The hotel was entirely silent, save for your shaking breaths that you attempted to keep under control and the occasional footsteps belonging to Pencil as she roamed the halls, searching for the last few objects left in today's competition.

TV's decision for a 'last man standing' challenge was a horrifying reveal, and you wished that everyone was a tad nicer to the mechanical objects in their teams — perhaps then, you wouldn't be stuck in this situation. Your situation being hiding from the main killer, of course.

Pencil had caught sight of you creeping around a corner, and had immediately taken after you. Out of pure luck, you avoided her for long enough to take cover in a guest room that had yet to be ravaged. You stood just behind the door, hoping that keeping it slightly ajar rather than closed would look less suspicious compared to the other doors that were open.

So far, it seemed to be working. Pencil hadn't found you yet, and you were hoping that she would soon give up and go after someone else.

With your shaky legs, terrified at the thought of your possible fate after seeing your teammates get killed off one by one, you attempted to shift your weight against the wall lest you lose your balance. You felt yourself jump as the door you had been hiding behind began to creak loudly in the silence, before noticing your foot had accidentally knocked against it.

Half a second passed with you inhaling nervously, before the door was ripped entirely open. Pencil, with her sickly green limbs, grinned above you as you stumbled backwards to the floor.

With nothing left to protect yourself, you were forced to beg for your life, "No, no, Pencil — come on, you don't have to do this. Don't... D-Don't... I could help you, I—"

"I don't need your help, I need to win this."

You felt the powers she had obtained lift you up, as she moved her hands into fists and pulled her arms apart in a stretching motion, willing the magic surrounding you to do the same. A choked gasp got caught in your throat as you felt yourself being pulled apart, unable to do anything but stare at Pencil's cold eyes.

Pencil gritted her teeth as she felt herself getting closer to more power, before a flash of blue overtook the entire room, blinding her. Instinctively, she dropped her hold on you to bring her arms up to her eyes.

"What—?" She muttered, staring at the now empty space in front of her, "Does — does that count..?"

You heaved in a breath, air finally entering your lungs, and fast, leaving you a coughing fit on the floor. Squinting your eyes open, you noticed the floor below you was different... and softer.

"...What the... H-How did you get here?" A blue object — er, an Algebralien, you supposed, called out in disbelief.

"I was just dealing with that stupid Leafy—I must've... swapped you out for her or something... Argh! Can't do anything right!" She became increasingly frustrated, kicking the ground.

Still reeling from your interaction with Pencil and your sudden appearance in front of this, frankly scary, number who was yelling at you, your heart began to race faster and you felt your body turning cold in fear.

Despite your attempts to hold it back, and still trying to get your breathing back to normal after practically choking at Pencil's hands, a sob escaped you. Your hands quickly moved to roughly wipe at your face, but the fear ran through you faster as tears kept falling.

At this point, you were confused and expecting to meet your death sooner or later, but it was being dragged out a little too long.

"I-I'm sorry, just let me go, please — I-I didn't want to be a part of this—"

"Hey — uh, calm down! I won't hurt you, just... Stop crying?" One awkwardly glanced down at you.

Your frightened appearance was starting to remind her of herself when Four sealed her into the moon, as she begged for any of the other Algebraliens to help her. However, her words did little to calm you down at the moment with the tone she was using.

Perhaps demanding you to 'stop crying' wasn't the right way to go about this...

Starting with a sigh, One kneeled down before you, "I was watching you earlier. You were hiding from Pencil, right? Well, she can't reach you from here — and she won't have all that power for long."

You sniffled, her words confusing you out of your state, "Wha-What do you mean?"

She looked surprised, "Oh, that doesn't matter right now! Hey, how about we sit on the couch instead? I'm sure it's a lot comfier than the floor over here..."

You shook your head, much to her disappointment, deciding you were too frightened to move from your spot and choosing not to trust the scary number in front of you that kept commanding you around. You curled in on yourself more, hiding your face in your arms.

"I guess we're staying on the ground then..." One sighed to herself, situating herself to be more comfortable in front of you.

After listening to your muffled cries and sniffles for a few moments more, One magicked a tissue box and dropped it on the ground with enough force to catch your attention. You lifted your head slightly to glance at the noise, before drifting back to One's gaze, who quickly averted her eyes.

With a shaky hand, you pulled out a couple tissues and wiped your face. The tense atmosphere was making One nervous, and you noticed this, figuring that she might've been less of a threat than you supposed, now that you had been given some time to breath.

"Who... Are you?"

"...You can call me One, I'm a... Friend of Two's," She figured it would make you more comfortable if she twisted the truth a little, "You can trust me."

You offered her an unsure glance, "Um, what were you doing with Leafy? B-Before you teleported me here?"

Not expecting you to have paid attention to her earlier ranting, she stumbled over a lie, "You see, I was actually a big fan of that whole... 'Dream Island' competition! I wanted to ask her more about it, you know?"

Seemingly believing her for the most part, you stared off into the floor and mumbled, "This contest is stupid, anyways..."

This caught One's attention, sensing a possible advantage from you if you were as averse to the competition as you said, "Why do you think that?"

"No one actually cares about me, the only reason I haven't been eliminated is because they don't even notice me there," You began, feeling yourself beginning to rant after having had no one to talk, "I only made it onto a team because they needed an extra member, I don't even think I care about this stupid 'power' anyways! I thought, maybe I'd make some friends by joining in, but everyone seemed to make their own alliances before I even got the chance..."

Tears welled up in your eyes before you could stop them, "—Sorry, I didn't mean to tell you all that."

While One couldn't lie, she certainly hadn't noticed you throughout the times she had stalked Two's little competition, but it had struck a chord within her to hear your ranting. She inched closer.

"I... I get it. Back then, I never really... Fit in, either. None of the others cared about me."

You felt the bite in her tone when mentioning 'the others', "I thought you said you were Two's friend?"

"None of them saw me as a friend."

Following her tone, you decided it was best to not push the topic any further. Choking back the lump in your throat, trying to push away the emotions from the rollercoaster you had been through, you wiped an arm over your eyes.

"Are you... Going to send me back?" You nervously murmured.

"We aren't so different," One started, "And I know you don't deserve to go back there just to be treated the way you were."

A hue of blue surrounded the tissue box on the floor that you had forgotten about, lifting a sheet from out of it and bringing it up to you, "T-Thank you..."

"How about you stay with me for a bit? I've got some time before I have to..." She cleared her throat, "Finish some business."

You gave her your permission, before the same blue magic as before began to surround you this time, straightening you out and helping you onto your feet. You stumbled for a moment, unused to being lifted up so easily, and were caught by One's body.

Mumbling out a short apology as you took a step back, you failed to notice the darker tint that had taken onto the Algebralien's cheeks at your contact.

"L-Lets sit somewhere more comfortable than the floor, shall we?" One offered, guiding you to her couch, "I think I've got a deal that you might like to hear..."

“Just step through,” he’d murmured, voice velvet-soft. “It’s quieter where I’m from.”

You didn’t. You shoved past him and didn’t stop running until your lungs burned.

After that, he started appearing everywhere.

Reflections. Crowded streets. The corner of your bedroom at 3:12 a.m. Always watching. Never touching.

“I don’t want this,” you told him once, shaking.

His smile didn’t falter. “You already stepped halfway in.”

The world started… thinning. Colors too bright. Sounds slightly delayed. Shadows stretching wrong.

You stopped sleeping. You avoided mirrors. You taped over the crack in your bedroom wall where you swore the air shimmered faintly at night.

