If I didn't know any better, I'd think there was something going on downstairs. It's times like these where I'm glad Oliver didn't put me back in my crib. Again. Sentences I didn't think I'd ever say, but here we are. This was my current fucked up existence. I don't know what Oliver wanted with me other than to make me his baby, which that on its own makes me cringe. Why did it have to be me? Why couldn't it have been some other hopeless creature?

I took the batteries out of the baby monitor and tried to open the door again. Unfortunately, Oliver still had the door locked. If we're being honest, it sucked. I didn't even have anything to pick the lock with. Yes. I went through a phase. Yes. I've broken into some places I wasn't supposed to. But that did get me back in my house once when I lost my house key, so we'll call that a useful skill. No ballpoint pens. No bobby pins. No screwdriver. I was boned. That didn't mean I couldn't hear anything. I listened closely to the commotion outside the door.

"Thank you for coming by early, Xiao," Oliver greeted. Xiao…Xiao…I remember Xiao. He was the one that looked like a pickpocket and showed up to Oliver's high off his ass on God knows what. Oliver got pissed at him for that. Why would he be here early?

"Yeah," Xiao grumbled, "I was in the middle of a nap when you called, though…"

"Sleep through today's meeting," Oliver suggested, not really sounding like Oliver at all.

"Really?" That got Xiao's attention, "That's so nice of you, Oliver!"

"On one condition." And there was Oliver. For a minute, I thought we lost him, "Did you bring your wares with?"

"I did!" Xiao confirmed, a loud thump echoing through the hall. What kind of wares did this guy bring? "Xiao Wang's street apothecary is open for business. How may I help you, Mr. Kirkland?"

"Adderall," Oliver ordered, "If you have any, please."

"Adderall?" Xiao wondered, "Really? You don't strike me as the type, Oliver. But who am I to judge?"

"It's not for me," Oliver sent a shock through my stomach. If the Adderall isn't for him and it wasn't for Xiao, it could only be for one other person, "And you wouldn't happen to have anything in the line of sedatives, would you?"

What the fuck did this guy have planned for me? I didn't like where this was going and Xiao seemed like he was just looking for a quick sale, "Look at you, Oliver! Someone's looking to party. Adderall, sedatives…That's what I like to call a Tuesday afternoon. Now, what's got you wanting to stock up on behavioral meds?"

"Do you have them or not?" Oliver snapped.

"Relax, Oliver," Xiao settled him, "First sample is on the house. Really, though. What's all this for? I don't care either way, but I'm just curious."

"Well," Oliver let out a heavy sigh, "I fear that my little one may be going through a rebellious phase soon and I'd like to be prepared for that. I'm worried about her, Xiao."

"For what?" Xiao asked.

"I just…" Oliver admitted, "I don't want her to become like the others. I don't want to lose her."

"I just saw Matt the other day," Xiao reported, throwing some pills in a bottle, "Speaking of the others."

"Is he alright?" Oliver immediately jumped down his throat, "Is he taking care of himself? Did he look ok?"

"He's fine," Xiao assured, "Relax, Oliver. You're overre…"

"Xiao," Oliver's voice dropped an octave, making me nervous, "I know Kuro is technically younger than you, so you have somewhat of an understanding, but at the same time, you don't understand what it's like to be a parent. I will never ever stop worrying about those two. Three now, if we count Amelia. If you don't want to make your nap permanent, you'll stop right there."

"Got it," Xiao stopped, "I know you're not above getting your hands dirty for something like that either."

"Of course not," Oliver confirmed. Hold on…What exactly did Xiao mean by Oliver getting his hands dirty?

"Did you hear?" Xiao went on, "They just found some guy not too long ago."

"Yes," Oliver agreed, "I heard."

"Looked like it was an accident that got him," Xiao figured, "If they knew what to look for, I'd think it was your handiwork."

"Of course it was," Oliver scoffed, "Like you said, if someone knows just what to look for, all signs would point to me. However, I also know how to cover my tracks. I'm not stupid."

