"We don't get to choose how we start in life. Real 'greatness' is what you do with the hand you're dealt." -Victor Sullivan (Uncharted 3)

*Cough! *Cough!

Red started to hack and wheeze as he starts coughing violently, to the point where he thought that he's puking his stomach out. He shivers in his bed as he wraps his blanket around him ever so tighter than before, trying to gain some warmth from the fabric. He was a mess, his face was slightly pale, his eyes were droopy, and his whole body ached like hell. Leaf was worried by his bedside as she gently place a hand on his forehead, trying to find the body temperature. To her dismay, it was extremely hot.

"Let me see that." Leaf gently said as she took the thermometer from his mouth to inspect the red line in the center of the white object. She looks back at Red with a frown as she places it back in his mouth which he weakly opened it.

"It's about ninety seven. Close to a hundred." Leaf said. Red gave a long sigh as he shuts his eyes tightly, and shook his head.

"I hate getting sick..." Red groaned. He looks up at the ceiling.

"Funny how when I was a kid, I was hoping I get sick so I don't have to go to school." Leaf said, trying to lighten the mood. Red rolls his eyes and gave another exhausted sigh.

"Hmph...I didn't care about that. It's just the feeling of being sick is just annoying. You're so limited on doing anything." Red moaned. Leaf smiled as she leans over to his cheek and kissed him gently.

"Silly Reddy, it won't be boring as long as I'm around." Leaf chimed. Red rolls his eyes then follow by a cough as he covers his mouth. He then gently touch his newly placed eye patch on his left eye, remembering the uneventful day that happened a few days ago.

"Easy there big fella, the soup should be done pretty soon, and after that, you gotta take your medicine." Leaf said as she was on her feet and was about to head out of the door until Red managed to grab her hand in time. This caused Leaf to turn back at him with a puzzle expression.

"Just...come back quick." Red said as he releases his grip. Leaf smiled as she headed back to him and kissed him on the forehead and gently strokes his cheek.

"Of course my little prince." Leaf cooed which got Red a bit annoyed by her small pet talk.

"Shut up Leaf..." Red moaned as he gave another cough. The brunette gave a small giggle as she left the room and shut the door gently. There was silence in the air as he stared outside of the window, snow, lots and lots of snow. Luckily it wasn't a blizzard, but a more casual drifting snow that continuously kept falling from the morning cloudy sky. He had never seen that many snow in his whole life, in fact, this was his first experience seeing something so white, puffy, and cold at the same time. Pallet Town isn't a place that snows at all, but he always do wonder what it looked like and now that he finally has the chance to do so, it was an entirely different experience. Then, a thought popped out of his head as he move his whole body towards the nearby wooden drawer and pulled out the slide. Inside, was the knife he had used recently, to kill a few people who had dared harm him. He snatches the sharp object and shut the slide back in and starts examining it.

"Donald's knife..." Red muttered to himself, his eye scanned the murderous weapon. He flicked the blade open, it had been washed and cleaned as there were no bloodstains or any kind of mark of some sort, except for a few small scratches that are hardly noticeable. Suddenly the door to his room went wide open which he got into a small panic and put the knife underneath his pillow.

"Okay, I'm back." Leaf softly said with a good size bowl of chicken noodle soup and a glass of water on top of the tray she's carrying and places it on top of the drawer. She grabs a black chair and sat next to Red's bedside. She reaches behind her back and pulls out a small white pill and places it near the bowl.

"Smells good." Red simply stated.

"Wait until you taste it." Leaf chimed. Red starts sitting up and leaned against the pillows behind him.

"Here, let me blow it for you." Leaf said as she scoops a spoonful of the tasty soup. Red gave her a scowl look on his face.

"I'm not a baby you know..." Red muttered.

"No, but you're sick. So shut up and just do what I ask you to do." Leaf said as she starts blowing the hot soup while Red mutters to himself.

"Say 'ahhh!'" Leaf gestures towards Red with the silver spoon towards his mouth. Red didn't say anything as usual, but opened his mouth instead and she inserted it in and he swallowed it in silence.

"Mmmhmm...good right?" Leaf asked with a smile on her face. Red ate in silence, not bothering to say anything. Leaf continues on with her spoon feed session until the bowl is empty. A few moments later; Red took the pill from Leaf's hand and a glass of water as he consumes both of them at the same time.

"We got a problem Red. Apparently I'm out of medicine at the moment and I needed to stock up. So I'm going to head to a nearby pharmacy store to get some more." Leaf said as she stood up from her chair. A frown had appeared on Red's face as an uneasy feeling had churned in his stomach.

"Wait..." Red groaned. He gave a wheezing cough, as he reaches underneath the pillow and pulled out the knife. Leaf had a look of concern and a worried expression had plastered her face.

"Red...what are you doing?" Leaf asked cautiously. Red gave a sigh as he handed the knife towards her.

"Take it..." Red mutters.

"Why?" Leaf asked, now even more concern.

"I don't feel comfortable, you walking around by yourself." Red said which got Leaf laughing for a bit.

"I mean...I don't want to see you get hurt." Red said with a more serious manner.

"I'm just getting more medicine for you, that's all...but I'll take it." Leaf said with a more serious expression on her face. She reaches for the knife and takes a good look at it. The knife that had tasted blood from countless victims, scar by Red and possibly Donald. Red didn't say anything, as he remains there with the same facial expression, the white eye patch making him seem more intimidating. Moments later; Leaf had her blue color warm snow jacket and brown boots on, she went by Red's bedside again, to say her momentarily goodbye. She starts securing herself with the scarf, making sure that it stays on tightly.

"Well...I'm going. It's pretty cold out there." Leaf stated with a slight chuckle.

"Be careful..." Red warned her. Leaf nodded her head as she bends towards Red's lips and kissed him gingerly.

"I will, I love you Red." Leaf whispered to his ear.

