Shout outs:

Mark C: You'll see who Tessa really works for soon, who she works for knows of Xavier but have nothing directly related to them. You can read more about Vince in Enter Mayhem that I wrote.

Lil Jean: Nope it's not good at all, and there will be a few people learning things.

Episodic: You're right about Tessa, but there's no planes for Mystique in this fic.

Fantasy Loremaster: When the X-men go to the rescue they will meet the others, and Shaw will get his ass kicked and near the end he will really get it. Don't worry the rescue is a few chapters away so just wait.

Loganson: Boy that Viper comment is ironic but you'll see later why. GS hero? Technically he didn't beat Project Prodigy, he just got lucky. You can't beat three years of hell. Plus you forget a photographic memory causes him to relive things like they just happened in perfect detail. There will be a 'Dark Phoenix' moment but not the actual Phoenix force. Plus, I wanted to keep all of them intact physically. Besides you need someone to talk, what if they needed to say something important? Just let it go already since the worse is about over.

IvyZoe: More like her attitude but keep in mind this isn't the 'real' Rogue. Jean isn't far behind and trust me Emma and Betsy are being saved for last.

X2P3: Rogue is about eighteen and a half or so. Actually there is a red color but I added the green just to made an even number.

Chica De Los Ojos Café: Don't worry she'll face off against them.

Aaron: Trust me it will all work out, and you might be surprised by a few things that happen.

The Uncanny R-Man: Glad you liked it and that you got surprised I like to do that to the readers.

coldqueen: Yeah I know, but I really didn't see any of those colors fitting her so I decided to use some artistic license if you want I'll have Shaw explain that bit if it will help, plus info on the Hellfire Club was hard to find, that and green knight sounds better then white knight I mean that last one sounds misleading to me.

Thanks to: X0001, fudje, Wen1

CHAPTER 13: INFORMATION

-Xavier Institute-

Gambit had been sick of staying in the infirmary. It had been nearly two weeks since the attack that put him there and things were not going well. They had no real leads and he was going out of his mind. His stitches were healing well enough and the pain wasn't as bad, but the doc kept telling him to take it easy. He was healing well, but staying in that damn bed was just too much.

So far, Gambit managed to go for a little walk now and then although sometimes he had to sit down and rest. The others mainly stayed clear of him. He couldn't really blame them since, unlike Piotr, he had still been with Magneto for months up until he left and he didn't exactly make the best impressions on them.

But they weren't hassling him either. They had too much on their mind to think of him anyways. Truth be told, he too had much on his mind. So far, the Professor kept coming up empty in his search for his missing students, but all that time in the infirmary got him thinking…Those mercenaries had some pretty advanced and state of the art hardware. Stuff like that made a group stand out and he was sure that if you found them, you would find the ones behind this.

From his old Guild days, he knew of a few people who might help out in that regard. The good news was that the closest was in New York, but the bad news was that his bike was long gone as far as he knew and he had no way of getting there. There was just one option left, but he figured that the Professor was a reasonable man and would see this as their only chance.

He got up from his bed and put on a dark shirt on to cover up the stitches and bandages on his lower torso. He knew that Hank would say something about him being careful, but he was busy luckily and silently walked out. He moved through the lower levels to where the Cerebro room was. Or at least from the blueprints Magneto had him and the others study that he somehow got. Luckily, school was in session so he didn't run into Kurt.

Sure the young man was worried about his sister and had questioned him to no end, but even though he had spent the last few days giving Gambit some space, he didn't look forward to meeting him. He came to a circular door with an X on it and looked for a button or something. He found a keypad, but didn't know the code.

'Can I help you Gambit?' Xavier's voice said in his head.

'Ah…Oui, Remy has an idea on how to find de others,' he thought back to him.

After a moment, the doors opened and a tired looking Professor Xavier came out. "And you waited this long to tell me?" he said slightly annoyed.

"Gambit has to do d'is himself. Even if Remy did tell you, you wouldn't get any info.," Remy told him truthfully, "Dere is someone in New York dat might know something about dose cyborgs. But he only knows Remy and since you got nothing so far, Remy figures he might find out something."

