I dunno.

He would do a task for some sketchy company and he'd get a "Get out of jail free" card like some twisted game of monopoly. He would've slipped away with zero recognized blood on his hands. But, he took the even "easier" way out. He ended up using the sheets on the cot in his cell to commit suicide. Why, or even how the guards or security allowed this...I'm really not so sure myself.

But it's...dark, isn't it?

Well apparently, this company he had signed up with, didn't appreciate that. They wanted someone to fill in, someone to take the punishment he was supposed to receive. Maybe not a lot of people sign up for this task, I don't have a single clue.

So they did the next best thing. Take his sister. His much younger sister, might I add.

I don't know how fucked up and petty an adult has to be to use a teenager as a replacement for their adult brother. But hey, I'm not an adult so I can't say. Adults can be pretty greedy over trivial things like this anyways.

All I know is I got involved and mixed into this good for nothing stew with no good reason. And it is absolutely agonizing.

I just know my brother is watching from hell. I hope he gets to watch every freaking second of my time in this facility. 

I had just finished a normal boring Tuesday of school. I sat at my desk, bouncing my knee as I tried to get through some tricky problems.

I was working on some math homework in my room while listening to Language of the Lost by Riproducer in an earbud. Ironic much? I believe so. 

I was humming along with the lyrics before hearing my dad yell my name from another room. I rolled my eyes ignoring him like I usually do.

I heard him call for me again, and with a annoyed grumble and groan, I pushed off my desk, and stood up from my chair. I set my pencil down on my homework. Then, tearing the earbud from my ear and throwing it onto the desk alongside everything else, I left my room.

I didn't realize each step was a step closer to my already sealed fate. To possible death (to death). But to definite trauma and things no regular teen or even person in general should ever witness or be apart of...If I could go back, I would've just jumped out of the window to avoid everything following this. But I'm already here, so it's a bit late for that one.

I walked out of my bedroom, turning off the light and closing the door behind me for the last time. Taking one step after another, the last time I'd walk down that hallway. Looking back on it is like watching a slow motion video. Gosh, I'd give anything to tell myself in that moment to just run, to turn the other way.

My dad was standing by the front door, talking to two men that looked straight out of a high security army training novel. Armor with helmets covering their heads and faces. They even held rifles, which personally unnerved me. Curiosity however, happened to completely override my nerves at the time. I walked over to my dad, standing beside him. I peered around him to look up at the two men standing just on the other side of the doorway.

Before I could even ask my dad what was happening, one of the guys was grabbing me by the upper arm. He pulled me through the doorway without much, if any effort. He started dragging me behind him, directing me away from the house and towards some military authorized looking vehicle. My dad closed the door as the two men walked to the bulky vehicle, one pulling me behind him.

Confused and scared I started thrashing, kicking, punching, and screaming at the top of my lungs. Anything to try and get this stranger to let me go. He muffled my yells with his hand. And I could imagine the glare he held in his eyes behind that helmet when he looked back at me. I'm kind of glad I didn't have the chance to see it. He ended up throwing me into the very armored and military looking jeep in some sort of childish revenge. The jeep, like the two men, looked like something designed for taking a whole hell of a lot of damage. Though I didn't exactly have a long time to look over it and appreciate it. As if I even would if I could.

He threw me into the back seats roughly, causing me to yelp in pain.

I screamed like my life depended on it, and for all I knew it truly did. I don't even remember what happened after that. I'm pretty sure I got stabbed with some syringe filled up about halfway with a clear liquid. Seconds after he pulled it out of me I felt dizzy. And, before I knew it, I was out. I fell to the side, not even being strapped in as I passed out in the back seats.

What a way to end my Tuesday, yeah? I wanted a more exciting day, but not like this. Guess you really do have to be careful for what you wish for. The odds can really turn against you, and I learned that the hard way...

Chapter Text

I eventually came to. When I woke up I had a killer headache. I slowly sat up from where I was laying on the car seats. I opened my eyes, squinting against the bright buzzing lights all around me. I lifted a hand up, rubbing one of my eyes with the palm of my hand. I looked around groggily as I tried to connect the dots and wake up from my forced sleep. Where am I-?

Oh right.

I was kidnapped. Thrown into some...militarized vehicle, and taken forcefully from my home. The worst thing was my dad seemed to be in on it. He wanted this...What kind of betrayal was that? What did I even do to him...all I ever did was what he asked...

Just the thought of being away from the semi-safety of my house caused my tears to threaten to fall. I sniffled, deciding to try and focus on something else to avoid crying. I looked around, noticing I was still in this stupid jeep.

I immediately tried the door handle in desperation with one hand, the other wiping away any stray tears. Fuck, they were smart. Of course they'd lock me inside. Why would I have so much luck as to be able to just escape this place...

I glanced out of the window by mistake, my eyes widening as I looked around sporadically. I was in some huge block of a building. Numbers plastered everywhere I turned. The place was bustling with people going every which way.

It was busy, movement everywhere. The facility was fillled with crates stacked with materials and other miscellaneous things. Some people looked more like scientists, others held rifles with heavy looking armory. Guards were walking around, wearing the same outfit as the previous ones who I just met not too long ago. Who...must have left when I was "sleeping".

I sat up more, shifting my legs over the edge of the car seat like I was supposed to sit. I planted my feet on the floor, propping my elbows up on my knees. I buried my face in my hands, trying to hold back tears. My back was curved, giving me a fairly pathetic look. I didn't really care. I was scared, terrified even. I didn't know where I was and what was going to become of me. And that was one of the scariest things to not know right now. What's next?

Surely this was a dream, right? Maybe a cruel prank? A test of how strong I was mentally?

Yeah, haha, real...funny...guys...

I knew it was real. The burning hot tears running down my face, the feeling of my throat tightening, and my hands gripping my pant legs were clear signs it was real. I hated that it was real, I hated this place, I hated my dad, I hated my brother...I just want mom back...With her I was at least safe, I knew I was safe anytime she was with me. I'd do anything to get a hug from her right about now.

It went from just a few tears slipping down my face and dropping onto my clothes to shifting to choked sobs. They were strangled and full of pain as I trembled violently while the sobs racked through me. What did I ever do to deserve this? What did they even want with me. What could I possibly do for them that made them want me so badly.

My questions would all be answered soon enough, though truly I didn't want them to be answered so nonchalantly and gruesomely.

With a whimper I wiped my tears away as the car door opened beside me. I barely had time to pull myself together before I was yanked out of the car aggressively. I stayed limp, letting the guard carry me.

My legs barely dragged on the floor as I stayed motionless in his arms.

The whole place was colorless. Lacking any bright, cheerful color to it at all. It was a stark white, bright, and blinding. Like someone who was trying too hard to have perfect white teeth. It was a horrible, unnaturally bright white. The grays didn't help, not even the blacks. It made the whole place unsettling, giving it a unpleasant resemblance to a hospital or some kind of sickening laboratory.

People watched us as we passed. It was a peculiar sight. A teen being carried like a cat by some tall heavyset guard covered in body armor like it was the apocalypse.

Every hallway looked the same. Even the doors we passed were the same design. The only differences I spotted as the guard dragged me down hallways were the numbers by the doors. Even then the numbers seemed fairly similar. Did they not allow an differentiation in this place?

I didn't even bother to try to walk on my own. The guard didn't complain so I didn't care.

Tears were still trailing down the curves of my face. I looked fairly emotionless, trying not to completely break down. This was probably just going to get worse, and in the end it really would.

I was carried to a cell, set down on the ground and pushed in as the door closed behind me.

I spun around, crying out for help as I desperately banged both fists against the now closed door. Everything was setting in, the fear, the realization, you name it. I knew banging on the door wouldn't work. The only thing it did was make my hands throb. Every hit of my hands against the heavy metal door shot pain through them and up into my forearms. 

I gave up not long after, leaning against the door and slipping down. I fell to my knees, my forehead pressed against the door alongside my hurting fists.

They caged me. A child. They threw me in a damn containment cell for gods sake! Like I was some lab rat in need of a good testing or something else just as heinous.

I didn't bother crying out after a while. No one was listening, or didn't seem to want to for that matter. 

I stayed leaned against the door. Sobs had started to escape me again as I tried to regain my composure. Which I only failed at a hundred times because why could anything ever go decently for once.

I stood up shakily, using the heavy duty door as my support. My knees threatened to buckle under my weight, my legs shaking wildly. I looked like a fawn trying to learn how to walk for the first time.

I looked around the small cell, taking in my surroundings for the first time since coming in here. (More like being thrown in here, but whatever.)

I saw a cot with a sheet and one pillow on it. Of course it wouldn't be any better. They thought of me as a prisoner, did they not?

Looking away from the cheapest bed I've ever seen, I looked over at a desk they surprisingly had in the room. It happened to catch my attention. Taking a deep breath and calming myself down, I slowly stumbled over to the desk.

I managed to not fall and make a fool of myself. I stopped by the desk, my eyes landing on a thick leather bound book. It looked old, but not old at the same time. Like it was only a decade or so old, but went through lots of hands, and now it was in mine.

Being bored and broken enough to have nothing else to do, I picked the book up. It was hefty, causing me to drop it back onto the desk. A heavy thump thundered from the big book hitting the desk. Sighing, I just opened the book where it was.

