"Daddy please stop! Don't hurt mommy anymore!" Screams a small 7 year-old girl with shoulder length chestnut hair. Her wide green eyes fill with terror as she stares at the large blonde man with a steak knife. A women with matching brown hair as the small girl is discarded on the ground hyperventilating and trembling, unable to defend herself. "Daddy please! She just over cooked the hamburger a little bit! You're overeating! Please stop hitting mommy!" The drunk man stumbled forward and slurs out, "D-d-don't you ever do anything right w-w-w-omen!" The knife starts to swing down and the small girl sprints and tries to push the women out of the way. The little girl succeeds but cries out in pain. Tears run down her face as a steak knife sticks out of her small thigh. The man stumbles to the back door and slams it. On the way out he mutters about "how useless his family is. Throwing their lives away for each other." The women finds enough strength to grab the home phone and dial 911. She grabs a few kitchen towels and presses them on the little girl wounds trying to stop the bleeding. She doesn't dare remove the blade, scared the little girl will bleed out if she does. She tries to smile at the crying girl, "It'll be okay Lilypad. He is a good man when I married him. I am sure he is still there underneath." She hugs the 7 year-old tight, "Thank you for being mommy's little warrior."

*Lillian POV*

Adrenaline wakes me up with a start. I quickly sit up holding my aching thigh. My whole body is caked in sweat and my eyes are trying to work so fast, it makes my head spin. I clasp my left hand to my forehead, trying to get a hold of myself.

I am in my apartment alone. There is no one here that will hurt me.

I take a few deep breaths waiting for my body to calm down. After that I grab my digital clock: 6:50.

I push myself out of bed with shaky arms and try to balance myself on my sore legs. I wobble a little bit but manage.

Minus well get up. Have to leave in about an hour and half anyways.

I draw myself a warm bath and try to relax and try forget about my nightmare.

As I float, I see one of the white pills I threw yesterday along with my glass.

I really do want to stop. I have tried to flush those pills countless times but couldn't quite convince myself. I felt like my life depended on them even though I feel lifeless when a drug myself up. On the flip side, when I don't take them all I feel is pain, just like now.

It is so much harder to decide which is the lesser of two evil than people may think.

I wrap myself in my towel and walk over to the mirror to check out the damage. I have dark bags under my eyes, my skin is paler than normal, and my eyes are already starting to dilate.

This is only my second day and I look like shit. Joy.

I rub my temples trying to wake myself up from my hour three or four hours of sleep.

I briskly walk across my apartment and throw some warm clothes on. Today I will need them more than ever.

I put on a plum sweater, my black skinny jeans, tall black boots with thick socks, and a peacock printed scarf that has swirls of purple, teal, green and black in it.

I gathering my things up for school only managing to force down a piece of toast. I pull out a water bottle with an infuser in it and put some flacks for ginger I keep in the fridge, specifically for this reason, in it. Just in case I go to the bathroom and grab a bottle of Zofran and shove it in my back pack.

I grab my sapphire blue peacoat leather gloves and head out the door.

It's a beautiful 58 degree fall day for anyone else but I am shivering from the autumn chill.

I try to hide deeper into my scarf but it barely makes a difference.

I sigh and head towards school. Today is going to suck balls.

*Law POV*

Beep Beep Beeeeep

I slam my hand on my alarm hoping it would smash into a million pieces. Why are those things so fucking loud?

I pull my comforter over my head hiding from reality. I can just skip today. Not like I would be missing much.

Unconsciousness drags me back into its warm embrace but before it takes me I groan, "That damn girl."

I fling my sheets off and take a quick shower to get the smell of alcohol off of me.

As I pull on a navy v neck sweater, faded jeans, and a navy pair of Sperrys, my phone rings.

The name that appears makes my heart stop. What could he want? I met my quota.

"Yeah?" I answer hesitantly.

"Law my favorite young surgeon! How are you doing today?"

I clutch my head and move the phone away from my ear, "What do you want? And don't talk so damn loud."

"I don't tell you enough of how truly amazing of a surgeon you are for your age. You operate as well as Hogback now. Hogback said you removed part of a liver last night faster than anyone he knows."

I run my hand through my hair and roll my eyes, "Get you nose out my ass and tell me what you want already. I do have to go to school."