Henry only looked amused. “You’re exhausting yourself,” he sighed one evening, sitting at the foot of your bed like he’d always belonged there. “You can’t outrun a door once it’s chosen you.”

“I didn’t choose anything.”

His eyes softened. “Yes,” he said quietly. “You did.”

The final time happens without drama. No storm. No chase. You’re walking home. Streetlights flicker. The air feels thick. And suddenly the street is too long. Too empty. You stop. You know.

“You promised you wouldn’t force me,” you whisper.

His voice answers from behind you. “I didn’t.”

You turn.

He’s closer than he’s ever been. Not smiling this time. Almost… nervous. “You kept looking for the seam,” he says gently. “That counts.”

You shake your head. “That was to avoid it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he says.

The world around you ripples like disturbed water. Buildings soften. Streetlights bloom into floating glass orbs. The sky fractures into impossible colors.

You stumble back. “No.”

Henry steps forward, offering his hand. Behind him is not darkness. It’s beautiful. Vast golden fields under twin moons. Forests that glow softly from within. Architecture that bends upward like something grown instead of built.

It looks like a dream you almost recognize.

“You’ve seen this before,” he whispers.

Something in your chest twists. You have. In dreams you can’t fully remember. In half-formed thoughts. In déjà vu moments that never made sense.

“I didn’t want to forget,” he says, and for the first time, there’s something fragile in his voice. “So I kept coming back.”

The pavement under your feet liquefies into glassy light.

There is nowhere left to run.

“You’re trapping me,” you say, breath shaking.

Henry’s expression flickers.

“Trapping?” he repeats softly. “No.”

The last of the human street dissolves behind you. The golden field stretches endlessly. The air feels thicker. Warmer. Charged.

“You were always halfway here,” he says. “You just refused to turn around.”

You try to step backward. There’s nothing there. Only the fantasy world now.

It hums — not menacing, not violent — but alive. Watching. Waiting. Henry steps closer. Not touching. Not yet.

“You can keep fighting,” he says gently. “But you’ll wake up here anyway. Over and over. Until you accept it.”

The sky shifts color as if breathing.

You swallow. “Why me?”

His gaze doesn’t waver. “Because you can see it.” A pause. “And because you looked back.”

The memory hits — that first alley, the shimmer in the wall. You hadn’t just run. You had hesitated. You had stared.

For one heartbeat too long.

Henry offers his hand again. “You don’t have to love me,” he says quietly. “You don’t even have to forgive me.” His eyes are endless now. Not human. Not cruel either. “But you are not leaving.”

The wind moves through the glowing fields. Soft. Inevitable.

You realize something cold and heavy, the door is gone. There is no seam anymore. Just this world. And him.Watching to see what you choose now.

Confused by the sound, you seek its origin, but the pain radiating from your right arm tells you exactly where to look. With dread, your eyes track to the very arm, cowardly starting at the shoulder before drifting down to your elbow, where the pain began, and all the way to the tips of your fingers.

Your arm has been caught in a fucking bear trap.

At first, you could only stare in disbelief as if it weren’t your arm. However, as the tears began to involuntarily flow, you feel the need to let out a bloodcurdling scream clawing at your already aching throat. But before you can reason with yourself that this would only give away your position, you release a guttural cry into the blue sky.

“Ffffffuuuck!”

Trembling. You can’t stop trembling. This is agony! Why? Why is this happening to you?!

Any attempt to free your arm is futile. The trap is strong, deeply embedded in your supple flesh. Any movement sends a sharp pain that flows through you instantly like electricity. Even when you try ignoring it, using your free hand and legs to try and pry at the teeth, it only snaps back in even deeper.

You fall back onto your back, whimpering and shaking between sobs.

It’s over.

All you can do now is look at the sky just for the last time before the inevitable end. At least you tried. And the ground here doesn’t feel so bad.

Tears escape your eyes and down the sides of your face before soaking up in the soil beneath you. They disappear into the earth just as you imagine you will, too.

Your mind drifts back to the boy in your dreams. He’s playing in the field of daisies once more, waving you over to his side to show you something. He’s smiling as he always did just before tragedy strikes. You’re so small the field of grass and flowers are as tall as you but you rush after him only for the dark figure behind him to loom in the background again, inching closer and closer until…

You scream for him, vocal cords constricted when you finally let out an audible, “No!”

He’s captured, flailing all about as you rush after him. He wriggles in the figure’s grasp, attempting to pry its tightening grip around his neck. Suddenly, you’re paralyzed in place too scared to move. Instead of being disappointed in you the boy gives you a reassuring nod, a small strained smile while tears streamed from his eyes as he silently communicated with them to you, ‘Everything’s going to be alright. You go home now. Go!’

The flash ends and you’re left gasping as a shadowy silhouette blocks the view of the sky and sun over you.

This is it.

Gradually, you pivot your eyes to the man above you. You don’t want your last moments to be of weakness. You’ll stare death in the face with defiance.

There’s a long deep sigh before he lilts, “You dumb, dumb bunny.”

————

001 circles around your heaving frame as you stare up at him in anger, though secretly you’re both relieved he’s here and scared he’ll give you away. It’s clear he doesn't like you nor would he give a fuck what happens to you. So why is he prolonging this torture?

“Well, well. You’ve found yourself in quite the pickle,” He teases, pressing his foot down light onto the trap. You stifle a cry between clenched teeth, hyperventilating and staring daggers until he finally lets up. “And here I thought after our conversation last night that we had some form of an understanding. But I supposed dumb bunnies will do what they do, falling into little bunny traps that are avoidable. To be frank, I’m surprised. I was sure you’d have been caught in one a lot sooner and a lot closer to home but you are a slippery one.”

He gauges the look on your face and smirks. “Oh. You didn't know that there were more traps? Well yes, belle, these woods are surrounded by them. Very deadly ones, too. Had I not told you as such?”

001 awaits for your answer, clearly understanding that you’re in no mood to argue. “Hmm,” He feigns a pondering second. “Must’ve slipped my mind. Oh well. It’s pointless to dwell on what I could’ve…should’ve said then. I’ll kindly step out of your view so you can enjoy it while you can. Farewell.”

He turns to leave and you muster the strength to call out to him despite the stubbornness within you that refuses to grovel even if it meant your certain death. “Wait! Please…please save me. I’m begging you.”

001 halts in his steps, slowly turning towards you again before approaching like a predator to its prey.

“Don’t leave. I can’t die,” You whisper, shaking your head and voice quivering. “Not like this. I still have to find him.”

His eyebrows furrow. “Him?”

“The boy in the field who’d been taken by the monster.”

His face holds concern for a split second, so quick that if you had blinked, you’d have missed it. “Delirium is finally settling in, whether it is due to you succumbing to your injuries or the heat—”

“001!” You shout, tired of his games. “You either free me or I’ll chew my fucking arm off and shove it up your ass. I refuse to die here. Not until I know what you or your fucking creepy ass guardian has done to him. And even then I won’t go down unless I take you both down with me.“

He crouches down beside you before whispering, “And when that day comes…I’ll be rooting for you.”

As if in his own twisted way of comforting you, his hand brushes back a few strands of hair, clinging to your forehead from sweat.

001 stands onto his feet, giving you one last pitiful glance before heading off again.

“001!” You shout, the desperation in your voice amping up with each call of his name. “001, please don’t leave me! Don’t leave me. Don’t leave…I don’t wanna be alone. I wanna go home. Peter…said I had to to.”

———

Ten minutes go by, and you realize that he’s really gone. You’ve been left for dead. All you can do now is curl into a fetal position and draw doodles in the ground as you await the inevitable.

