The basement, 2:41 PM.

"Theresa! Atlanta! Are you guys alright?"

Theresa's eyes flickered open and she saw Jay and the others standing nervously at the door, looking worried.

"Jay! Don't come in! It's a-"

Too late. Jay ran in, with Odie, Herry and Neil trailing close behind. They had just made it into the room when Archie's whip wrapped around the trio's legs, pulling them down.

"Trap." Atlanta finished, sighing. "It's a trap."

"Gee, now you tell us." Herry grimaced, as he attempted to climb to his feet. Peisinoe chose that moment to come down the stairs, smiling.

"Now, now. We can't have you trying to escape, can we?" A few coils of unbreakable rope unraveled on cue, tying the newcomers tightly to the wall beside the girls."

"Comfy?" Peisinoe laughed, as Archie put his arm around her. "I suppose not. Ah, well. What can you do?"

"Archie, get us down!" Atlanta struggled to get the words out as the coils of rope that bound her to the stone wall tightened, making breathing nearly impossible. "Arch! Please! I need you to listen! I-" She was cut off, however, as the rope tightened once more. Her eyes widened with pain momentarily, only seconds before she fell unconscious.

Once again, Peisinoe laughed.

"Dear girl. He can't hear you. He is under my spell, now." Archie nodded, but did not speak.

"And now," Peisinoe continued, surveying her captives. "Archie will destroy you. One by one. It will only hurt for a moment, I promise you." Archie moved slowly towards Odie and prepared to strike, but Peisinoe shook her head.

"No. The girl first. Get the redhead." Theresa stiffened as Archie advanced on her, preparing herself for the final blow. But Archie turned just as he reached her, and his eyes rested on Atlanta.

The girl choked on her breaths, but did not stir as Archie raised his whip. The others begged and pleaded, but Archie did not listen. He brought down the whip, fast and hard. Atlanta awoke, uttering a silent scream as the wire made contact with her skin. The rope released its hold as she fell to the ground, blood pouring from fresh wounds. Everyone gasped. Theresa shut her eyes, unable to look at her fallen friend.

"You monster!" She screamed, through clenched teeth. "What have you done? You idiot! You-"

"You love her." Odie sighed, tears stinging behind his eyelids. "I thought you cared. You blew it, Archie. For everyone. I hope that you're happy. Not."

Deep inside Archie, something stirred. A string tugged at his conscience, trying to break through Peisinoe's spell. He looked down at Atlanta, lying sprawled across the stone floor in pools of red. The force inside strengthened, tightened…Archie felt a sharp pain in his chest, but the feeling quickly passed. The spell was broken.

"Atlanta…?" Archie looked around, confused. "Who…What…I remember…Oh, gods. No. I didn't. No." He looked once again at Atlanta. Her breathing was now shallow, and barely audible. She showed no signs of movement.

"NO!" Archie flung himself down beside Atlanta, grabbing her roughly and hugging her to his chest. A small tear rolled down his cheek. Then another. And another. A trickle of tears turned to a steady stream, then a fast moving river that fell to the ground and mingled with Atlanta's blood.

All that Archie to do was cry as he watched the closest thing to a friend he had ever had slowly slip away.

He didn't even notice as Hera rushed down the steps towards Peisinoe.

She was angry.