The table of contents was massive in itself. Pages and pages of just what resided in this odd book.

Curious, I read through the sections. They didn't make much sense to me. But there was so many numbers and symbols with no other explanation to them. The list went on but a few caught my attention specifically.

S-Q: Squiddles 

Z-V06: Puddles of Void-Mass 

Z-13: The Saboteur

Z-90: Wall Dwellers

Z-96: Mask of Sadness

Z-283: The Angler (+variants)

Z-317: Eyefestation

Z-367 (or Z-369): Pandemonium

Z-432: Limited-Time Imaginary Friend

Z-779: the_p.AI.nter

They were all fairly...interesting. I was confused about most of them. I don't know why someone's wife was on here? Z-1223, I wasn't sure what that meant. I didn't even know what the numbers and the letter Z had to do with anything.

I read through some of the first ones, not really having anything better to do. I only took the most important information from them, so here's a nice short list.

Squiddles

Don't flash or point any light of any kind at them. It aggravates them, and they WILL attack. Only light safe to use in presence of them is the blacklight.

Puddles of Void-Mass

Any locker leaking a mysterious black substance, emanating strange noises, and or showing glowing eyes of any color within do NOT go inside. 

The Saboteur

Dangerous. VERY dangerous. Not much info on him...must be for a good damn reason.

Wall Dwellers

If you ever hear walking or running behind you, make sure to look over your shoulder. They are roughly the average size of an adult human and are out for blood. They scare easy though, just looking at them normally deteriorates their idea of murder.

Mask of Sadness (Or the Good People)

Behind fake doors. If behind a door you hear growling, or heavy breathing do not open it. Good People used by Z-779 to kill or severly injure expendables. (I don't know what expendables are, but I don't like the sound of it)

The Angler

When lights flicker get into a locker. Stay in locker until The Angler passes. Lights will break, and you will need a light source, watch out for squiddles in the new dark room!

• Blitz- insanely faster than Angler

 

• Chainsmoker- painstakingly slower than Angler, emits a thick green smoke as it passes by

 

• Pinkie- will come whether lights flicker or not, use sound to be aware of it's incoming presence

 

•  Frogger- will come multiple times through hallways and rooms. Almost without much warning, it is loud, however, use sound to advantage

Z-317: Eyefestation 

Do not look towards the outside glass when the shark is near. If you look at it, it'll melt your brain. But be careful, it's like a celebrity, it wants your attention and will do everything to convince you to look at it. (How fun! I just love it when you can get your brain melted by an experimented on bullshark...)

Z-367 (or Z-369): Pandemonium 

Similar to Angler and variants, except probably worse. It will try to get into your locker instead of passing by, hold locker firmly shut as best as possible. Safe rooms include rooms off to the side of hallways, stay hidden in a corner and stay quiet. Works for Angler and variants as well. Siderooms are your best friend.

Z-432: Limited-Time Imaginary Friend

Seems harmless enough. Maybe makes you look a little crazy. Can be red or blue, supposedly female or male. Red can be spicier and sassier towards successor, Blue can be deemed more chill and calm, likes to play pranks on successor. If both are in contact with each other they get into heated arguments and beef, try to keep separated when in use.

Z-779: the_p.AI.nter

Lacking almost as much information as The Saboteur. But, at least it shares some of the things to expect from it. Briefly states being in use of turrets, security, the Good People, and other dangerous things in the underwater facility.

The book was even longer than that, I just tried to take brief summaries of everything in my mind of just what I read to remember it easier. All of this was bizarre, like I was reading some messed up and elaborate science-fiction novel. But the pictures they showed beside each...depiction of the entity, was enough to make me almost believe they were real. Almost. That was a terrifying thought. I wish I had more information on The Saboteur and the_p.AI.nter, though. They have a good chance of being the smartest and most dangerous in wherever this place was. Especially since this book lacked so much fucking important information on them.

My only question were where were these...experiments?

I decided to go to sleep after getting some information on all of those creatures. I was sure I would have at least some nightmares. However, I was too exhausted to think very much of the possible consequences. I actually ended up falling asleep relatively fast. Even with the janky ass cot I had for a bed and what I just unfortunately laid eyes upon.

I slept fairly well for sleeping on such a awful bed. The previously bright, migraine inducing lights that were overhead had been dimmed significantly while I slept. I found that a little comforting, but not very much.

I stretched, yawning as I stared up at the ceiling.

I really didn't want to get up, but I knew I probably should get off the stiff mattress.

With a small groan I sat up, glancing around before noticing a tray of food on the desk. Food.

Just the sight of the meal made my mouth water. It wasn't like I was picky. Just the piece of bread on a paper plate and small cup of water worked enough for me, personally. For the meantime that is.

I walked over to the desk, sitting down in the chair and starting to quietly begin eatting my bread. It wasn't too bad, actually. But that could also very well be my hunger doing the talking. I didn't know what time it was, but I did know I hadn't eaten anything since lunch at around 12pm during school the supposedly previous day. I hadn't eaten anything from that point on, it didn't exactly help they took me at around 5pm. Which was six hours after my last meal, and it had definitely been longer than that by now. Yes, wonderfully poor choices. But I also didn't expect to get fucking kidnapped. So boo-hoo, cry me a river why don'tcha, I'm not a mind reader or some kind of future depictor. I wouldn't be here right now if I was either, now would I?

I ate the bread and drank the water in silence, dreading what could come next. Surely they didn't leave that book in here by accident...My mind kept going back over everything I read. I better remember all of this, it had a good chance of actually coming in handy. At least that was what I could hope for.

Chapter Text

I finished my small bit of bread, taking a sip from the paper cup that held a miniscule amount of water. I sinked deeper into my uncontrollable thoughts. My brain was like a cruel bumper car rink you'd see at an amusement part. My thoughts were bouncing off the walls of my mind and against each other without any rhyme or reason.

I looked around the small cell I was being held in. Against my will, might I add. There wasn't much to observe, sadly enough. I did eventually notice a blinking red light in the corner of my eye, however. Which was better I notice it now then...later on...

I slowly turned towards the light, still in the middle of taking a drink of water. I froze when I saw it was a camera, still holding the cup to my mouth and everything. 

I suddenly felt twice the amount of anxiety and fear than before at the mere realization I was being monitored. How did I not notice that damn thing the first time I was shoved in here just yesterday? I pawned it off on a mix of how small it is in the corner, but I still couldn't help but be in disbelief that I didn't notice it sooner. It didn't help I had been completely besides myself at the time. Pretty much still was. I really did not want to believe this was happening. But...it was, and I couldn't do a single freaking thing about it.

I stared at the camera for a good while. I had gone completely stiff like a opossum trying to play dead around a hunting predator. It truly looked as if I wasn't even breathing or alive for that matter, oh but I was. My heart was working overtime as it thundered against my chest. Like it actually wanted to rip itself free of my whole Cardiovascular system. I felt like time had slowed, and honestly, it very well could have by how quiet and still the rest of my surroundings happened to be. In here the silence was so treacherously thick it was almost suffocating. The lights were still dimmed, which I appreciated. What I didn't appreciate was the person watching me on the cameras. This whole place so far had an overarching sense of doom hanging over it. It freaked me out, and I was not ready for what I didn't sign up for. And noticing that camera didn't help that feeling of helplessness on my own situation at all.

It was almost like the person on the other side of that camera and I were having some sort of staredown. A staring competition, if you will, but through a lense instead of in person. Only they could see my eyes. It was a game I'd never win no matter how hard I tried to. All because of our positions and stands. Separated by a camera, and preferably I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible.

When the blinking red light on the camera flicked off I sighed with quiet relief. I didn't even know how long I had just stared at that camera, just frozen like an alive ice statue. Shaking it off, I finishing the rest of the water I had just been about to previously.

With another shaky sigh I crunched up the whimsy paper cup in my hand and set it on the paper plate decorated with bread crumbs. I stayed sitting in the chair, leaning forward with my elbows propped on the table and hands clasped together. As if I was about to propose a business idea to someone. But, in reality I had zoned out on the book beside me. The thoughts had only gotten crazier, more bizarre and ludicrous, yet, all the same a lot of them felt strangely and scarily believable.

I went on for a while like that, looking just as terrified and anxious on the outside as I felt on the inside. 

I heard a card reader on the other side of the door let out a series of beeps as the door was opened and I was shaken out of my thoughts quite rudely. I quickly sat up, sitting straight and placed my hands neatly in my lap.

A guard, probably twice my size, walked in, carrying an assortment of items. He held a backpack, diving gear, and a whole on suit. The suit sported the same logo I had seen everywhere else in this place. It had been inside of the vehicle I was brought here in, it was even on the guards armor as well and other personnel in this place. The words "Hadal Blacksite" were not adorned underneath the logo like they seemed to be everywhere else on the clothes he brought for me. Not like I really got much of a choice whether it was labeled or not anyways. The suit was...interesting to say the very least.

It was a navy blue jumpsuit, it has the Urbanshade logo on both arms. Which just happens to make up for the fact it didn't have the name of the company underneath the logo itself.

He laid it on my cot without so much as a glance towards me. Though it was hard to say that for sure with the helmet he wore. Seriously, why didn't he take it off while he was inside-?

