Shackles closed around her wrists, clinging in high sounds as she leaned back in the chair and stared at the blank ceiling.

'Miss Verley,' Ah, the friendly one was at it again. Calling her Miss, and evidently not punching her in the face when she refused to answer. She licked her split and bloody hours this was going on. At first it had seemed she could get away. Lying and bluffing her way out of a misunderstanding, that poor man had died because of an accident. But now they knew her name...and they seemed to know something else too. 'I am well aware of your connections. We have hard evidence you were responsible for the bomb set up in Westlake mansion. A property belonging to a man named James Westlake, former noblemen and rising member in the abbey.'

Well,that was new. Since now it had been mild accusations, more talk than anything else. But this was a game changer. She frowned and looked at him,fine dark dressed nob. Unlike the broody tall one messing up her face he was one she'd choosen to accidently stumble against and slip her hands in his money.

'If you know it all. Why talk? Just get the noose ready.'

'Why talk?' He looked at her like he wasn't sure if she was joking. 'Because of said connections. Especially your former ascoociation with a group called..the whalers.'

'The what?'Childish stuck a finger into her ear like she wanted to clean it.' I'm sorry, it sounded like you said whalers. But everyone knows that's just a cock-and bull story.'

'Miss Verley.' He sat down in front of her.' We both know the truth.'

'Hah!'She spat out, red saliva spilling over the desk close to his folded hands.'I know a bloody lot of the truth, but nothing of these things is remotely worthless enough for you to hear.'

'Not?' How the friendly one stayed as pain staking neutral she couldn't fathom, with her spit in front of him. It was more frightening than the fist in her mouth.' I was told by a rather curious prostitute named ..ah what was her name again..? Tenna Smiles? You used to be very close with specific members of that group.'

Tenna Smiles. Childish could barely mask her suprise with a little chuckle. The frog always knows best. She'd forgotten about that sly pretty thing. Hadn't thought about her once the last seven years even though she had been helpful that one time. Now it was all but too late and Childish regretted not having one clue what Tenna had done or knew.

'Tenna? Haven't seen the lass for years.' Not even a lie.

'Ah,but she has seen you. A rather cautious woman. She told us all about you.'

'I don't want to repeat it, but just so we're all in the same row, yeah?' She gave him her best smile.'Heard nothing but stories. Seen nothing.'

'Maybe we can form an agreement.' he proposed.' You tell me about them. I don't get you executed for murdering 10 people.'

10 people? Strange knowing the numbers. Like a bad habit, her mouth was faster than her thoughts, even though they were racing. It formed a wet round O , blew out air and produced a loud and clear farting sound. It sounded strangely bizarre in the stale grey room. 'As if!'

'Well then, we have other ways to make you talk.'

'Let me guess.' Childish shifted uncomfortable but kept the smile.'More punching?'

Big arms grabbed her, and she struggled in the grip, shackled and helpless.

'You wish we'd agreed on the deal, Miss Verley.'

A fist hit her stomach and she hissed , writhing in suprise and pain. The next one hit her straight in the face. The arms holding her didn't care her fruitless effort to claw their way free, only making noise with her cuffed and chained hands.

Is she back? She's not. Why would she not come? She hasn't changed her mind and ran, has she?

No, not with that enthusiasm. Not with that serious expression. But if she hadn't returned and no one had seen her…

The inside of Ash's cheek was bitten bloody. He crossed his arms tighter, sitting on his usual spot, in the dark of Henry Mirriks workplace.

He sometimes came here, not to snoop around,but because it was silent, but not cold. He didn't feel watched, perched on the box like a cat, and Henry didn't mind having him around. Though he was sure he mostly disagreed with the way Ash was around.

It was just a stair up to the small room the doctor slept in, and he couldn't bring himself to return since a long and embarrassing moment they had spent there.

Now the doctor wasn't even in his room.

'Henry.'Ash said, forgetting about the fact he was sitting in complete darkness.

Henry Mirrik dropped whatever he had been holding. Things scattered on the floor, glass broke. 'Outsider, Ashley!'he hissed, scrambling around in the dim light, until a yellow shine embedded them.

'Sorry.' Ash apologized.' You allright?'

'Yes. But you just broke a fortune of pain medication.' The doctor didn't sound too pleased about that, but his face was just tired. For a moment he looked at the mess of liquid, glass and cloth , trying to figure out how to properly clean the mess. Then he just took his bag off, shrugged out of his coat and moved past Ash. Their shoulders brushed lightly.