Xavier thought about this. "We could use any information you can find, but I'm reluctant to let you left in your condition. I would like some of the others to go with you."

"Dat…Might not be entirely a good thing…A large group will make us more noticeable to de wrong crowd…Remy t'inks dat maybe just Logan should go. Remy t'inks dat he can blend right in."

Xavier considered it. He knew that Logan as of lately had been having some personal issues, so maybe this was something that Logan could focus on and he was the best in combat if things went wrong. "Alright…I'll inform Logan."

-Hellfire Club-

Selene was in Shaw's office going over the details she had taken down of Vincent's confessions. So far, they were putting things into different piles. People's names that they would try to find in order to see what they could learn from them along with the chemicals he remembered them talking about or that he saw were also being put into another pile so they would have the things they needed.

Tessa was also in the room and she was doing the most work since that was her job, but Shaw and Selene mainly just ignored her as usual.

"So do you think that whatever these scientist did to these kids can be reproduced?" Selene asked him.

"Possibly…But I'm told the boy's DNA was enhanced and so were his powers. Just imagine the possibilities if we could increase our own abilities."

"It was also a painful process," Selene reminded him.

Shaw got an amused look on his face. "What? The Black Queen afraid of pain?"

She glared at him. "No, I'm just stating a fact. Besides, nothing good comes easily."

"True," He nodded to her point. "But then again, we will have all the information without all the trail and error that they had to go through."

They continued working for a bit when Selene had to ask him something else that had been on her mind. "I've been thinking…Why green? Why not red, white, or black for the new girl?"

Shaw shrugged. "Well black is out, white is a bit misleading, and red might have worked, but you see I've been thinking of making a new green cast. I mean, three is such an odd number and red should have a counter part." He leaned back in his chair. "Besides, when I make myself the Black Emperor, I plan for the green members of the Club will be my own personal cast."

Selene simply nodded. She had been wondering what he had been up to making a new color cast. Of course, that was if he lived long enough to take control over the other Houses. That was the thing about living in the Hellfire Club, assassination went with the territory and she wondered if she would get her chance or if someone else get to him first.

It didn't really matter anyway. One day he would be dead like all mortals and being immortal herself, she could wait for him to make a mistake or simply become complacent.

-Xavier Institute – Kitchen -

While other students throughout the institute continued to awaken, Kitty had tried to go about her normal Saturday morning routine even though her mind was still reeling from seeing Wanda with Kurt in his bed. Part of her couldn't stop smiling while another part of her remained in shock. Kitty had known Kurt since her arrival and he had always been a good friend, but after the whole breakup ordeal with Amanda she never expected him to find something in Wanda. Okay, so they had become pretty close since she moved in, but she attributed that to the things they had in common regarding their parents and their respective lives. But did this mean it had grown deeper? Kitty knew she couldn't determine that on her own, so being the gossip girl she was, she ended up telling the first person she saw…Which just happened to be Piotr.

"Katya…Are you sure of what you saw?" said Piotr, not believing his ears upon hearing what Kitty said she had seen in Kurt's room, "It's not that I think you're lying, but…Kurt and Wanda?"

Kitty actually had to think about it for a moment again, still trying to recover from the shock over what she saw in Kurt's room…But she knew what she saw.

"I know Petey…I'm as surprised as you," she said, taking note of the stunned look on his face, "But I don't think I was hallucinating. I'm pretty sure that Wanda was in Kurt's bed. And the way they were laying next to each other…All cuddled up and such…It's, like, unbelievable!"

Colossus didn't know what to make of this strange new development. Sure he hadn't been at the instituted as long as Kitty, but he knew Kurt and Wanda well enough and could see that they shared a friendship. He simply never would have guessed it would have gone beyond just that, especially after Amanda. It was still a bit soon to judge, but it seemed as though Kitty had already assumed.

"We totally have to tell the others!" said Kitty in her usual upbeat valley girl tone.

