Warning: this chapter contains an intense violent scene and rape (though I don't really go into sexy time detail as I'm not comfortable writing those scenes-it's mainly just the violence I detail ((lame I know, sorry))). Readers are advised to read at their own discretion.

For some reason, the majority of the community that actually lived near the lake and not just part time decided the best thing to do since the summer season refused to die was to embrace it. A barbecue had been planned for the residents, taking place well after school had ended and people had a chance to get home and shower the day's toils away.

Mattie sat against the trunk of a large tree, an open can of grape soda in one hand and a can of orange in the other. He was currently trying to persuade Ludwig to take the ice cold can from him, but it seemed being free from the Closet for a day now had not improved his mood.

"You'll feel better, I promise." Mattie sighed, doing his best not to shake the can as he tried to shove it towards Ludwig.

"I don't want anything!" Ludwig groaned, knees drawn against his chest, "My stomach hurts to much! I'll throw up again!"

"You have to eat something, otherwise you'll just puke up stomach acid! And that hurts a lot worse!" Mattie cried, yet his voice was still soft. He'd always been soft spoken, and usually it did him a disservice, like now, by softening the impact of his words.

Ludwig shook his head stubbornly, drawing his knees in tighter and resting his chin on them. When he'd been released yesterday, early in the morning just after the rest of them had sat down to breakfast, he'd been a mess. Sick, humiliated, and in bad need of a long, hot shower, Ludwig had kept to himself all yesterday and most of today. Uncharacteristically charitable, both the General and Gerhalt had allowed Ludwig to stay in Grandpa's room where he'd slept most of the day with Grandpa looking over him. The others had been worried last night when he didn't leave the room to sleep in their room, and even Ivan's ice cold mask had cracked a smidge when they saw him sitting at breakfast this morning. He didn't eat anything, he'd refused to eat most anything all day, but he'd smiled wearily at them and welcomed Peter and Wendy to the table when Gerhalt dragged them up from the basement.

That was another thing, Peter and Wendy were still locked in the basement most of the day. They'd tried screaming their throats raw yesterday, only amusing the few clients that came through, one even asking what kind of party was going on down there, before Gerhalt had had enough and disappeared down the stairs and effectively shut them up-they'd both come up to dinner with bruises around their cheeks and a rather bad hand-shaped bruise around Wendy's neck. Mattie tried not to look, the sight dredging up his own memories of failed escape attempts when he'd been younger and the ugly bruises that blossomed along his body for his troubles. When Peter had winced when he sat down, saying Gerhalt had taken to spanking him after Peter had kicked him, Mattie had burrowed his attention into his bear for the rest of the meal, remembering the time he'd been kicked around by Gerhalt so hard he'd coughed blood for several days.

And Peter and Wendy's begging to escape was becoming a problem, because if they said the wrong thing at the wrong time or to loudly it could mean everyone would be punished. It had happened before, and Mattie remembered with a cringe it had been his fault. He'd begun crying to Lovino they should just run, even going so far as to tell how to do it without getting caught and managed to land the both of them in separate closets for days, sessions with the General and Gerhalt right after their release. Lovino had refused to even look at him for a week afterwards, and Ivan had been even colder than usual towards him. Mattie worried what might happen this time, two new kids meant twice the chance for trouble and Mattie did not consider luck to be on his side most of the time.

"Look, just drink this and eat a hot dog, okay? You'll probably even feel a bit better with food in your stomach." Mattie begged, setting the can down, "I'll go grab you something, okay?"

Ludwig scowled in his direction but didn't offer any argument.

Mattie cast a cautious glance in Gerhalt's direction, where he sat on one of the park benches watching the crowd. Their eyes met for a moment, and when Gerhalt could see Mattie's destination was the food table he continued to watch. Mattie did his best to ignore it, concentrating on procuring hot dogs for both Ludwig and himself, snatching a bag of chips on his way back to the tree as well.

"Well, where do you think you're going?"

Before Mattie had a chance to search out the voice, he was grabbed by the wrist and spun to face a client he'd had a few days ago.

Black hair slicked back and only adding to the greasy impression of a mobster, this man eyed Mattie from behind dark shades, his jacket slung over a shoulder and his top shirt buttons popped open to show off a glittering gold chain and the hairy top of his chest. He held a cigarette between his teeth, and he sneered as he looked Mattie over.

"Hello Blondie." He smiled, reaching out to fix stray hairs hanging around Mattie's face.