"Fuffuffuffuff! I always love how sassy you are."

I growl, "Get on with it."

"Since you have been doing such a good job with you past surgeries, I want to offer you a more permanent position."

My eye brows knit together, "Explain."

"Right now you just pick up whatever patients we can't cover, but what if you starting working here regularly. Maybe start with three patients a week?"

The coffee maker beeps and I starts to fill my thermos, "You know how I feel about this. I am just working until my quota is up. You offered me payment when I took on extra patients. I am fine with the arrangements we have now. It gives me time to study. If it is okay with you I would like to keep it this way. That was our original agreement."

The voice on the phone gets dark, "Do you really think it will be that easy to get out Law?"

The phone buzzes dead in my ear.

What have I done?

*Lillian POV*

I walk into the anatomy lab located in the basement of the school. The class is only ten people. I smile inwardly to myself. This is why I went to a private school. So when I look like shit at least it is only in front of a small number of people.

My teacher is Dr. Kobato. She is the first younger teacher I have met. She is average height and weight and has short wavy purple hair. She has kind brown eyes behind her glasses.

I plop down by Trafalgar on a steel stool. I wait for him to throw his legs up on mine but he doesn't move an inch.

I look at him closer. He has dark bags under his eyes, his hat is pulled down father than it usually is, and his hands clutching his head. "You look like shit Trafalgar" I kindly point out.

He glares at me with his sharp yellow eyes, "You should be talking. These corpses look more alive than you do."

I look to the center the class room where the five cadavers were lying on cold steel tables. I usually would be thrilled but the smell of formaldehyde is making bile rise in the back of my throat. I reach in my bag twist my Zofran bottle open.

"Can I have one? It's Zofran right?" Law asks with a gruff voice extending a hand.

I tip the bottle and I small while pill falls in his hand; he whips it back and takes a gulp of coffee.

I raise a brow, "Why the hell are you so hungover. It's a Tuesday?"

He rubs the bridge of his nose, "None of your damn business. Why do you look like you belong on the cast of The Walking Dead?

I mock his voice, "None of your damn business."

A smirk pulls at his lips, "I think one of the conditions was that you answer every question I ask you."

I groan, "Fine I only got four hours of sleep because I have insomnia."

He lips form a thin line, "You're not telling me everything."

My leg starts to bounce. "I answered you didn't I." I retort childishly stick my tongue out.

Before he can fight back Dr. Kobato tell us our assignment for the day, "Since you guys finished your first unit, I figured we would have a fun lab today!" She claps her hands with a big smile, "Now everyone go to your assigned cadaver."

Law and I end up with about a 50 year old Caucasian fat man with a huge scar on his chest and six holes surrounding it.

"Your assignment today will be to find out why the person in front of you died. The bodies are all cut open so you can root around inside to look for clues. Any questions?" My teacher asks scanning the room.

Law starts to put his blue latex gloves on while I raise my hand.

Dr. Kobato points at me, "Yes Miss Hayashi?"

"If I tell you the cause of death right now can Law and I go? We don't have to do any paper do we?" I say in a flat voice.

My teacher looks shocked, "Well yes but you haven't even opened your body yet."

I shrug, "The incision in the center of his chest and the surrounding circular incisions shows this man had bi pass surgery, most likely from high blood pressure and cholesterol, because lets be honestly this man is anything but fit. Usually if a heart attack is found early it can be a fairly easy fixed. I think from this man lack of exercise, he had chest pain after her over exerted himself. He probably thought it was stress but it was his first small heart attack. After that his coronary artery became almost or completely blocked. By the time he got to the hospital he was on his last legs. They started making and incision to transfer the saphenous veins in his calf to his heart but during that time he went into full cardiac arrest and died from lack of oxygen to all parts of his body."

I grab my backpack and swing it onto my shoulders trying not to grunt in pain when the weight of the books, "Am I right?"

The whole class stares at me. Law just snaps his gloves off, drops them on the table, and stands by my side smirking.

Our teacher mouth hangs open in a small O, "How. . How did you know?"

I adjusts the cadavers calf to expose an incision, "This cut only goes about half down the calf when if should go all the way down to just about the ankle. Also the chest was closed with a less experienced hand. Meaning that there was no point in making a pretty close. It was most likely done by a nurse and not the surgeon themselves."