"Uh…Perhaps you should restrain yourself until you know all the facts first Katya," said the Russian, trying to hold the eager young girl back.

"Come on Petey!" said Kitty with a grin, "Don't tell me you doubt what I saw!"

"No…It's not that," said Piotr quickly, "It's just that…Perhaps you should find out for sure before you go spreading the rumor. Did you not tell me of all the trouble you got into when you did the same to Scott and Jean?"

"Hey, those two were so lovey dovey around each other they were asking for it," justified Kitty, remembering how she and the others, namely Kurt, would sometimes tease Scott and Jean about the way they acted around each other when they were still at the institute, "Besides, I think I know the signs."

"Oh do you now?" smirked Piotr, crocking his brow slightly at Kitty's somewhat humorous stance.

"Fine…You want proof? I'll go talk to Kurt myself!"

And before he could even respond, she was already gone. Seeing this made Piotr laugh even more. Kitty was among the most animated girls at the institute and the most interesting girls he personally had ever met. Even in troubled times, she had an aura to her that seemed upbeat and hopeful. It was something that he couldn't help but admire, and as for Kurt…He hoped for the best in this new development and believed that he and Wanda may indeed have something, but only time would tell for sure.

As Kitty scoured the upstairs and checked Kurt's room again, he saw that the door was open and the bed was empty. Looking over at the clock, it looked about the usual time for him to awake. Not at all finding herself dissuaded, she tried the other side of the hall for Wanda, but discovered that she was already in the shower. Besides, she knew as well as everybody that it was not a good idea to confront and pressure somebody with her temper since it was unclear how she would react to her confrontation.

Kitty kept at it and went back towards the other side near Kurt's room. Finally, she saw him walking down the hall back towards his room. He looked a little different than he had yesterday. The dark circles under his eyes had lessened slightly and he didn't look in as deep a gloom as before. It only helped Kitty feel that she was all the more justified in her assumptions as she confronted her blue fuzzy friend.

"Kurt! Wait up! Can I talk to you about something?" said Kitty, running over to him before he could get away and lock himself into his room.

"Uh…Sure Kitty," said Kurt, feeling somewhat nervous about her overly peppy tone for some reason.

"So…" she said simply, with a mischievous grin on her face.

"So…" he repeated, not knowing what she meant.

Kitty had a feeling he would have gone the denial route. Scott and Jean had done the same, but this seemed no different to her as she pressed on.

"It looks like you finally got some sleep last night," she said, looking at the area where the dark circles under his eyes usually dominated since Jean and Rogue's abduction.

"Um…Yeah, I did," said Kurt, still not seeing what she was trying to imply.

"Well…How did you do it? I know you were really out of it yesterday…Hell, you've been out of it ever since Rogue disappeared. I'm glad that you finally got some rest but…How did you do it?"

"I…Uh…" stuttered Kurt, not knowing how to respond, but Kitty gave him very little time to even contemplate before she began talking again.

"Did you get help from something…Or maybe, someone?" she grinned.

Now Kurt really didn't like where this was going. How could she know? Were they not careful enough? Kurt immediately felt the blood rush to his face, causing it to turn a funny purple color that only made Kitty further believe in what she thought.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" he said quickly, turning away and trying to retreat back into his room.

However, Kitty being the person she was followed him, phasing right through the door as he tried to close it behind him.

"Oh…Then how? And what's with the nervousness? You sound like me when I'm about to take a calc test," commented Kitty, further pushing Kurt to let her know.

"Look I…Took a sleeping pill that the Professor gave me. It helped me rest…End of story," said Kurt quickly, saying the most logical thing that came to mind.

"Oh…So it wouldn't have anything to do with Wanda now would it?" grinned Kitty.

"Vhat?!" said Kurt rather loudly, in a tone that most likely would have woken anybody with a room next to him if they weren't already up, "Vhy vould it have anything to do vith Vanda?"

