She wasn't sure what to do. Her knees bounced as her left hand twiddled with the hem of her shirt, her eyes never left the floor as the man finished his project of her arm. Numb from the shoulder to the stump, she waited to see what would come. Countless visits and poking and prodding with terms of medicine far from her knowledge, yet now she sat there as metallic clinks and whizzing filled the air.

A fortnight had passed since she found herself in Gillen and Lutz's home, becoming one of their own as Flavio and Luciano came and went at their leisure along with Kuro. She learned more of what transpired when her Master ordered her arm removed. How Gillen nearly killed all the men as he fought for her. How he barely left her side as she recovered for those days in sleep. Learned of the men and women within the group and what they all did and where they were from. Even learning more of Heather and what she survived. It was days of knowledge and acceptance with her. And now, it was the last piece of acceptance.

"Alright, everything should be all set." his thick Indian accent came to her, "Just raise your arm a little."

Lifting her arm, she turned her gaze away, afraid of what she would find when he was finished. She had changed a bit of herself each day being away from Haven, from cutting her hair to her new clothes, to even painting her nails and getting her ears pierced. She wanted to be different from what the Mistress wanted, and now, this was the last touch.

"Ok." Gazi said, "You're all set. Now to test the sensors and calibration."

Finally looking, she saw the new piece of her, an arm. Metals and plastics collided together as it has a pale color to it, the fingers almost like her own as she stared at the strange thing, "Wow."

"Guessing you like it? Good." he said picking up an apple, "Now then, grab and hold this."

Laine reached out with her left only for him to pull back, "No, with that one."

"But-"

"It will work, just think about it as if it was your own. Now take the apple."

There was no way it was going to work, it just wasn't possible that it could. Her arm was gone and replaced with this one, it couldn't move. But she did as told, thinking of her arm and what it was like to pick up the roses and stitch the clothes, even cleaning the home. Lifting it, she saw the fingers flex as she willed them and then, she did it. The strange robotic arm grabbed the green apple, holding it within the palm and observed it. Awed that she had gained her mobility back.

"Good, good. Working real good. Now, place it down gently and then I want you to flex and move each finger and move your wrist up and down then side to side, and if you want a good challenge, make circles with it."

Doing as told, she watched the hand move as the fingers flexed and curled, everything moving around as if it was truly real, the only thing missing was feeling. But even that, she was perfectly fine with.

"Well, what do you think?" he asked.

"I really do not know. I have never witnessed such advanced medicine and knowledge like so. It's quite daunting and yet exhilarating."

Gazi chuckled, "Then I'll take that as a good sign. You're all done here. Heather should be across the way if you want to see her."

He left her to awe at her arm, no more spoken of the piece or what was there as he went to speak to others. There was just so much there she wasn't sure about, yet she had to somehow overcome it all. Moving from her seat, she found her reflection in the standing mirror, taking in her new self. Her new arm stood out against her, the metals seeming brandished and colored of a rosy gold, the plastics almost a hue of pale white like her own skin as her fingers even had indents of nails carved within it. How strange it was, lifelike yet not.

With a turn of her head, she ventured across the way seeing Heather laying upon the bed-like furniture and staring at a screen. Quietly, she walked in, seeing the woman drag a strange piece on her exposed belly, making the image move.

"Hello, Laine, how's your arm?" she heard Heather ask as she saw Veruska move the object again.

She couldn't reply as she stared at the screen, wondering what was happening as Veruska moved the piece again, hearing her chuckle, "Oh, you never seen an ultrasound before?"

"Remember dear, she's seen only Haven, nothing out here. This is all new to her." Heather replied.

"Gotcha." the woman smiled, "Well, all this is, is a special camera to see within the human body and with it, we can see the baby growing within Heather."

"Really?"

"Yes, look here, you can see the baby's face."

Sure enough, a strange outline of a little chubby face came upon the screen, little fingers joined in as the image changed again.

"Seems to be a little camera shy." Heather stated, "Just like last time."

"Very true. So do you and Oliver want to know or be surprised?" Veruska asked.

"Oh, please tell me!"

Laine watched as the screen changed again, moving around to finally settle in one spot, "Well, what do you see?"