Mattie pressed his lips together into a tight line, finding swallowing difficult. Of all the clients he'd had (and cared to remember), this man was on the list as one of the worst. He'd wandered into the house a few days ago during the "Welcome Party" Grandpa had thrown (the day Peter and Wendy had shown up unexpectedly-or at least, unexpectedly for Mattie). After giving both Ivan and Lovino a good look over, his hands had gripped themselves around Mattie's upper arms and bruised them throughout the night. All the while he'd whisper insulting compliments into Mattie's ear, vulgar talk that made Mattie squirm gaining dark chuckles.

"I didn't think you're masters would let you out, especially with so many people around," The man continued, drawing Mattie close to his side, "What if something were to happen?"

Acting without thinking, Mattie tried to twist away and the food he was carrying tumbled out of his hands and onto the grass.

"Aww, that's to bad." The man sighed, crouching beside him, "Hey, if you're good I'll get you another."

"Please don't." Mattie hissed, trying to back away as the man reached for the hem of his shirt. They were in public, where anyone could see them. Even Grandpa knew that to not be a decent way to conduct business and the last time any of them had tried to initiate it with a client (it was a legend Gerhalt liked to whisper of during training sessions; one of Lovino's last hairebrained attempts at escape), they'd been stuck in the closet so long that walking had been difficult and light burned their eyes.

The man's grip tightened, a dark scowl crossing his face, "You think you can say no to me?" He began dragging Mattie towards the park bathrooms, his grip nearly snapping his arm like a twig. Mattie tried to writhe and pull himself away without making a scene, the last thing he needed was to make a scene, but nothing he did helped loosen the hold on him.

They were just approaching the doorway when Gerhalt's imposing shadow crept across them, a dark scowl on his face when the two turned around.

"You lookin' to get a free sample or something?" He asked, voice low.

"I would have paid you later," The man grinned sheepishly, pulling Mattie into his chest and combing his hair with rough fingers, "This one's my favorite."

"That's beautiful," Gerhalt snapped sarcastically, "Now take him back, business hours are over."

"Oh come on," The man groaned, "You can't just say no! I'm willing to pay."

"Sorry buddy," Gerhalt growled, reaching forward and yanking Mattie away, "We're not operating right now-don't want to attract the wrong sort of attention."

"Buddy," The man spat, "Half the neighborhood already knows what goes on in your house, and trust me no one's saying anything."

"Even so, no need to tempt fate. Come by tomorrow."

"What's going on?" Mattie turned to see Grandpa and the General approaching, a beer in their hands and food in the other. Lovino was following after them, frowning at the scene before him.

"Mattie's trying to make a little profit on the side." Gerhalt snickered, shoving Mattie towards his coworkers. Grandpa awkwardly caught him, nearly dropping his beer.

"Is that so?" Grandpa frowned, "Blondie, we haven't even cleaned the Closet out yet, you really wanna go in there?"

"No!" Mattie blurted, "I wasn't trying anything!"

"But Gerhalt says you were."

Mattie cringed, knowing claiming Gerhalt was lying, which he was, wouldn't help him in the slightest. He knew where he stood with these guys and who they were likely to believe.

"I wasn't trying anything," He said again, this time softer, "I… I was trying to tell him I wasn't allowed-"

"By following him in the bathroom?" Gerhalt raised an eyebrow.

Mattie felt like crying.

"Look," The man finally said, "If the issue is money, I'm completely willing to pay. I'll do it right now even if you want."

"The issue Mr. Jameson is that Blondie here needs to learn his place." Grandpa said, sounding like a disappointed parent instead of a sadistic pimp, "I can't let him do anything if I can't trust he's not going to follow the rules."

"Oh come on!" The man groaned, "I'll be quick, I promise-are you even listening?"

Lovino had slowly approached Grandpa, leaning up to his ear and whispering quickly. Grandpa, distracted, had looked away from the now affronted looking man as he nodded once or twice. Mattie watched as his anxiety slowly began to build. What was Lovino doing?!

"My… charge," Grandpa said after Lovino pulled away, stepping behind Grandpa and tugging Mattie towards him, "Has just had an interesting idea."

Mattie stared up at Lovino; what had he done?

"Why not come by later?" Grandpa suggested, "We're supposed to be closed but if you're that desperate for another taste, I see no reason why we can't make an exception for a special customer such as yourself-it'd be full price though."

"Lovi!" Mattie hissed, eyes wide. Lovino didn't look at him, instead he was slowly backing the two of them away from the adults, stepping every twenty seconds and only a few inches, but by the time the man finished considering all his options they were near the corner of the restrooms and completely able to slip out of sight.