"I'll be waiting..." Red replied back. She starts heading out of Red's room and shuts it tightly before waving her hand back at Red which he did the same as well. Red could hear her footsteps taking each little steps going down the stairs and heading outside of the house. He gave a long sigh as he relaxes against his blankets, trying to get some shut eye. However, he cannot shake the feeling that Leaf's out there by herself in the cold all for his own sake. He shakes his head from the thought of it, muttering to himself that she could take care of herself.

It didn't take long for Leaf to reach to the local pharmacy store, she walks in casually with the scarf toss behind her neck and secured it tightly before walking in. The store was practically empty, as the holiday season had just ended, and not as much people in the store besides a few customers and a single clerk. The male clerk looks at her and gave her a friendly wave and a smile which she responds in the same manner. She looks through the aisles, searching for the medicinal spot which it didn't take long to find it. She scans her eyeballs at the names and brand of the medicine, fortunately a particular one had caught her attention.

"Sick-a-way, just what I needed." Leaf said to herself as she looks at the red rectangle box that says the name of the brand. She turns the box over and scans the description and ingredients of the content. While reading it for a bit, she noticed something or someone from the corner of her eye, she turns her head to the left and could see a young teenage boy, around her age quickly turn the other cheek and starts inspecting the miscellaneous things. He was wearing a dark blue sweater with a hood and black pants with brown snow shoes. She couldn't get a good look at him as his head is being covered by his hood he had put up. Leaf gave a quizzical look as she shrugs it off. She held onto the box and decided to pay the product as she headed towards the cash register, but she couldn't get the feeling that she's being watch as she took another quick glance at the person she had just saw only to see him gone. The brunette just shook her head, telling herself that it's just another bystander and that she's over thinking it.

"Good day Leaf, how are you doing today?" The male cashier named Falkner, a name tag is embedded on his green shirt. She smiles at him as she handed over the right amount of balance of the medicine. He had dark blue hair that's comb to the side, half of his face was covered.

"I'm doing good Falkner, just getting medicine." Leaf said.

"Sick-a-way? You don't seem to be under the weather Leaf." Falkner said as he examines the rectangle box.

"I ran out so I needed to buy some, anyways, I gotta get going, I'm a bit busy ya know?" Leaf said, grabbing the medicine.

Falkner nodded his head; Leaf is heading out of the door as she wave her hand towards him and he did the same. She walked a few more steps until she noticed the same person leaving the store as well, his head hung low, staring at the snowy ground, and hands in his pockets. Leaf started to feel, awkward and maybe a bit nervous by his presence. He stopped dead on his track and pulled out a white phone from his pocket and started to text rapidly. She ignored it as she continues on home. There were several people out on the street, walking and talking to each other as she passes by them, she even noticed several couple were on a date, noticing their hands were intertwined with each other. This got her in a good mood as she starts imagining the things she could do with Red, now that they're both in a relationship. A few minutes pass by and she noticed something feels off, like she's being watched once again. She turn her head once more, and her eyes went into a blank state as the person with the sweater was approaching her. He has his hands in his pockets as he casually strolls towards her, his eyes covered by the hood, but she could see his mouth and nose much more clearly than before.

"Hey, I wanna talk to you." The guy in the sweater said as he approaches her closer. Leaf took off in an instant the moment he talked to her. She decided to take a different route so he wouldn't follow her to her home. The brunette took a left path instead of the usual right and heads towards the nearby bush and hid behind it. Scared, confused, and worried by the outcome of her small errand had lead into something much bigger.

"Who is he? What does he want?" Leaf whispers to herself as she peeks through the hole of the bush. A a minute or so later, the same guy came out from the corner of the street, looking around for a bit before walking down the street and starts scanning again. Leaf covers her mouth and stood still as possible, trying to keep herself still and quiet. The guy with the sweater takes out his phone from his pocket and starts texting. He then puts the phone away and walked back to where he came from and turn towards the same street he was at. She became completely still and cautious, hoping to wait for another minute or so before it's okay to leave. After doing so, she slowly crept back on her feet, keeping her eye at the same street he came from, but nobody was there, except a few pedestrians walking by. Leaf gave herself a long sigh, releasing all of the cold air from her breath, and headed back home.

"Geez that was weird..." Leaf said to herself as she closes the door to her house and locks it up tightly. She pulls down all the curtains and blinds then peeks through the small opening through the window, nothing. She stood there for a while, waiting and looking for anything to pop up, but again, nothing. Leaf gave a sigh of relief as she leans against the nearby wall as she gathers her thoughts together. Her hand clench against the medicine in her hand as she heads back up the stairs to Red's room. The door opens and she see's Red shivering in his bed as he tries to gain more warmth from the blanket. Red perks his head up from the bed, giving several coughs before he sees Leaf by the door with a smile on her face.

"You're back." Red stated.

"I'm back." Leaf back in a jolly manner with a small laugh to go with it. Red raised an eyebrow, wondering why she's acting a bit too joyous.

"Is there something wrong?" Red asked. Leaf shook her head quickly in response. Red pondered for a bit, but decided to let it slide. He turn himself to the side to face the wall.

"I got the medicine." Leaf said as she shook the box in her hand.

"Good." Red simply muttered as he closes his eyes, coughing several times. Leaf approaches him and place a hand on his forehead, it's still hot as ever.

"Shoot...you're still hot. I hope you'll get better soon." Leaf said. Her response from Red was a slow nod.

"It's been a while since I've gotten sick. But I suppose when you're out there several times, it's bound to happen..." Red said as he gave in several more coughs. Leaf sat by his bedside as she gently strokes his black hair.

"You've been through too much Red..." Leaf whispers. Red didn't reply, but look up at her which she smiles in response.

"Lift up your head." Leaf gently said. Red did so as he lifted himself up for a bit. Leaf goes in from behind as she places his head on her lap and continues to stroke it.

"You're gonna get sick." Red warned. Leaf laughs at that.

"Haha, probably, but it'll be fun for the both of us to be in the same situation, no?" Leaf asked.

"Hmph...weirdo..." Red mutters. There was a slight pause as they just continue on what they're doing.