Laine shook her head, "I do not see anything that I can recognize but I do not know how to understand this strange thing."

Heather clapped her hands as she teared up at the screen, "It's a girl, isn't it?"

Veruska chuckled, "Well, no little turtle there. So yes, it's a girl."

Laine joined Heather's excitement as the thought of a little baby girl came to mind, "Oh, how wonderful! She shall be darling and sweet. May I make things for her?"

"Oh dear, you can make anything you want for her." Heather stated as Veruska handed her a piece of paper and cleaned her up, helping her sit upright, "Oh, I can't wait!"

"What are you planning to name her when she finally arrives?" Veruska asked.

"Oliver and I were thinking about Emily. Emily Rose."

"That is beautiful, a lovely combination, especially of a child from you and Oliver. It suits her." Laine praised.

"Thank you." Heather beamed, "By the way, how is your new arm?"

She held up the new metal piece, nearly flaunting it as Heather it over, "Wow, Gazi did quite well with this. Looks almost real."

"I find it strange, how such a contraption can work as a real body yet is not."

"Science at its finest hun." Heather replied, bidding Veruska farewell as she pulled her out in the hall, "There are many things that make it easy for us to live with it and sometimes it can hurt us. But most like what you witnessed with the ultrasound and your arm, it is used for good."

"At least there is some good in the world."

"Oh, now don't be that way. Yes, it hurt what happened. But you are much better off, you know that."

"I do, but it still feels, as one would put, raw."

Heather sighed, "It will for a while. But right now, I have a little job for you and myself. One that we cannot tell Oliver or Gillen."

Laine paused, "Will they not be mad at us for not speaking of the truth? What if we are doing something that is seen as dangerous?"

"Then let it. There are more answers within that may also help you understand your world you were living, now that you have been out here for a while."

"Then what are you suggesting we do against the men's desires?"

"I tested the doorway in and it is open enough for you and I to get through. That being said, you are the only one that knows how they act and what to wear and where to go within, so, will you go with me?"

Laine had a sudden pang of fear well in here as she looked at Heather's grinning face, "And that would be?"

"We're going back into Haven to find out more secrets."

"I do not think this is the best idea or plan out of many others that could be made." Laine stated, seeing the familiar street and homes before her.

"Relax, there is very little movement now, ever since you coming to our side, it's been very calm here." Heather reassured her, "Besides, you know how to act in this world and even got us dressed for the part. Why are you worried?"

"I was lucky to make the cloaks in a whim and the dresses just sheer luck that Flavio was going to alter them as he used me as a model. And in this world, you and I are very open. Easy to be seen."

She moved forward, making her way to the street as Heather followed suit, "How do you mean?"

"You and I are seen as fair-skinned. Our hair is rare as well, white and red are very far from ordinary."

"Define ordinary?"

"For those that were the hands to their Lord or Lady, or in my home Master and Mistress, many of those within were of a normal tone. Olive, peach, tan, or even dark. People of fair or nearly white were seen as a rarity, very few, or if any were around. At least that I remember."

"So, you and I are sitting ducks out here then?"

"If you want to call it that, you may."

"Where are we going?"

"There is only one place I know with the perfect amount of information to help us, and hopefully, one of them will let us in."

Moving along the familiar street, she counted the homes. Each decorated in its way as before and finally turning the corner, she found hers, only to reel back in shock. There was no home, not much of it at least as large white coverings hid away what was standing. Debris and ash littered the ground as it seemed people attempted to clean the mess. What happened?

"Laine?" Heather spoke to her, pulling her back, "Laine, honey?"

"My home." was all she got out as tears slipped down her cheeks.

"It's alright, everyone had to have gotten out. No worries. Everyone is safe." Heather attempted to calm and assure her.

Yet she couldn't think straight, it was all gone. Everything she learned and knew was nothing but a pile of burnt rubble. She wondered about the Master and Mistress, her friends within and Caroline. How could such a thing happen there? Everything was secure, nothing to cause a fire if such a large magnitude. The Master always made sure the home was safe and secure, so how did it happen?

She moved closer, feeing Heather tug on her arm as she tried to see more, but a voice caught her off guard, one she didn't believe she'd ever hear again, "Laine?"