"Lovi!" Mattie hissed again, "Lovino no!"

"Stop it!" Lovino snapped, pressing Mattie to the wall, "You know that's not the angle I was going for, that's just the way Grandpa twisted my words. I actually said he should come by tomorrow for a group session-then Ivan and I could deal with him."

"He hits me!" Mattie blurted, beginning to panic at the thought of what was going to happen later, "He's the worst!"

"You're just gonna have to deal Mattie," Lovino sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "It's not like we haven't had clients like that before-remember the one who liked choking Ludwig?"

"I know but…" Mattie whimpered, feeling at a loss for what to say. Lovino was right, this was nothing new so Mattie shouldn't be whining so badly, he just hated pain.

Lovino sighed, for a moment he looked impossibly tired and Mattie felt bad for causing him stress. Then he pulled the blonde boy into his chest and leaned his head against Mattie's.

"I'm sorry," He muttered into Mattie's hair, "But we'll be waiting on the other side okay?" He didn't wait for Mattie to respond and instead pulled away, taking Mattie's hand and leading him back towards the tree he'd left Ludwig under, Ivan now sitting beside him and the both more staring at than eating the food Lovino had forced into their hands. There were two more helpings, one for Lovino and one for Mattie, who happily sat beside the others and nibbled at his meal, stomach twisting in thoughts of what was coming tonight.


"Ready?" Peter asked.

Wendy tightened her grip on the stair railing, "Ready."

They'd heard the front door slam a few minutes ago. With any luck someone would be coming to check on the two of them and that's when the two had decided to attempt escape. It was a rather desperate attempt, but it was the best they could think of at the moment.

Just as they'd hoped, the doorknob began to turn and seconds later the door swung open. Not bothering to look at who stood there, the two of them tore up the stairs and rushed whoever had opened the door, taking advantage of his surprise and bowling past. They turned right, heading for the backdoor but they only managed to get as far as the dining table when Wendy's side exploded in pain and she found her face pressed against a place mat. She could hear Peter beside her, his face probably mashed against the table top as his screams and protests came out garbled and half muffled.

"You two idiots need a few lessons in common sense," They heard Gerhalt snarl from above.

"What's going on?" Grandpa asked from behind.

"These two just tried to make a break for it."

"Ah," Wendy heard Grandpa sigh, "That's to bad, now we gotta punish them."

Wendy swallowed the first stabs of fear, reminding herself it was just a closet. Peter had been playing tricks on her for as long as she could remember, one of which had been to lock her in the cupboard under the stairs for two hours (although he claimed it was an accident).

Wendy watched out of the corner of her eye as Grandpa took a seat at the table, leaning forward and staring at the two of them, making eye contact with her before she quickly looked away.

"Well, let them sit down," Grandpa said, "No sense pining them there all night."

To the relief of Wendy's neck, she was released from her spot against the table, only to be shoved into a seat a second later beside her brother. Grandpa sat across from them, a sad look in his eye, almost like Katya had whenever she had to lecture the two of them.

"I just don't get it," He said, voice gentle and not at all comforting, "I would have thought it'd be obvious."

"What?" Peter snapped, receiving a tired and cold look from the auburn haired man.

"This is your life now," Grandpa said, poking the table with his finger, "Mattie, Lovi, Ivan, and Luddy? Your brothers. You belong here."

"No we don't!" Wendy cried.

Grandpa released a bark of laughter, "Oh really? Then why are you here? Why has no one shown up to take you away?"

Wendy scowled, "Because we're kidnapped! They have to find us first!"

"But they never will." Grandpa said, voice taking a menacing turn, "They won't even look for you very much longer. You'll be forgotten, just like the rest of us."

"Liar!" Peter screeched only to have Grandpa himself lunge forward and slap him across the face.

"How dare you talk to me like that," He said slowly, standing above the two of them now and scowling darkly, "How dare you after I bring you into my home, give you my food, and do my best to be patient with you. You know who does that? Ungrateful children. Brats. Trash. Is that what the two of you are? Trash?"

Peter was rubbing his cheek, fighting to not let the water building up in his eyes spill over onto his cheeks. Wendy had already lost that battle, the mere thought of Katya and her mother forgetting her in a place like this and Peter's slap enough to scare her into tears.

"And now you think crying will evoke sympathy?" Grandpa laughed disbelievingly, looking to Gerhalt behind him, "Were the other four this bad? Are we just to rusty at this?"