You hear the sound of feet in the distance and you inhale and exhale deeply, like a wounded animal in the throes of its last moments.

When you finally hear them closer, you don’t even have enough strength to even look at your intruder.

“Sis!” The voice squeaks, the rush of feet nears as two small hands rest on your side.

You turn to face her, tears forming at the waterline. “El?”

“Big brother said you needed help,” She explains, taking some tissue she’s stored from her pocket to wipe the blood from your nose. “I’m here now.”

“Let’s hurry this up, El,” 001 says while emerging from the greenery. “We don’t have much time before Papa arrives.”

He glances down at your arm. “Glad we were able to arrive in time before you could make the foolish decision to amputate yourself then sodomize me out of spite.”

“What’s sodomize?” El asks, staring up at him with big innocent eyes.

“Nothing of which to be concerned about, dearest.”

001 is flustered; a rare occurrence that seems to usually happen whenever there’s any mention of penetration. You’d poke at his vulnerability if it weren’t for the fact that he’d just previously called your bluff all while being your unexpected savior.

He’s two-for-two in this game. Well played, pretty boy.

Eleven locks in, concentrating all her might on the metal contraption. You hear the pop as the teeth begin to slowly retreat from your arm, blood gushing and flesh squishing as it opens up. You scream and curse much to 001’s chagrin.

“Will you shut up? He could be anywhere out here right now.” He snaps.

“I’m sorry. Are the cries I’m emitting from my arm mutilation bothering you?!” You hiss.

The spring trap releases with a final pop, and you sit up, cradling your damaged, limp arm with a shivering moan. “Th-thank you, Eleven.”

She hugs you and you hug her back before looking up at 001 with a nod of acknowledgment.

“I wouldn’t say ‘thank you’ so soon,” He replies. “We’re not exactly in the clear here.”

“Can you stand?” El asks you.

“I’ll try,” You stand on your feet only for your knees to give out under you, plopping right back to the ground again like a baby deer standing on its legs for the first time. “My legs are too weak.”

He snorts. “Looks like you’re officially out of luck, bunny.”

“You could just carry me as a gentleman would.” You retort.

“And who says I am?” He bites.

“001, please…” El pleads to him with her big, doe eyes. “We cannot leave her. I do not wish anyone else to get hurt. Please.”

001 shifts his eyes from her to you, who now carries a smug smirk with your arms outstretched towards him. “Help me, big brother.” You say mockingly, feeling even more accomplished when you hear him expel air from his nostrils in frustration.

—————

001’s much stronger than you’d anticipate from such a lean form. When would he even have the time to work out anyway? Maybe playing around in some jungle gym or all the chores he does around this home. That would make sense in the context of this freaky environment, you think.

Wait…why do you even care to notice?

God, this is all so confusing and fucked up.

He’s confusing and fucked up.

And yet…you almost feel sorry for him. This is all he knows, and he probably has no idea what it's like to be a real adult. Unfortunately, being a ‘real adult’ isn’t all glitter either. But you wonder if he’d adjust well if you could just convince him that the world out there isn’t so bad—

“Why do you keep staring up at me like that?” He mutters.

“Oh, just trying to figure you out.” You sigh, kicking your feet up a little.

“Quit that. You’re already heavy as is,” He chastises before continuing with the subject. “You’ll be highly disappointed to know that this is all I am.”

“So you have no dreams, no desires, no wants or needs?”

“Exactly.”

“Liar,” You lay an accusatory ‘boop’ on his nose causing him to shake it away. “I don’t believe you.”

He rolls his eyes. “Why? When have I given any indication otherwise?”

“Because you’re alive.” You answer simply.

“That’s your reasoning? How lackluster.”

“Maybe. But I think you’re pretty lackluster, and I also think I’m right on the nose, aren’t I?” You say with a persistent, teasingly saccharine tone of voice. “You’re alive because you want something. I think you want to get out of here, too.”

Now it’s his turn to be smug. “You’re not very subtle. You want me on your side. You think if we team up, we’ll get out of here and it’s happily ever after. But I’ve already told you, there’s no escaping, you dumb bunny. The others before you have tried that exact playbook. Make niceties with me and suddenly they think the power of friendship or even lust could save them from their torment. But should it have ended well, do you think you and I would have met?”

You wanted to tear him a new one for figuring out your angle so soon, but instead, you double down. “I think…I think we were always meant to cross paths. No matter the outcome. We could save each other.”

001 has no words for this, choosing to remain silent until you reach the tall gates. He lets you down, ordering you to go through the ditch and the hole in the gate through which you left. El wiggles through on her belly first, smearing her already dirtied white dress. You deduce that she’d gone under it to come after you.

However, you can’t say the same for 001. He must have some kind of a key that allowed him to leave. This only further proves your theory that he could leave whenever he wants but he chooses not to in some kind of sick twisted game.

You eye him. “This isn’t where you left from. Your clothes are all white and pristine. Well, at least they were before you carried me.”

“I climbed the fence, nearly shocking myself to death in search of you once I saw the mess you’ve made. You’re lucky I noticed. You’ve burrowed yourself so inconspicuously beside the shrubbery that we would have gone the entire day unaware of your absence and that would’ve been bad for you,” He shoos you with a wave of his hand. “Make haste and burrow down, bunny.”

You give him one last suspicious glance. There’s no way he’d have risked his life to find you. Nonetheless, you crawl through the space with some assistance from El, who notices you struggling to shove the dirt away with only one arm. 001 follows after you, pushing at your bottom in impatience.

“Hey, will you just wait a second?” You grumble.

“We don’t have a second,” He says through gritted teeth once you’re all finally through. 001 and Eleven frantically fix the dirt back into place as he proceeds to snap at you. “You left us a lot to deal with, and if we do not figure out an answer to all of this, we’re all in trouble. Eleven, go to Papa’s office. Try to unlock it if you can, but do not destroy anything. If you manage to get through, search for the first aid kit. Leave everything else as it is.”

“O-okay, I will try.” Eleven says, rising to her feet and running into the home.

“You!” 001 says so directly that it makes you jolt. “Help me hide your silly little burrow.”

“It’s not silly.” You pout, pushing away at some dirt.

“You’re right. It’s just plain stupid.” He corrects.

“Big brother, I was not able to open it,” Eleven comes rushing back, a line of blood trails from one nostril. “I am sorry.”

“Fuck,” He whispers to himself. “We can’t wrap the wound and pretend it’s only a minor scratch. We’ll have to do something more drastic.”

Drastic?! You don’t like the sound of that. You giggle anxiously. “I-I’ll just say I fell off a swing or something. Typical recess injuries, ya know.”

“That won’t be enough! Do you not see the state of your arm?!” He shouts. “El…do it.”

She shakes her head. “But I…I do not wish for her to be hurt.”

“You have to. It’s the only way to protect her.” He commands, pointing towards you.

Eleven sniffles, looking at you with somber eyes as she raises her hands towards you. “Sorry.”

“Eleven…” It’s all you can say before you’re sent flying backwards, crashing straight into the feeble swing set that immediately collapses around you upon impact.

Right at this very moment, Papa decides to come into the scene, mouth agape as he releases all the bags he carried in his hands to come rushing to your side.

“Belle?!” He drops to his knees, cradling the back of your head with one large hand.

You stare up at him, vision fading in and out.

“You’re going to be okay, sweetie. Hang on.” He whispers, stifling a sob yet his tears begin to stream from the tip of his nose, falling onto your face.