Immediately, I ran back to the crib and things made more sense. When Xiao said something about Oliver getting his hands dirty…He's killed people. For the last few months, I've lived with a killer. People make jokes about it all the time. What if your new roommate is a serial killer? Well…I know how to fucking pick them, don't I? It made me curious, though. Who was the last person? The last person I knew of dying in an accident was…

No…

No. It wasn't…But…What if it was? Maybe Reid didn't die in a drunk driving accident like I was led to believe. Maybe he didn't drive his car into the river. I think I'm going to be sick. I might throw up right here and now. But that would lead to Oliver wanting to take care of me. And there is no fucking way I'm going through that again. But I couldn't think about Reid now. I needed to focus on what was going on now. His death could be avenged later. I started to hear footsteps coming toward my room. And I didn't like who they belonged to.

As much as it was going to pain me, I put the batteries back in the baby monitor and undid the latches on the outside of the crib, crawling back into it. Maybe if I pretend to be asleep, Oliver would leave me alone. There's only one way to find out, right? I shut my eyes and covered myself up. I even thought about adding in some fake snoring just to kick the theatrics up a bit, but my fake snore was too obvious.

"Amelia…?" Oliver walked in, pushing my hair out of my face, "Are you asleep, darling?"

Stay quiet, Amy. Don't let him know you're…

"I know you're awake," he giggled to himself, "You silly little girl, you…"

Shit. I rolled over and played nice, "What do you want, Oliver?"

"For you to change your tone for one," Oliver scolded me, "More importantly, are you ready for tonight?"

"Depends on what tonight is," I wondered.

"I'm going to introduce you to some people," he explained, his cheerful disposition falling a bit, "They're not exactly the best, though. They're bad people, Amelia. They're not like my other friends. Some may even go as far as to say they're the complete opposite. But I promise that I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. You'll be ok."

"Sounds like a good time," I grumbled, my voice thick with sarcasm. But then, I figured I'd throw him a curveball, "Hey, Oliver?"

"Yes, darling," Oliver listened closely, "What is it?"

"You know how I moved in on a more permanent basis a month or so ago?" I sat up in my crib, still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I'm in a goddamn crib.

"Yes," he sighed out, "And what a wonderful time we've had, wouldn't you say?"

"Oliver, I want to move out," I spoke bluntly.

"I can't let you do that," Oliver brushed me off. I might as well have told that to a brick wall. He got me out of the crib and sat me back down on the chair, "Not now anyway."

"Why not?" I'm pretty sure that I could legally call this kidnapping by now. At least being held against my will.

"Because," he dug through the closet. Why am I not surprised that he unpacked everything in the suitcase? Even when I do go out of town, it's not like I actually utilize the dressers or anything. No matter how long I'm staying, "They're all here for you. Every single one of them."

"Who?" I don't like where this is going.

"Everyone," Oliver chimed, "You haven't met all of my friends quite yet, but they're all here for you! The ones who couldn't make it the other night anyway. Some of them didn't even have the common decency to call me and turn down the invitation. Personally, I think that's a little rude. You should always RSVP to any party, Amelia. Even if it's to say no. And if you're going to show up late, you should tell the host that as well. Now, where did I put it…?"

"Put what?" I wondered as the knot in my stomach tightened.

"I did get you a special dress for the occasion," he continued pushing the massive amounts of tulle aside. But then, the sound of the hangers sliding across the metal bar came to a screeching halt, "Ah! There it is."

Oh, shit. What sweet hell awaited me? Because I had a feeling that I was about to be Oliver's doll again. I'd rather be eaten alive by a swarm of bees, "You really didn't have to go through the trouble, Oliver."

"Oh, nonsense," Oliver hushed me, "It was no trouble. Even if it was, it would be entirely worth it. Especially for you. Now, we really should get you dressed. I know that one is already waiting in the living room and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to ask him to empty his pockets when he leaves."

"Klepto?" I assumed. Look at that. I was right about Xiao being a pickpocket.

"I wouldn't call him a klepto," he unzipped my pajamas, putting me in my new dress that only one of us was all excited about, "But I do have some rather expensive knickknacks around the cottage and…Well…You've heard of people selling their grandparents' televisions for drug money, yes?"

"Yeah," I think I remember Reid selling his grandma's old TV for beer money once. But that was a long time ago. Before the asshole in front of me likely killed him.