He set the bag and diving gear beside it before just leaving. The only sound he made was the horrid clanking of everything he was wearing hitting and rubbing against itself. Alongside that of his heavy footsteps. He didn't greet me and I didn't greet him, a fair trade I suppose. 

I waited till he left, waiting for the click of the door to signal it locking. You may think I was stupid for not trying to escape, but if anything that just makes you look like an idiot, not me. How would a fourteen year old girl overpower a fully grown man? Yeah, not at all, that's how. Also, did you really expect this story to be over so soon? I thought it was clear my life was nothing but misery and crushed dreams.

Besides that, I got up from my sulking spot at the desk and wandered over to the cot he soundlessly set everything on.

I grabbed the bag, opening it curiously. It could have centipedes in it for all I care, or even corn, but either way at least I satisfy that curious itch. It ended up having neither. Which I was totally ok with. Though some corn sounded really good right about now. Better than just bread and water, that's for sure.

Inside the bag was an assortment of many things. Like black boots, black kneepads, and a weird container that almost looked like some kind of weird belt. Before I could really pick through everything someone called over the speaker in my room. They were male, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it was the guy who had just dropped all this junk off.

"You may put all the equipment on. We will extract you from your room once you are ready."

"Ready? Ready for what, exactly?" I mentally asked myself, a shiver going down my spine at how ominous and ill-boding that message came off.

I immediately looked at the camera, wanting to make damn sure they were at the very least respecting my privacy. I was not changing if the light was on. 1.) Ew. 2.) That person would be disgusting and a horrible person.

The whole time I changed my clothes I kept a close eye on the camera. Lucky enough for me they seemed to be that much willing to give me space to change.

The suit fit pretty well, it was a little baggy, but nothing I couldn't handle. I added the weird container that acted somewhat like a belt. I then took off my own shoes, putting on the black knee pads and black boots. It was weird everything fit so well, as if they measured me in my sleep...Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps and I happily discarded that awful thought.

Once I was finished I zipped up the bag. It had a unique texture, as if it was meant to be water proof or something. Similar to the rest of the lightweight suit I was now sporting.

I was just innocently adjusting my knee pads when the same guy's voice came over the speaker once again. He sounded so tired and just didn't seem like he wanted to be here. And honestly? Me to man, me to.

"Make sure to put on the diving gear as well. A staff member will also be sent in surely to help with that and explain what's going on."

 Listening to him I trotted over to the oxygen tanks.

It actually kinda looked like a harness designed to carry said tanks. A strap across to be almost buckled in against my stomach.

Precariously I put the backpack looking harness on slowly, being very mindful of the tanks. I'm glad someone was coming to help. It's not like I knew what the fuck I was supposed to be doing. I wasn't a scuba diver for a good damn reason.

I had just tightened the strap that would lay across my stomach when a different male came into my room. I smiled, saying hi and trying to be friendly. But he either didn't care or just ignored me, probably even both. He looked like a scientist, but also a guard at the same time. I couldn't pinpoint his position, which was new even for the short time I had been here. He wore black pants, boots, a black undershirt with a long white cloak over it. Average scientist look, right? Wrong. He also carried a gun hidden beneath his cloak. I only noticed it because he had shifted in a way even the dim lighting had caught the small gun holstered to his side. He also had like knee pads and elbow pads under his white cloak. Not like I really got much time to look over him. I got more distracted by the fact he didn't even acknowledge my presence. I frowned a little at that. I felt silly for being sad he didn't look at me or say anything. I was perfectly used to that kind of treatment from my dad. But that didn't seem to make it hurt any less.

The man was pretty tall, roughly 6'5" most likely. He had long brown hair tied back into a ponytail. He had a rough and unkempt beard paired with it.

All he did was come over, move my hair out of the way and check over the tanks and harness with a bored and tired face.

He adjusted some things I can not relay to you because I have no freaking clue what they were, let alone their scientific names or some shit. All I can say is he seemed to not enjoy this whole process whatsoever.

He finished quickly, grabbing the seemingly waterproof bag and putting it on over the tanks now on my back while he was at it. He grabbed the book from the desk, briefly showing it to me like a dog needing to see a toy to acknowledge it. He put it in the bag as he spoke finally noticing me, his voice was monotone and just as tired as the guys voice that played over the loudspeaker. But maybe, just maybe, his voice was a tad bit softer.

"You're tasked with making it through a underwater facility. You're goal is to get a glowing orangish crystal. It generates all the power for the place, and we need it back. This book tells you everything else you need to know. Read it, don't read it, I really couldn't give two shits what you did..."

He trailed off as he zipped up my bag. When I looked up at the man his expression seemed to soften, even if not just a little more than it had been before.

"Just...be careful, kid. Alright? You don't fully realize what you're getting into...I'm sorry I can't do more."

He said quietly, having glanced at the camera to make sure it was off before even daring to add that part. His hand had moved to my shoulder, reassuringly giving it a squeeze before gesturing for me to follow him.

He looked almost guilty, but as he opened the door his expression immediately steeled and hardened.

Huh. Maybe he really did care, he just wasn't allowed to show it because of his authorization? I really hoped he did care. It'd be nice to have anyone care about me at this point. It was mentally refreshing.

As I followed after him I suddenly fully realized everything. I decided to speak up, walking a bit faster to walk beside him.

"W-wait...Y-you're telling me I have to face...all...the monsters in that book...?"

I asked in a small, quiet and scared voice. I was suddenly a lot less able to hold myself together. I was even trembling a little bit.

The man did his very best to keep his face neutral, continuing to walk as he spoke without any hint of sympathy. But it was clear by the way his fists tightened at his sides that he hated that he had to do that in the first place. Talk to me like I wasn't just a scared child.

He cleared his throat and then responded, briefly glancing around before his eyes landed on me as he spoke nonchalantly.

"Yes. The book gives you any and all information you need about each one...and believe me...you'll learn how to deal with the rest over time and with experience."

That didn't help my steadily growing panic at all. My heart started picking up speed, my breathing becoming irregular and quick.

The man noticed, glancing around again as his voice dropped to a much softer, kinder one as he walked beside me. He stayed looking ahead, but he was clearly talking to me.

"Relax, kid...we're going to send you with a group. Which isn't common with new Expendables. They normally want to know their potential, blah, blah, blah. But, I believe in you, you seem strong enough to handle this better than any other kid. You'll be with people who have died hundreds of times and have learned and earned something from each one. I tried to put you with a nice group-"

I cut him off, looking at him incredulously.

"W-what do you mean they have died multiple times!? This isn't some kind of fucking game!"

I whisper-yelled, tears starting to fall from my face as I stopped walking.

When I stopped he very gently and loosely grabbed my arm, forcing me to continue walking despite the fact I didn't want to.

"I know, I know. It's hard to understand, but you really need to understand Urbanshade doesn't play by realities rules. He hasn't for years. You read a bit of that book, you saw the things in it. Most of them shouldn't be like that, some shouldn't even be alive. But they are, and they're dangerous and like that because of him."

I swallowed as the man spoke, trying to control a panic attack forming while also listening to him.

I don't know who Urbanshade is. But just hearing this from him he sounds like a absolute jerk and a dickhead I never wanted to cross paths with. I could tell this guy didn't like him either, the underlying venom in his voice at the mention of the guy. He was lucky none of his co-workers were around to snitch on his ass. But it wouldn't be all that surprising if most everyone here hated Urbanshade. He seemed like a pretty bad person.

I don't know when it happened, but we got to our destination. The man...well I didn't want to refer to him as that. He wasn't just a man. He's probably one of the nicest people in this place, but I wasn't in the right state of mind to ask something as trivial as his name at the moment. I didn't have time to understand his kindness fully either. I just had plenty of other stuff on my plate to worry about first.

His voice dropped as he stopped by a door, opening it for me.

"You aren't going just yet, like you were supposed to. I wanted to make sure you had at least some time to digest this. You have three hours to learn what to do, and talk to your new teammates. I picked the best team I could for ya, kid...good luck...please try to stay safe and be careful...."

The man sounded almost desperate at the end, and I barely took notice of it. I nodded, taking only slight comfort in his words. He gave me a pat on the shoulder before being forced to leave. Leaving me terrified, but at least I wasn't alone. Four other...what did he call us? Expendables? Were lounging on couches, talking and laughing. How were they so happy...? Were they that numb to this already...?

I was taken out of my thoughts when someone spoke up, jumping up from their spot.

"Hey! It's a new Expendable-!"

The person, a women started energetically. That was until she stopped in front of me. Her eyes widened with absolute terror. I was crying and...a FUCKING CHILD! Now this was just a new low!

Anger and hatred immediately blazed behind her eyes. Luckily enough for me, it didn't seem to be directed at me. It looked like it was directed at my situation, not at me. At least I didn't think so by her reaction...

The other Expendables, confused as to why their colleague suddenly froze, and they ended up wandering over. They had similar reactions to her. Whether they looked disgusted, pissed, and one even looked empathetic.

The one that showed empathy was the one who reacted first. She walked over without a word, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a tight, hug without any other actions needed.

"I think Urbanshade has finally lost it. That bitch can't even do his own fucking job so he's starting to send children!? Look at her! She's terrified!"