"Well…" said Kitty trailing off slightly, weary of telling him that she walked in on them both in bed together, "I've just noticed you two getting a little close lately. I just thought…"

"There's nothing to think Kitty!" Kurt interrupted before she could finish, "Vanda is my friend! That's all. She has helped me, yes, but…"

Kurt then trailed off, not knowing how to end his train of thought. But Kitty still had a non-believing look on her face. She could see Kurt's growing nervousness, further making it seem as though there was more than he was willing to tell.

"But what?" she asked, not satisfied with his answer.

"Nothing…It's just…" said Kurt, still stammering and getting obviously frustrated, "Vhat makes you think it has anything to do with Wanda?!"

Kitty bit her lip, wondering if she should tell him. She had a feeling that he may not be to happy about it, but it was obvious that nothing else would change his denial.

"Well…I kinda…Saw you two…Together…In bed," she said nervously, "But with your clothes on!"

"VHAT?!" said Kurt, feeling himself blush once again and obviously looking quite mortified and angry.

"I was just coming to get a towel!" she quickly said, trying to justify her intrusion, "It was early…I was groggy…I walked through the door and, like, saw you two. I'm sorry but…I just can't erase what I saw."

Kurt gritted his teeth, feeling both angry and embarrassed. Last night was a very hard time for him and Wanda had helped him through it. But what Kitty was implying…It was just too much to think about and Kurt quickly grew defensive.

"Kitty! Nothing happened! You saw nothing!" he shouted, "I vas having nightmares! She helped me! End of story! There's nothing else! There's nothing more to discuss! Now please…Leave!"

Kitty, feeling a bit shocked and overwhelmed by Kurt's forceful tone did not argue with him and slowly backed away.

"Okay…Okay Kurt. I'm going…" said Kitty, holding up her hands in defense.

And before Kurt could say anything else…She left, yet feeling that she had only confirmed what she had suspected judging by his reaction. Yet it was obvious that he still needed to make sense out of it. He sounded very unlike himself…Very confused and dazed about it all. Part of her was worried for him, but like with all things relating to this subject…It was something he would have to do on his own.

Once Kitty was gone, Kurt felt a twinge of guilt upon being so forceful with Kitty. Normally, he would never raise his voice to anyone…But after she said that she had seen Wanda in his bed with him, something just triggered that response. It was not something he ever would have expected of himself, yet it had happened. The mere mention of his friendship with Wanda being more than…Well, friendship…Just triggered something within him that evoked such a quick response. He didn't know what it meant. He never had to think this hard about a friendship before even if Wanda was one of the closest friends he had. But that only confused him more. He had Rogue to worry about, now this. And being that it was Kitty, most of the mansion would probably know by the afternoon if not sooner.

But that wasn't what concerned him at the moment…What did concern him was what Kitty had implied about him and Wanda. Sure he had denied that they were anything more than just good friends, but…Part of him still felt strange about saying that. It was almost as if it was more denial than justification. But if it was denial…Then what did that mean? What could it mean for him and Wanda? No answers came as he pondered the questions and soon found himself collapse on his bed, burying his face in his pillow.

"Agh…Now I know how Scott feels…" he groaned as he wondered what would happen next as a result of this dramatic turn of events.

-New York-

If Gambit could pick one word to describe the one-hour trip to New York, it would be quiet. Logan hadn't said a single word and Gambit had gotten bored in the X-Van since there was no way he could hold on for the entire trip with his injuries. So here he was sitting next to Logan who had been giving him the silent treatment. Gambit tried to start up some kind of conversation, but Logan just ignored it.

"You know, you were better company on dat mountain with Sabretooth," Gambit muttered to himself crossing his arms and looking out the window.

Logan on the other hand was too busy thinking about other things. He agreed to this for several reasons…First was to find any information on who had attacked their friends, secondly was for him to think about some more personal matters. So far he knew that he needed to make things right with Ororo, but he still didn't quite know how. He also needed to focus on something else other then those buried memories of that Yuriko woman. He had another dream of her and he was sure it was someone that he had been close to…Hell, from a few of the memories that he saw of him and her in bed together, it was a pretty safe bet that they were pretty close.

