"So what's your plan?" Vengo tossed his drink back, wincing at the burning sensation down his throat.

"That means you all missed the point and that is Davies is ours. Charles, I want you to make a public announcement at all the major businesses. Tell them this: Now you are working for the Black Roses or for your former leader, a Phoenix rat. So you can be with us or against us If they come with us they should report to them me at the end of the week. By then whoever doesn't have one, will be the enemy."


"And will this take down Mr. Aiden?" Kaylin tilted her head.

Michel smirked. "It'll be over a week. Because then I'll make it a hunting game. The first person to bring that bastard alive for me will receive a handsome compensation and be in good standing in our circle."

Loving the idea, Kaylin's lips curled into a devilish smile. "Does that apply to us?" She defied, a glint of evil shining from her eyes.


Michel lit a cigarette and took a deep breath. "Happy hunting."

---


"I can stay here, the bed is big enough." Rosabella tucked Fanny into bed after she dried her hair.

Fanny had insisted on bathing alone, but Rosabella was anxious to leave her there.

So Rosabella was at the door the whole time, talking to her to ensure the girl didn't collapse in the tub.

Fanny shook her head. She knows Rosabella won't sleep if Rosabella stays with her.

Rosabella will be too busy watching her every breath, and while it shows a lot of concern from her friend, it also leaves her feeling a little suffocated.

Yes, she is scared, but she wants to deal with this without any help.

The faster she gets over herself, the better she can handle life once she leaves all of this behind.

Rosabella sighed. "I don't have a phone so I can call you in case..."

"Rosabella. I'm really fine. Go to bed now. Really."

Silently watching her for a moment, Rosabella wanted to make sure everything was okay before finally giving in with a nod.

So, with a gentle kiss on Fanny's freshly washed hair, Rosabella mumbled a quiet good night and left her.

The moment the door closed, Fanny felt her heartbeat speed up.

Every time she is left alone, she is reminded of the time she spent alone in the basement.

But the worst by far is when she closes her eyes. She is afraid to close her eyes.

Each time, she sees him. She saw that place. Odor can be smelled.

Although, no matter how hard she tried, her body was still weak and yearning to rest. She resisted sleep for as long as she could, but in the end, she lost the fight and fell into a dream.

---

Michel was looking out the window in Fanny's old room.

Charles ordered one of the maids to clean up the mess so that he was left with a simple double bed and a bedside table, all the debris removed from the space.

He was about to lie down when he heard Fanny scream.

Before he knew what he was doing, he ran across the room, across the hallway, and rummaged through the room Fanny was currently in.

Michel immediately spotted her in bed, screaming bloody murder as she dashed about.

Going to her side, he didn't think twice about pulling her into his arms and holding her to his chest.

Kneeling in front of her, he tries to get her attention, grabbing her chin in his hands to make her look at him.

Fanny refused to open her eyes and sobbed as she brought her hand to her chest, curled up against her.

She was panting and sweaty, her hair sticking to her forehead and her cheeks was wet with tears.

The moment Michel's hand gripped her chin, she began to tremble, cringing as she let out a sharp cry.

Eyes wide in shock, he quickly released her. "I won't hurt you, Fanny."

But she didn't answer. Instead, she raised her hand to her head and twisted her fingers around her hair.

"Stop. Make it stop." She shouted.

Michel panicked.

How? What should he do? Is this a nightmare she's having or is she reliving something she's been through?

"Fanny."

Her eyes suddenly widened, widening in panic as she moved forward.

Michel could tell she was in pain by the way she moved her body.

His heart sank at the sight, he looked at her as she began to sway back and forth, her fingers scraping her arm in panic.

"No, no, no..." Fanny muttered under her breath as if hypnotized.

"They're everywhere... his hands..." She cried.

Michel's throat was parched. He couldn't stand it. Her cries, her pleas, the pain on her face.

Taking her hand in his, he gently rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, pulling her closer to him.

"Fanny..."

"Are not." She groaned, pulling her hand away.

"Do not touch me." She looked up at him with teary eyes.

Michel felt a sharp pain cut through his chest when he saw her.

He understands that she can't stand being touched by anyone, but her eyes...

Her eyes were begging him to help her.

When Michel stood still, her shoulders sagged and she slowly slid off the bed until her knees touched the floor.

Closing her eyes, she pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them again.

Fanny just sat there, swaying and mumbling like she really had lost it.

Leaning closer with his heart pounding furiously in his chest, Michel tried to listen to what she was saying and took a deep breath the moment he did.

"No more, no more blood on me... no, no... no more hands or cockroaches... no more hands..."

Cockroaches. Blood. Hand.

Michel understands it all.

With what it looked like when they found her, he had no doubt it was infested with ants, rats, and cockroaches, if not worse.

Blood? He doesn't want to think about it. What about the hand? Yes, he knows.

Because he will break them once he finds their owner.