The incessant humming of machinery awoke Vixen and she groaned, "Big brother! Quit humming, I'm trying to sleep!" She tried to rub her eyes, but for some reason hands wouldn't move.

She opened her eyes and saw that she was suspended in the air. She had on some kind of harness on, with her hands duct-taped out to her sides, and had many pointy objects surrounding her. She was in a basement of some sort, a single flickering bulb lighting the place.

"Good, you're awake," a voice in the shadows called. The voice stepped out in front of her and Vixen just stared down at Johnny, her eyes resembling dolls' eyes. "Why are people so…unpleasant?" He asked, turning his back to her.

"I think it's because they're insecure about themselves, so they have to be mean to other people to heighten their own social status. You know, to make them look like Mr. Tough Guy." She answered simply, unafraid.

"But what about if you kick somebody's ass for no reason whatsoever, when nobody's around?" He looked over his shoulder and glared at her, but she still looked at him like a lifeless doll, her eyes piercing his very soul, which made Johnny have mixed emotions at that moment.

"Do they do it just for their own sick, twisted pleasure?!" "Sometimes they do it for defense mechanisms. If you're in danger, you have to protect yourself." "I DON'T think flipping out of your goddamn fucking mind is defense!!"

Vixen hung her head in shame. "I'm sorry about that, but you looked like someone who…uh…nothing. You just looked like somebody alright?" Johnny scratched his chin thoughtfully for a moment, then turning to her once more.

"Who did I look like?" She was mildly surprised at the softness of his voice and bit her lip. "I…" she glanced at him, then lowered her head again, trying to keep her face hidden. "…I'll tell you, but don't freak out okay?" "I can't promise that,"

She took a deep breath and sighed, "I while back, I got gang-raped by five guys. Every one of them took a shot at me, one big guy nearly ripping me in two. The leader looked a lot like you. He took a pipe and tore out my eye, so now I have a glass one."

Johnny just stared at her in shock. How could anyone do that?! It was so low! Not to mention disgusting. "I honestly don't know what to say," Was all he said as Vixen tried to swallow the aching lump in her throat. "I'm surprised I didn't get pregnant. I was in pain for weeks,"

Her eyes were downcast as she watched her tears fall to the floor. "I envy you Johnny, you can't remember your past. You don't have to live with shame or guilt, only anger and sadness," "Stop it!" He yelled, plugging his ears and stamping the floor. "SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!"

He stopped and uttered darkly, "I scrounged around in that junk pile that used to be my home, and found one of my torture items. I reconnected the wires and everything, and now here we are, in Squee's basement with you in my contraption. Do you like it?"

"I'm in pain."

"Good, stay that way. People like you need to endure the pain that I have felt before. Oh, so many times before…"

"I agree,"

"Don't try to--! Wha?" He was confused now. He thought she would protest, and kick and scream and cry and beg to be released. What the hell was going on? "You're not acting the way you're supposed! Act scared dammit!!"

"Why should I? I have nothing left to live for anyway." She retorted, raised her eyes to look at him, but now her eyes were soft and subtle. He turned away, he couldn't stand to look into her eyes when they full of emotion and innocence.

No! Her innocence has passed! Now she has become like all the others! "Fook! I am the eradicator of your kind! You're a person and—"

"SO ARE YOU!!!" She barked, jerking her body forward. "You are no different from me! You see humans as preprogrammed robots, yet we're made of flesh and blood! Just like everybody else! We think and act on our own Johnny!"

Her whole body was starting to shake as she continued her fervent speech, "You think you're doing a good thing by killing your own kind, but you're not! Two wrongs don't make a right! You're no better than they are!"

"Shut up! Save your words for another da-ay!!!" His voice was slightly scratchy as he dragged his nails down the wall, trying to block her out. He grabbed the lever on the wall and stared at her, "This is the part I enjoy the most,"

"Okay, but I must warn you, I'm a jinx around machinery." He ignored her and pulled the lever as Vixen took a deep breath, ready to be impaled by all the sharp objects facing toward her.

Nothing happened.

Johnny was dumbfounded as he looked at her, then back at the lever. He tried several more times, but every time he failed. "Told ya." She smirked, even though she was probably going to pay for it. He stomped over to her and muttered, "I'll do it manually,"

He stopped in front of her, "I do feel for you, being attacked and all, but I'm afraid I must kill you," He wrapped his hands around her neck and squeezed, cutting off her oxygen supply. She had trouble breathing and her head felt like it was going to explode.

Just as she was about to close her eyes, the door at the top of the stairs flew open and Johnny stopped squeezing, though he still kept his hands in place. Tiny footsteps were heard as the person climbed down the stairs.

The person reached the bottom and padded over to him. It was Squee, and looked like he was going to cry. "Hello Squeegee, something wrong?" Johnny asked casually, stepping away from Vixen. "Please don't hurt her Johnny, she's nice!"

He wailed, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, causing Johnny to feel a twinge of guilt inside him. He sighed heavily and cut Vixen free, not wanting to see Squee upset. He rushed to her and wanted to help her up, but he was way too small.

She sat up and laughed nonchalantly, grabbing Squee and twirling around with him. "Ahaha! Thanks Squee!" He tossed him up in the air and caught him, even though he didn't like it, he didn't want to spoil her good mood and laughed meekly.

She hugged him tightly, then looked over at Johnny. "Come on Johnny, group hug!" he begrudgingly concurred and loosely hugged them. "Hey Squee, ya wanna go get some ice cream or something?" She asked, but he shook his head.

"It's three A.M.," "The 24/7 is open," Johnny intervened, getting their attention, "What do ya say Squee?" He smiled a little and nodded, and trio left.

I think Squee is the cutest little thing!! I lurve his eyes ^^ Just to let you know, this is the next to the last chapter! o.o!!