“D-daddy,” Reality distorts as you see your real father behind your captor, wanting to reach for him but he’s so far. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a better daughter.”

And then you’re gone.

———

Your eyes flutter open. You’re in bed. Not your bed, but a bed regardless. A sopping warm towel rests on your forehead, falling into your lap as you sit up. You’re in new clothes: some shorts that actually fit your body and a tank top. Your injured arm was now wrapped perfectly in a cast. It’s so well done, in fact, that you can tell whoever did it has some experience in the medical field. Your parents are doctors, so you know it well enough.

“Thank goodness,” A voice from across the room breaks through your thoughts as you turn in its direction, startled. “You’re awake. I was beginning to worry that there would be some irreversible damage but…you’re quite the tough cookie, Belle.”

“How long was I out?”

“Not long. 3 hours, the most,” He rises from his seat to sit on the edge of the bed beside you. “I bathed you,” Papa gathers the way you tense at this and quickly explains himself. “You don’t have to worry, I’d never touch you inappropriately. I hadn’t even laid hands on you or really looked. Gloves, a blindfold, and a loofa on a stick can go a really long way. I just couldn’t have them put their hands on you after what they’ve done. It was unforgivable and, on behalf of them, I do apologize.”

You curl into yourself, feeling violated and thrown off kilter. “Where are they?”

“In their rooms, thinking about what they’ve done, of course. I explained to them that once you’re awake, we could then get our stories straight.”

“Why are you doing this? Why…are we here?” In this injured state, you’d think you’d be a lot less willing to provoke him, and yet here you are.

“Because in the court of Papa, everyone will have a fair chance to tell their side of the story. I am a fair man after all, who loves his dear children equally,” You knew he knew what you meant. But he deliberately avoids answering your questions and instead places a kiss atop your head. “Shall we gather the others to begin?”

He reaches a hand out towards you and reluctantly, eventually…you take it.

—————

The three of you sat at the table, the two of them across from you. Eleven sports her usual apologetic look, looking down at her fumbling fingers. Meanwhile, 001 holds a glare that could have you six feet under, hiding an injury on his own arm. You stare back into his eyes, unable to match his energy, caught between confusion and fear.

Papa circles the table, hand against his chin. “Would anyone like to begin?”

Silence. You’re all exchanging looks amongst yourselves and yet neither are willing to aid in this situation. Finally, it’s Eleven who raises her hand.

“C-could I say something?” She whispers.

“Of course, darling girl. Speak up.” Papa replies.

“Well, I did hurt sister but…we were…we were playing and I went too far. I really didn’t mean to.” She hangs her head down in shame.

“Thank you, El,” Papa turns to 001. “And you? Would you like to say something?”

001 glares at you, then back at Papa. “Oh, what could I say? A little roughhousing here and there amongst family, and here we are.”

“And as for you, Belle?”

You nod frantically, avoiding his eyes. “Yep, that’s it.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t think either of you is telling the truth,” Papa says, shaking his head in disappointment. “While I do appreciate this bonding moment of solidarity amongst my lovely children, it makes me very upset to be deceived. I suppose it is my fault for deceiving you all first. For starters, there are cameras around the home. Not inside because, despite what you may think, I truly value your privacy as a good father should. But outside of the home, for your protection, there are cameras near the fencing. And I’ve witnessed some very harrowing things. Would you like to see?”

You begin to hyperventilate, picking at the nails of your injured fingers to distract you from the fear.

You’re soooo fucked.

Papa turns to a monitor for you all to watch. “An attempted escape—”

“I tried to warn her, sir—” 001 interjects

“You,” Papa points. Not at you. At 001. “You went over the fence, and you nearly got yourself killed. I had to lower the voltage remotely to protect you. And then…you went back to go after your sisters only to turn on Belle when she refused.”

“That isn’t…” One begins but trails off once the footage plays.

Sure enough, there he is, climbing the fence. Just out of the corner of the frame, where the cameras weren’t able to catch, is the shrub blocking the burrow. The next parts of the footage show 001 pointing in your direction before Eleven raises her arm and throws you into the playground.

“That isn’t….what it looks like? Hm?” Papa interrogates. “It’s exactly what it looks like to me. Unless…Belle, you’d like to clear the air?”

Judgement rests on your shoulder and it’s heavy because it involves your life or his. 001 has already mentioned that he’s a permanent addition to the family so coming clean would mean certain death for you.

So—cowardly—you shook your head, refusing to look either of them in the eye.

“Great, then I guess we have our answer,” Papa pulls out a small handheld device with little silver nodes at the top before jabbing it into 001’s neck, shocking him. 001 cries out, and you and Eleven do as well in horror until he finally goes limp, still conscious. “Girls, go to your rooms. Now. I’m disappointed in all of you, and I will think of a fitting punishment for you all accordingly. Should you leave your rooms, I will not be responsible for whatever happens as a consequence.”

“Papa, no!” Eleven cries, but you’re already reaching, dragging her out of the room as she wiggles and flails in your arms. “Please don’t hurt him, Papa!”

You reach her door, and she angrily shoves at your belly. “You should’ve helped him. He helped you, and you let him get hurt in the end. I hate you!”

She slams the door in your face, leaving you alone. Her words sting. They weren’t enough to spark a flame within you. Not when you could hear 001’s gurgles and groans of pain as Papa inflicts whatever kind of harm with whatever is in his possession.

All you could do is cover your ears and sob to drain out the noise, rushing your way to ‘your room’ to escape the hellish scene.

————

You curl up into yourself in bed, weeping and shuddering at your display of cowardice. You could have said something, but you knew the consequences. If you died now, all of this would be for nothing.

For as much as 001 can aggravate you at times, and you shouldn’t feel entirely guilty considering he’s aided and abetted in almost every aspect of this, you can’t help but feel sorry for him. It especially hurt seeing him in pain.

Your door suddenly creaks open, and you’re much too scared to look to see who it is. Though in your mind, you already knew exactly who’d be in the room. The heavy, devastating aura looms over you like a much-too-large weighted blanket.

“Belle…”

You ignore his call, squeezing your eyes shut as if he’d suddenly disappear the harder you concentrate.

“Belle!” His voice booms, reaching for your arm in one forceful motion that has you turning to face him.

He’s angry. Very angry. 001 must’ve finally told him what you’d done. Which means it’s time for your punishment. Death or not, you’re not sure which is worse.

“I chose not to say it in front of your siblings. But I get the feeling you don’t appreciate this family,” He hisses through gritted teeth, squeezing tighter around your injured wrist. You wince and whimper.

He sits on the edge of the bed beside you, twisting your arm about, which steers you in kind. “The wound on 001’s arm he’s trying to pass off as an injury from the bear trap…it isn’t consistent. He thinks himself so clever, but he forgets, ‘Papa knows everything’. Have you forgotten this, too, Belle?”

You profusely shake your head side to side. This man is terrifying. He’s nurturing one second, and then the next, he’s cold and cruel.

“But if you’ve had your suspicions of me all along,” Shut up! SHUT UP! Why do you always insist on poking the bear?! “Why did you hurt 001?”

He’s genuinely surprised by your question. “Concern for your brother? Why that…that warms my heart. You must know that I don’t take joy in punishing any of my children. Even the ones who are no longer here with us.”

That line sends chills down your spine, and the way he looked at you made it all the more chilling.

“But I must maintain order. That is what Papas do. They establish authority and control. Those who do not comply with the rules are either punished or… ‘ousted’ from the family. 001 understands this, which is why me punishing him is what’s best because he wants to be in this family. And by his sacrifice, you’ve witnessed what it would mean for you should you cross me, Belle. It wasn’t a pleasant sight, now was it?”

