Draven was rudely awoken by his own dream. He dreamt he wasn't skilled enough to execute an ordinary prisoner, and he escaped unharmed.

"Tch, damn," he said to himself, "that was one hell of a nightmare. Good thing that never happens for real." He thought for a moment. "The girl doesn't count," he reassured himself. He stood up and stretched.

"Graaah… speaking of which, I wonder if she beat me this time." Draven always got up before Erin, so he had to wake her up to do her chores every day. He rubbed the back of his head and walked down the hall.

When he reached the living room he came up behind the big couch like he usually did.

"Rise and shine sweetheart, time to get to work," he reached over the couch. His hand came down and touched a cushion. He felt around for a bit but only detected the couch and a lonely blanket.

"Hm, maybe she did win this time. Never thought I'd see the day Draven was done in by a woman."

He wandered around the house. "Hey kid, 'nuff playing around, it's work time!" he called.

He received no answer.

"Hey kiiiiiiid!" he continued. He still got no answer. "Where could that crazy kid be?"

He walked back to the living room and sat on the couch. He heard some crumpling underneath him.

"Hm?" he hummed. He moved to see what he sat on. It was a piece of paper. He thought it was a playful joke Erin was pulling on him- until he read it to himself.

"We have the girl," he began lighthearted. His mood instantly dropped. "If you value her at all you will come to the old empty pub on the other side of town no later than sunset…" There was no signature or name.

Draven grumbled and ripped the note to shreds. He felt angry, but didn't think much of it.

"Looks like Draven's got some pests to exterminate," he said to himself.

The sun was falling below the horizon. Erin was still lying on the floor. Burning tears blinded her vision. She'd do anything to be back with Draven again, even if he made her do every chore all in one go. Still, she patiently awaited her fate.

"Looks like he's not showing, boss," one of the men said to the heavily tattooed man, "I think it's time we, ahem, cut our losses." His voice paused briefly after "cut."

"Guess you're right, Jake," he replied, "time's up sweetheart." he looked down at the silently sobbing Erin, "Big bad Draven's not showing." He pulled out a relatively large dagger and held it to her throat.

She gulped and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry," she thought to herself.