Echo ran out of her room as fast as she could. She didn’t want to stay in there another moment. She cared not to see whom won; she only cared to be away from that man. A sense of despair still hung over her heavily. But the farther she got, the more it faded. She raced down the hall, clinging to the one garment tossed over her and went to the elevator, set on making it to His room.

Upon reaching Lucky’s room, holding the mere sheet over her small frame and shaking violently, she brought her hand up to knock. But then she rethought it. The last time she had talked to him, he’d been upset about the dreams. But to know what had just almost happened to her? He’d… No. She couldn’t let him know. He didn’t need to know. No one did. She needed to tell Utsa to keep quiet. Punish the bastard, yes. But with reserve.

Turning back around, she tightened the sheet around her and winced at the wound on her breast. Maldoin. Echo shuddered. She… She’d been so naďve. Marius- a guy she’d felt sorry for. He… He had been so nice. The girl leaned against the wall heavily. A lie. Everything he had said to her… all a lie. She choked. And for what?

"You truly are good…"

Because she was a good person, he had said. At the time, Echo had thought it was a good thing. Until the shock hit her as he kissed her and sent a wave of pain throughout her body.

"And I really, really, really dislike you goody goodies."

The girl slumped to the floor, not caring for decency anymore. Poor Ruu, she thought. Echo understood now, how it must have been for her. …What almost happened to her, had happened to the other girl. But Echo’d been lucky enough to have a savior. Utsa had come in at the most perfect time. She thanked God for her. For being whatever she was. For knowing she had been in danger, in such a short time.

The girl shook more and strained to get up. What kind of a world was this? She’d only been here a short time, but already the most terrible things had happened around her. Maybe it was just this place. She wasn’t sure. She was sure, however, that her trust wouldn’t be handed out as easily. She lowered her eyes at that. She liked trusting people. She liked being trusted. "Do unto others…" she’d always been told. What others would rape another being? Letting out a choked breath, she wandered to Izuri’s room. The only person here she knew wouldn’t turn her down. She prayed Izuri wouldn’t ask questions. She prayed that no one would find out. She prayed that that bastard got what was coming to him as she walked back in the elevator and hit "down".

~*~*~*~*~*~

Bella walked into the elevator in a state of shock. Tears had already flooded her eyes, but had yet fallen. Mechanically, she pushed the "down" button and watched the doors shut.

Sami… He’d been so mean to her. They’d fought before, but always she’d tried to lighten the mood. Always she’d tried to end the night pleasantly. She hated sleeping when they were upset. She couldn’t stand that he was mad at her.

Sniffing back the wave of emotion threatening to consume her, she waited in silence until the ding rang out, leaving her standing before the LLAnon lobby. Not looking at anyone, she walked passed the group gathered and out the front door.

Bella winced at how cold it was, but leaned against the door way anyway, crossing her arms around her defensively. She tried not to be upset. Sami had a lot going on right now. He was in the process of an inner-war with himself, how could she be upset? But he… She’d tried to end it well. She’d even said she wouldn’t do the wish if that’s what he wanted, hoping that he’d just stop being upset, smile at her, thank her, sleep well, or… The girl sighed. When it hadn’t worked; when he had told her not to do the wish, not to pray and not to do anything, well… It bit her. Bella rubbed her temples tiredly. It wasn’t like him. Hell, it wasn’t him. Surely… Surely it was Jenova’s strain already hitting him. Sami couldn’t be that mean by himself. She nodded, "Surely."

"I’m going to bed now. …Alone."

God, how that had hurt. Never, with the exception of his trips to Hell and her vacations, never- had they slept apart since being together. It hurt.

Again, the tears stung at her eyes. She watched as her breath formed thick clouds before her face. Her nose was already starting to run. Sighing, Bella walked back inside to grab a box of tissues. At the last minute, she decided to get a blanket, too.

Heading back out, she cleared off a seat on the porch and wiped her eyes. She had to do something. There was no question- she had to. She wanted, so much, to have faith in Sami and to know that he would win this fight. But the truth was, she didn’t. He didn’t even believe in himself. You have to believe in yourself. How, then, how could he have agreed to do it this soon, then? She knew his reasoning, though. Damn Cojin. She couldn’t blame Sami. And it was no wonder he blamed himself for everything. His life hadn’t exactly gone right.

Bella blowed her nose and bundled up, wincing again as the wind picked up her hair and whipped it around her face roughly.

She had to see Kiju. It was the only thing she could think of to do. If she just sat there and watched as Sami fought, and lost, her mind added, then it would be like watching her whole world crumble. If he died, she didn’t want to live. After all, what’s the point of living, if there’s nothing worth living for?

Standing, she thought again of Kiju and the wish. He’d said that, "providing her survive the process" a wish could, indeed, help Sami integrate more with his Cetra half. It could help the good side grow stronger with him. It was the only thing…

Nodding at herself, Bella went inside once again and scratched down a note to Sami. A note apologizing for what she was about to do. Slipping it under his door, Bella walked away quickly and went to find Kiju.

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