A man growled. He was big boned and probably around 6'8", definitely a force to reckon with. He had a big curly dark brown beard with long hair to match. He looked pretty similar to Hagrid, and that was the best way to describe his looks in a nutshell. His hand was literally bigger than my whole face.

Another man, severely smaller than this one nodded immediately. He had short blonde hair, a small beard and he looked like a child standing next to the first guy. He was maybe 5'10".

"Seriously, can't they just get him to do it himself?" The blonde guy scoffed, glancing at who I will be referring to as Hagrid for the mean time before looking back at me.

I had broken down, leaning into the women hugging me without any reluctance. I didn't even really pay attention to what the other three talked about, crying as I trembled violently.

"He's practically dead, Angler would get him in seconds. He may be stupid but he isn't that stupid." The first women who greeted me growled. She had long, like really long red hair that went down her whole back. It wasn't as red as Ariel, but it was pretty close for natural hair. She was wearing black gloves, her arms tightly crossed. She was only a little taller than the blonde guy. She could very well be exactly 6'0". She looked like the type to be someone who owned a motorcycle and went on joyrides.

These..."Expendables" wore different suits than I did, but again, I wasn't exactly paying attention. 

The women hugging me was mostly quiet, only taking the time to mutter soft, comforting reassurances. She had brown hair, just a little past her shoulders. She was shorter than the blonde guy, roughly my size just slightly taller. She was probably 5'8" if I wasn't being mistaken.

The other three went on and on about how Urbanshade fucking sucks and how he could be such a horrid human being (if he can even be called that at this point. Sebastian was more human than that sorry old ass man) as to send a teenager to this place with no remorse...That was until it shifted into how I got into this mess, how my parents allowed me to get into this mess. That'd be quite a explaination...that they will most likely ask for. And I really wasn't ready for that when it came time their curiosity would grow far too much.

The group seemed nice enough...nicer than even my own father. I felt...safe, even if it was...here.

I had calmed down a little, sniffling while still holding onto the women. 

This was where it begun. The end of a normal life, and the beginning of something otherworldly.

Chapter Text

I eventually calmed down, mostly. I still let the small Mexican woman hold me just a little while longer. Her skin tone was a soft caramel brown, a huge contrast to my much lighter complexion. But our differences didn't mean her embrace was any less comforting or welcomed for that matter. It was more than welcomed, actually. I needed it a lot more than I initially thought I did prior to this whole messy ordeal. She had such a motherly air about her. Something I had yearned for, for half of my whole entire life.

Everyone else had sat back down or shifted away at this point. Only really occasional grumbles and growls about my situation being audible from the three expendables by or on the couch. They seemed pretty upset about my little predicament. It made this feel just a little more realistic. It didn't feel like some made up sob story that people ignored without any traces of sympathy. A story that was nothing more than an attention grabber for an attention seeker. This one was being truly acknowledged, and was being taken into note of how terrible it really was. How real it was. It made me feel just a little bit better about...whatever this was. It made me feel heard, feel seen. I suppose that is the best way to put it. I really had to thank that scientist looking guy once I saw him again. I totally never even tried to get his name, unfortunately. Anyways, he was able to pull the strings to let me get with a group. Especially this one. An amazing and pretty caring group just from what I could tell from the time I've been here. Which wasn't long, but, hey, my point still stands.

Eventually the woman let me go, pulling away just enough to see my teary eyed face. My eyes were red and puffy, tear streaks lining my face from crying. Sniffles were audible from me, happening often enough to be decently noticeable. She gently lifted a hand to my face, cupping my chin in her palm. She began wiping the excess tears away with a thumb as she finally spoke louder than simple reassuring mumbles.

"Feel any better, honey?" She asked, her voice relaxed and soft as she looked over my face.

I gave a very weak and brief nod. I could feel everyone's eyes on me now that the woman had spoken. The room had grown eerily silent, all eyes now pointed directly towards me and this woman. They all seemed pretty intrigued and interested about my problem, alongside that of empathy. They probably went through a lot worse things than I have, yet they could still manage to acknowledge my own issues besides their own. Maybe they were just really good people. Or, it was the pretty drastic age gap that made them feel bad for me. Either way, they still seemed surprised and almost offended by me being dragged into this. Even when it technically wasn't even their problem at all.

Finally, the Mexican woman decided to introduce herself, pulling her hand away from my face as she tucked her hair behind her and straightened up ever so slightly.

"Well, my name's Odilia." She began putting a palm flat to her chest to emphasize her point. She was roughly my height. Her appearance mixed with caramel skin, long black hair, and obsidian colored eyes. "This is Joshua." She said, gesturing a hand towards the blonde and fairly pale man sitting on the floor in front of the couch before continuing on. He had bedazzling emerald colored eyes. "That's Magnus." She added, jabbing a thumb over towards who I was initially mentally referring to as Hagrid. Who had a very big and stocky build compared to the average adult male. He had a dark skin tone, but he seemed more tanned than anything from years of being in the unforgiving sun. He had long curly brown hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, his beard was just as curly and bushy as his hair. He had stormy gray eyes that almost held something darker behind them.

He probably had calluses on his hands too. A hard worker is the best way to describe him besides referring to him as just Hagrid all the time. Besides, I doubted he'd walk up to me and say, "You're a wizard, Caroline." All dramatically. Though I'd laugh pretty hard if he ever did. Still he looked like Hagrid either way. Whether he ended up bringing me to Hogwarts or not.

Magnus gave a euphoric wave paired with a big smile while leaning on the back of the couch. His smile was fairly warm and comforting compared to his pretty scary and gruff looking appearance.

And finally, the still pissed looking redhead, she was still pretty pissy about this whole thing by the looks of it. She ended up taking it upon herself to say her own name, instead of letting Odilia introduce her like the rest. She easily cut Odilia off without any guilt. Or she was just really good at hiding her guilt if she did have any, who knows.

"That's-" Odilia started before rudely being cut off by the younger woman. With which she just rolled her eyes, but ended up letting the redhead say her own name.

"Names Bellatrix, but Trixy works just as well." She grumbled, arms crossed while she was sitting on the red couch, leaned back into it. Her hair was nearly as red as the couch she was sitting on, but I wasn't about to say that when she held a glare that felt like it was burning through my damn soul. It looked like she was sulking like a small child who got told they couldn't get a toy from the store. Except she looked more like she wanted to strangle someone. Possibly even Josh sitting on the floor in front of her.

Bellatrix with her long red-hair had a fairly freckled covered skin paired up with it. Freckles were sprinkled all over her face, and probably covered her arms and legs that were hidden beneath her jumpsuit. She had bright diamond blue eyes. She seemed to be the youngest among us, except me, obviously. She reminded me of the movie Brave, the protagonist being named Merida. They both had a similar style and overall attitude on top of it. Both had fiery red hair, freckles, blue eyes, and a temper.

I nodded along with each name as they were all introduced to me. I made sure I was taking note of each one so I knew what to call them in the future. Whether it was for my own internal dialogue or to actually address them correctly. I was pretty strict about knowing people's names. Or else I felt bad when I couldn't call them by their literal birth given title.

Odilia pulled away from me fully, holding her hands neatly in front of her as she straightened up entirely to her average height. I let my own arms fall to my sides, only lifting a hand back up to my face to wipe the rest of my tears away with a small sniff.

I was facing Odilia, still trying to fully understand my whole weird situation.

However, I was unfortunately stripped right from my intense train of thought.

I jumped with a startled yelp when a giant and rough hand was placed on my shoulder from behind me while I wasn't looking. It was Hagrid-er, I mean, Magnus.

Jesus Christ, for being so huge he sure was sneaky...I didn't even notice him get off the couch. I didn't see him in my peripheral for Pete's sake! But no one really gave a clear and obvious indication he was coming up behind me anyways. Still you'd think I'd notice him sooner. Which really freaked me out. People this big should not be able to be fucking quiet as a mouse.

He laughed heartedly when I jumped away from his hand like a startled little cat. Joshua and Odilia giggled. Even Bellatrix couldn't help but let out a series of snickers behind her grumpy mask at the funny display.

"Jeez, kid, you scare easily. I was just gonna ask ya for yer name." Magnus said between quiet yet booming laughs. With a scowl at all the adults laughing at my skittishness I said my name. I crossed my arms, having a different demeanor then from my scared one from before. I felt a lot better, and in all due respect I had to thank these guys for that one. Especially Odilia for that much needed hug.

"Caroline. And you're saying a whole lot of horseshit for someone who looks like Hagrid."

Magnus' eyes lit up with something akin to mischief and maybe slight exasperation. He's probably heard that one before. Or maybe he hasn't, I dunno. He went to speak, probably a rebuttal against my comment, but Joshua was quicker than he was.

Joshua whistled, a mixed look of amusement and slight surprise crossing his face. 

"Better watch yourself, firecracker. We'll happily send your ass back to whatever litter of kittens you came from." He said, crossing his legs over each other. It seemed like he was taking a jab at how I jumped away from Magnus like a startled cat when they thought a cucumber is a snake.

Joshua only earned himself a hard punch from Bellatrix as Odilia quickly caught my attention again. With Magnus walking back over to Joshua and Bellatrix with a huff from his nostrils. Whether from annoyance or being pouty from being cut off by Josh and brushed off by Odilia I wasn't so sure.