It takes everything in you not to spit in his face. To use 001 as an example just to scare you? It’s sick. Evil. Demented.

Yet…effective.

“It was horrible,” You whisper. “He didn’t deserve it. He did nothing wrong.”

“Then, I suppose this means I shouldn’t have to worry about your injury aligning with the teeth of my trap. That it isn’t your blood that drips from it as well. That maybe instead it was just an unlucky defenseless creature and 001 had done this all in a brief act of rebellion with no further secrets to ‘burrow’. Is that right? I’ll just have to take a look here, then.”

You swallow down a hard lump in your throat as your captor decides to bring a hand to the very top of your cast, immediately starting the process to unravel it. With his other hand, he curls a fist around one of your delicate fingers.

“I do hope that I’m only being paranoid. I will loathe having to snap these precious fingers or enter a fit of rage that won’t stop there—”

Just as he’s about to reach the beginning of the wound, you throw your arms around him and hug him tight.

“Papa!”

He audibly gasps, hands frozen in the air.

“Please…don’t hurt me,” You’re crying now. “Don’t hurt them. I’m sorry. I’ve never…had a real family before. My parents neglected me. All my life, I’ve felt so alone.”

You're milking his affection. 001 had told you all along that if you didn’t comply, you wouldn’t survive. If you were going to get any answers regarding all of this and the boy in your dreams, you had to fake it until you made it. But despite being an act, your words rang true, which made it more of a compelling ploy.

Your parents were always busy with work, and when you wanted to pursue things that didn’t align with their plans for your future, they cut off contact with you, so you returned the same energy. It wasn’t always that way. They once loved you so much and would do anything to protect you. Then, something happened back then that you couldn’t explain, and the next thing you knew, life as you knew it went into a downward spiral. Somehow, you end up in the sex work industry, in various outlets of it, all in pursuit of money for dreams that died along with your happiness.

And now, fate has brought you here in the palm of your captor’s hand where he continues to play God with your life.

“I only wanted someone who’d love me. Wh-who would support me no matter what. And I was left to fend for myself in such a cruel world because I asked for that. I’m scared, Papa. I’m scared you’ll do the same.”

You can feel him shaking against you before his arms wrap tightly around you.

His hands brush softly along your hair. “My darling…I will never be so cruel.”

—————

Breakfast with your fellow looney bin mates was awkward. You’ve been avoiding 001’s gaze the entire time. But with every sneaky glance you got, you picked up on yet another bruise that colored his near perfectly porcelain skin. Your stomach turns at what could’ve possibly caused those markings.

Currently, you’re cleaning the table, picking up the dirty dishes, and then handing them over to 001. He’s on dish duty while Eleven tends to the floor. It’s strange how you’re falling into this mundane routine as if any of this were normal. As if you’re just meant to play kid again and accept this fate as 001 had.

You’re picking up your own plate when Papa comes over to your side, looking down at your barely eaten bacon. As much as you tried to eat the meat to keep him satisfied, no bigger threat could convince you. You’re not sure where your meat disdain stems from but for as long as you can remember, you loathed to even look at it.

“Meat is protein, Belle.” He singsongs, though there’s a hint of a warning tone in his voice.

“My tummy’s a little upset. I’m not used to eating meat, Papa. It’s been so long.” You reply.

“I suppose it would be harmful to introduce meat to you all at once. Rather I’d have done it more gradually. Or…maybe we could explore other options of proteins for you,” He pats your head. “I want my good girl to grow big and strong.”

“Thanks, Papa.” You smile, actually feeling relieved. God, if all it takes to manipulate this bastard is to be nice, then maybe escape doesn’t seem so far-fetched.

In the corner of your eye, you could see 001 flashing you an indiscernible look over his shoulder before resuming his work.

Papa checks his watch before clapping his hands together. “Well, I must go into my office to tend to some very important duties. 5 o’clock, we shall begin our checkups and results. And at 8…family movie night. That sound good, gang?”

You all say your agreements in unison though you’re the only one that’s confused. What the fuck did he mean by checkups and results?

“Great! I will see you then. Until that point, you are free to do as you please.” Papa smiles, which gradually lowers when he hears someone speak up.

“Will we be able to go outside, sir?” 001 finally speaks up after spending most of the morning being silent.

“No, kiddo, unfortunately…you’ve all lost that privilege for at least a month.” Papa explains.

“B-but I’ve been good all month. And you said you wouldn’t take away our privileges for as long as we don’t obtain any further strikes and I’m only on my first.”

His passion makes you curious. Usually, whatever Papa says goes. And yet, 001 is very adamant about going outside, even though what you see of him is virtually nothing aside from tending to some garden. Was that his way of coping with this, and had you ruined it for him?

“Escaping is worth more marks than you could even begin to fathom,” Papa says growing upset. “You’re lucky it is only a month and not for the rest of your life! It’s discipline for disobeying my orders and if you have a problem with that—”

“I understand,” One nods, jaw clenching. “Crystal FUCKING clear, Papa.”

It’s like a mic drop. But like in a really fucking bad way. Even your heart’s pumping because those words hadn’t come out of your mouth. No. They came from 001’s. Had you corrupted him?

“What did you just say?” Papa asks through gritted teeth, eyes narrowing as he predatorily approaches 001.

“I said ‘Fuck’,” 001 smirks. “As in…Fuck this. Fuck that. Fuck it all. And…fuck you. I already have many strikes, don’t I? Another one wouldn’t mean a thing.”

“That’s where you’re wrong!” Papa growls out, raising his hand high in the air.

“Papa!” Eleven cries.

“No!” You shout, rounding the table to reach them.

Eleven beats you to it when just as the Monster is about to swing his hand, making contact with 001’s face, she raises her hand as well, using her power to control and halt him in place.

“My little dove…what do you think you’re doing?” He asks, still in position.

“No more, Papa,” She whimpers. “Please.”

“You’ve just made Papa very angry, dove. Let go and we can talk about this.” He negotiates.

“I cannot,” She whispers. “Not until I know you will not hurt him.”

Her nose begins to bleed far more than it has ever before, dripping onto the floor at her bare feet. Even scarier, it pours for her eyes like bloody tears, and you could tell that she’s in real pain.

The selfish part of you wants her to hurt him regardless of what happens to her. Let her tear him to pieces if it means you’ll be free. But even if she’d been a part of all this, she’s only a child. A scared little girl. It isn’t fair.

“Eleven…let go now,” You pleaded, meeting her at eye level. But she remains determined to keep his hand at bay so you continue. “Please, you’ll hurt yourself. Let go.”

She gives in, releasing him, but not before forcing his hand down. 001 looks your way, then back at Papa in defiance. The two exchange intense looks before Papa leaves the kitchen with a menacing strut.

The moment he does, Eleven begins to fall over and you’re quick to reach out and catch her. You cradle the back of her head, checking her forehead. She’s burning up.

“What the hell are you doing?” You say, staring daggers up at 001.

“Funny, I could ask you the same thing,” He retorts. “You hated him and now all of a sudden you’re his princess.”

“I still hate him, asshole,” You spat. “I’m only doing what you told me to do. You’re not even following your own advice at this point and it nearly got Eleven hurt.”

“She can handle it. She isn’t a weak mortal like you. She’s powerful. I am…” He trails off, making you squint at him in confusion. “Eleven is fine.”

“You think this is fine?” You question.