"He'd likely trade his shoes for opium," Oliver figured, pulling my dress over my head. This was a lavender nightmare that I'd like to wake up from any time now. Of course, like any other time Oliver got me dressed, he couldn't contain himself, "Oh, Amelia! You look so cute! Like a little sugarplum fairy."

"Yay…"

"Oh, don't be like that," he shut me down, "Smile, my love. It's not the end of the world. In fact, if we play our cards right this evening, it may be the beginning of a brand new one. Come along. We have guests waiting and I think they're all here now. Well…Except for a select few, but we don't need them here anyway."

Gee…I wonder who those select few could be. I bet I knew who they were. This sucks. This sucks every dick in existence. I hated being in this house. I hated being in close proximity to Oliver. I hated this fucking dress. I hated the fact that I couldn't even put it on myself. The footie pajamas I was in before, though? Those weren't bad. In my own sick, twisted way, I kind of wanted to keep them when this was all over. As far as this party is concerned…I just need one ally. Only one. If I had one person here I knew and I could trust to get me the fuck out of here, this night may turn around for me.

When Oliver brought me out of the bedroom, he took me down the hall and into the living room that was absolutely packed. And now, I could add claustrophobia to that list. Lucky me! It's weird not doing this in Oliver's house. I missed its kitschy charms and the way it felt like walking into my grandma's house. This wasn't much different, but…I don't know. Knowing what I know now, things seem a little darker. I sat near the laptop that Kuro was punching keys on. He seemed tense.

"Hi, Kuro…" I played nice, hoping to make a friend. I didn't see Ivan. In a perfect world, he'd be here, too. However, a bigger, scarier Russian man stood in his place. That must be Viktor.

"Why are you talking to me?" Kuro gave me a look like I was on drugs.

"Kuro," Oliver immediately called his ass out on that, "That was rude. Apologize to her."

"Fine," Kuro rolled his eyes, "Uzendayo…"

"Kuro!" Oliver snapped, pushing the swear jar across the table while Xiao giggled to himself, "Don't think I don't know what you just said to her. That wasn't an apology."

"Fine," Kuro threw some money in the jar, "I'm sorry."

"That's better," Oliver dropped it. I wonder what set him off. What did Kuro say to me? Whatever. I got the feeling he didn't care much for me anyway. Oh well. Fuck him, "Now, gentlemen, the time is upon us."

"I'd still rather be polishing nuke, Oliver," Big Guy…Viktor, I'm assuming.

"You will not be polishing any nuke in my house," Oliver shot him down. Looks like we know where he stands on a little self-service once in a while.

"But she's cute," Viktor looked me over with hunger in his eyes, "You become one with me, da?"

"She's mine," Oliver got territorial. And a little angry. Under any other circumstances, it might be kind of hot. But right now…Not so much.

"Fine, fine," Viktor backed off, "Your little kotenok to do with as you wish. I'm not stopping you."

"Why are we here now, Oliver?" There's the Italian I was hoping for. Although, Flavio had Luciano and Lutz nearby, too. Along with the pretty, sad Spaniard he told me all about. You must be Andres, "I got Caberet tickets and I don't want to see them go to waste."

"I like Caberet…" I spoke softly.

"No, Amelia," Oliver stopped me. Dammit, "Kuro, how far are we until our connection's made?"

"Just about there," Kuro put the laptop down, "Alright. We're live."

"Wonderful!" Oliver sang, "Are we on?"

"We're live," Kuro assured. Then, a man's face popped up on the screen. I've seen that face. That face was sitting next to me. No…That wasn't Oliver. Obviously. It's not like he can be in two places at once here. That was the guy that was at the house the other day. Before Oliver brought me here.

"Hello?" Oliver asked, "Arthur? Can you hear me?"

"Oliver…" Arthur answered, seething inside.

"Hello, brother mine!" Oliver couldn't be further from him. Where Arthur seemed like he was ready to stab someone, Oliver was about to burst into song like a fucking Disney movie. Then again, I wasn't surprised. That was just the way Oliver was most of the time, "If it's all the same to you, I'd like to make a few demands."