"Don't worry about him, he just...doesn't exactly think before speaking." She apologized on Josh's behalf, smiling at me while glancing between me and the other three over near the pieces of furniture.

A loud yelp came from behind me, sounding girlish but that was definitely a guy scream. And no offense to Josh, but it was obvious it was him.

I looked back over my shoulder to understand what the frick was happening. Once I did I couldn't help the laugh of surprise escape me. I thought Magnus went over there to maybe, y'know, stop Trixy and Joshua from getting into a fight or something? The two seemed like they were constantly at "war" with each other. But, nope, he was just watching them. He seemed fairly entertained, watching with arms crossed as the two somehow got into a fight like two feral alley cats over some territory. I guess Trixy gave into her intrusive thoughts to strangle Josh. Whatever reason that was.

Bellatrix and Joshua were all tangled up with each other, mainly trying to pin one or the other down to the ground.

"What are they...dog's?" I muttered, Odilia hearing the comment and walking up behind me. She stood slightly off to the side to be able to see the two squabble.

"I'd say that's a pretty good way to describe them. Getting each other killed on purpose all the time like this is some kind of morbid game..." She trailed off when she saw me freeze up.

She looked away from the scene, looking at me as she realized.

She paused for a moment, probably mentally scolding herself for bringing that up so soon. Besides that, Odilia was quick on her feet and put a hand on my shoulder lightly. "I know it's a lot to wrap your head around, Caroline. But I know you're brave enough to handle all of this."

I gave a very small nod, trying to focus on anything other than the fact I was just recently told I come back from the dead every time I die. And, that these four lunatics were just...ok with that. They were just used to it. Like everyone else in this place seemed to be. Everyone came to terms with this unfathomable truth. It was a little sickening.

Lucky enough for me I just watched Bellatrix and Joshua try to pin each other down for...whatever reason, with Magnus watching quietly. Odilia turned towards the situation after doing her best to ease my nerves with a grumbled string of Spanish words. Probably cuss words or some other kind of nasty profanity.

She walked over, raising her voice like a mother chastising her rowdy children. Which would be the closest simile to describe the relationship between the four of them, excluding Magnus.

"Hey! We literally have a child here, stop acting like fools!" She snapped, making everyone look at her. It was like a cartoon, Trixy and Josh (their shorter names/nicknames if you hadn't caught that already) immediately froze up. Mid-fight. They were all tangled up in each other, but as their eyes drifted over to me and back to Odilia, they started to slowly untangle themselves from one another. I could just imagine the cartoon sound effects playing, watching the whole scene.

"Wow, you managed to piss Odilia off." Magnus said, sounding roughly taunting. Until he got himself a sharp glare from Odilia. He still stood with his arms crossed, standing straight up at his staggering height. Magnus didn't seem very affected by Odilia's anger, not nearly as much as the other two. But, he still knew when to shut up.

Standing straight up like he was made him more than a foot taller than me, obviously it was a little nerve-racking. I was staring, trying to figure out just how tall this guy was.

He looked back over to me as Odilia continued to scold the two as she helped them untangle themselves.

"Oi, kid. Do ya need help takin' those tanks off? I don't think we're leavin' anytime soon." Magnus asked unexpectedly, nodding at the harness with the oxygen tanks still strapped to my back.

I looked confused for a brief second before remembering the heavy equipment still sitting on my back. When he pointed them out I remembered the horrid aching of the heavy gear sitting on my back. I nodded immediately, trotting over to him without any arguments or questions.

Magnus nodded back in response, waiting till I stood in front of him and turned around so my back was facing him.

I moved my quite long brunette hair out of the way, draping it over my left shoulder without him needing to even ask.

Magnus was pretty gentle as he took the backpack that was over the tanks off before working on getting the actual harness with the tanks off.

He worked fast but was also mindful of my size all the same. So far from what I could tell, he was a fairly calm and laid back person. But I knew damn well that mitt of his could surely pack a punch. I would not want to get on his bad side.

I was struggling with all the questions my brain was regurgitating into existence. Like why was I here? Why were they here? How many times have they died? Does it hurt when you die...?

I could only assume all of the answers for these, but they'd be answered soon enough to my dismay. Most of these I could unwillingly give educated guesses for, assuming I was correct in the first place.

I was brought out of my rogue thoughts as the heavy tanks were taken off my back with ease. I sighed with relief, my whole body relaxing in response to the weight being removed. I was glad that he was so willing to help me. I turned around to face him, looking up at him as he held the harness loosely in his hand. He held it like it was light as a notebook, but I did my best to ignore that for the meantime.

"Thanks!" I said with a smile, the first real one I've actually managed since being in here. Although I haven't been here long, it was still nice to put on a strong smile for once.

(The other three talked while Magnus helped Coraline. Magical third person alert.)

"What do you think about her?" Joshua asked Trixy and Odilia curiously. He sat on the ground in front of the couch, the two ladies sat beside each other on the piece of furniture. Specifically because Odilia broke up the two's little "toddler fight" and she wanted to stay between them.

"She seems stronger than she lets on. Or she just doesn't take note of her strength. She's being humble, I suppose. She just looked so scared before now. I'm glad she feels a little better." Odilia started, her voice as sympathetic as ever. Josh and Trixy nodded in agreement with that, Trixy speaking up and catching the other two's attention.

"I just wanna know how the hell she got here. There's no fucking way she's a convict. I'd rather die prematurely than believe that load of fishshit." She grumbled, though her wonder was clear in her voice as well. How did Caroline get here?

"Pretty sure you've died prematurely...ten and more times." Josh said with a smug smile. He "counted" the deaths using his fingers as he spoke. He was totally making fun of her. To which he was given a light kick to the back of his head from Odilia. Josh was fairly quick to steer the conversation to be back on topic before he got his ass kicked. To which he just got dangerously closer to that line instead.

"Maybe her parents are criminals and she just got involved? It happens a lot when no one else wants or can take the kid." Josh offered, getting two scoffs of disbelief from the two girls.

Odilia rolled her eyes before narrowing them at Josh. "Are you saying no one wants her? I can assure you a lot of people would do anything to have a kid." Josh quickly buckled underneath both of their glares, but still having the balls to quickly defend his brash claim.

He looked pretty nervous despite his instant reaction. "That's not what I meant at all!...it was just an idea." He mumbled, crossing his arms and turning away from the annoyed ladies. Rolling their eyes the females turned to each other as Josh went quiet. Probably a smart decision on his part before he got himself slapped again.

"She could be a worker's kid?" Odilia offered, Trixy thinking about it before adding to it. "I can see some scientist sending his own daughter here for a pay raise or something. Those guys are messed up motherfuckers. Really got dropped too many times on the head as babies..."

The three of them turned back towards Magnus and Caroline as they heard a cheery and polite "Thanks!" Emanate from her, followed along by a happy smile.

Seeing the little girl so much brighter than when she first came here, brought a smile to Odilia's and Bellatrix's faces. Even Joshua had a twitch of a smile forming at the corners of his lips. Though he was doing his damn hardest to keep up his grumpy front.

"She seems happier." Trixy said, stating the obvious as she sat up. Her legs shifted over the edge of the couch as an elbow propped up on a knee and her cheek found itself resting in the palm of her hand.

(Magically teleports you back to first person.)

Odilia got up from her spot wordlessly after she and the others took notice of my smile. She walked over to Magnus, taking the harness with the oxygen tanks and the backpack from him. He just gave her a nod of acknowledgement, letting her take it.

He was still for a few minutes, watching as Odilia walked into a side room off of this main one. Once she disappeared into the room he turned his attention back to me, looking down at me. After a moment he broke the silence between us.

"Say, squirt...would you mind explainin' how ya got 'ere...?" He asked timidly, looking over my face and searching for a single drop of discomfort. It was a heavy question, and everyone knew that. It was why no one had asked until now.

Trixy and Josh had gotten back into a small argument with each other when Odilia had walked away. Yet they still ended up stopping their sibling-like bickering the second the burning question was asked aloud. They were all wondering it, Magnus just happened to be the one to have the courage to ask it so blatantly.

I froze up, my smile slowly melting off my face. I knew one of them would ask that soon enough, and I thought for sure I'd be ready. In the end, I was most certainly not.

Odilia had set the equipment besides the rest in the side room. She walked through the doorway, looking ready to speak until she noticed the underlying shift in mood. She came over with her eyebrows furrowed in concern and a slightly confused look with it. She glanced momentarily at me before her gaze moved to Magnus as he continued.

"I-if you're ok with answerin' that-" Magnus said quickly, trying to save it. It was weird seeing such a huge guy sound so nervous, but I didn't go over that fact very long. He was even fiddling with his hands. Which looked weird for such a big dude. I simply cut him off to answer. I somehow grabbed everyone's attention even further than I already had.

"...I-I'm not really...sure myself...I-I believe it has something to do with my brother and what he did. Why...?" I said anxiously, suddenly feeling a lot smaller with everyone's gazes stuck on me and only me. The feeling made me feel uncomfortable, my heartbeat slowly picking up pace at the unwanted attention. I still tried to sound as confident as possible, managing to speak fairly loud despite the subject. I still looked like a scared and lost teenager no matter what I did, sadly.

Josh glanced at Odilia, who sighed and gave a little nod of permission, allowing him to speak. She seemed to have caught onto the topic fairly quick. To which he nodded back, his eyes moving back over to me as he did.

