"Don't worry, it won't hurt.'

It was a lie; it always was a lie.

No matter what the faceless doctors with their white masks claimed time and time again, the needles always hurt. Just like the stethoscopes that they pressed to her heart and the ointment that they rubbed into the skin was always cold. Just like how chair's restraints were always tight and the lights above the table were always too bright.

Just like how she was always tired after the 'procedures.'

Strange as it sounds, Eri always hated the afterward most of all. She'd be tired and listless, her arms and legs would ache. The doctors would pull out the tubes and she'd feel them tug against the inside of her skin. They'd bandage her -usually without much care- and give her a bottle of juice -apple was her favorite, Eri typically got that every fifth day- before being dragged back to the cot in her room. All while Overhaul lurked nearby and watched.

Eri couldn't see if he was smiling while she was hurt but she was sure the man liked seeing her in pain. It was the way Overhaul's eyes always seemed to shine when she screamed which made her sure.

Eri didn't scream anymore, no matter how much it hurt; she refused to give them the satisfaction.

"You've been a very bad girl," Overhaul hissed, grabbing her by the chin and force Eri to look up at him. "I feed you, I give you toys, and I make sure no one else hurts you but you still insist on being a bad girl. You ran from me again and now people are going to die, they are going to die and it will be your fault again. Do you understand? I'm going to kill Deku and Luffy and it is going to be your fault because you are a very bad girl."

"No," she whimpered. Eri was free now, Overhaul couldn't get to her. He couldn't use her blood to hurt anyone anymore. "They're strong, they beat you before and they can beat you again. They wouldn't let you hurt me again, not me or anyone else."

Fingernails dug into her chin until they drew blood, "You want to believe that, don't you? Oh, but you know it's not true. You'll get them killed because that is what always happens. I warned you what would happen if you ran and now people will die because of you, just like your father."

The was a sharp, burning paining and Eri's arms were sliced open, her blood -the thing that made her 'precious' to everyone in the first place- began pouring out everywhere.

"You're cursed, you wicked little girl, and you allow will be."

Eri bolted up in bed and barely managed to choke back her scream. Grabbing at her clammy arms and wrist, she reassured herself that there was no blood. Next, she rubbed her own face -no blood, no nail marks, no scratches or scabs. Only tears.

It felt like a long time before Eri's heartbeat and breathing returned to normal. In a frantic attempt to calm herself, the little girl looked around the infirmary and marked off a mental checklist of what was around her.

Red plastic cup with little doggies? Check.

Blue and green quilt? Check.

The coloring book and a pack of crayons? Check.

Blue checkered curtains? Check.

Horn? Check.

Little stuffed pink bunny? Check.

With one final long exhale, Eri was finally able to calm down. Overhaul didn't have her, she was safe. She was at Deku's school where it was warm and no one poked her with needles. Eri could have as much food as she asked for. She could have long bubble baths. The nice lady who worked there sometimes gave her chocolate or other sweets after she weighed Eri and took her temperature. Sometimes Deku would stop by after his classes to spend time with her, even bringing along little bottles of apple juice as a treat.

Being here was so nice... and there was no way Eri could stay here.

Deku and everyone else had been so kind to her, it wasn't fair that they suffer for Eri's selfishness. She had to leave; Eri had to get far away before Overhaul found her and hurt everyone else as a punishment.

'But how?'

Nice Nurse Lady had finally declared Eri healthy enough to be left alone with some snacks, a television, and something to draw with but she hadn't exactly been allowed to wander the halls alone. Not that she had wanted too either.

Creek.

The sound of the door opening caused Eri to jump a little as the strange, tired-looking man with a scarf came in.

"Oh, so you're awake."

Eri just looked down at her lap and shrugged.

"Do you think you could answer some more questions?"

Eri shook her head.

The man let out a little sigh but just continued, "Do you want some breakfast?"

Eri nodded and, as the man started to leave, her eyes drifted to the window that let in the early morning light.

"C... could you please open that window?" she asked, almost angry at how soft and meek her voice sounded.

The man gave her a questioning look so Eri swallowed hard and continued, "It... it would be nice to get some fresh air."

That got her a softer, more sympathetic look and, without a word, the man popped the window open letting a warm breeze fill the room and left to get Eri something to eat.

'Thank you,' Eri though. 'Thank you, everyone.'