"I seem to remember Lovi needing a little straightening out," Gerhalt drawled, "What's say I grab the General?"

"Oh I don't know, I don't think the message is really across yet." Grandpa said, looking between the two of them, "Besides, what if they're stupid enough to try something? I don't want anyone injured before a client can see them."

"Well… we could…" Gerhalt trailed off.

"What?"

"We could show them."

The sentence hung in the air for a moment, then two, then a wide grin broke out across Grandpa's face.

"Gerhalt, you're a genius every once in a while."

"I will assume that's a compliment." Gerhalt muttered, grabbing Wendy by the upper arm and dragging her out of the kitchen. He opened the door to a bedroom, dragging her inside and sitting her at the desk chair. Peter followed after, dragged by Grandpa. Another chair was quickly dragged in, and when the two of them were seated Gerhalt turned to the dresser, opening one of it's drawers and reaching inside.

Instead of pulling out clothing, he withdrew two pairs of handcuffs and handed one to Grandpa. Grandpa was all smiles as he secured Wendy's arms behind the chair, threading her arms through the openings in the back of the chair so she couldn't stand up to try and escape. She turned to see the same had been done to Peter, who was struggling against them anyway.

Grandpa leaned down and pressed their heads together, whispering hotly into Wendy's ear, "This is your life now, this is what you were put on this earth to do. Now watch and learn you ungrateful brat."

There was a commotion outside the room, and as it drew closer Wendy could make out the General's voice along with a strange man's. The two burst into the room, the man dragging a terrified looking Mattie behind him as the General leaned against the door. The two stilled upon seeing the four of them, the man even going so far as to pull Mattie closer with a territorial look on his face.

"Don't mind us," Gerhalt smiled, patting Peter's shoulder roughly, "We thought perhaps you could provide an object lesson for our newest recruits? They seem to need an example to follow."

The man' who'd been scowling in confusion when he entered the room to see them, broke into the brightest grin Wendy had seen from anyone. Beside him, Mattie's eyes widened and he'd jerked his head, as if to shake "no" before stopping himself and instead looking disgusted.

"I think the two of us could pull something together," The man said, leaning down to nuzzle Mattie's neck.

"Special discount next time if it's a show for them to remember." Grandpa grinned as he and Gerhalt left the room, the General locking it behind them with a barely contained mocking giggle.

"Well, with that kinda incentive…" The man grinned to himself before turning like a rattle snake striking and pinning Mattie to the bed. Mattie let loose a surprised shriek, the loudest Wendy had ever heard him, and the man laughed loudly. Wendy recoiled into her seat as she watched him rip at Mattie's clothes, pull his hair, and try to bite or mark every inch of the boy's exposed skin.

"What are you doing?" Peter cried, trying to free himself from the chair unsuccessfully, "Stop!"

The man laughed again, whether it was at Peter's words or his own enjoyment though was anyone's guess. Mattie cried out, truly beginning to struggle and earning himself a slap across the face hard enough Wendy winced. The man then pinned both of Mattie's arms to the mattress with one hand while he began fiddling with the front of his pants with the other. Wendy was at first confused as to why, but after Peter's eyes widened and she sat watching with her breath frozen in her throat she felt instantly sick.

The man was not gentle at all, and as he began to abuse Mattie's body in every way possible the sounds both of them made had Wendy wishing she'd be sick. Peter already looked halfway there, and he squirmed in his seat and turned his head, eyes shut tight. Mattie whimpered, and Wendy thought she heard whispered begging for the man to stop before there was another rough slap that crackled like thunder around the room.

Wendy was sobbing now, terrified, confused, and sick to her stomach. The man happened to glance back at one point, noticing the two of them in distress and his face lit up as if he were a successful actor in a play. He laughed again, letting it morph into a satisfied groan as he finished rocking against Mattie who was also sobbing. The man pulled away, standing and letting his pants, which had hung loosely around his thighs, fall completely to the floor. He then dragged Mattie by the wrist closer to the kids, who both scrambled away as best they could while still restrained against the chairs.

"So, you two are their newest little sluts huh?" The man grinned, crouching down so he was eye level, "Still in training?" He reached out to caress Wendy's cheek.

"Don't you touch her!" Peter screamed, face coloring with rage.

"Oh don't worry sweetness," The man said, eyes never leaving Wendy's, "She's not my type," He smiled at him, a wicked look in his eye, "You on the other hand…"

"No!" Wendy screamed and she aimed a kick at the man's knee cap. On the floor, Mattie flinched and tried to scramble between the two of them as the man landed on his butt, holding his knee in pain.