But who was she? And why was that scent causing this? Was it her scent, could this woman be a part of this, or was it just the smell of cherry blossoms that caused it? He wasn't sure, but he was thankful that the Cajun had finally shut up. With the way he was going on and on, he was tempted to kick him out of the van while moving.

Of course, as they hit the city he knew the blissful silence was gone now. He had to ask for directions, but Gambit seemed to be a bit more serious now and gave out the directions and that was it. After some time they found themselves near one of the docks on the Hudson and Gambit told him to park outside a shady looking bar. The place was a little run down, bars on the windows, graffiti everywhere, and loud music could be heard along shouts and other loud noises. His nose was assaulted by the stench of beer, blood, and enough testosterone to choke a horse.

He couldn't help but grin at the place…Now he knew why Gambit asked that he come. He had been in places like this before and knew the score and the things you do and don't do. They both went up to a re-enforced steel door. Gambit buzzed with a small button next to it and a slot opened up. "Kiss my hairy ass," Gambit said and Logan was about to ask him what the hell he was thinking when the door opened. Gambit looked smugly at Logan. "Dat's de password."

Logan just shook his head as they walked into the place that had a thick layer of smoke and a couple of fights in progress. Logan also noticed the very large man with a crowbar that had been behind the door.

"Hey Tiny, how's business?" Gambit asked the large man.

"About the same." Then Tiny looked over to where a chair was suddenly broken. "HEY! You break it I break your damn skull!"

"Tiny," Gambit said to get his attention, "Gambit needs to talk to Harry." Tiny nodded and raised a hand in a gestured to someone in the back. Logan couldn't see, but then he saw Tiny nod.

"Alright go right in," Tiny said. They made their way through the crowd of drunks, brawlers, and those that were both to a back door where someone with a shaved head and a baseball bat let them in.

"Nice place here Cajun," Logan commented to him.

Gambit just shrugged. "Hey, when you work for de Thief's Guild you meet a lot of interesting people."

They walked down a grimy hallway to a door and opened it and Logan saw an office that was in one hell of a mess. Papers were everywhere, the smell of take out was all over the place, and behind the desk was an overweight man with an open shirt and a very hairy chest with gold chains and rings on every finger and greased back hair.

"Gambit…Long time, no see," Harry said extending his arms and smiling. "For two years…You never call, you never write, and now you just walk on in. I heard you weren't part of the Guild anymore too."

Gambit smiled and nodded. "Oui, Gambit needed a new career change."

"So who's the guy behind you that looks like he wants to kick the ass of everyone he sees?"

"A friend…Sort of."

"Well it's good to see you even after that nasty business with that broad you had back home too I heard," Harry laughed and Logan noticed Gambit winced and wondered what this was about, but decided to leave that for later. "So what can I help ya with, since I doubt this is a personal visit."

Gambit nodded and got very serious. "A couple of people were taken and one of dem was…Close to Remy."

Harry nodded his head. "Local muscle?"

Remy shook his head. "Doubt dat, dey had cybernetics and one of dem was a woman with huge claw-like hands."

Harry leaned back and thought about that. "They ain't local boys, that's for sure. Sounds like some kind of special mercenary types. Guys like that stick out. I could ask around for ya, I owe ya for that little thing the last time you were here."

"Much appreciated," Gambit told him.

Logan came forward. "Let me ask you somethin' bub…You know anything about the Hellfire Club?"

Harry's face fell and paled. "Get out…"

"Harry what-" Gambit tried to ask him.

"I said get out!" Harry said frantically and tried to get up, but Logan took out his claws and forced him to sit down. "Look guys…You don't understand…They got eyes and ears everywhere! I mean, they most likely know you're here already if you got beef with them," Harry said sweating.

"Who are dey? Gambit never heard of dem before."

"You wouldn't," Harry told him flatly. "The only business they had in New Orleans was with the Assassins, not the Thieves. Look guys, there are only two people you don't mess with…The Kingpin and the Hellfire Club."

