It ended up being a week before Stanley even began to think about his plans to get Sunny into the lake. Normally he only held onto them for a couple days, but he wanted to make sure her forehead had healed up completely, that way she would be preserved in all her perfection. By the time the night finally came that he would add her to his precious garden, Stanley's anticipation was at an ultimate high. He could not wait to get her out in the water with the other girls…

Sunny glanced up at the door when she heard it being opened, and saw it was Stanley. "Good evening, Sunny." She simply gave a small smile in return. "You know, you have been exceptionally good the entire time you've been here. I'm impressed by that. So impressed, that I'm willing to do you a little favor. How would you like to get out of here?"

She was brought back by this. "You mean…leave the house?"

"Yes. I think you've been here long enough, so I thought I would do the right thing and let you go. How does that sound?"

"I would very much appreciate that."

"Good. I need you to do something in return for me, though. I would like for you to put on this outfit. After all, I kept my promise in taking care of you, did I not?"

Sunny nodded. "I'll wear the outfit," she replied, and took the plastic bag from him when he held it out to her.

"Good. Also, just for my own safety, I will need to blindfold you so you won't know where we are, and I need to tie your hands so that you don't try to hurt me in any way. Do we have a deal?" She nodded obediently. "I'll give you a couple minutes to get changed, then," he added, and walked back out of the room. Standing on the other side of the door, he waited patiently until he felt it had been long enough, and walked back in, his breath catching in his throat for a moment when he finally saw her in the dress. It looked better on her than he had imagined. "You look very lovely in that," he commented as he walked over to her.

"Thank you," she replied, unconsciously wrapping her arms around her abdomen.

"Is it too tight?"

"No, I just don't wear dresses normally, that's all," she admitted sheepishly.

Stanley smirked at this. "Hold your hands out for me," he said, and tied them tightly together when she did as he asked. Once he did that, he then placed the blindfold over her eyes, before finally undoing her shackle. "Ready?" She nodded, and he placed an arm firmly around her waist as he led her along. He could feel how skittish she was, and said reassuringly, "Don't worry, I've got a hold of you. You're doing well, just do as I tell you." She nodded, and followed his instructions closely as he led her out of the house and down to the dock.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked once they were outside.

"You'll see here pretty soon," he replied as they got to the dock, and led her down to where his boat was. Once they were actually out on the water, Stanley's heart began to beat wildly with anticipation. This was the moment he had dreamt of for days now, and the fact that it was merely minutes away from becoming a reality was just too good to be true.

When she realized that he had brought her out onto the water, Sunny grew confused. What were his plans? Was he really going to let her go? Just then, the boat came to a halt. She heard him turn off the motor, and walk over to where she was sitting. She grew even more confused when she felt him tighten something around her feet. How did expect her to walk?

"We're here, Sunny. We're at the spot where I'm going to let you go. Would you like to see where we are?" he asked her. She nodded, and he finally removed the blindfold.

She blinked a couple times before looking around, and frowned when she saw they were in the middle of the lake. She looked up at him, and asked, "What are we doing out here?"

Grasping her by the arms, he lifted her up to where she was standing, and had her walk over to the edge. "I told you that you were a part of my research, and I meant that."

"But how does this relate to your research?"

"Because my research is drowning young girls," he explained. Sunny's stomach dropped when she finally understood. He was going to kill her. This was it – she was merely seconds away from death. Her stomach churned at this thought. "I want you to know that you are my most special girl," he commented, and softly kissed her forehead. "You'll make the most perfect centerpiece for my garden." Remaining silent, she simply looked up at him, her eyes big and full of sadness. Even now, she showed no sign of fear, or even anger, and this frustrated him. "Aren't you scared?" he inquired, and she nodded. "Then why don't you show it?" he added through gritted teeth.

"Because no matter what I say or do, it will not change your mind. Besides, I have no reason to cry, or beg for my life." Looking down, she added in a voice barely a whisper, "Go ahead…I won't fight you."

Stanley hesitated a moment, wanting to push her in, but unable to do so. He heard her sniff, and when he saw a lone tear fall from her eye, something inside him changed completely. She was so innocent, and undeserving of what he was about to do to her. Not once had she fought him, or spoken harshly to him, or done anything that was worthy for her to have her life ended like this. "I…I can't…I can't do it," he whispered, and loosened his grip on her arms. "I can't do it," he repeated, and reached in his pocket to get out his pocket knife. He then cut the binds on her hands and untied the rope around her ankles. She looked up at him with wide eyes, and caught him off guard when she flung herself against him and hugged him tightly around the waist. Stanley just stood there for a moment, brought back by this, before finally returning the embrace, closing his eyes as he held her tightly to him. She was so small…so fragile. He loved the way she felt in his arms, and indulged in this for a moment before finally letting go. "Let's head back," he said, and tossed the unused cement block into the dark waters.

"Do you want me to put the blindfold back on?" she asked.

"That won't be necessary," he replied, and started up the boat. Sunny held onto the side of the boat for support as he sped across the water. Normally, she loved boats and being out on the water, but there was something about the night time that made it frighten her. Luckily, it didn't take long for them to reach the dock, and be back on dry land.

"What are you going to do with me now?" she asked quietly as they neared his cabin.

"I don't know yet," he replied as he led her up the stairs to his porch and into the house. He brought her back into the room where she had been the entire time, and added as he led her into it, "Until I figure out what exactly I am going to do, this is where you will stay once again."

Before she had the chance to say anything, he was already gone. She had not been scared before, but now she was beginning to worry. He had seemed angry, and she feared how he might possibly let out his frustrations.