Turning around, she saw Caroline. Her cloak no longer the rich royal purple or the dress the pristine white, yet her soft features and wondrous brown eyes found her as a broken smile formed on her, "Caroline?"

Caroline didn't give her a moment to speak as she ran to her, throwing her arms around her as she cried against her. Laine stood there, shell shocked, unsure of what to think or do as her own spilled. She hugged the woman back, glad to see her alive as she put her at arms length, looking her over.

"My God, you are alive!" Caroline said, wiping tears from her face, "Oh blessed be."

"Guessing she is one of the home?" Heather asked.

Laine glanced over, seeing the happy smile grace her face. "Oh, apologies Heather, this is Caroline. She is one of the elders of the home and one that cared for us."

"And the one that told you to run."

That was right, Laine looked back at Caroline as the day crossed her mind, "Yes. Caroline, did you know?"

Caroline's brow furrowed as melancholy wrote itself upon her, "Follow me. We must speak privately and quickly."

Watching as she veered away, they both followed her, moving within homes and gardens until they stood upon the banquet gazebo. Its vines were gone for the season yet held the same beauty all year long. Caroline sat upon the wooden seat, ushering them to do the same, her face still stuck in the ever-growing sadness. She waited. Waited on bated breath to see what had happened to her friends and the home.

"Much happened after your...well...we will call it as it was in this place. Execution."

"Execution." Heather gasped, "But why?"

"There is much you do not know of this world, child. Obey the laws and rules of the home and you will be fine. If you slip a toe out of line, even not by your hand, it's dealt severely." Caroline explained, "That's what happened to Laine. The Master learned of the Mistress usage of Mirage and, though, she was the true blame, he pointed it at Laine. But there was more to it."

"More to it?" Laine nearly shouted.

"Yes, beforehand, they wanted to use you as a bearer, to bear children and heirs to their name. But the Mistress did not want that world for you nor herself. If you were to come of child, she was going to have you raped so brutally that you would lose it. She slowly began to detest you."

"But what did I do to be thought as such? I did all as she asked and him. I never argued or gave a fuss."

"You were no longer the golden apple of the people. You were second from first. Another even fairer than you came to be. A combination that they couldn't believe nor want to be without."

"How so? I know Laine is rare due to her albinism, but-"

"My what?"

Heather sighed, "You have what would seem as a mild form of albinism. Your eyes are blue and hair fair platinum but your skin is almost paperwhite, that's rare. Gillen is a true albino."

"The man with white hair?" Caroline questioned.

"Yes. He is a true and has suffered the dark half of the world."

"Dark? But you said war made him dark?"

"It did but this also added to him." Heather explained, "The world hasn't been kind to him. He doesn't know kindness very well."

"Not many do in that case." added Caroline.

Laine glanced at them both, unsure of what was being said or what was true, "Hold on. Mistress took me for I was well and not of the ill will, I left the school and became a perfect hand."

"By what she told, Laine, the Mistress-"

"No, she told me that I was special and meant to be more to her and others."

"Laine, just listen-"

"No, you do not understand this place." she cut Heather off, "I passed everything and was of the utmost beauty according to her and many others. I was rare and it made it even more to their world and wanting. So how-"

"You were never meant to live, Laine!" Caroline blurted out.

Silence. Complete silence loomed over the gazebo as she stared at the woman, "What?"

Caroline sighed, "You were never meant to live. It was the Mistress's doing to keep you alive, even against her own family's wishes. Children born of too pale a complexion are seen as bad luck and discarded. You are alive for she believed you were something as a taboo to this place. An unwanted. Which is exactly what you were then."

She would've preferred her arm to be cut off again than hear that. She was meant to die due to her looks? How? There wasn't a reason for the ill will of her. She was fine in all ways but why.

"So Laine is the black sheep of the community then?" Heather stated, "How did she make it so far if they aren't to live?"

"The Mistress. She was very demanding, even at a young age. It was her that bent the whim. Many believed she would fall in her demise due to it but changed heart once you grew." Caroline explained, "But maybe it wasn't too far from the truth."

"What happened to everyone?" Laine finally spoke up.