"Now Kingpin Gambit has heard of," Remy said remembering how most of the criminal element knew of the Kingpin of Crime. He had never met the man, but he had heard the stories.

"Yeah, well they're the only ones that can match him for power and wealth and fear. I mean, no one talks about them…Only what they can or have done, which isn't much, but it's damn impressive."

"Like what?" Logan asked.

"The cold war for starters."

"They ended it?!"

"Hell no, they started it!" Harry said.

"Look, you tell me what you know or else!" Logan threatened and moved the claws closer to his face.

Harry just laughed. "Go ahead, if I don't talk you might kill me, but if I do then I'll be dead and then the rest of my family will be dead within twenty-four hours…So do your worst!"

Logan growled, but Gambit pulled his arm back. "We won't ask anymore, only tell us dis…Could dey have hired these mercenaries and if dey did, den what would have happened to de ones taken?"

Harry thought about it. "Alright look, I owe you a big favor and I always repay my depts, but if I answer this you leave and never come back, ya hear Gambit? If you're mixed up with the Hellfire Club, then I don't want to be in the crossfire."

Gambit nodded his head.

"Okay, they do have the resources for that and I'll look up these cyborgs and drop off the info in the usual spot for ya…But about your friends…If the Hellfire Club did take them…You won't see them again, at least not alive." Harry wiped the sweat off his brow. "Now please leave! I can't afford for you guys to stay here any longer then you have to be."

"Alright…Thanks," Gambit told him and left. Logan stood there a second contemplating trying to get more info out of the guy, but figured that would cause a lot of commotion and with Gambit injured he would be a liability. He just let out a frustrated growl and walked out.

-Hellfire Club-

It had finally happened…One of them had broke. Whatever hope Emma, Vince, Jean, and Betsy had clung to since their arrival had pretty much gone out the window once they found out that Rogue had crossed over and given into the Hellfire Club. After being mentally tortured, raped, and brutalized in such an inhuman manner…One could hardly blame her. But it did not change the fact that Rogue was now working with them.

Morale was at a truly devastating low for all of them now. Jean's condition had taken a turn for the worse and it was only a short matter of time before she gave in as well. Betsey was trying her best to keep Jean's mind in the here and now but Jean just seemed to space out now and then lost in her own world. And with Rogue and Jean's powers at their disposal, the Inner Circle would have all the more power to break the rest of them as well.

Emma Frost had held out for so long against these truly evil people. She had endured rough treatment from Shaw, incessant mental assault from Jason, brutal torture from Selene for 3 days and she too had been raped during one of those days. Yet through that, she had managed to stay strong and not let herself be broken. Her will had always been one of strength and perseverance after a lifetime of pain and misfortune…But that was faltering now as she looked at the other girls in the room and the wounded Vincent as he lay in the cold on the only side that he could comfortably, on the hard bed recovering from his latest round of physical beatings.

His body was wrapped up in several places over cuts and burns. The burns would heal in time, but the physical and mental scars would remain with him for the rest of his life. Not to mention even more nightmares that would plague him like the nightmares of his past that had always haunted him since childhood.

After they had got the information out of him, he had been spared any more torture until they thought it was necessary and they needed to go over everything. Soon, Jean would be theirs and then with her powers it would be easier to 'alter' their perceptions enough for them to work for the Hellfire Club.

Emma was now sitting beside Vincent on his bed…Praying that something would happen…Some miracle would save them from a fate worse than death. But no matter how hard she prayed…Her pleas went unanswered and unheard. Her gaze soon shifted towards the pained expression on Vincent's face. He was obviously still reeling from the physical and the psychological impact of recalling so many painful memories and for nearly two weeks of physical and mental torture. It was so hard for her to look at…Because in seeing such torment she couldn't help but feel responsible for him having to go through all that again. It was because of her…It was because she had spoken out that he had told them everything. She remembered how he endured so much brutal torture…Yet how it took only the threat of harm upon her that finally broke him. He remembered…Because of her. They now knew what they knew…All because of her.