I rock back on my heals, "Can I go now? I honestly not feeling the best right now and if I don't have to be here I would like to rest."

She just nods speechless.

Before I leave I bow, "Sorry for my rudeness."

I turn and head out into the silent hallway. My body is covered in a cold sweat and my stomach is doing back flips.

"Quite impressive Miss Hayashi. I hate to say it but I didn't even think about looking at the leg." Trafalgar says complementing me for the first and probably last time.

"Thank you Trafalgar but excuse me for a moment." I grasp the sides of the garbage can in front of the bathrooms and vomit. I clutch my stomach and pain feeling another wave of nausea come.

Soft hands sweep the hair from my face and rub my back in a circular motion.

I pull a tissue from my pocket and wipe my mouth, "Hey look it can be compassionate." I try to give him a snarky smile but in my poor state it is anything but effective.

Trafalgar rolls his eyes, "I can't leave you in such a pitiful state. I know I am an asshole but come on I am not heartless."

My vision starts to get fuzzy and narrows, "Can we rest somewhere for a while? Genetics starts in almost three hours. I guess I should eat something too."

Trafalgar grabs my shoulder, "You should go home. Rest up."

I shake my head, "I am way too far behind to miss anymore classes. It's just a stomach bug. Nothing more."

His face softens, "Come on. I think I know a place."

*Law POV*

We end up in the fourth floor private study room. No one is every up here because it is too much of a hike. The room it hidden at the end of one of the hallways that branch off from the main one. It has dark wood floors, soft tan walls, there are three soft chocolate brown couches placed around a glass coffee table, two desks are tucked under the windows in the room, and faux stone electric fire place, making the place have a nice homey feeling.

Miss Hayashi's small body is sunken into one of the couches as she nibbles on a plain turkey sandwich we picked up on our way.

I sit next to her and lean my elbows on my knees and stare up at her, "What is this all about? You are completely find one day and now you're vomiting, pale, shaking. . ." My mind puts the puzzle together. All of her symptoms plus insomnia and her lack of appetite.

She was going through withdrawal. But from what?

I put my hand under her chin and turn her face towards me to confirm my assumption. Her pupils so enlarged she reminds me of a cat, "Miss Hayashi what did you get yourself into?"

The petite girl puts her half eaten sandwich down and lies down throwing her legs over me. Her voice is barely above a whisper, "Can I just get some rest please. You should rest too; it would be good for your hangover." She covers her face the crook of her elbow and tries to doze off.

I lean back into the plush coach and study her for a moment.

Why am I being so nice to this girl?

My eyes pull shut and I start to sink into the abyss.

Well I guess she is kinda interesting. Maybe that's it.

No it was her blood. I shouldn't get so friendly.

She is just a quota.

-2 hours later-

I rub my eyes trying to get them to open. I look down at my phone; we only had 15 minutes until class started.

A slight snore sounds to the right of me. Miss Hayashi is in the same position as I left her. I hate to wake her up but. . .

I poke her stomach and her small face grimaces in pain. Why would that hurt?

I move closer to her side and poke her again; same thing happens.

I shake her leg, "Hey shorty you need to wake up. We need to go to genetics."

She drags her legs off of me and forces herself up to a sitting position and automatically starts to bounce her leg, "Don't call me shorty. Are we going to go to my apartment or yours to study today?" She question not missing a beat.

I stand up and pull my backpack on and hold out an assisting hand for Miss Hayashi to grab onto, "Are you sure you want to study?"

She grabs my hand and pulls herself up, "I feel a lot better from my nap. I'll be fine."

Lair. I can feel her whole body shaking by just helping her up. She is cold to the touch and she looks like she still needs three more days of sleep.

As we wait for the elevator I hear Miss Hayashi's small voice pipe up, "Why do you drink?"

I advert my gaze trying to think of an answer, "I guess it makes some things easier"

She looks up at me with concern, "Don't you have friends you can talk to?"

I shake my head and smile weakly at the memories of my friends, "No not anymore."

"Why?"

I finally look down at her. Her wide eyes filled with such innocence, "You know shrimp, if I am going to answering your questions, than you are going to start answering mine."

She scrunches her nose and steps into the elevator.

"You're going to interrogate me all night aren't you?" She asks knowingly.