“I am,” She says, causing the two of you to snap your attention down at her. Eleven pulls away from your arms, wiping away at her face with her pink night gown. “I’m fine. 001 is right; I am powerful.”

“You shouldn’t have to push yourself to prove that.” You argue.

“You would not understand so stop pretending as if you do,” She shouts, standing on her feet. “You are not my mom or my sister. You do not know anything about what happens in this family so leave us alone!”

Eleven goes over to 001’s side, the two of them standing as a unit.

“Let’s see how long you last kissing up to him. Eventually you either crack and fall into the cycle with us or…you’re dead.” He says this as if it were yet another one of his stupid games. A challenge.

Luckily for him, you’re finally in the mood to play.

“I’d be careful challenging me if I were you, you’ve underestimated me this entire time and yet the tables seem to be turning,” You reply with a smirk, nearing him just so you could push past him to dump a couple dishes into the sink. “Chop, chop, busboy.”

This could be fun. If this is the fucked up situation you’re put in, you might as well indulge in its insanity. Especially if it means throwing it all in 001’s face. To hell with feeling bad for him. If he’s ever going to agree to join your side of the fight, he’s going to have to be very uncomfortable here.

You take a step forward only for your foot to step on a toy truck that has you sliding and landing flat on your butt. That wasn’t there before, and so you immediately glanced at the culprits above you with a mean stare.

Oh, it’s so on.

————

When Bad Things Happen To Good People.

The title of this book caught your eye because it, of course, resonated with you. Books are a form of escapism. So you chose it and read it all afternoon, feeling inspired.

There is a way out of this. You know it. Even if it seems all hopeless and everyone around you is complacent, you will leave, even if it kills you. As the author says, “Pain is the price we pay for being alive.”

You're near the last page, wanting to squeeze the last bit of hope it provides into your veins, except the last page…was ripped out.

You begin to fume, eyes finally leaving the pages to land right on 001. He raises the page in his hand, waving it about in the air. He fucking knew you’d reach for this book. No matter how much you try to mask your assimilation, he knew you were still breaking inside.

“Give that back.” You hiss, rising from the bay window to march towards him.

“Can’t have your head filled with crazy ideas. Papa will be mad.” He teases.

This is silly. It’s petty and normally this shouldn’t piss you off this much. But he somehow knows the right ways to poke the bear.

“I don’t give a fuck. Give me that now!” You lunge forward only for him to evade you at the last second and fall face-first onto the couch.

He chuckles. “You’re quite clumsy.”

“Eat a dick.” You bite, extending your feet enough to stick between his legs and clip him at the knees.

He flails before he’s falling right onto you, his front against your back. You both struggle against each other, his face beside yours, skin touching and it’s the first time you’ve ever had this much contact with him. God, If he weren’t such a piece of shit, you’d ask him for his skin care routine because it’s actually pretty soft and nice-looking.

Any attempts from you to retrieve the page, he’d extend his arms far from your reach. Any attempts from him to separate his body from yours, you’d reach behind you and tug hard at his shirt, forcing him down against you and ignoring the sounds of fabric tearing.

No doubt the scene would look absurd to anyone who walks in. You’re literally acting like children. This fucking house is corrupting your mind!

Speaking of corruption…

Your eyes widen at the sudden “intrusion” lodged between your thighs. He stiffens against you, knowing that the issue at hand is too prominent to ignore.

Countless visions rush over you, being in this very position with various faceless men using your body for their pleasures. For some reason, being reminded of this makes you ill. Like you’d assigned it for the cause of all your problems now.

He’s about to peel himself off your body in your brief moment of weakness, but you’re the first to push him off as you rise on your hands and knees. He’s sent falling back into the cushions behind him, watching you with an increasingly red face.

“S-sorry,” 001 whispers, catching you off-guard. “My body responds however it does whether I want it to or not. It’s the curse of being in the body of a male human.”

You clear your throat. “I get it. You’re not a robot. Though you can be convincing as one at times.”

He rolls his eyes. “We’re fortunate El hasn’t witnessed any of it or she’d only made our situation much worse.”

“How so?”

“Imagine her telling Papa that she’d caught us wrestling on the couch. He’d assume the worst, and then he’d punish us, ‘siblings’, for participating in sinful acts. The last captive attempted to seduce me in hopes I’d be on her side and you do remember me telling you how that ended,” He lands a pointed accusatory glare your way. “Fortunately, you’ve never had plans to do such a thing, right?”

He blinks innocently at you and you nearly attack him again. How is it that he can so easily read you?!

“Right. Don’t you worry about that. After all, I’m too busy giving my attention to your daddy.” You snidely reply.

“He’s yours, too.”

You lean into suggestiveness. “Oh, right. He is, isn’t he?”

Your captor and Eleven enter the living room, her hand in his, nose bleeding which meant she’d been using her abilities.

“I should be livid. I should punish you,” The monster says, staring directly at 001. “But I’m proud and very impressed. It seems your lessons with El are showing some promising results. You’ve pushed her to her potential. Well done. However…do not ever disrespect me again unless you wish to suffer.”

001 nods firmly, jaw clenching.

“Good,” Papa says before turning to you. “Belle, it’s time for your checkup.”

You turn to look at 001, silently pleading for a meaning to all this but he only returns a flat look.

“Hop along now, bunny.”

——————

You’re guided down the dim hallway until you reach the doors to his office. Papa pushes the mahogany double doors until you’re coming face-to-face with an academic-appearing office space with a wrap-around library. It's the kind of study built for a professor or doctor.

A skeletal display, a world globe, large upholstered chairs, carpeting, and a large desk. It’s a lot fancier than the rest of the home, which went for a more countryified aesthetic.

Finally, your eyes land on an older man sitting at the table on the farther side of the room, setting up his station of new medical supplies. You begin to panic at the sight of the needle syringe.

“Wh-what are you going to do to me?” You ask, refusing to move. “I don’t want to go. Please don’t make me go.”

“Shh, shh, shhhh,” Papa hushes you, lips against your hair while his hand brushes through it. He leads you to the table against your will, carrying your limp, injured hand in the other. “It’s okay. You’re okay.”

“No.” You sob, twisting in his embrace.

The older man before you gives you a remorseful look, sighing to himself as if the sight of this was enough to make him sick.

Your captor pulls a chair out for you to sit in before placing one last kiss on your forehead. “You’re a big girl now, Belle. You can do this. I’ll be just outside the door if you need me.”

He leaves your side. You look into the eyes of the man before you, resembling a trembling doe.

“Hello, I’m Dr. Sam Owens. I’ll be treating you today. May I?” The man says, pointing at your cast.

Reluctantly, you offer the arm, and he takes it gently in his gloved hand. With a pair of scissors, he cuts through the cast and examines the wound.

“Good news is you’ll get to keep your arm,” He quips, chuckling to himself, but stops abruptly, clears his throat, and apologizes when you don’t join in. “We do, however, have to get this cleaned to prevent any infection. And do some needlework because this wound is a little deep.”

“What’s in the syringe?” You blurt out.

“Antihistamine.”

“Diphenhydramine?”

Dr. Owens looks pleasantly surprised, smiling. “Why yes. You have a background in medicine?”

“My parents do. My real parents,” You hiss. “You’re trying to sedate me on his orders, aren’t you? What for? What are you planning to do with me? What—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, it’s nothing like that. You happen to have an allergy to grass, and this would efficiently treat the irritation on your skin, sweetheart—”

“Don’t…Call. Me. That.” You warn.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’re right, Y/n.” He says and now you’re the one to be surprised by the mention of your name. You haven’t heard it spoken in days and now it sounds so foreign as if it didn’t belong to you.

