They told me I was dreaming…

They were expecting her to be in bed. Even Marian had thought she would just lie down and be still. Her heart and mind were too tormented these days for sleep, and she had Marian to worry about, creeping around those dangerous men. Marian may not have been afraid but Laura was. The rabid dog, his bark most certainly worse than his bite, and the big bad wolf; trickster and devourer.

Her bedroom door opened and she started from the window. It was the dog.

"Oh, Laura, you're up." He sounded…startled but pleased and she froze. "I was hoping you might be awake for this." His tone changed to sly and she suppressed a shudder. Slowly she unstuck herself from her seat and began to approach as was her duty, her movements slow so he might not bite, when the Wolf appeared. She stopped, entirely afraid. Glyde shot Fosco an irate look, the Count ignored him, ice cool gaze on Laura, his frame blocking the door.

"What is this?" she asked, voice raw.

Fosco tilted his head apologetically. "A necessary evil, Lady Glyde, mi dispiace. It is just business." For a few vital seconds, she could only remain where she was, muscles locked as they advanced. The sight of the needle's glint made her voice work, her feet move back.

"Marian!" Marian!" She hated the break of desperation and Glyde laughed cruelly.

"She can't hear you. She can't help you."

"Marian, where are you? Help me!" Fear for her sister spiked in her chest. "Marian!" They dived for her but got in each other's way. She slipped past and out of the door. "Marian!" Glyde caught her arm, twisting. She gasped in pain and lashed out with her feet. He let her go with a pained grunt and she felt a surge of elation. She had never fought back before but then potential death was an interesting motivator. She burst into Marian's room and saw her sister on the bed, to all appearances asleep.

"Marian. Marian. Wake up!" She shook the still form desperately but the brunette merely gave a small, disjointed moan, her head lolling. "Wake up. Please!"

The arms grabbed her and she fought like a cat, but they both had her now. They held her down and she felt the ugly prick of a needle. Her eyes blurred with tears. She could see her sister on the bed, un-waking.

"What have they done to you?"

Marian stirred but did not sit up. "Laura…" she mumbled.

The blonde was beginning to drift away, her limbs already not her own. She zoned in and out of consciousness as they stripped her and re-dressed her. She could feel Glyde's panting breath on her neck, the violence and power over her putting him in heat, but the Wolf made him heel.

As she finally fell into the black she thought she heard Anne scream. Raw. Terrified. Final.