Marlin's POV

Even though Jo had told me not to follow her, I had to. I stayed in the bushes a fair distance away and watched as she knocked on the door to Daryl's trailer. He opened it, they spoke for a moment, and then Jo followed him inside. I waited for a while, to make sure she didn't scream or anything. I didn't know how long had passed, but I was ready to leave. I stood up and was about to turn around, when I noticed Daryl's door open. I crouched back down, so as not to be detected and then watched as Kyle pushed Celia and Lumina out the door. Once the door was closed, I stood up again. Celia saw me first. "Who's over there?" she asked nervously. Lumina looked over as well, alarmed.

"It's me, Marlin," I replied as quietly as I could. Celia and Lumina walked over to me. "What happened inside? Lumina, why were you there?"

"When Kyle wrote the letter to Jo about me, Lumina was already there," Celia replied. "He told her that if she came on time, he would let me go, but he had other plans. I don't know why, but he made Jo choose which one of us would get out with our life."

"How'd you guys both get out alive then?"

"Jo made a deal with Kyle," Lumina replied. "She promised him that if we got out with our lives and then stayed alive, she would let him do whatever he wants with her once Daryl's finished his experiment. But, Daryl's experiment is what killed Nami. He didn't tell Jo that."

"Of course he didn't. If he had, Jo would've made another deal that he couldn't weasel out of."

"I need to get to sleep," Celia finally said. "I'm so tired." I nodded.

"Let's get back home then. Do you want to come along Lumina? It might be safer?"

"Sure," she replied. We started walking. Celia was almost asleep as we walked. I thought it was just because it was so late. "Wait a minute Marlin," Lumina suddenly exclaimed. Celia and I stopped. Lumina looked Celia in the eye. "Celia, did Daryl give you anything to drink when you were there?"

"I don't think so…"

"No strange liquids that you didn't recognize? He didn't give you a liquid with a bluish tinge to it?"

"Now that I think about it… he did. He forced me to drink it."

"Marlin, we need a doctor, fast!"

"What's up Lumina?" I asked.

"I think Daryl gave her the same thing he gave Nami. We need to get Doctor Hardy."

"But Doctor Hardy's out of town."

"Do you know where he lives?" I shook my head. "I do. I'm going to have to go get him. You, in the meantime, need to make sure Celia doesn't fall asleep, no matter how tired she gets. Take her to Romana's Villa. I'll meet you there." I nodded. Lumina ran towards the entrance to town.

"Marlin, I need to sleep," Celia said.

"Celia, you can't go to sleep. If you do, you may not wake up again," I replied.

"You mean…?" I just nodded. "I'll try to stay awake then. But I'm so tired." I lifted Celia up and started running towards Romana's Villa. I arrived and opened the door. I gently eased Celia onto the couch and then sat down next to her.

"Just stay awake Celia. Lumina's gone to get Dr. Hardy. They'll be back soon." Celia nodded sleepily. Almost an hour later, Celia started nodding. "Celia, hold on a little bit longer."

"I can't for much longer. I'm so sleepy Marlin…" Celia leaned on my shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Celia, open your eyes." Celia didn't respond. Dr. Hardy and Lumina walked into the villa right then. Lumina noticed Celia had fallen asleep.

"How long has she been asleep?" she asked.

"She just fell asleep about a minute ago," I replied. Dr. Hardy nodded and then motioned for me to move. I did and he knelt down beside Celia. "Maybe you should go upstairs," I whispered to Lumina.

"No. She's my friend and I want to be beside her. I'm not leaving her now," she replied. Dr. Hardy turned around.

"She's almost gone. I might be able to do something, but I don't know that it will help," he said.

"Well, do whatever you can," I said. Dr. Hardy nodded and turned back around. He placed his back onto the couch beside Celia. I turned around to see Lumina almost in tears. "Hey, she'll be okay. She's a strong girl."

"Nami was a strong girl too," she said quietly.

"Nami was in her room alone when the drink took its toll. Celia was with us and she's still alive now."

"What if Dr. Hardy can't help her? What if she ends up like Nami?"

"Don't talk like that Lumina. She'll pull through."

"What if she doesn't? Then she and Nami will have gone. Then Jo will join them, then I will…"

"Don't say that… Jo! Do you think you'll be alright on your own?" Lumina nodded. I walked out of the mansion and ran as fast as my legs would carry be to Daryl's trailer. I tried the door and found it unlocked. I pushed it open and walked into the lab. It was empty except for Daryl's equipment. Then I noticed the open trapdoor. I slowly walked down, trying not to make a sound.

I got to the bottom of the stairs and found another door. I opened it a crack and peered into the room it led to. It was a much, much larger version of Daryl's lab upstairs. Kyle was leaning against a wall, watching something. I looked to see Daryl standing behind a table with his back to it. Jo was on the table, her wrists and ankles strapped down. "Jo…" I whispered. Daryl turned around, a flask in his hand. It contained a liquid with a bluish tinge. "No, not Jo." Daryl forced open Jo's mouth with one hand. She tried to shake it off, but couldn't. "No!" I swung the door open and stepped into the lab.