"Red, how is that you're not afraid of anything?" Leaf suddenly asked, breaking the silent tension. Red looks up at her in confusion and a bit stun.

"Who says anything about that?" Red asked. The brunette just shrugs her shoulders in response.

"I don't know...you seem to keep a stoic face all the time, you hardly show any emotion...I know you've been through hell, but...oh gosh...I don't know." Leaf sighed heavily as she shook her head.

"If you need to say something, say it." Red stated.

"What is that you're afraid of?" Leaf blurted out, breaking the tension between the two. Red adverted his eye on the corner of his bed and then on the teal carpet floor.

"I've been living and fighting for a long time and..." Red stumbled on his words as he closes his eye for a moment before opening it back up.

"The word fear, is just another way of saying, 'I'm alive and awake once more in this hell hole.' So yes...I fear a lot of things, almost everyday." Red replied back. Leaf looks down at his face as she gently stroke his black hair to the side, away from his beautiful crimson red eye.

"However...you keep finding ways to keep fear from controlling you. In my eyes, the world is gray and red." Red continued on. The girl listens to him intently as she gently place a hand on his white eye patch which Red in turn return the affection by holding onto her hand.

"And what is it that you found?" Leaf suddenly asked. Red paused for a bit as he gave a long sigh.

"I'm tired..." Red said, changing the subject, and closing his eye. Leaf frowns as she leans her back against the bed frame.

"Okay..." Leaf whispers as she continues to stroke his hair. After waiting for a few more minutes; Leaf hears heavy breathing coming from Red, she looks down and smiles.

"I'll always take care of you Red..." Leaf whispers to herself.

Leaf gasped as her eyes went wide and her heart starts beating in an incredible rate as her eyes scans in every directions. The room was completely dark with the alarm clock's light brighten the area for a bit. She looks down and could see Red's fast asleep on her lap as he snooze and breathe loudly. She starts rubbing her eyes and shaking her head in disbelief that she slept for this long. Gently as she could she move Red's head as slowly and carefully as she could back onto the pillow. Then with one last check up, she touches his forehead, a smile crept on her face.

"He's getting better...good." Leaf whispers to herself. She got off of the bed and started to stretch her arms out in the air and gave a long yawn. Her stomach had started growling, which she gave in a sigh.

"Getting hungry." Leaf said to herself as she left the room and slowly closes the door. She heads back down into the kitchen and decided to fix herself a small sandwich. In a few moments she had manage to make a sandwich as she sat on the chair by the counter and ate in silence.

"Fear of living huh Red?" Leaf whispers to herself, remembering what he had told her. She took a bite out of the sandwich and in just mere seconds, a door had slammed shut somewhere in the living room. This scared the hell out of Leaf as she stood up and had her eyes towards the unlit room and somehow drop the sandwich on the floor. She scans her eyes towards the darkness, looking for any source that could have shut that door.

"Red...?" Leaf called out into the dark, but no answer. The brunette muster up her courage as she approaches the dark room and out of instinct, she had pulled out the knife from her pocket that Red lend to her. She reaches her hand towards the wall, looking for the switch and managed to press it. Sure enough, the light went up and her eyes immediately darts around the whole room, nothing. Leaf walks towards each corner of the room to find anything, but it turned out nothing. She gave a long sigh of relief as she tries to regain her posture. But then, she noticed something off, as she looks at the door. There was some sort of black paint on the door, she went closer to inspect it, but almost slip when she step on a wet spot on the tile floor.

"Damn...why is this spot wet?" Leaf mutters to herself as she regain her balance. Then it hit her, why WAS this spot wet? She looks down and her eyes went in horror as there were footprints made by heavy boots with small patches of dirt. She examines the door again as she looks at the black paint, smear against the white wooden frame. Then her hand went towards the handle and her guts fell deeper in her stomach as the door was unlocked once she tested it. Fear, anxious, confusion, and an intense feeling in the air had struck her. Suddenly the door from upstairs had shut, and her mind went racing as she ran upstairs as fast as she could while keeping her pace as quiet as can be, fearing that Red was in danger. Leaf crept slowly towards Red's room and gently place her ear against the door, it's quiet. Mustering the courage and will, she grab onto the doorknob then twist and push the door open as gently as she can. One eye poke between the cracks of the room, it's still dark and she could see Red still sleeping on the bed, however, there was someone else in the room and her eyes went wide as she sees the same person with the hooded sweater from earlier, looming over Red. He's just staring at him for a moment, but then he pulled out his phone from his pocket and started to text. A few seconds later he places it back in his pocket and pulled something else from his other pocket. Leaf gasped a bit as she covers her mouth the moment she sees a gun; a pistol in his hand, pointing it at Red's forehead. Without thinking; Leaf opened the door, knife in hand which makes the person in the hood point the gun towards Leaf.

"No..." Leaf mouthed her word as she shook her head slowly while at the same time raising her hands slightly above her head. The hooded figure looks down at Red, then back at Leaf, he gestures Leaf to drop the knife with his gun. She did so without a second thought, then he gestures her to come closer with his other hand. Leaf froze in that very spot, but something within her told her to keep going, so she slowly crept towards him, hands still raise.

"What do you want?" Leaf whispers. The hooded figure didn't answer, but continues to gesture her to get closer. She was finally in range, then with a sudden movement, he lunged and bashed her across the face with the gun, knocking her out as she fell on the floor.

"Dammit dude, why did you have to hit her?" A male's voice yelled out.

"What? You said that you wanted her at any cost, so there ya go. Besides, I panicked okay? I mean, hiding in the closet until the coast was clear really took a toll on me." Another male's voice responded back. Leaf's eyes open up slowly, her vision was blurry from the lighting and the two silhouettes arguing towards each other. Her head was pounding and she could feel a small bump growing on her head. Her arms and legs were tied and she's laying down on a hard wooden floor on her side.

"You didn't have to hit her." The same male warned as he pointed a finger at the other one. The person with the sweater shrugs his shoulders in response.

"Whatever, I gotta finish what we started." He responded harshly as he's heading towards the door.