I scruff her head, "You bet shorty."

*Lillian POV*

Genetics seems to drag on forever.

Our teacher was Dr. Belladonna. She was a very beautiful women. She was tall, shapely, gorgeous tan skin, to die for cheek bones, and silky back hair that waterfalled down her back. She dressed rather revealing in her low plunging purple floral print dress but the top half of her looked professional with round pink glass perched on her head and a green, flower printed hippy style headband holding her bangs back.

She isn't a bad teacher don't get me wrong, but I still felt like my whole body got trampled by horses.

Law seems to be in a better mood. He propped his feel up right on my legs when we got to class. Lucky bastard must have slept off his hangover.

Our teacher dismisses us and practically run out of the building.

The cold are has a sobering effect on my body making me feel slightly better.

Trafalgar catches up to me, "Trying to run away from me?"

"Trying not succeeding apparently." I scoff.

He scruffs my head. Apparently he found out he enjoys that. "So where do you live?"

I swat his hand away, "Thriller Bark Ln and 6th St."

His classic grin pulls to his face, "Hey we are neighbors. I live on Thriller Bark and 2nd."

I roll my eyes, "How thrilling. I am closer to my tormentor."

He brings a hand to his chest acting all dramatic, "Me. Torment you. I would never do such a thing."

Raising my middle finger tall and proud and I flip him off and for the first time I hear Trafalgar laugh.

I puff my cheeks and stand on my tiptoes to get closer to his face, "What the hell is so funny?"

This only causes him to laugh harder, "Short people just cannot be threatening. You just end up look like a five year old kid throwing a tantrum."

I stomp away like the mature adult I am.

In a few strides with his long legs, he catches up with me, "Hey come on now don't be like that. I thought munchkins were supposed to be a happy folk."

I ignore him. Picking up my pace. My body is shivering to the point where it is hard to walk.

"Hey are you doing alright? The jokes weren't even that bad."

I stop and turn to him and say flatly, "It is freezing ass cold out here and I can't stop shivering. I want to get home and drink some hot cocoa." I spin on my heals and march towards home. Two more blocks. I can do it.

The rest of the journey to the apartment is dead silent.

I get to my building and jam my finger into the button that says 7th floor.

Unlocking the doors takes a little while with my shaking hands. I can feel Trafalgar's pity as his watches me struggle only making me more frustrated.

The door swings open and turn to Trafalgar, "Home sweet home."

*Law POV*

Miss Hayashi lived in a pent house studio apartment and man was it brilliant.

The color scheme was very natural with beige, white, and earthy greens.

When I stepped in, to my right was and L-shaped kitchenette with white cabinets both under and over with light wood butcher block counters. Also in the kitchen there is simple round forest green table with four plain white chairs surround it.

Past the kitchen there was a beige couch with two matching arm chairs placed around a glass coffee table that had different kind of leaves of every color etched into it.

At the end of the apartment was a white four post bed. Each post had ivy creeping around it. Her sheets had horizontal stripes of all of shades of green found in her apartment. Across from her bed was a white wardrobe with matching ivy creeping up the sides.

Her interesting choice in furniture isn't want got me though, it was all of the green and beige built ins on the ivory walls. They were filled with records, cassettes, CD's and books. There didn't seem to be a bare place on the wall.

I ran my finger along the shelves, spotting an old record player on side table next to the couch, "What is all of this?"

I hear a soft thump from her backpack hitting the counter, "Not much. Just hobbies I guess."

"Pft. This isn't a hobby, it's an obsession. Why do you have so many albums?" I continue to make my way through the collection. Not only were there albums, there were books about musicians and the art of composing.

I am startled as her voice appears next to me, "My dad wanted to be a singer. When I was young his dreamed rub off on me."

From what should be a happy memory, I see pain in her emerald eyes.

I try not to press too much so I ask a different question, "How do you afford all of this? You're only a college student. Some of these records are rare."

She pulls out a Billie Holiday album and traces it with her finger, seeming to caress the singers face "A lot of it I inherited or got for my birthdays when I was a kid. To get money I rent out my parents' house, and I sold off a few of theirs things that didn't really have any sentimental value to in it."

Inherited. Rent my parents' house. Sold their things.

My voice is hushed, "What happened to them?"