Caroline looked away, tears falling down her cheeks, "Isabella, Zechariah, Monica, and Jasper along with myself were sold into different homes. I am within Conrad now while last I knew Isabella and Jasper sent to Kingsley. That was all I knew until the fire. The Mistress lost all-cause with everyone and herself once the Master was found outside the walls castrated."

"Castrated?"

"Oh dear, forgot that piece."

Laine glanced over to Heather, "How do you mean?"

"Well, you know Gillen took down the men that were hurting you and cut your arm from you, yes?" Heather asked as she nodded to her, "Well, your Master got in Gillen's sight and when he told Gillen what he was going to have done to you, well, he did that."

She wasn't sure what to think at that moment, everything seemed to just fall apart even more around her as Caroline continued, "Well, it may be harsh to speak but perhaps it is a good thing then. No more harm. But as I said, when he was found outside and what was done to his body, the Mistress lost her mind as some would say. She would scream at all hours of the nights, banging and slamming things around, waking many in the process within and outside the home. But the last day, she made all the hands stay within their quarters, locking and barring the doors and windows, only to light it within and kill them and herself."

"She murdered them all?" Heather questioned.

Caroline nodded, "That is said. Some believe she fell into madness after his plight and you being removed, Laine. But the truth was the vials. They were stripped from her. She no longer had what she valued most and when it came forth to her, she forbid anyone to see her. Isabella was the last and she spoke of her face. That sores and marks riddled her once pristine face."

"Mirage." Heather muttered.

"What?" Laine piped in, "The Mirage was to help our Mistress."

"From what Xiao found within the contents, it was to help keep eternal beauty and vitality. But within it, if not taken directly, the effects would switch rapidly and age the body and mind tenfold."

"Would that be the reason she had her blood too?"

"Her blood?"

"Yes," Caroline spoke, "The Mistress would take her blood and ours for health tests but she took more from Laine than any other. One night, one of the past hands of the home as sworn to have seen her bathing in it or injecting it."

Heather hummed as she nodded, "It could be possible. There is more to this than I believed. You stated that she was considered a taboo but her beauty and such were unmatched, maybe she believed that if she did those things, she would gain eternal life and be viewed as the perfect human to all. A Mirage to the real world instead of what she was."

"How does any of this make sense to you both?" Laine asked, "I, for one, am lost to no accountable reasonings and yet you both speak about this world as ones that had lived it before."

"That, Laine, is because she did."

"What?" both her and Caroline said.

"Your accent, it has a small tinge to it. High northern, not the Canadian half of the north but very New England lands. Maine possibly."

"That is not possible, Heather, Caroline was born within and live upon the home all her life-"

"No, she's right."

"What?" Laine couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I was brought here, many years ago against my will but my family had sold me to those within. Home after home I made my way and finally found sanctuary in the Willingham manor. I learned from all my past mistakes and made sure those brought in would never make the same ones I did. Including you."

It wasn't possible. It just couldn't be. But the look on Caroline and the small nod from Heather said it all, it was true. Everything she believed in and knew within was a lie. Her world she was taught to believe was built on deceit. Laine wasn't sure what was right or wrong anymore, but the heart of it all, she just felt completely broken.

"Laine, I know it's hard to hear the truth, but you are out and free of it." Heather reminded her.

"Yes, something I believed would never happen for anyone. "Caroline added.

Gillen flashed in her mind, his stoic expressions yet his gentleness towards her as his magenta-red eyes seemed to always find her and read her before she could even speak to him. There were more positives outside the wall than within.

Caroline sighed, "I am truly grateful to see you alive, Laine. It brings my old heart good. Now, it would be best for you both to go. The lookouts are stronger than before."

Before she could say anymore, Caroline wrapped her in a hug, placing a gentle, motherly kiss to her head, "I am sorry for what has happened to you and what you have learned, but please see the good in what has happened and what is before you now. I love you, Laine."

Then, she was gone. Walking briskly down the way, turning out of sight before she could say anything to her. Her heart thrummed in her ears as her chest felt like it wanted to burst, her eyes burned and breath fell short. She didn't get a chance to thank her or speak her mind to the woman, to tell her how much she loved her as well and thanking her for saving her own life.