"Caroline. In this...facility the way you get here is by being a convict. Like...serious crimes have to be committed for someone to be able to sign up to do this. You...know that, right?" He asked, his voice fairly quiet.

The four of them seemed nervous. As if me finding out they were criminals would completely change the way I saw them. I didn't really have a structured opinion on them anyways. I just thought they were nice and fun to be around. But it was hard to judge that based on the only, what? Half an hour I have known them? Either way I didn't think they were suddenly horrible because they did something wrong in the past. 

I was pretty stiff when he mentioned them being convicts, though. But, I surprised them with my next question. All of their eyes grew wide in pure shock. It was all of them, and I mean all of them that were caught off guard by my reaction.

"So...what did you guys do? If you don't mind me asking." I asked calmly while still being mindful of how this could come off. I just wanted a reasonable excuse to move the attention over to someone else. I was used to this sort of thing, whether I liked it or not. My brother was-had been a criminal even before he committed the crime that shipped him off to twenty or so years of time rotting in a cell.

Trixy was the first to recover, clearing her throat with an expression that said, "Fuck it, ain't got nothing left to lose in this place."

"Well, I personally may have...accidentally pummeled a guy to death. BUT, listen, the guy was seriously annoying! He threw the punch first, totally asked for it."

Josh snorted, rolling his eyes but went quiet as he earned himself a hard kick to the back from Trixy as Odilia spoke up next. Man, Josh was just earning all sorts of painful prizes from his dumb actions and comments.

"...I was in military training and shot my Sargent in the back of the head while trying to shoot a target..." She muttered, much more guilt seeping into her voice compared to Trixy's.

Next up was Josh, who seemed as unbothered about what he did as Trixy. "I committed tax fraud." He said with a shrug. 

"Tax fraud?" I echoed with a small laugh of confusion. Josh just shrugged and smiled ever so slightly bigger. He didn't give me an answer. Dickhead.

So far none of these were...too bad. Most of them seemed reasonable, and not as horrible as I expected. One was for a decent cause, another by accident, and I don't know what the fuck Josh was on. 

My attention eventually landed on Magnus, who was standing with a suddenly cold demeanor. His calm and chill one from before is nowhere to be seen. A complete 180 from his warm nature from before. His face was darkened with unspeakable anger, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

I shied away from him a little, moving a bit more towards Odilia. That was before I froze at the growl of a deep voice Magnus possessed when he finally spoke.

"My wife cheated on me...killed both her and her new husband..." He spat out the word husband like it would burn his tongue if he didn't say it fast enough. Then, he paused and looked from the floor back up to me. His expression was cold despite the sudden cruel smile stretching over his face. "But, if you ask me. She deserved it. They both deserved every last fuckin' minute." He spat, not a drip of guilt seeping into his voice. Which made me fairly uncomfortable.

I chuckled weakly at his cruel smile directed at me, a sharp shiver making it's way down my back. Well, he really was living up to his looks. Now I saw just how quick he could switch from calm and laid back to...whatever the fuck this evil was.

Odilia gave Magnus a sharp stare. As if scolding him without words. He just growled a little about it, in a sour mood now that he was reminded about why he was here. After an awkward stretch of silence Josh cleared his throat, wanting to ease the tension a little.

"So, back to the, uh...original topic..." He started, glancing at a probably mentally unstable Magnus before looking back at me. He was still sitting on the ground by the couch where the two other ladies were. Which means he had to slightly look up at me since I was still standing.

"What did your brother do to get an option to sign up for this...and, uh...why are you here instead-"

He continued before getting a hard kick to the ribs from Trixy. Everyone picked up on my slight discomfort from the question except Joshua. And maybe Magnus who found a spot on the far couch. Probably quietly going over all his life decisions or whatever else he could be doing while looking emotionless.

I stayed quiet for a moment, everyone's eyes elsewhere until I cleared my throat. 

"He got a DUI and committed vehicular manslaughter. Signed up for this but ended up choking himself. I ended up somehow getting pulled into this mess..." I mumbled softly, looking down at the floor while I was still standing semi-awkwardly. 

Magnus snapped out of whatever trance he was in, listening closely to my little explanation alongside the others.

Trixy muttered "Bastard..." Josh huffed in annoyance. Whether that was because he has earned himself a good deal of bruises today or on my situation was unclear. Odilia just sighed, shaking her head. And Magnus growled something about the facility, Hadal Blacksite, stooping to a whole new low by pulling a teen into this hellish mess because they were getting desperate.

We ended up having just enough time to introduce ourselves and each of our little stories. Mainly between adults and child, obviously. The four of them already knew each other, so they wanted to get to know me.

By the time we had slipped into decently nonchalant and casual conversation the door to the room opened.

I heard the guard before I saw him. His clanking armor, his loud footsteps, the jingle of his keys. My heart immediately fell into my stomach, a sense of doom and panic overwhelming me at the realization of what's to come.

The beep of the card reader was followed by a tired and monotone voice as a guard stayed stationed in the doorway.

"Get ready, you're being sent out. Again." Was all he said before walking out, letting the door stay open behind him. No emotion was in his voice. Only a cold, unbothered tone. He didn't seem bothered by the fact a teenager was standing amongst the adults.

Groans and sighs filled the room as everyone got up to get ready. Except me.

I was being sent out? I knew I went underwater in some submarine, I had enough time to ask as far as that. But I was pretty lost other than that. But either way it seemed like this needed more experience than anything. I still knew a little about the place, mainly from that book I skimmed over just...a single day ago. Jeez, it felt a whole lot longer than just 24 hours, but whatever.

Odilia noticed my pause as she came from the room that held the gear. She turned back around, heading back inside to grab my own equipment with hers. She made her way over to me, carrying mine and her tanks and empty waterproof bags. Which was probably pretty heavy, but she sure as hell didn't show that.

"Hey...honey. I-I know it's hard...but I believe in you, we all do..." She whispered softly, handing the equipment to me when I reached for it.

Taking a deep, shaky breath and giving her a nod. I got up from the couch, standing straight and working on getting ready.

I pulled the harness on, Odilia helping me adjust it and the tanks so it sat on my back as comfortably as it could. I slipped the bag over it and squirmed a little. I hated this. The four of them seemed so calm about this. They were way too used to this, especially compared to me. With a sigh and my heart feeling like it was being strangled, I followed after the adults quietly.

The five of us started making the unbearable treck to the submarine. Josh leading the way with Trixy, Odilia, and me in the middle, and Magnus bringing up the rear. I was walking besides Trixy, Odilia hovering not far behind. I was all nerves, playing with my hands, or the straps of the backpack, even occasionally fiddling with the harness carrying the annoyingly heavy oxygen tanks.

It was mostly silent until Josh looked over his shoulder for a brief second to address me before looking back ahead. I realized he was following the same guard from the doorway before he actually spoke.

"Almost there, hope you're ready." It seemed like he was talking to everyone, but when he locked eyes with me, it was clear it was slightly more directed towards me than anyone else.

My whole body felt weighed down, as if it knew death was approaching. Or maybe it was just all the weight from what was on my back taking it's toll already. I really wasn't 100% sure. This time, death wasn't just a cold grip around your neck, it was something only temporary. Something unbelievable to anyone...unless you were an expendable or someone who worked in this place, I guess.

We walked down countless colorless hallways before ending up at a equally lifeless and colorless dock. A whole group of submarines were lined up, sitting in dark, not so inviting waters.

I stiffened at the sight, but Odilia made sure to gently guide me to the submarine as we made our way towards it.

"I know you don't want to do this...but none of us ever do..." Trixy said from ahead, her voice dropping to a whisper so the guard wouldn't catch a single word she said.

We stopped in front of the gray underwater craft. Which was as dull as anything else in this freaking place. It was a repetitive theme. Dark, unwelcoming, and unforgiving things everywhere you turn in this place. Whether it was the building itself, or what lay on the inside.

The door to it opened, unfolding and stretching out to reveal a path to easily walk into it. It had red lights lining the path as Josh and Trixy took the lead to go in first.

I followed, swallowing hard as I walked down the ramp and into the ship with Odilia following close behind. Inside more red lights lined the walls and flooring of the submarine. Casting a freaky reddish hue along the inner walls of the underwater vessel. Benches lined the sides followed by handles to hold onto. It resembled a subway, except it lacked most things a train like that had. Such as an escape.

Magnus was last to come in, the door folding up behind him. The last thing I saw was the guard walking away, probably to go send some other poor group of expendables down. That was until the submarine submerged into the water, leaving the dock and plummeting into the dark depths of the ocean.

Watching the door of the underwater craft was the final sign that this was really happening. There weren't even windows in it, making it feel more cramped than it really was. I didn't know if it was better with or without windows. While it would've been pretty cool to see fish and sea creatures travel nearby. My fear of what's in the ocean would probably kick in and make this even worse than it was.

I took a deep breath, trying to remain as calm as possible. I sat down on one of the benches, shaking slightly from my nerves going berserk. Odilia sat beside me and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me against her side.

She held me close the whole journey from start to finish...

Trixy sat on a bench across from us, Joshua and Magnus just standing while holding onto a handle to stay upright.

It didn't take very long for us to make it to our forced destination. As Odilia and I stood up she brought me into a hug, whispering into my ear as the door opened.