"Make sure you finish it this time." The same male's voice said as he approaches the person with the sweater and hands him the same pistol in his hand. The person in the sweater looks down at the gun and grunts in response as he opens the door, heavy blizzard rushing through the entrance, sending in snows and debris in the building. The door was shut and locked up tightly.

"I'm sorry about that about that dear. I didn't mean for him to hit you at all." The male's voice stated as calmly as he could, but Leaf didn't respond as she was still feeling daze and was close to knocking out again. He approaches her and carries her in a bridal fashion. She didn't bother fighting back, nor had the mentality to think properly. Leaf could hear footsteps climbing up the stairs.

"W-What...where?" Leaf softly question in a daze manner, as she couldn't comprehend anything at the moment.

"It's okay Leaf, this time I'm going to set things right for the both of us." The person said. Leaf curses her head as she couldn't think properly and she could have sworn that she had heard this voice from somewhere. They stop at a certain floor, and continues down the hallway, each steps cause an echo through the empty dirty, old, and worn out hall filled with debris, cracks, and ripped wallpapers.

"I miss you the most...we can be together...just like we wanted it." The person said in a more perverted manner. They stopped a certain room as he pulls out a set of keys and unlocks the door, they both entered the dark and somewhat dusty room.

"Sorry for doing this to you Leaf, for drugging you, it should have numb the pain, but it looks like my brother hit you a little too hard." The person said as he places her on the surprisingly comfortable and clean bed.

"Just lay there, relax...and calm down. I'll be right back. You gotta get dress for our big day. I hope you'll like what I pick out, and sorry for doing this, but I'm going to have to undress you. Forgive me." He said as he left the room.

"That voice...it sounds familiar..." Leaf drowsily said before the darkness consumed her.

Red opened his eye, something in his heart and mind told him to wake up. He sat up from his bed, feeling the headache and the pain in his head. This was one of the worse headache he had experience, a negative effect of being sick. He touch his forehead, wiping away the sweat that he just notice.

"Leaf?" Red called out, but he gets no response, instead he hears the door open at the entrance and footsteps stomping on the tile floor. Red blinks several times as he wonders why Leaf would be coming home at this time. He was about to call out her name, until something in his head told him not to. Red became silent as he stay still, listening and wondering. The footsteps was getting louder as it was coming up the stairs.

"That's not her..." Red said to himself as he quickly got out of bed and locked the door. He looks at his surroundings, anything to protect himself from the intruder, he looks at the lamp by his bedside as he grabs it and unplugs the cord, readying it above his head. The footsteps became louder and louder until it stopped right at his doorstep; Red could feel the weight and tension in the room as his breathing was getting lower and softer. The doorknob starts turning, at first it was just a simple turn, then it starts turning around violently. Red lean against the wall right besides the door, ready for the intruder to come in. The shaking stop for a moment, when suddenly a sound of a small gunfire went alarm, sending the doorknob flying across the room causing Red to flinch. The door was kicked open, and the person with the sweater came in with an impatient look and annoyance. This was Red's chance as he held onto the lamp tightly and bash the person on the head, cracking the base of it and knocking him down on the ground. Red starts examining the intruder cautiously, he starts by kicking him on the side, no movement. He bends down towards the hooded figure and removes the hood. The person was a bit younger than him, with curly blonde hair, and a pointy nose. A scowl look had appear on his face when he see's Donald's knife on the ground, the knife that he had lend to Leaf.

"You're coming with me..." Red said in a menacing tone as he drops the lamp and starts dragging his body out of the room.

Moments later...

Red punches the intruder, causing blood to gush out of his nose, then a second hit that cause him to go daze. He stops as he moves away from him for a moment, trying to catch his breath while coughing at the same time. The intruder has his arms and legs tied up by with two jump ropes and duct tapes wrapped around his hands and legs. He's sitting on a wooden chair, eyes darted in every directions, scared, worried and dizzy. He had several bruises on his cheeks, scars and scratches all over his face. The environment has changed from the house, and into a small shed with some gardening tools and other appliances. Red's red eye turn back at him as he reach his hand towards the table, grabbing a large hedge shear, grab a nearby wooden chair and sat in front of the curly blonde hair person.

"We're going to do this again...this time...I want you to tell me the truth. Where is she?" Red warned with a menacing tone. The intruder didn't say anything, but spat at his face, leaving trails of blood trickle down his mouth. He didn't say anything as he just breathes heavily and stares deeply into Red's eye. Red slowly wipes the blood away from his face, he held onto the shear tightly and holding the intruder's hand and cut the index finger. He yelled and screamed, cursing and fidgeting around, but Red held him still.

"FUCK!" The intruder yelled out. He looks down and could see that the finger isn't cut all the way, but the piece of meat is still hanging on and his bones are nearly cut open. Red slapped his face to get his attention.

"Look at me..." Red said, his functioning eye had a look of madness in him. He wasn't going to mess around. The intruder looks at Red in the eye, breathing heavily and was sweating.

"I-I don't...ARGH!" The intruder was interrupted when Red suddenly cut all of his fingers, blood had spill all over his hand, some managed to land on Red's hands and jacket. Suddenly he nearly shoved the shear in his mouth, but hold it far enough where it could cut the cheeks.

"I need answers, otherwise I'll cut your mouth wide open." Red mutters. The intruder slowly nodded his head, getting Red's attention.

"S-She...she's gonna have a dick up her ass! Heh. Hahaha-ARGH!" The intruder yells were cut off again when Red ripped a piece of his mouth with the shear, leaving more blood smear on the blades. Red stood up again, leaving the person in agony as he heads towards the table. He grabs the gun off of the table and returns back to his position, only this time, he's pointing the gun at point blank at the intruder's testicles, making his eyes widen in fear.

"Do you seriously want to play around like that? Especially the mood I'm in? I suggest you tell me in...3...2..." Red was interrupted when the intruder blurted out.

"Fable Hotel! Y-You'll find her at the abandon Fable Hotel!" He shouted like a madman. Red paused for a moment, still pointing the gun at him.