“You know my name?” You whisper, a tear streaming down your face, and you can’t help smiling a little.

“Yes, Dr. Brenner told me and I should address you as such as my patient.”

“Dr. Brenner?”

“You know him as Papa.” He answers, dabbing your wound with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball.

“Not mine.”

“I know,” He says grimly. “I’m sorry.”

You lean in closer. “Why is this happening?”

He glances at the door then back at you. “He’s just outside the door. It’s too dangerous to say. Should you know the truth, it’ll open up a can of worms you cannot close.”

“Yeah, well, maybe it shouldn’t stay closed.”

“Then, you figure out first how to keep them in order before you’re sure you want that. People have died, Y/n. Innocent people. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

“I’ve been hearing that a lot lately and yet It’s all I ever see. You do understand that my days are numbered, Mr. Owens. You know I can’t stay here. And you’re a doctor,” You point out angrily. “You adhere to a code of honor to save lives. Save us.”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.” He says, sticking the needle into your veins just as Dr. Brenner decides to enter the room. From there all conversation ceases and Dr. Owens pretends as if he’d never become acquainted with you.

“All done?” Dr. Brenner asks.

“For now, yes. Her arm seems to be healing quite well. And the rash on her skin should go away by tomorrow. She’ll be a little drowsy for the rest of the night, however.” Dr. Owens explains, removing his gear from you.

You rise to your feet, feeling your head begin to spin and just when you’re about to trip over your feet Brenner rushes in to catch you.

“There, there. Papa’s here,” He coos, soothing your hair. “No movie night for you, missy.”

001 walks in, eyes immediately on you. You look back at him with heavy eyes as you feel yourself being slowly guided into his arms.

“Take her to her room, then return here for your check-up,” Brenner instructs. “Unfortunately, I won’t be tucking you all in for the next three nights. My colleague and I will be very busy running tests during this period. Do head off to bed accordingly. Shall I find things out of order, you know what will happen.”

“Yes, Papa.” 001 nods.

Brenner then turns his attention to you, expecting your verbal compliance. You look over to Dr. Sam Owens, silently nodding your way.

“Yes, Papa.” You give in.

Brenner smiles brightly, kissing your forehead. “My good girl.”

And then you’re both off, a shoulder draped over 001’s shoulder as he aids your slumped body out of the room, the two of you exchanging heated looks as if you're ready to pounce in a bloody battle to the death.

Once you arrive in your room, he tosses you unceremoniously onto the bed and pain shoots up your injured arm.

You sit up on your knees. “What the fuck’s wrong with you?”

“Well, for one, you’re the root of it,” He snaps, baring his teeth. “All you’ve done is ruin things and whine about everything! I’ve been punished and suffered at the hands of your selfish deeds…”

“I never asked you to do those things for me!” You yell into his face.

“And now,” He continued with a manic laugh. “Now not only have you put him more on edge, but we’re unable to go outside—”

“What’s so special about being outside?” You ask, remembering the way he’d gone straight to the garden that time. Although it seemed nothing special on the outside, you could tell there was more than meets the eye especially when it came to 001.

“Some breathing space. A taste of freedom.”

“That isn’t even a whiff of freedom. You wanna know what’s actual freedom? Being out of this place! And if you don’t fucking search for those balls that I believe you may have—”

001 throws his hands up, shaking his head and sneering. “You’re incredulous.”

“I think you mean ‘incredible’ and yes, I fucking am.”

“You’re looking to not only get yourself killed but you just might be the first to have us all killed,” 001 bites. “I swear it. I will make you pay if you do anything that’ll fuck this up for us.”

“What are you gonna do?” You ask, crossing your arms.

He doesn't answer, simply staring you down while his jaw clenches erratically. He then swiftly exits the room, slamming the door behind himself.

You stick your tongue out aggressively and, even more forcefully, begin to rub off the faint feeling of Brenner’s lips against your forehead with the palm of your hand.

Fuck…you really hate it here.

————

That same dream again. That kind boy. He’s just within your reach. If only you could run just a little faster, he’d be saved. You’re so small now, though, your tiny arms can barely grasp. Yet as best as they’d let you, you run and reach.

Suddenly, your hair’s being gripped from behind you. You twist and shout in the invisible force’s grasp as you're made to watch the scene the way it always ends: the boy being taken away.

By the time you’re released, you’re abruptly falling forward onto your hands and knees in the grassy field, staring while tears stream down your face.

You’ve failed again. And again. And again.

You wake up shaking; the tears are real. The light of a new day shines over your overwhelmed body.

Slowly, you rise from your position, and as you do, the hair near your shoulders falls like shedding wool. You’re quaking by this point, picking up the fallen pieces of your jaggedly cut hair and staring in horror. This was not the product of stress.

This was intentional.

Your fear morphs to pure unadulterated rage. As if you hadn’t already surrendered your life to this, now they decide to take your hair with it, too. Does nothing ever belong to you?! Your body, your mind, your fucking life! Now they want your hair! It’s selfish. So selfish.

He fucking did this. You’ll kill him. You’ll fucking kill him!

You throw the blanket off your body, marching with your fists clench towards the bustling kitchen. Brenner greets you with a bright smile, sleeves rolled up in preparation for cooking.

“Belle, you’re awake. I was thinking of waking you but I understood you needed more rest after the allergic…”

His voice goes in one ear and out the other as you press forward, raised fist in the air to make contact with your target.

001 spins around to face you, a glass of orange juice in one hand and a pitcher in the other. “What’s with the look, bunny? Bad hair da—”

You deck him hard on the cheek, sending the items in his hands along with him, diving to the ground.

Climbing his lean frame, you begin to wail on him.

“Jesus, Belle!” Brenner shouts, catching your fist in the air and pulling you off of him by one arm. But all you see is red as you continue to kick and spit at 001 until you’re completely apart.

“You absolute brute,” 001 hisses, spitting blood onto the ceramic floors. “For a goddamn joke?”

“You think this shit’s funny?! I have given enough of myself and still it isn’t enough for any of you! You have my compliance, my body, and you decide you’d take my hair, too!” You cry.

“I didn‘t—”

“‘You’ll make me pay’?” You echo his words from the other night. “What exactly did you mean by that?”

“It was me!” Eleven says, entering the kitchen. She trembles with a scissor in hand. “I did it. Last night while you were sleeping. I was…so angry. Brother was hurt. Papa was mad at me. All of it was your fault. I thought If Papa will not punish you, I will.”

She breaks down, head in her hands as she drops the scissors at her feet. “I do not know what is wrong with me. I am s-sorry.”

You sigh, melting in your anger and swallowing down harsh words. In the end, she’s only a little girl—what you’ll continue to chant in your head to keep from holding her by her legs and shaking her like a schoolyard bully—who’d been raised in a traumatic environment.

Carefully, you approach her, sinking to your knees to meet at eye level as you remove her hands from her teary face. You shock everyone by giving her a warm smile, a gentle hand against her cheek.

“I can’t say that I’ll yet forgive you for this, El,” You reply with a small laugh. “But…I understand. You know, I’ve always wanted a little sister. Sometimes, sisters aren’t always happy with each other. I guess this is just one of those days. I’m sorry, too. I was also pretty mean. Let’s promise that the next time we’re angry with each other that instead of hurting each other…we talk about it.”

She sniffles before nodding with a smile. You pull her in for a hug before releasing her. Brenner stands behind you, heart swelling at the scene before him. He reaches a hand towards Eleven, eyes wet.