"Remember Caroline, we come back. If you hear or even see us die...just keep moving..." It was harsh, but it was the unruly truth.

I gave a small, scared hum of acknowledgement, hugging her just a little tighter to calm myself down to the best of my abilities.

A feminine robotic voice came from the back panel of the craft as the door unfolded to stretch out into a pathway to leave the cramped ship.

"Please exit the submarine in a calm and orderly fashion."

Breathing in sharply I let go of Odilia, following the others out of the water vehicle with a brisk walk. I did not want to be in that any longer than I had to.

A male's voice cut over the speakers after the robotic one ended and we all had exited the submarine. Trixy muttered "HQ..." with a sense of hatred under her breath as the man spoke.

 "As you're aware, the primary goal is to reach and secure the Crystal. Your secondary objective is to secure as many loose assets as possible. You may open and follow the number-marked doors when ready."

"Loose assets?" I repeated curiously, glancing at Odilia in confusion.

"It's like data and folders and stuff. Normally we collect it to buy things from Sebastian instead of being willing to give it to Urbanshade like they ask." Josh said casually, walking towards a set of drawers and being lucky enough to find what he was looking for. He pulled something out of the top drawer, holding up a yellow folder filled with papers. It had the word classified stamped in red ink right on it.

I nodded slowly, I didn't know who Sebastian was, but it seemed like he was helping us. As I dwelled over who Sebastian could be I looked around while the submarine's door folded back up and it submerged back under the water. Officially leaving us here for our unknown demise, or our unlikely success.

Dock #13 was the dock we came to. The title was printed in huge bold letters on the side of a wall nearby. Anyone observant enough would notice it. #13, because of course there had to be more. On top of that, we were apparently like tens of thousands of feet under water. Wonderful.

I quietly followed after the group. I watched as they all went through drawers and lockers like it was nobody's business. They'd pull out USB drives, more of those yellow folders, even vials filled with what looked like DNA inside. Trixy shouted with excitement when she pulled out some sort of weird keycard. It was red and black. The body of it was red with a black nightmarish face printed on it. I looked at Trixy in confusion, asking her what it was. Her only response was that it was a code breacher. Which was just so helpful.

So, instead, I turned to Magnus who was beside me. I looked at him quizzically, getting ready to ask him what it was. He answered me before I even opened my mouth, knowing exactly what I'd ask. He even answered better than Bellatrix did. He said it was used on doors that didn't have a keycard in the vicinity. Which was why Trixy probably wanted it, she did kind of seem like a troublemaker.

They continued searching through anything that opened as we traveled. They'd pocket some things, and put others in Magnus' backpack.

I had stayed near the back of the group, too nervous to go first or walk beside them. I didn't want to get in their way. That was until the semi-calm air was shattered into a million pieces. The lights flickered and the loud roar of something approaching filled my ear drums.

When the lights flickered, I panicked. I completely froze up in absolute fear as the sound of something getting rapidly closer got louder and louder.

Thankfully for me, Trixy grabbed me by my arm and threw me into a locker. 

I slammed into the locker, subconsciously pulling the doors shut. I trembled inside as the thing got closer. My breathing was irregular, my heart rate being high enough to make a doctor faint.

The lights all exploded, sending glass everywhere as the roaring scream of the Anglerfish stormed by. I only caught a brief glimpse of it from the grates in the locker. But, it was enough to make me want to throw up.

It left a completely dark room in its wake. I heard people leave their lockers, so I followed suit. 

I fell out of my locker in a complete daze, heart hammering wildly in my chest as the world spun like I had just gotten off some wild merry-go-round.

"This happens a lot...?" I whispered in terror, looking up at the closest adult beside me, who happened to be Josh with a flashlight he somehow found. Probably from one of the drawers he looted so effortlessly.

He gave me a smile that any maniac would be proud of as he shined the beam of light down on me. Which gave his face a shadow, making him look that much crazier. Like he was some crazed fool telling me a scary campfire story.

"Just wait till you see what else they have down here, Caroline. It's all about survival."

I laughed nervously, Josh grabbing my arm and walking towards the others with me in tow, unfazed by the information he just shared..

They all seemed so relaxed. Like this was a normal day of work, or something! I promise you guys, this is NOT a 9-5 I'm sorry to inform you! This both scared me equally as much as it amazed me. They were pretty brave, and decently good at keeping track of me.

Every now and then one of them would grab my arm, pulling me back up towards the group when they thought I was too far behind. They'd even occasionally coincidentally all look over their shoulders at times to make sure I was alive and well.

We only got through two or three doors before some...force...started trying to get me to look at it. The force, or whatever it was, was outside the giant glass window beside us in yet another hall.

I had started turning to look at it out of habit, my own curiosity being stronger than my logical side.

However, I heard someone yell not to look at it. To do anything but look at it. It sounded like Trixy, but I was more focused on not getting my brains melted.

A headache had started to embed itself deep within my skull, throbbing as my heart rate picked up once again. I was sure to have a heart attack with the amount of extra pumping my poor heart had to do with all these scares.

I held both sides of my head, fighting against the invisible pull. I was doing my damn best not to stare at whatever horror wanted my attention now. I bent forward, trying to stay turned away. It felt like something was talking in my head, coaxing me to look at it. I fought my hardest, trying to move forward while resisting the urge to look.

I could hear a voice in my head, relaxed and practically cooing at me.

"Just look. It won't hurt at all, I promise."

Just as I lost my grip, turning to the unknown entity, the sound of a door opening was heard from ahead of me. The entity seemed to decide to leave once the door opened and I only caught a mere glimpse of a shark with way too many wide, green eyes on it as it swam away like nothing happened. That must be Eyefestation if I remember correctly. From that book I went over briefly. Which was just a single day ago. It felt a whole lot longer than 24 hours, but that wasn't really important right now.

I really needed to use that knowledge to my advantage. Especially since it'll be the difference between life and death.

It's probably been twenty minutes or so since we left the safety of the submarine. Already experienced two different entities that would've killed me if I was completely alone. Amazing!

I turned back forward, noticing multiple sets of doors opened ahead of me. Uh oh. Just a second ago Josh had been standing just a little ahead of me, now he was no where to be seen. I looked around for the others and saw nothing.

Either...Angler opened those doors previously, or my team was moving on without me. I was starting to believe it was the latter. I thought they were keeping track of me, and being patient. Did they get tired of me holding them back? Were they leaving because they didn't want to deal with me?

I quickly started running, or as fast as I could physically run with oxygen tanks sitting on my back.

I couldn't let my team leave me, on purpose or not. Without them I'd die within minutes down here. I called out to them, but no one answered. 

I ran through door after door, making good progress until the lights flickered. Just my fucking luck.

No lockers.

Not a single one in sight. I just saw so many just a little bit ago, and now they were all just gone. What the heck, man. The four adults left me and ventured off ahead, and now I was going to die to an anglerfish in a facilities mission that I didn't even sign up for.

I didn't have time to turn around to back track or to try and keep pushing forward. So I dove into the closest side room, pressing myself into the corner near the doorway out of sight. I wasn't willing to just give up, but I sure as hell thought for sure this was the end for me. Or more correctly the "end", as apparently I just came back from the dead like this was a video game.

A hand gripped my chest as my breath grew ragged for the hundredth time. I was alone, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was how I went out for the first time, on door 84 (only 16 doors in out of 100 or so) and completely by myself. I curled into myself, eyes clenched tightly shut as I awaited the cold grip of death. My heart raced as per usual, and my breathing was rushing and coming out in quick bursts, which was also normal in this place.

But, to my insane luck. I was spared. Or just super fortunate, one or the other.

I felt the walls vibrate harshly against me as the Anglerfish zoomed past just like it had probably ten minutes prior. Guess I had to learn how to avoid this thing like the plague. I doubt it felt very nice to be killed by...The Angler, I think is what they called it. Super creative, I know. I highly doubt it felt nice to be killed by any one of these things, so I suppose that answers that.

I scrambled out of the room, picking up speed as I became more desperate. I was running full speed until I tripped on something I didn't even see in my rush to catch up to my group. It was completely dark, I could barely see where I was even going.

When I fell, I looked behind me to see what I tripped over. It was like something from my worst nightmares. I screamed louder than I've ever screamed before. It was a body. Not just anyone, but the body of Odilia herself. Mutilated and left to rot. I was never so glad for shadows in my whole life. While it was pretty dark, I could still her out...

Her eyes were glazed over, still wide with the fear she had when she was still breathing. I wondered how she died until I noticed the bloodied bullet holes coating her body and giving it an unappealing similarity to Swiss cheese. A gun.

Swallowing whatever I had in my stomach down, I turned away from her. I couldn't look at her any longer. Not like...that, anyways.

I remembered what she said in the submarine. To keep moving no matter who died. Yet, even still, I felt guilty for just leaving her. I knew she came back, but the sight of the corpse still made me want to vomit.

I crawled into a side room, trying to avoid as much danger as possible. It worked before with the Angler, why wouldn't it work now?

I slowly got to my feet, breathing and heartbeat still irregular as always. Burning questions sprouted themselves into my mind. Each one repeating multiple times in my head. Did the others already die? Was I alone for real this time? What did I even do-?

