The Beast.

The strength of a bull. The skin of a rhinoceros. The teeth of a crocodile. The fearlessness of a lion.

Dennis spoke of this man, this creature, with a kind of terrified revere. It reminded Lucy of a Christian foster family she'd once stayed with; though they spoke of their God with respect and love, she could always tell that they were just a little bit scared of what those seemingly endless powers could do if turned against them. It was strange to see this in Dennis, whom Lucy had always known to be pessimistic, somewhat bitter person. It was also a little chilling to think that such a thing as this Beast could take over as an alter in Kevin's body.

Such simple fears were thrown out the window however, when it was revealed what part Casey and the other girls played in this.

"What?!" Lucy exclaimed, standing off her bed in shock.

"Lucy -"

"No, don't 'Lucy' me! You're talking about killing those girls, Dennis! A-About eating them!"

Dennis shifted, crossing his arms. "...The unpure are unworthy. Tainted. They serve no purpose but as sacred food for the Beast." His words came out stiff, rehearsed.

"How can you say that?! E-Killing innocent people to avenge the broken, h-how is that right? How is that justice?"

"Lucy..." Dennis sighed and stepped forward, reaching for her. He froze when she flinched away.

"H-How are you any better than them? People who hurt for the sake of hurting are the bad guys, remember?"

"Lucy." He said her name with surprise, betrayal written all of his features.

"D-Don't, please." Her voice shook as tears gathered in her eyes. "I know, you're not like that, so I'm asking you. Don't do this."

Dennis stared at her. Sweet, brilliant, kind, Lucy Collins. The girl who's smile had pulled Kevin out of his shell. The girl who hadn't batted an eye upon learning of his existence. Who'd stood by their side, loved them. Treated each and every one of them like they were real people as though it were the simplest thing in the world.

She looked terrified of them now. Of him. He'd made the one person that he loved pull away from him in fear.

He didn't feel the pull on the light until Patrica had already taken it. Lucy recognized the change, but made no move forward. "You've nothing to fear, dear." Patrica assured her. "The Beast is coming to protect the broken. He'd never hurt you."

Lucy shook her head. "It's not me I'm scared for."

Patrica heaved a tragic sigh. "I'm sorry you don't understand. But you will. Until then, I'm afraid I can't have you interfering."

She opened and shut the door faster than lighting. She could hear Lucy banging on it in protest as she locked it behind her. "Trisha!" her name was shouted from the other side. "Trisha don't do this!"

"I'm sorry old friend."

"Trisha please! Trisha!"

Around the center of the underground hideout Kevin's alters called home there was an office set up with a very old computer. The computer did not connect to the internet, but it was were everyone stored their video journals. Folders with each of their names on the desktop screen held a few videos each; fewer for the alters that spent less time in the light.

In the bottom right corner however, there was a folder with a name that didn't match any of the people in Kevin's body. Lucy.

Only three of the alters and Kevin himself had actually known the girl before she'd been taken away, but they'd all heard the stories. A few had even been around to receive the letters she used to send from her various foster homes, consequentially learning more of this girl Kevin loved so much.

Patrica clicked on this folder after leaving Lucy in her room that night, scrolling through the messages everyone had left for her. Even for those she hadn't met, Lucy Collins had become something of a beacon of hope. It was nice to think that there was at least one person who cared about them, wherever she may be.

She clicked through a few. Jade talking about how much gossip she wished to share with Lucy. Hedwig showing the camera the new Mario Kart game he'd been saving to play with her. Even a more recent one, where Barry worried over the 'Horde' and wondered if having Lucy back would be able to tame them.

Scrolling through the alphabetical sorting, she finally found her own, dated over a year ago shortly after the Horde had taken over.

"Hello dear." Patrica smiled at the camera. "It's been quite a while, hasn't it. I'm afraid I've been out of the light for so long I hadn't even known the others were making these videos. I never knew they cared." the recording fiddled with the necklace she was wearing. "Barry even hid this away, once he dubbed himself in charge. The last trace we had of you, and he took that too when he banished us from the light. I don't know if Dennis told you, but he still can't find that bracelet you made him. The poor man. He won't say it, but I know how much that old thing means to him." she looked down at the silver charm around her neck, thumb stroking over the 'Batman' engraving. "You haven't met Barry, but he came not long after that social worker took you. He's read most of your letters, and I once thought he understood how important you are, but once the letters stopped coming I'm afraid he stopped listening." She sighed, eyes going back up to the webcam over the computer. "Seems a bit silly to be honest, talking to you when you aren't here. But I suppose it's like Dr. Fletcher says; we can't bottle up all the things we wish we could say to you. Since Barry has kept us from the light for so long, the good Doctor doesn't know how much you really mean to Kevin, but..." The recording shook her head. "Doesn't matter now I suppose. Therapy isn't important anymore. Not to say that you aren't important, because I want you to know that your are. You're the most important thing in the world to Kevin. And to me. But fate has higher plans for us. I can't say much here in case the others find this recording, but I hope you know that no matter where our destiny takes us, you will always be in our heart. Always."

The picture froze and the recording ended. Patrica sighed and fell backwards in the desk chair, slipping into a very unladylike slouch she would have scolded anyone else for.

Back then, that video had been her way of saying goodbye. Of course she had loved Lucy and of course she had wanted to see her again, but their destiny with the Beast had to take priority. Besides, it wasn't as though they had any idea where to begin looking for the blonde.

But now they'd found her. Now she was just down the hall, now it was no longer an idle thought to see her again.

Patrica should have been happy. She finally had everything she'd ever wanted. She should have been estatic!

So why did she feel so guilty?

She stared at the computer for a minute, contemplating making another video letter to Lucy before deciding against it. Saying things to the computer when the real thing was just down the hall just seemed cowardly.

Sighing, she stood and went towards the kitchen to make sandwiches for the unpure girls. She had to have faith, she told herself. She was the alter of faith after all.

As long as she stayed true to her faith, it would see her through.