"Where's that at?" Red asked again. Somehow this got the intruder in confusion.

"W-What?" He whimpered. Red push the gun against him even further.

"Where!?" Red shouted.

"O-Okay, okay! It's between Bakersfield St. and Carson Ave.!" He shouted again.

"Why is she there!?" Red asked with a more adamant tone, his eye hungering for answers.

"Sh-She's getting married! To my brother!" He shouted. This got Red in a standstill pause, a glare came across his eye as he grabs the intruder's neck, digging his claws deep into his skin and the gun now pointing at his throat from below.

"Answers, NOW!" Red shouted, that shook his enemy in fear from the sudden yell.

"A-Albert, and L-Leaf were once boyfriends and girlfriends. They promised each other that they'll run away and get married once she's done with school. Leaf used to be a part of our gang, but she disbanded for a while now. That's all I know, I swear! I swear to god!" The intruder now started crying hysterically, saliva and snots drooping from his mouth and nose. Red went completely silent and his face darken.

"How does he know me?" Red asked.

"H-He has eyes and ears from his friends. The only people I know are Donald, and Shaun. He has more, but that's all I know." The intruder blurted. Red gave a long sigh as he stood up from his chair, letting his grip falter from his grasp and started to pace around leaving the tension in the air.

"You're not going to get her, you know. He probably took her away already." The intruder finally said. Red stopped his pacing and looks back at him.

"My problem. Not yours." Red spat back.

"Albert will take her away, and you'll probably never see her again." The intruder continues. Red clenches his hands together as he holds the gun in his hand even tighter.

"What the fuck did you say?" Red asked with an intimating snarl.

"Be smart about it. Why do you think he took her from you? He was trying to save her from you, to take back what belongs to him. You are just another monster...remember that." The intruder stated.

"I'll keep that in mind the next time he tries to kill me!" Red shouted as he went back to the intruder, pull down the chair until he hits the ground and fired a round at his chest. The intruder gasped and wheezed in pain, head hung low and blood pouring down from the open wound. Red got up from the chair as he starts preparing himself.

"Let me go...please." The intruder wheezed as he pull his head back to look at Red. The red eye maniac looks back at him with no remorse as he points the gun at his head.

"You'll just come crawling back." Red replied coldly as he pulls the trigger.

Leaf open her eyes slowly, her vision was blurry and was having a massive headache, like having one of those intense hangovers. She put a hand on her head, but when she did, the brunette noticed something shocking and crazy, she was wearing some sort of white fingerless lace gloves with several flower patterns decorated on it. Confusion has taken her toll that she totally forgot about her headache as she looks at her other hand as well, it's the same as the other one. Then she looks down and the moment she did, it almost caused her to faint, but tries to keep her mind cool and clear. She was wearing some kind of worn out white casual A-line wedding dress with plunging neckline.

"W-What? Why?" Leaf mutters as she got out from the bed, almost tumbling over from the intense headache. The door to her room opened and her eyes widen.

"You're awake." The person with a black winter fur coat said with blonde slick hair, blue eyes and a gentle smile to boot.

"Albert..." Leaf mutters to herself.

"So, how are you feeling?" Albert ask, still keeping the friendly smile on his face.

"Perfect..." Leaf replied sarcastically as she took a step back. There was an awkward silence in the air until Albert took a seat on a nearby sofa as he crosses his legs, still smiling.

"It's been a long time Leaf." Albert said.

"Not long enough." Leaf replied back, her hands clenched into a ball. This doesn't faze Albert, but instead he laughs at the notion of it.

"Still the same funny girl two years ago." Albert said; Leaf stayed silent, her eyes peer towards the door he came in from, then back him.

"You're a fucking nutcase." Leaf harshly said, but Albert still remains calm.

"Well...you're quick to judge, considering the fact that you're living with one. No wait, let me paraphrase that, you've invited him to your home." Albert mocked. Leaf didn't say anything as she stayed silent.

"Especially since, he killed how many of my friends?" Albert questioned.

"You didn't give him a choice. Besides, you guys are the one who attacked him." Leaf remarks.

"That's indeed true, but you know me Leaf. I can get whatever I want, no matter the cost." Albert said. Leaf winced from his words, like a bullet had struck her heart.

"Like my brother?" Leaf questioned. Finally; Albert frown as he leans forward his hands clasped together as he sighs.

"I am indeed...truly, deeply, and regrettably sorry for him. He was a kind-" Albert was cut off when Leaf went towards him and punched him hard across the face.

"Stop fucking lying. If it wasn't for you...you...he would've been alive!" Leaf choked up with her words. Albert just cracks his neck and stares into her blue hurtful eyes.

"I'm sorry you feel that way. But it was his own fault in the end." Albert said in a soft manner.

"Just shut up and let me outta here!" Leaf shouted as she grabs his collar with one hand and her other into a fist, threatening him.

"I wouldn't do that...if I were you. You see, my brother; Sam is with your friend at the moment. I can call him at anytime, and anywhere to pull the trigger. Then...pow...off with his head." Albert warned as he stares at her intently, waiting for response.

"Red..." Leaf whispers as she grits her teeth together and hands tighten into a ball. She shuts her eyes and lets go of him.

"Damn...I must say Leaf, I'm extremely jealous of him. He managed to captivate your heart, which is strange and ironic, considering that he's a murderer and a psychopath. How lucky of him." Albert mocked. She glares at him for saying that to Red.

"Just shut up. What the fuck do you want from me?" Leaf asked, her eyes looking down to the side of the floor, ashamed to look at him.

"I was wondering when you're going to ask me that. You see Leaf, being in jail for two years can make a man feel...needy." Albert stated as he walks up to her, then starts circling around which made Leaf trying to avoid eye contact with him every time he was in her line of sight. He finally stop behind her and slowly starts wrapping his arms around her, causing her white dress to wrinkle. She struggles for a bit, but she knows that it's futile to fight him at the moment. He starts sniffing her long brown hair, touching and caressing her hair and cheeks which feels like a cold dagger touching her skin.