My thoughts were cut off as I moved to walk out of the little pocket of a room I had managed to find. The second my foot left the room the sound of a turret turning on and turning my direction was enough for me to pull back. Just in time too, as bullets hit the floor rapidly, right where my foot had been just seconds before.

I was quick to pay more attention to my surroundings, getting pulled out of my mind full of questions. Yeah, let's not end up like Odilia...

I peaked around the corner, being met with a door with a face on the digital screen where the number was normally located.

It was that computer from the book. An AI I think it said. All I knew was it's face looked scribbled on. Like it was drawn on by a child.

It had an evil smile, looking like it was enjoying this too much. As a turret locked on me once again I heard it's gleeful robot-like words.

"Hope you're bullet proof, buddy!" It announced happily, the turret firing bullets in my direction.

I barely missed the assault, falling back behind the little spot that was acting as my shield. I landed right on my back, scrambling backwards to be in the middle of the little side room. Just to make sure none of my limbs were in the way of bullets. I heard a groan that was in the same robotic voice. It-? They-? He-? Did I even wanna give something that was working on killing me pronouns? Yes. Yes I did, I still had to be respectful. Even as it childishly whined, "You're boooriiing!"

Not exactly being in a good state of mind of course I had to shoot something back. I was shaking violently, everything in my body was thrown off from all these scared in this place. I wasn't thinking very straight. Besides, it felt nice to talk for the first time in a while. Even if he wasn't human, from what I knew he was smart enough to respond clearly.

"I'm boring for not wanting to get my fucking head blown off?!" I snapped back in disbelief. I stayed where I was as I tried to map out a way to get out of this room and not get the same fate as Odilia.

At first I thought the little AI fucked off to go pester and kill some other expendable since everything went quiet. Maybe he, gosh why was I giving it pronouns, but whatever. Maybe he just went quiet because I spoke? Though, I'm leaning towards more of him just leaving. Or maybe that was just me hoping he left.

That was until I heard his voice behind me this time. I whipped around with both fists up, ready to throw punches. As if that'd do anything.

"Aren't you a little...young to be here...?" He asked quietly, the evil drawn smile it had before becoming more of a confused frown. His eyes narrowed at me, as if looking me up and down.

I stared at him dumbfounded for a moment. Did he really care about that when he seemed so eager to shoot me prior? Did he actually care or was this a trick to lead me out of the safety of this room.

"Yeah, so what if I am!? What's it to ya!?" I snapped, trying to put as much anger into my voice as possible, but my uneasiness was as clear as day underneath that faux frustration.

His expression twisted into more of curiosity as he looked me over closely before breaking the silence again. He completely ignored me and didn't even acknowledge what I said, continuing as if he didn't hear me.

"What's your name, expendable? You look younger than the other ones I've seen..."

Was this a test? I wasn't sure. I looked suspicious of him but put my hands down, slowly standing back upright.

"It's...Caroline...and you?" I asked carefully. I knew the turrets couldn't reach me in here, but that didn't make me any less cautious.

The AI seemed surprised by my answer. I frowned, about to ask what the hell he was staring at before somehow his drawn on face softened. I don't know how the hell he managed it, but he did. He seemed almost...amazed?

"...you actually told me your name..." He whispered, staring at me in awe.

"Uh...yeah, and?" I spat, using as much annoyance as I could muster despite the slight hesitance seeping in with it. He was wasting my time, I had a group to locate. Yet I couldn't find myself just walking away.

Suddenly he became really chipper, a smile breaking out on his screen as he happily announced his name.

"My name's Painter! It's nice to finally talk to someone other than Sebastian! Don't get me wrong, Sebastian's amazing, but I feel bad when I bother him. And all the other expendables always ignore me, or spout curses and flip me off. But you actually told me your name! He said excitedly and quickly, causing my guard to drop completely. I became confused, surprised, and maybe slightly amused at his response to me saying something as simple as my name.

That was until I heard a door lock beside me. It was the one that worked as the exit, locking me inside this little box of a room with...Painter. My eyes grew wide in fear as I glanced around before looking back at the screen with Painter's face on it. I knew technically the turrets couldn't reach me in here, but he still kind of locked me in here without any explanation.

He noticed my obvious nerves immediately, quickly saying his answer as it was luckily confirmed by the lights flickering as he spoke.

"Angler's coming, there's no lockers in this room and I wanted to keep talking to you." He said calmly, still looking over me with hints of curiosity and excitement.

This place had gotten a whole lot weirder. None of my teammates warned me about...this. They never told me that Painter would try to shoot me, then get excited by me stating my name and lock me in a room. This was not what I was ready for.

Not even what I read from that heavy book mentioned Painter, who I assumed was Z-779, ever just trapped people in rooms. Or just talk to people like this. But, I doubted people ever really talked to him in the first place. He did mention getting cussed at, getting the middle finger sent in his direction. He probably hasn't talked to anyone except that...Sebastian dude. His name being brought up again, I was really starting to wonder who he was.

"Yeah...ok-" I started sarcastically, before the lights flickered again. This time it was more violent.

I heard the Angler rampage pass, only hearing it and feeling the vibrations through the floor. I let out a sigh of relief through my nose once I realized he was telling the truth.

I looked back up at Painter, still trying to figure out if he was just trying to use me for something since I was vulnerable.

"Hi." He smiled. He seemed so childish, but I suppose I couldn't say much since I was a literal child. I looked up at his screen, trying to decipher what he wanted.

"Hi..." I said slowly, still being wary of him, but struggling to hold back a laugh. I didn't know what they wanted, they could be just putting on a mask to trick me into trusting them.

I stared at him for a while, and he stared right back. He had a giant smile on his face and it seemed to somehow grow bigger when I finally broke the silence.

"So, uh...Painter, was it?" I started, sounding still a little cautious, but my guard had lowered considerably and I felt a little...safer with him. Though I was still exceptionally aware of my surroundings.

"Yup! That's my name!" He said, his smile big as ever. If he had a body I was sure he'd be bouncing up and down and all around. He'd be bouncing on the balls of his heels in excitement at just us talking.

"Ok, Painter. Would you...mind explaining what's going on?" I asked, my voice staying quiet as if afraid someone would hear me.

He seemed confused, the face on his screen moving to be at an angle as if referencing someone's head tilting to the side in confusion or curiosity.

"Why are you asking me, shouldn't you know...?" He trailed off, sounding like he was about to say expendable before finding my name and using that instead. "...Caroline?"

I deadpanned him, crossing my arms and glancing at the still closed door before turning back to him.

"I'm a teenager that was thrown down here, Painter. Aren't you supposed to be an AI, use that motherboard of yours and figure out why I'd be asking you." I said with real annoyance.

His expression shifted back from confused to a more mischievous and amused smile.

"Well don't you carry an attitude. Well, Caroline, I'd love to use my brain to figure it out myself, but I'm afraid brain development for you is far more important than me." 

I couldn't believe I was actually enjoying talking to him. A smile threatened to show itself on my face, and once I schooled it as much as possible I opened my mouth to speak. That was until I heard my name hollered at an unbelievably loud level from nearby. The others. Specifically, Magnus. His loud voice echoing off walls and floors. He sounded almost desperate, as if they'd been looking for me for a while. Behind his yell was followed by Trixy, who was much, much closer.

I glanced at the door before looking back at Painter who now had a sad frown on his screen. His voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes trained on me.

"...you have to go, don't you...?" He asked, though he knew it was true.

I felt a sharp stab of guilt at the sound of his voice. I felt horrible when I nodded, and even more horrible when I spoke.

"...um...yeah, I uh, do. Sorry...Painter..." I mumbled, hints of empathy accidentally making there way into my voice. I knew what it was like to enjoy talking to someone and to have that stripped away.

With a deep breath, I looked back at the door, moving to walk towards it before pausing. I looked back at him, trying for a smile.

"I promise we'll talk again. Ok?" I offered, wanting to hold that promise as best I could.

He seemed to perk up at that, his voice becoming a little louder. His question was also drowned out by another yell from Josh.

"Promise...?" He asked.

I nodded, leaving once he disappeared from the screen and the door to the room opened.

Trixy walked in, her face immediately looking relieved as she rushed over to me and pulled me into a hug. She hollered out to the others as she squeezed me.

"I found her!" She said with relief. A tired but relieved sigh came from Magnus just as he came into the room, followed by Josh who leaned around him to make sure I was really there.

"We thought for sure we lost you...especially after seeing Odilia-" Josh started, and once again, you guessed it, he got a small punishment for opening his big mouth. This time from Magnus, who just hit the back of his head lightly as he spoke up himself.

"We're glad you're ok, kid. We're not exactly...used to having someone inexperienced with us. We really are sorry for leaving you behind." He said softly, Trixy still holding onto me. Who knew the redhead would be so willing to hold me in a hug.

I heard her sigh before she pulled away, almost reluctant to let go of me. As if I'd disappear if she stopped touching me.

"Sorry..." She muttered, looking suddenly embarrassed as her face became almost as red as her hair as she took a step back. I just gave a small smile, my eyes briefly trailing over to the screen where Painter had been talking to me just before they entered the room.

That was when I realized talking to him had really calmed me down. I feel a bit better now. And, I had a promise to keep.

With that, we all left the room and continued on. This time, without Odilia.