Miss Hayashi tucks the album back into its spot and walks over to a beeping Keurig, "They died." She said in a monotone voice.

I join her at her kitchen table and she slides a round green mug towards me. I take a sip feeling the warmth spread through my body, "I am sorry to hear that. When did it happen?"

She holds her mug with trembling hands causing ripples to form in her cocoa, "My mom was six months ago and my dad was just a little over a month ago"

So that's why she was late for school.

My own memories of my parents start to resurface. I fend them off, "it's rough having both of you parent were lost so close together." It is. I know.

She waves her hand dismissively, "Let's just do homework. I can be depressed when I am caught up with school."

-Few hours later-

My stomach makes an awful noise.

Miss Hayashi gives me a strange look trying to suppress a laugh, "Do you want to order take out? I am not really in the mood to cook. How about Chinese?"

"Sounds perfect." My stomach rumbles in agreement. "The Sapphire Dragon is pretty good we can order from there."

In about 20 minutes there is a knock on our door, "Delivery!"

I open up the door and am met with a familiar long noise. Damn it.

"Law! You're alive!" Exclaims the man with unruly curly back hair and tan skin.

"Hey Usopp long time no see. Are you dating Kaya yet? I got a few of my classes with her over at Marineford." I force myself to act casual. When did he start working there?

He scratches his head, "No not quite yet but I will get the courage eventually. Where have you been for the past six months? Everyone over at Sabaody State misses the heck out of you!"

Just leave already. "Some personal stuff came up been trying to figure it out. I'll get it figured out eventually."

"No matter!" He strikes a victorious pose, "You are still invited to Luffy's Halloween party next week! You and the guys had so much fun last year. Everyone is going to be so excited to know you are doing well."

"Trafalgar what is taking so long?" Says a small voice behind me. UGH.

Usopp waggles his eyebrows at me, "Is this your girlfriend Law?"

The small girl stands beside me and hands Usopp some money, "No. Law is just my tutor. I missed a bunch of school and he is helping me catch up. I didn't realize Law had friends. He hasn't talked to a single soul since I met him."

Usopp flashes a proud smile, "You bet. Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Robin, Chopper, Brook, Franky, Penguin, Shachi, Bepo, and yours truly. Heck I am probably missing a few."

He looks down at his watch, "Oh crap I got to go or my other delivers will be late. Law I am so glad to see you and it was nice to meet you. . ."

"Lillian. Hayashi Lillian." She informs with a pleasant smile.

Usopp looks dumbly at her, "What a weird name. Anyway! I will see you at Luffy's party!"

I haunting presence stands behind as I close the door.

Miss Hayashi looks up at me smugly, "I knew you weren't that heartless. I bet you are all mushy on the inside." She pokes my chest.

I start to set the food out on the counter, "There more like acquaintances than friends."

I should know better than to lie to someone as smart as her, "Tell me the truth Trafalgar. You are a terrible liar."

I crack apart a pair of chopsticks, "You tell me what happened to your family and I will tell you what happened to my friends."

She snatches a bucket of pork lo mein and retreats to the couch.

We eat our dinner in silence.

After dinner Miss Hayashi cleans up and I go to the restroom. When I wash my hands I note the mirror is not fully close. The mirror 'accidentally' swings itself open.

"Oh my. . ."

I couldn't help whisper to myself.

The whole cabinet was filled with pills of every kind, but mostly pain killer. I scan the dates.

They all have been recently refilled.

Her withdrawal. It all makes sense.

Acting against my better judgement I walk out into the living space shaking a few bottles. I wanted answers.

Miss Hayashi looks pissed, "you shouldn't go snooping around in other people things Trafalgar. It's rude." She scolds in an even voice.

She tries to steal them out of my hand but I raise them high over my head, "Your withdrawal if from taking prescription medication and excess I assume. Why are you doing this to yourself?" My voice a little smugger than it should be.

Smack.

I touch the appearing red spot on my face and glare at her beneath my hat.

Her face is hidden behind her hair, but you can tell she is seething, "What makes you think you have the right to judge me on when you are just as bad!"

She leaves no time to react, "I don't care what the fuck your problem is, but why become and alcoholic when you have friends out there that I bet are more than willing to help you!"

I am scared that they will get hurt.