"Laine, it's alright." Heather rubbed her arm, "Look, we got a lot of information as it is. Let's head back to the building and sit with a cup of tea and scones?"

Letting a small pause pass, she nodded, her head full of questions as her heart hurt for what was now true, "Ok, we can go now. I would rather not come back again, unless absolutely necessary."

"I agree with you darling."

"Who are you two?" a new voice entered the gazebo.

Looking up, Laine was surprised to see another woman before them. Her features hidden under her rich green cloak as the royal blue dress gave her a mysterious yet elegant look.

"Apologies, we are from another home. We stopped briefly to speak with a hand of the hone of an upcoming joining." she tried to cover her tracks.

The woman eyed them, "If I am correct, your colors are of Willingham, and last I knew, they were deceased."

Dear God, they were caught. She wasn't sure what to do or say to protect them but Heather interjected before she had a chance.

"Irish."

"What?"

Heather stood between them, "Your brogue, it's Irish. My sister-in-law and you have the same dialect."

"Heather, what does that-"

"You're English. London, yes?"

Well, that wasn't what she thought would happen. The two looked at one another, realization donning on both as the woman pulled them both from the wooden structure, "Tell me how you got out? Or even why you came back here?"

"We came for answers, trying to understand the world of Haven. Well, more me than her but she got a different world of answers." Heather explained.

"If you got out, how did you get in?"

With a nod from Heather, they moved to the hidden door, the brush barely hiding the piece as the winter claimed its branches. She saw the woman sigh, relief seeming to run over her as if a new light had opened up on her, "Why were you brought here and how long have you been of your home?"

"Nearly two years. We had the same style of living over the waters, but not like this. This, well, this is more than service and such. This is darker." she said, "Once I was sold into the Covington home, I knew I had to get out one day. Just had to."

"Or what?" she questioned.

"Or die trying." was the reply.

Laine glanced to Heather, the same sparkle in her eye came her way as the day she offered her the home within the bakery. She couldn't leave her, there was so much that could be fixed and amended in those days, they had to get her out. But in releasing her, they had to get the others.

"Look, why not join us?" Heather asked, "We can help you get out of here."

The pause that hung in the air was almost too much, there was something there that wasn't spoken about, "I can't."

"Why not?"

"There are some that still need me. Until I know they are safe, I cannot."

Laine nodded to her, "I understand. But know we can help, just come out this door and follow the darkest alley. Tap the wall three times, then twice. They will help you then."

"Um, Laine, I hate to break the moment but look over there quick." Heather caught her.

Looking over to the gate that changed her world, she saw a few men standing around a dark vehicle. Slick and slender the machine was as someone seemed to speak with them all and make them laugh, but it was the voice that caught her off guard the most. Moving as best as she could to see, she tried to find it only for the flash of his knives to come into sight.

"Is it who I think it is?"

"Yes, it is Luciano." she replied to her as the other woman looked with them, "But why is he here?"

"He has been here a few times, many homes have graced him within. No true understanding but there is something about him that many find either deranged or brilliant. And most lean towards brilliants."

"You've seen him here? Anyone else?" Laine asked.

"No, just him."

Heather straightened herself up, "Right, it seems our little worlds got combined and with it, I have a proposition for you."

"Me?" the woman glared at her.

"Yes, you tell us whatever you can about his being here and if any others follow. What the homes do with him and whom all have had him as a guest." Heather explained, "And in return, we will help you get all the ones you want out of here safe and sound with the help of our own boys and girls, agree?"

She looked down to the ground for only a moment, just to look back at them and smile with a nod, "You have a deal."

"Good. We'll gather all we can, how long do you need to gather all you can?"

"A fortnight." Laine said, "It's enough time for all the homes to settle when someone new comes in and the hands have a moment to speak with other homes."

"I was about to say that, but yes, a fortnight will be perfect for me." she smiled.

"Good, then it's settled." Heather shook her hand, "By the way, who do we have the pleasure of working with?"

The woman shook her hand as well, pulling her hood back and showing her pale skin and dark, vibrant red hair, "I'm Faith."

Laine smiled at her, shaking her hand as she felt a new bond begin, "Welcome to our little world of fun."