"Vincent…" she whispered as she ran her soft hands down the length of his scarred face, "I'm so sorry. It…It's all my fault! I should have never…I should have just…"

But she couldn't finish. Emma Frost was never one to easily show emotion…But when she saw the look on his face and remembered what he had revealed to her about how hard a life he had truly lived, she couldn't take it anymore. Tears began falling from her face as she gently gripped his hand. She couldn't believe she was actually crying, she hadn't cried since her time in that mental asylum. She tried to put her emotions away deep inside her but seeing him give up everything he had fought so hard for, for someone he didn't even really know, for her…

"Please forgive me…" she said weakly, unable to fight her sobs.

Then…Through the pain, Vincent managed respond. He may not have had the strength to sleep, but he could still listen. He could take all the physical pain from Selene, but he couldn't take hearing Emma cry.

"You've done nothing…That you need to apologize for," he struggled as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, taking comfort in her soft touch.

"But…If I hadn't been there I…"

"She wasn't going to stop anyway…" said Vincent as he cut her off, unwilling to let her fall deeper into despair, "She probably would have found out one way or another. If anything…I should be thanking you."

Emma looked back at the injured young man not seeing how he could think such things in his pained state.

"Thanking me? For what?"

"For caring…" he answered softly.

Emma didn't know how to respond. Despite everything he had been through…His heart still showed through it all and he didn't blame her. Her grip on his hand only grew tighter as if Vincent were her last gasp of strength because she knew that time was running out for all of them.

"Vincent…I just…" she struggled, wishing he knew the right words to say to him in this dark hour.

"It's okay Emma…It's going to be okay…" said Vincent, trying to reassure himself just as much as he was trying to reassure her.

Even in such dark times…The young man still clung to the slightest grasp of hope even though to Emma, all was lost. He had by all means lived a life every bit as hard, if not harder, as hers and he understood how it felt to have everything taken away and be stripped of all things human. It only made her cling to his hand tighter as she attempted to fight her tears and stay strong. Through his pain…Vincent managed squeeze back even though his strength to keep going was quickly fleeting him. Even if he was going to break…He wouldn't do it without a fight. But Emma helped him hold onto something…And he helped her in the same way. But even this strength alone would not be enough to stop the Inner Circle from winning. Emma knew that all too well as she looked at Vincent and everybody else suffering under their torture.

"We're all going to die here…In the worst possible ways. Our bodies and minds will be kept alive…But our souls will be dead. It's only a matter of time now…And there will be no turning back." She wiped her tears, ashamed to show such weakness. "I can't believe I'm crying."

"We all cry at times," he said gently.

"Not you…"

"Actually I do…Almost every night and of course during those little 'sessions' with Selene."

"I…Never noticed," she admitted.

"Well I didn't want anyone to know," He said softly. "You're not the only one that doesn't like to show weakness." It was the truth, for he was weak once and he hated being weak and showing it. The last time he had been weak, he had lost everything that mattered to a person and he vowed to never be weak again, but it was hard. There were so many times he just wanted to give up, but he refused to. He had been battered, scared, burned, cut, and demeaned. He even had lost control his bladder a few times unfortunately from certain things like the electrocutions.

He was hosed off a few times and he just wanted it to end. He even thought about biting his own tongue off, but then what of the others? He couldn't leave them alone in all of this. So he endured…He didn't want to, but he had to stay strong. He saw Emma and she most likely thought of him as some noble, honorable person. Well he tried to be that, but he had wondered that if she knew the full truth…That if she knew the shame he carried around within himself…Then would she see him in the same light?

Even though it hadn't been his fault, he still blamed himself and carried the pain of it. But he pushed that aside. He needed to clear his head and rest up. Soon they would come for the rest of them and he wanted to be as ready as possible. He wasn't going to let them twist his mind…He would rather die with his honor then serve them and hopefully the others could use it to get out.

Now all they could do was wait…And hope…

NEXT UP CHAPTER 14: TURING POINTS