"You see Leaf, I want to marry you. Continue on where we left off. Do you remember? I proposed to you on the New Years festival, and promised that we'll live happily ever after you're done with school?" Albert asked as he slide his hand down towards her shoulder.

"I was young, alone and an idiot back then. My parents never loved me, and so I went to you for comfort. That all changed Albert...the day when you killed my brother." Leaf spat back as she broke loose from his grasp and stares at him coldly. His attitude suddenly change from calm, to menacing.

"I gave you a home to go to, friends, love, and comfort! And this is how to you fucking repay me!?" Albert shouted which cause Leaf to flinch a bit from his sudden uproar.

"What the fuck does he have that I don't!?" Albert shouted as he took a step forward towards her which she backed up in response. Albert took notice of this as he gave a long sigh and took in a deep breath to calm himself.

"Sorry." He apologized which surprise her.

"Just let me go...please." Leaf said, as calmly and gentle as she can. Albert gave another long sigh as he closes his eyes for a second and stares at Leaf's blue orbs.

"No can do sweetie. I've been wanting this for a very long time. Two years Leaf, two fucking years in jail, can make any man go crazy, especially for those who has someone waiting for them in the outside world." Albert said.

"I know I've been a little...vulgar and I'm sorry for that. But after the ceremony, I promise that I'll be a different man." Albert continued as his voice went soft. Leaf shook her head, she couldn't believe what's happening.

"I want a family, our own children. I truly do love you Leaf, and I want to make you happy." Albert softly said as he approaches her again, but only to be pushed by Leaf.

"I can't and I won't Albert. You killed the only family member I have left! How can I Albert...how can I possibly love you after doing something so horrendous!?" Leaf shouted.

"I've changed...look, just follow me to the next room, I want to show you something." Albert replied back as calmly as he could. Leaf sigh and thought for a moment. It was better here than going nowhere, plus she can scout around for a bit as they leave the room, and she can just play along.

"Fine...but let's make it quick." Leaf said. Somehow this perk Albert as he gestures her to follow him. He opens the door and walked out with Leaf following him from behind. They were in a long worn out dirty hallway with a dirty and dusty long red carpet that stretches to the end of the hall. Broken chandeliers and lights with shards of glass left on the floor. Piles of broken wooden plank block several paths that leads to unknown parts of the building. Despite it being broken and run down, the place feels warm, as if the heater is still functioning. As they kept walking leaf notice a gated door that leads downstairs and a broken elevator that's left wide open and in it was just pure darkness. She reads a white tab on the corner of the stair with a number two, indicating that they're on the second floor.

"This is the Fable Hotel right?" Leaf asked. Albert turns around and smiles.

"Yes, it is. Remember what we promised? That we'll get married here in this very hotel? It's too bad that there was a fire here that burned down the place." Albert stated. Leaf scoff at the thought of that.

"It's surprisingly warm in here. And you just so happen to pick out the wedding dress that I had planned that day." Leaf said as she looks down at her dress.

"We have a backup generator down in the basement. The air conditioner and the heater, surprisingly, still works. You know me Leaf, I'm always one step ahead." Albert replied back. Albert finally stops walking and stop by at a room with no number on the wooden door. He turns the doorknob and enters, he turns on the light to brighten the area. Leaf follows him in tow and her eyes widen in surprise as she sees a small altar at the end of the wall in a somewhat large room. There were chairs that were neatly aligned against each other facing the altar, large round speakers in the corner of the room, and a decent size wedding cake sitting on the table. This was suppose to be one of the happiest moment of her life, but it turn a drastic turn of event as this is actually quite horrifying and disturbing in every right.

"So what do you think?" Albert asked as he spread his arms out as if he had done the decorations. Leaf just stayed silent, and refuses to the answer that question. In honesty, it scares her more than it should, it doesn't help the fact that she's in a wedding dress.

"I know it's not what we wanted, but I really did my best." Albert said disappointment in his voice. Leaf looks around and notice a piece of paper with a blue pen sitting besides the cake. An idea popped in her head, although it is risky and life threatening, she gulps and turns towards Albert.

"So...what's that cake made out of?" Leaf asked as she approaches the round object. Albert smiles as he went towards the cake, attempting to put an arm around her, but she saw it coming and avoids it. Nonetheless, he smiles.

"It's red velvet, your favorite." Albert said. Leaf bit her lips as she nods her head as she slowly approaches the cake. Her eyes weren't focusing on the cake, but at the blue pen sitting on top of the paper. She starts reading the list which consists of miscellaneous objects of the wedding.

"Charming." Leaf replies back. She turns around, her back facing against the cake and her hands behind her back. Little did he know, she was reaching for the pen and managed to do so as she manages to hid the pen in her long white gloves, a trick she did when she had a different lifestyle. The moment Albert sees the smile on Leaf's face he instantly grabs a hold of her right hand, and luckily not her left which almost frightened her for a moment.

"I knew you'd like it. I've prepped this for quite a long time you see. Even in jail, I still prepped." Albert stated. Leaf just stay still and was lowering her breath, hoping that he doesn't grab her other hand.

"Well, your work has payed off." Leaf stated.

"Let's dance, it'll make everything all better." Albert suddenly said, changing the subject. Leaf blink several times, trying to understand what he had just said.

"What?" Leaf asked in confusion. Without further ado, he drags her hand towards the dance floor and pulls out a remote controller from the counter and presses a button. A soft and slow rhythmic music had suddenly popped up, surprising Leaf. In all honesty, this would've work if she didn't find out what had happened to her brother, but she's glad that the truth was revealed to her.

"Sorry for dragging you like this, but I get nervous and anxious at these kinds of situations." Albert said.

"Yeah(You fucking psycho)" Leaf whispers to herself low enough for him not to hear. He put a hand around her waist, which makes her shiver from his could touch. It did not feel the same way he had touched her before, it was icy and sharp with an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. Honestly, she wish she hadn't met him. She mentally curses herself for doing so ignorant and selfish in the past, that it has come to bite her in the ass. Nonetheless, she has to play along, just a bit longer. He then gently grabs a hold of her hand, then in a mere second, they started to dance. He atmosphere became quiet, except for the music, they lock their eyes at each other, one of them with a sincere smile, while the other was bland and expressionless.