“My little dove…” He coos.

“Papa…” She beams, reaching for his hand. “Could I make waffles with you?”

“Of course, dear, it’s Eleven and Papa always.” With that, the two walk away hand in hand further into the kitchen.

You’re left perplexed at the entire situation for a moment before turning to face 001 in shame while he glares back.

“Well…don’t you have anything to say to me?” He begins.

“I barely hit you.” You huff.

“That didn’t sound like an apology.”

“You’re lucky I’m even being kind enough to patch you up.” You snark, coming up behind him and pushing at his back to lead him out the kitchen.

—————

“You do realize he’ll be punishing us both for fighting.”

“Just me. I’ll take full responsibility.” You reply to him briefly, mainly focusing on dabbing an alcohol-soaked gauze at his split-lip.

He scoffs. “You still don’t get the rules, do you?”

“Will you be quiet and be still? I’m trying to be nice here, and you keep yapping about these fuckass rules.”

001 makes a face at your use of such a swear word. He’s pretty sure you’re the most foul-mouthed person he’s ever met.

“How do you expect me to be still when you have only ever made things worse for me? I’m unable to do what I have to do with ease because of you and you decide to enact your rage on my face for it.”

“Hey, my good hand’s all injured, no thanks to you and your sneaky ass behavior. I wouldn’t have attempted to rearrange your irritating face if you were ever upfront about anything, including whatever it is you were doing outside.” You highlight, causing him to tense, and a smug smirk plasters across your face. “Bet you didn’t think I’d care enough to make note of your personal playtime.”

“Apparently not enough to keep you from doing anything stupid.”

“What were you doing?” You ask, leaning into him, hands planted on the bathroom sink behind him. It cages him like an interrogation, the top half of his back nearly against the mirror as he tries to widen some distance between your bodies.

“It’s none of your concern.”

“What is my concern then?”

“That you stay out of my way. That you just follow the fucking rules and do as you’re supposed to so that everything may go accordingly.” He bites.

“And yet you refuse to stay out of mine. You didn’t have to protect me and yet you did. Why?”

A rouge tinge against his pale skin has you biting back a smile. He clears his throat before answering. “I did it for Eleven, but I tested your loyalty. Yours and El’s, to be clear. Knew all along about the cameras. That’s why I went over the fence instead of the ditch in case the playground attack wouldn't cover our asses. I simply played along in the scene, pretending I hadn't known about the cameras, so he wouldn't know I did. The test was to see if you’d take the easier route that protects you, which, in turn, would test El’s fondness towards you. You’d be glad to know you’ve both successfully failed, as you are currently off the hook, and she still holds you dear. Not exactly what I foretold.”

“This is just hilarious to you,” You say with a dry laugh. “A test? So you treat me like some fucking trial-and-error experiment? Was it worth the pain and abuse?! Were the lives before me not worth ‘testing’ or ‘sparing’? Did the victims not deserve to live regardless of whether your ‘sister’ or your ‘papa’ likes them? They mattered, too!”

“Unfortunately, bunny, the world is an ugly place. It’s not always fair. People will die.”

“I’m aware of it!” You assert. “I’ve seen things— dealt with things in my life that have made me question every day whether I deserve any of it. It isn’t life that isn’t fair….it’s people. People like you and your Papa go about life thinking you’re entitled to play god and executioner because it’s fun to indulge in the suffering of others than addressing your own—”

“You think I started this way!” His even persona snaps so suddenly that it has you shaken for a moment. “I wanted to believe that the world was fair. That people are innately good. But as long as some people fall within the cracks of society—forgotten and hidden away—there will always be people to exploit them.”

001’s trembling by this point, and it reminds you that he, too, can experience fear. As much as he insists on his security within this fucked up dynamic, there might have been a point in his life where he, too, had been a terrified victim recognizing that these four walls would be his world for the rest of his life.

He continues, face tight with anger. “It’s no coincidence you’re here. People wouldn’t take a second glance if you disappeared. And they haven’t. The mentally ill, the elderly, disabled, the homeless, ones without family, those who sell their bodies to strangers, misfits…you’re all society wishes to forget. The only thing you can do to be free is to embrace the madness of it all or to be the cause of it.”

“And you are?”

“I’ve embraced it for as long as I can remember. Though maybe I truly am to be the god and the executioner you think me to be. So, little one…which one will you be?”

“Neither,” You answer. “I may be one of the forgotten, no one may ever look for me including my own parents, but I’ll fight to live long enough to remember the ones who’ve been forgotten here. And if I die, I’ll make sure there will never be another victim after me.”

“Ambitious yet foolish.” He snidely replies.

“That pretty much sums me up.” You retort.

Amused, he expels air from his nostrils, then comments almost to himself. “You really are just a dumb bunny.”

You exhale in exasperation, releasing any further snark you reserved for him. You’re tired of fighting. Tired of the bickering. If you were going to get anywhere, you needed an ally. As long as you could get 001 on your side, there’s a possible chance El would follow suit, and you may finally have a fighting chance to leave this place. Even better if you get him to open up enough for you to piece together the puzzle of the boy in your dreams.

“Thank you,” You finally say, stepping back. He blinks in astonishment at your humble, genuine appreciation, his mouth slightly parted. “For what you’ve endured for me at the hands of that monster and…I guess…at my own hands as well…” You admit stubbornly. “Just thank you. I’m not sure that I ever got to say that to you properly so...”

You’re leaning in again. 001’s breath hitches as your lips near his before changing course and landing a soft, lingering kiss on his bruised cheek.

You pull away, drinking in the way he seemingly melted in your embrace. “Don’t read into that too much. I still think you’re a taint-licking fuckwad.”

“With a mouth like yours, it’s a wonder you’ve not been recruited to be a sailor.”

“Fuck you.” You smile, shoving his injured shoulder.

“Ow.” He chuckles before giving your injured arm a retaliatory squeeze.

“Ow, you bastard.” You giggle, tugging at his hair until you’re both indulging in a little play fight that somehow becomes a tangle of your limbs and bodies.

By the time you’re done, you’re both gasping quietly, laughs slowly subsiding. Your fingers are interlocked in his own hand, forced up against the mirror, face once again within inches of each other. So close you can bask in the warmth of his breath. The kind of warmth you’d never have associated with him.

Nerves get to him as he becomes the first to try to loosen his fingers, but giving his hand an encouraging squeeze was enough to stop him from completely releasing. You further close the gap between your bodies until they become one, lips just milliseconds from touching his own, so that you can feel its feather touch. Your eyes flutter shut, and he follows your lead, unsure what to do, goosebumps lighting up on his skin.

He pulls back at the last second, remembering where he is. “I…we...” He whispers, eyes slowly opening to meet yours.

001 refuses to give you the opportunity to protest, hands on your hips to carefully push you away. You don’t know what’s good for you. Always wanting to rebel at the cost of everything. Stupid, stupid woman.

Papa has eyes everywhere. 001 knows this more than anyone.

Seeing the concern in his eyes, you oblige with a sigh, stepping back entirely with one hand raised in surrender.

“Understood.”

001 clears his throat, clearly embarrassed by his lack of self-control, adjusting his clothing. “This changes nothing between us.”

“I know, fuckface.” You scoff, arms crossed as you feign annoyance before shooting him a small smile.

The corners of his lips twitched until he couldn’t help but smile back. He finds you vexing yet…gutsy. Maybe even…amusing.

Unbeknownst to either of you, from the crack in the door, a pair of eyes takes in the entirety of the scene unfolding before them.