"Stupid brat!" The man snarled, lunging forward with his hand raised. As it came down, it slapped the wrong cheek and Mattie fell from his knees to his side against the carpet, face red and stinging. The man was not appeased, wishing to still cause Wendy pain but as he looked down to Mattie he was met with a steely violet-blue gaze.

"You paid to use me, so do it." Mattie snapped, voice quiet and broken but firm.

The man stood there, looking almost confused for a second before a grin split his face and he leaned down to shove Mattie fully against the floor.

"You're right." He said and Mattie gasped in pain, "Why play with a novice when I can have a fully-trained whore? So glad you thought of that." His hold on Mattie's arms looked bone crushing, adorning the boy's skin with more bruises that began to turn a deep purple, almost black. Mattie was quieter this time, staring straight ahead at the ceiling and his noises quieted to small, pained gasps and hisses. Wendy watched from above, fixing her eyes on Mattie's face so she couldn't look anywhere else. As time progressed, she noticed his eyes somehow start to fade and glaze over, like he was slipping from them and retreating to somewhere else.

The man noticed as well and rocked Mattie's shoulders so hard he bumped his head against the floor.

"Hey!" He snapped, "Look at me!"

Mattie, looking reluctant and scared, did as he was told.

"Say you like it." Wendy heard the man demand in a hushed tone. When Mattie didn't comply fast enough he shook him again, hard enough Mattie's head bounced against the carpet, "Say you like it!"

"I like it…" Mattie gasped.

"Louder!" The man snarled as Mattie's head met with the floor again.

"I like it."

"I still can't seem to hear you over Bo Peep's sniffling!" The man snarled, winding back his fist to slug across Mattie's face. Mattie lay stunned for a second, processing he'd just been punched, before slowly turning back to look at the man with wide, vacant eyes.

"I. Like. It." He said evenly, voice firm.

The man laughed leaning down to kiss the boy's forehead before dragging his teeth down the side of his face and neck, "That's better."

For the rest of the time they were forced to watch, Wendy figured the man should have been doing what he did with a mannequin or a life-sized doll. Mattie's limbs were limp, his body lifeless as he allowed the man to bite, scratch, and dig his nails into every inch of him. They moved positions several times, from the carpet beside a tearful Wendy's chair to the bed, to against the wall, and ending with the man throwing Mattie against the closet door as he stood by the bed. Mattie slumped to the floor, for the first time moving without being prompted as he brought his limbs in close and guarding his face with his arms. The man somehow found this amusing, and began to kick at him, screaming out obscenities and insults.

"Whore!" A kick landed in Mattie's side, "Trash!" Another kick found it's blow in Mattie's groin and the boy dry heaved, "Filthy slut!" This one hit his forehead and Mattie's head snapped back and cracked against the wall so hard the mirror hanging nearby shook. Wendy was trembling across the room, breath mounting into hyperventilating. Peter beside her was curled into the chair, eyes still shut tight.

Finally, as she watched blood begin to drip from Mattie's mouth, she felt something inside of her snap.

"Stop!" She shrieked, "Stop it! You're gonna kill him!"

This turned out to be a mistake, as the man froze in his actions, leg already reared back for another kick, and he turned to look at her.

"So what if I do?" He whispered dangerously and Peter turned, opening his eyes, to watch as the man began approaching them, "What's it to you?"

He leaned towards Wendy, his breath assaulting her nostrils, "Are you afraid they'll send you in his place?"

Wendy gulped, finding tears begin to fill her vision again.

"Maybe your brother here?" The man continued, reaching out to brush his fingers across Peter's cheek as Peter snapped his head out of reach and Wendy felt more tears trickle down her face, "Imagine what I could do to such a small body…"

"No!" Panicked and wanting it all to stop, Wendy began kicking at the man again, a foot landing dangerously close his groin and sending him stumbling back. Wendy froze there, the meaning of her actions catching up with her too late to be of any use and the man looked down at her with a murderous glint in his eye.

Before he could do anything however, the door opened and a slow clap was heard.

Wendy, Peter, and the man all turned to see Grandpa and the General standing in the door, Grandpa looking impressed.

"Well I must say, that was quite the show Mr. Jameson." He said, stepping over Mattie's still body and towards his client, "I'll be sure to leave a note in the books, you're to receive quite the discount." He helped the man to his feet and steadied him before reaching to the floor to retrieve his jacket for him.