"You've gotten better at dancing." Albert broke off the silence.

"I've practice at some occasion. You're horrible by the way." Leaf replies back, after having felt his foot step on top of hers. He just laughs it off.

"Well, that's alright. It's been hard for me when I was in jail." Albert stated.

"How did you get out?" Leaf ask, trying to get a bit more information. He just laughs again.

"I have my ways." Albert said.

"I bet." Leaf said nonchalantly.

"Listen Leaf, I've changed." Albert said reassuringly. Leaf didn't buy into his excuses as she kept quiet.

"For the worse." Leaf replied back bluntly, but this unfazed Albert.

"After your brother...and being locked up. I had time to think you know? I mean...reflect what I've done in the past. I regretted it all, especially when I have a girl back at home, defenseless with those horrible parents of hers." Albert said.

"Stop it Albert. You don't have the right to judge my life and my parents. Yes, they were horrible, but they're still my parents, good or bad. However...you're the last person I want to hear you talking about them and I can take care of myself, thank you very much." Leaf stated coldly. The words stung Albert like cold knives in his heart. He gulped and tries to keep his cool by giving a long sigh.

"Wow...I never thought you'll be saying such harsh things Leaf. It almost makes me want to call Sam and tell him to pull the trigger on that bastard." Albert said with malice in his tone.

"Don't do something you'll regret Albert." Leaf warned.

"I've regretted many things Leaf. It wouldn't hurt to add another to the list." Albert responded back. The music finally ended and they finally stop dancing which made Leaf release herself from his grasp. She turns away from him and starts pulling the pen out of her sleeve.

"Leaf..." Albert whispers her name. She turns her head around to face him and suddenly he grabs onto her waist and forcefully kiss her. Her eyes widen with realization from the surprise attempt from Albert. Her mind quickly focus on the pen in her hand as she clenches it tightly in a stabbing position. She raised the pen in the air and impaled the pen through his throat. Albert pulled back from the attack and starts croaking. She didn't stop there; Leaf yells as loud as she could as she pulls the pen out and stabs him again in the throat once more. There was blood soaked all over his throat and clothes, some had landed on Leaf's once white dress, now red blotches had been placed. Again, she tries to stab him again, but was immediately shoved hard by Albert which made him tumble and fall as he places his hand on the wound. Leaf falls against the stacks of chairs as they both fall down.

"You...fucking...bitch..." Albert croaks his hand still on his throat. His eyes darted towards Leaf as he stumbles towards her and attempts to grab her off of the ground. This time; Leaf kicks him hard in the vital point which makes him collapse on the ground. Breathing heavily and having an adrenaline rush, she scrambles back up to her feet, pushing and crashing against the chairs and headed for the door. She remember the stairs on her way here so she headed towards that direction, however the heels that she's wearing makes it a bit difficult to move in.

"Fuckin heels!" Leaf shouted in frustration and worry. She noticed the rusty gate that leads downstairs and attempts to open it. With such unfortunate luck, it was closed shut. Desperate and fear consumes her as she rattles the door with such force that it shook the whole gate, but it wouldn't budge.

"Fuck!" Leaf shouted in anger. A few moments later she turns back at the way she came from and noticed Albert approaching her fast with an angry look in his eyes, wheezing, soak with blood, and a large machete in his hand.

"Get...the fuck...over here!" Albert croaked as loud as he could. With nowhere to run she had only one option; the elevator. She heads towards the elevator and attempts to opens the broken door wide enough for her to fit through. She took another quick glance at Albert who's just a mere yard away from her, still approaching; Leaf closes her eyes and jumped down into the darkness as she screams at the top of her lungs. It was short when she noticed that she fell on top of the elevator, but her left leg felt like jello.

"Ah! No!" Leaf shouted as she attempts to get back up, but quickly falls down again. She looks up and sees Albert with a worried expression on his face.

"Oh...god! Leaf, are you okay!? Where are you!?" Albert croaked as his eyes were scanning in different directions. He then pulls out a flashlight and shines the light down and noticed Leaf and her injured leg that's been sliced by the sharp broken metal that's sticking out from the side.

"Oh god...why would you do this Leaf? Why!?" Albert wheezed. Leaf didn't say anything, but stares at him with a hateful stare. The stare became obvious with Albert as he returns back to his malice expression and disappointment.

"Y-You would...rather die, than be with me?" Albert asked in a hurtful tone. Again, Leaf stays silent, still staring at him. He slams the flashlight against the elevator door into pieces and stares back at Leaf.

"Then die..." Albert said as he walks away. Sensing his presence disappear; Leaf then focuses on her injured leg, as she attempts to stand back up. She manages to stand up as she whimpers and fight through the pain, but she could feel her leg giving in at any moment. Not only that, but the moment she landed on the hard ground, her back feels completely numb and in pain. Fortunately, her wits and strong determination makes her keep going. Leaf starts ripping a piece cloth from her dress and starts wrapping the open wound, hoping to stop the bleeding, it'll have to do. She eyes on the elevator trap door and attempts to open it.

"Come on...you stupid thing..." Leaf said to herself as she pulls on the handle, kicking the dust in the air. After a few more shakes and pulls, the door opens; Leaf looks down at every side and carefully drops down into the elevator. Luckily the elevator door is open, leading down to the first floor with the entrance close by. A look of relief had plastered all over her face as a small smile crept on her lips. She started to limp as fast as she could, using the walls to support her struggles. She could see outside, it was dark and the blizzard has taken the whole streets, but she didn't mind, she rather be out there than in here with an ex boyfriend who's a complete psychopath. Limping as fast as should could she manages to support herself by leaning against the counter and tries to push herself to the exit. Freedom was so near that she could almost taste it and she could feel the cold breeze hit her. Just when she grabs the door; Albert come out from behind the counter and grabs her into a tight embrace. Panic and sheer fear had plaster all over Leaf's face as she was pulled away from the door and was pushed onto the ground. Her arms still reaching out, and her cries and yells only makes Albert pull her away even further. She tries to fight him, but pushing him away and struggle against his tight grasp, but he's got her pinned.