'I'll get some new.' Ash promised.

'I won't ask where it comes from.' Henry had gotten a broom out of the depths of the unorganized stack of boxes and shelves. ‚Though I can recommend some unpleasant people who happen to have just the things I need.'

Henry's voice made Ash forget his restlessness for a moment.

'And I guess they wouldn't miss them?'

'Well,' there was the crooked smile Ash had grown so fond cleaned up quick, practiced, controlled. His brown gloves lay on the desk as he put the glass away. Ash tried to help, leaning in close.' They can get new ones easy where as I have to rely on the help of a handsome young burglar.'

Ash chuckled, caught somewhere between embarrassed and flattered. Then he thought of the way he had bolted out of Henry's bedroom and embarrassment got the upper hand.

'About the other evening.' Ash coughed slightly. 'Sorry I left.'

'No,I get it.'Henry turned awa, broom in his hand. 'Ididn't think this would turn into something serious. But I enjoy your company. So I sincerely hope this won't stop you from coming by.'

'It could be.' Ash said, all the carefully laid words mixing up in his head. Henry's hazel eyes watched him, brow furrowed.'Something serious, I mean. I'm not good at keeping things casual. And apparently I'm not good at talking about this as well.'

Henry gave him another crooked smile ‚We'll see how things are going, allright?'

That wasn't as hard as people make it out to be.

A moment they smiled at each other. Then Henry spoke again.

'Was that the reason you sat in the dark?'

'Not entirely. I..I told you about the woman that raised me after my mother died. Who was like my sister.' Ash felt a little bad loading it all on Henry.

'Yes. I remember.' the doctor said.'She wanted to redeem herself by finding out about the killer. And I found that all highly questionable.'

You'd find it plausible if you knew at what high stakes they all play.

'But you helped.'

'Because it was you. '

Something about that made Ash smile.

'She found him.'

Henry leaned forward. 'She did?'

'Yes. But..she hasn't returned and I can't find her.'

There was a conflicted impression on Henry's face.

'What?'

The doctor frowned.'Oh. I mean this could be something else. But I heard something.'

Tell me, Ash's eyes urged.

'They arrested a woman.' Henry didn't look him in the face.'She was chasing a man, he had a terrible accident. Seems she's a criminal all the same.'

I let her go alone. Of course this happens.

'Ash.' Henry said, watching him pace like a caged wild animal.

'Fuck, fuck FUCK!' Ash feet kicked a box hard, it tumbled over. He kicked it again.

'ASHLEY!' Mirrik grabbed Ash's shoulder hard.

‚She found the killer. But they caught her. And I can't..' Ash's eyes were full of tears he tried to blink away.

‚I'll see what I can do. Take a look.'Henry promised.

In her cell, Childish lay in the hay waiting when she heard voices. Her stiff and numb fingers were trembling. Eyes swollen heavy black, she couldn't see much.

It's over then. Well I suppose I had it coming for a long time.

Regret was a pool in her stomach.

'Well check the papers all you want,I am allowed to go in there and treat your …imprisoned.' a man's voice argued. The guard spat something about waste of time.

'You will find this waste of time keeps her alive until she speaks her mind.' the man hissed.

A worn out suit, on a thin man with a clever face. His feet moved fast as he jumped in the cell, leaning over her.

'Childish?' he whispered and she looked at him with new found interest. She wasn't able to get up, just watched him.'My name is Henry Mirrik.'

The good doctor. She realised. Ash's what..? Lover?

She could see why Ash was fond of him. He looked kind. Ash strove to kindness like a moth to a flame.

‚They hurt..my hands.'she whispered, hoarse voice,lips dry.' But I didn't say a word. Not about the boy. Or anything.'

‚You're a brave one.' He whispered back, caressing her fingers in soft touches as he took care of them. She let him. Cool relief drowned her , and he worked quick.

‚He's right though, you're wasting time and money.' she managed to say.'I'll be finished once they get I won't talk'

‚I don't think so,' Henry said. Ashley send me. ‚He knows you're in here. They'll get you out.'

‚So..Ash told him? ‚She smiled. Or tried. ‚He won't risk his head for me. I have little value. It's safer for him if I die.'

She had wished it otherwise but she knew the deal. She knew how careful he was. She had admired that about him. Loved, even.

The doctor looked at her in bewildering pity.'I don't know about that. But don't worry. We find a way.'

‚Time's up!'The guard shouted , opening the door.

She was left alone in the darkness again.