"It was nothing." Mr. Jameson sniffed, throwing a predatory grin in Mattie's direction, "Best night of my life actually."

"Well you're certainly welcome back anytime, although I suggest giving poor Blondie here some time to heal his bruises should you want him again."

"I'll remember that," Mr. Jameson grinned before turning to smile at Wendy, "Fair well sweetie."

And just like that he was gone, disappearing through the door of the bedroom like a bad dream. Wendy stared after him, breathing hard as Grandpa knelt down between the chairs and looking between the two of them.

"Have we learned our lesson?" He asked, his hands trailing along both of their shoulders.

Wendy burst into tears and tried to move away from the contact.

Mattie was dragged up the stairs and into the bathroom by Gerhalt, while Wendy and Peter were made to follow after and shoved into a small bedroom where they found the others sitting upon cots. Lovino looked up from his book as they entered, frowning when it wasn't Mattie who entered. Ivan glanced up from his cot before sighing and turning around and laying down, facing the wall. Wendy and Peter stood awkwardly before them, the door slamming shut and locking behind them.

"Well don't just stand there," Lovino said, patting his sheets and scooting over so the two of them could sit together. Wendy sat down on the cot, Peter sat on the floor, something she was unfortunately grateful for. She didn't want anyone to touch her, she barely wanted Lovino near her but it was his bed after all.

"Are you cold?" Lovino asked, resting his book against his knee as Wendy realized she was trembling. She was only able to shake her head, lips locked tight in an attempt to keep from crying anymore. She flinched when Lovino touched her arm.

"I tried to warn you," He said softly, looking apologetic, "These guys are serious."

Wendy nodded frantically, reaching up to cover her face as more tears welled up. She tried to pull away when Lovino pulled her into a hug, hushing her as she began to whimper and pressing his mouth against her hair.

"It's alright," He whispered, "It's over. You survived and it's over, that is all that matters."

"But… but he didn't even touch us!" Wendy whimpered, "He hurt Mattie!"

Lovino stilled, looking down, "What do you mean hurt?"

"He… he did things…" Wendy found her words dying, not able to find a way to express how truly horrible witness it had been, "He did things… made him say things… he hit him…"

"Where is he now?" Lovino asked, his voice a soft and guarded whisper.

"In the bathroom."

"Okay…" Lovino breathed, pulling Wendy into another tight hug, "Okay…" He sounded relieved.

When Mattie finally reappeared he looked somehow worse than when he'd been in the Room. The bruises had fully blossomed across his arms and legs, the rest hidden beneath a white t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts. He was assisted to his bed, where he flopped ungraciously into his sheets and curled into a small ball, Gerhalt smirking as he walked back through the door and locked it.

Everyone turned to watch Mattie, who stayed curled up and silent, and slowly Lovino withdrew from Wendy. Silently, he padded across the room towards Mattie's bed and pressed a hand to his shoulder. Mattie flinched, backing away and into the wall as if burned, and a small whimper came from behind his arms.

Lovino pushed Mattie into sitting up, perhaps ignoring the look of utter pain that crossed his face as he did so, and pulled his upper half into his lap and leaning down to bury his head into his hair. It took a few seconds, but then Mattie curled around Lovino, whimpers growing louder and his shoulders shaking.

The room had begun to grow dark, and Wendy watched as Lovino reached down to grope under Mattie's cot, withdrawing the white polar bear plushie and giving it to Mattie. Mattie pressed it tight to his chest, clinging to the toy like a lifeline and Lovino maneuvered the both of them until they were lying side by side. He wrapped his arms around Mattie, letting him hide away in his chest with the toy bear squished between them.

Wendy sat up, watching as Mattie twitched every so often and Lovino leaned down to hush his occasional whimper. A faint snoring could be heard through the complete darkness from Ivan's corner and eventually she spied Peter curl into a ball on the floor. The room drifted into a peaceful quiet around her, a vast contrast to what she'd been sitting in before and she found the quiet just as bad. It allowed her to think, to remember. She didn't want anyone to touch her, and yet she wanted to run to Peter and hold him tight, try to maybe fool herself into thinking holding him tight could keep them safe.

Eventually her need for comfort won out over her trauma of not wanting anyone to touch her, especially like he'd touched her, and she leaned down to shake Peter awake. He jumped, and after a moment of waiting for him to calm down Wendy bid him to climb up onto Lovino's bed. He did so quickly and minutes later the two of them were lying side by side, hands clasped together and drifting to sleep, where Wendy would spend the night running from nightmare after nightmare.