"You're an easy read bitch..." Albert croaked, still pulling her from behind.

"No!" Leaf yells out as she claws on the once tile marble floor. Finally Albert was on top of Leaf from behind and pulls on her hair.

"Beg for me. Cause you'll be begging, the moment I'll make you into a woman. My woman." Albert croaked, one hand holding onto his throat and one pressing against Leaf.

"Fuck you!" Leaf managed to shout out. Albert starts laughing hysterically although barely audible and starts leaning towards her ear.

"With pleasure...I'm going to fuck you so hard...that you'll be begging for my cock." Albert whispers. Leaf's eyes widen even further as she still has her arms outstretched towards the door and starts yelling out of self desperation. She could feel him undressing her from behind as he manages to lift up the white dress. He tries to remove her undergarment, but Leaf wouldn't give in without a fight as she gave several feisty kicks, one of them hit his vital part, which made him groan in pain and gave her a chance to crawl closer to the door. However, Albert quickly regains his composure and pins down Leaf again from behind, he reach behinds his back and pulls out the machete and digs the blade deep into her wounded leg. She cries out in pain as tears fell from her eyes, leaving her vulnerable.

"You're a tough bitch Leaf...you're right...I haven't change, and now...you're mine. I wanted to fuck you for the longest time! And now...I'm going to have one hell of a night!" Albert wheezed with an angry tone that could send chills down her spine. He manages to pull her undergarment out and he starts unzipping his pants. Leaf yells in horror as she looks around, trying to find something to fend him off. Then from the corner of her eye on the left, she sees a splintered wooden plank that's close to her. She starts reaching for it, every inch of her fingers reaching out feels like reaching the heavens. Suddenly she felt him entering her which cause her to scream at the top of her lungs. It was the feeling that's meant to be pleasurable with the one that you want to devote your whole life with, but not this, it hurts as she felt thick liquid trickling down her legs, it hurts in every way, both mentally and physically. She had been deflowered.

"I'm your first..." Albert said in a perverted manner as he starts laughing as he repeatedly enters her, in and out, in and out. He went faster, and faster, feeling the rhythm of his love making which he shouts her name in pleasure. More tears starts cascading down her eyes as she felt ashamed to lose to some monster like him. This makes her fight even harder than ever before as she reach again with all of her might and grasp onto the wood, making sure not to let it go. She twists her body and swings the wooden plank right on his head. It knocked the wind out of him as he falls on the ground. In full pure rage, teeth clenches together, and face all red; Leaf grips both of her hands on the wood, then sits on top of his stomach and repeatedly slams the frame hard on his face. His yells were of agony and pain, but were quickly silence by another smash to the face.

"Die! Fucking die! Die! Die! Die! DIE!" Leaf yells as each swings went into a rhythm with each word she shouted from the top of her lungs. This only cause even more tears to fall from her eyes. Albert was no longer moving as his lifeless corpse lay still with a bludgeon face that's turn into mash potatoes with brain matters, blood, and skull fragments splattered all over the place. However, this didn't make Leaf stop her frantic attacks as she swings even faster than before, blood spewing all over her body, face, and dress. The door to the entrance had suddenly swung open, footsteps approaches Leaf in a rapid manner.

"Leaf!" Red's voice had shouted in the whole room as he grabs her from behind, but she hadn't notice who it was as she thinks its an enemy or that Albert had come to get her again.

"No! Get the fuck off of me!" Leaf shouted as she tries to swing at him, but only to miss and Red to disarm the wooden plank.

"Stop. Stop. It's me..." Red said as gently as he could as he turns her around to have her face him, but she still struggles against his grasp, not paying any attention.

"It's me. It's me. It's me..." Red continues on with his comfort, and finally stopping Leaf from attacking and struggling. Red gently grabs her face to makes her look at him, she blinks several times to get a good look at him.

"Look at me...look." Red said as comforting as he can. She sees him, his white eye patch, that beautiful red eye, and a look fill with worry and fear on his face. It was Red...her Red. She starts to sob uncontrollably, her body shakes and she feels sick to the stomach.

"Red..." Leaf whimpers his name. Red just embraces her tightly as she sobs against his chest and returns the favor. He gently strokes her hair.

"He...he...just." Leaf choking the tears that kept flowing down from her eyes, and unable to comprehend her words correctly. Red looks at the dead mutilated body and could see her undergarment on the ground. This made Red shut his eye tightly and hold her even more. He clenches his hands tightly, cursing himself that he didn't make it in time.

"Oh Leaf...it's okay now...it's okay." Red comfortingly said, although he know that it isn't. They don't know how long they stay for, but to them, time didn't matter, the only thing that matters at the moment, is the time they have now.

"Leaf..." Red gently said as he pulls back and gently grasp her face to make her look at him.

"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you anymore..." Red whispers. Her mind was blank, she could see his mouth moving, but the words just went by like he had never talked. So instead she just nods her head solemnly, biting her lower lip. Judging from the way he looked, he was dead on serious. Surprisingly he unwraps his black coat and wraps it around her.

"Come on...let's go." Red softly said as he tries to pull her back up to her feet, only to fall against him, which he manages to catch her.

"My...my...leg." Leaf sniffled as she looks down at her leg. Red looks down as well and sees the open wound down on her calve. He looks back at Leaf and nodded his head. He bends down a bit, before picking her up, with one arm under her legs and the other behind her back. She has her arms wrap around his neck and head resting against him. She closes her eyes, trying to forget everything that has happened, and hoping that they'll make it back home. Red started to walk out of the abandon hotel carrying the broken girl in his arms and into the dark cold winter night with the girl that saved him, leaving the hellish nightmare that Leaf had endure.