However it doesn't come out that way, "You have no idea what I am going through." I say in a deep monotone voice.

She finally whips her head around. She has tears streaming down her beat red face. She wipes her nose with the back of her hand, "How the hell do you know if you keep pushing everyone away!? Uggggggh! Why do you even care what I do with my body?"

"I!. . ." My hands drop down to my side and I knit my eyebrows today. Why do I care?

I mentally slap my cheeks.

If her system is tainted, I can't use her as my quota.

*Lillian POV*

I stand as rigid as a statue and point a stony finger towards the door and try to force myself to stay calm, "Get out."

"What?" Law doesn't seem to be completely comprehending my voice through his arrogant ass brain.

Rage fills my body, "Get the hell out!"

Trafalgar stomps toward the door, rips his backpack off the counter, and slams the door behind him.

My legs give out and I collapse on to the floor.

Does he think that I am not aware of my problem?

Hot angry tears steam uncontrollably down my face.

Does he think that I don't struggle with it every day?

I pull my sleeves over my hands and wipe my nose and eyes.

Doesn't he know I just want to be happy?

Small whimper escape through my shallow and quicken breathes.

Doesn't he know I wish I had friends?

I can't hold back anymore and I wail.

I wrap a hand around my aching stomach and the other on my throbbing head and cry for what seems to be an infinite time, choking on every sob.

When the tears eventually slow and a familiar emptiness fills my body.

I make my way to the nearest Kleenex box and blow my nose. I discard them in the trashcan next to the sick and scan over my empty apartment.

Ghostly images of the fight Trafalgar and I have seem to play in front of me causing an uncomfortable knot in my chest.

The raven haired boy in the hat and the petite girl morph into a fairly muscular sandy blonde man with glasses and a women with long chestnut hair and green eyes.

As if my memory were being projected before me, I see all the fights those people had right in my living room.

The blonde shouting at the tops of his lungs as he swings his fists and the brunette voice soft and soothing. Her face pulled into a weak smile.

The scars on my body start to burn and pain shoots through my stomach tracing my incisions.

Out of habit I make my way over to the bathroom. The thought of trying to stop taking the drugs it pushed out by the excruciating pain that I am in.

I open up the bathroom and am welcomed by bubblegum pink writing on my mirror.

In big bold letters the word DON'T was written on the glass bellow that in black eyeliner was written 'P.S. I took them'.

Panic shoots though my body as I yank open the medicine cabinet. The two bottles that Law was shaking were missing completely. He must have took them and I was too pissed to notice. As for the rest of them I shake each bottle finding all of them empty.

Bastard must have emptied them into his pockets. Damn giant man pockets.

I shouldn't say they were all empty.

Through the clear orange plastic I see a silhouette of something folded up in one of my Vicodin bottles.

I pry open the cap and find a rolled up piece of toilet paper with a phone number on it that just simply said Law underneath it.

I slam the medicine cabinet shut ignoring the sound of shattering behind me.

I scavenge my house for my phone and find it slid about two feet under my couch because where else would the bastard be.

I violently hit the buttons on my phone and wait for Tralfucker to pick up.

Rings once and goes to voicemail. I try a few more times same thing.

He is blocking my calls. Coward.

I punch and angry text into my phone.

ME: You have no right to decide what the best is for me you fuck. I better get all of my pills back.

I clutch my phone so hard that I felt like it was going to break under the pressure. I feel it vibrate in my hand and jab the view button quickly.

Trafalgar: I am not deciding you just needed a gentle push in the right direction. No matter how badly you beg you are not getting them back.

ME: You have no idea how hard this is for me. I need those pills you shit. They are the only way I can sleep

Trafalgar: Don't I though? Do you though? Are they though?

What the hell does any of that even mean?

I throw my phone across the room and hear the satisfying thunk of it bashing against the wall.

This was the beginning of my crescendoing rampage.

Chairs were flipped over or thrown into the wall, pillow and blankets ripped off couches and my bed, and my school books littered the floors.

I end the destruction with fist puncturing a hole into the dry wall.

The wall crumbles to the floors as I withdraw my hand.

I turn toward the wreckage and fell my life drift out of me.

Numbness consumes me as I feel like I am floating out of my body. I can't feel the blood running down my fingers and drip onto the floor. I get to my bed and lie in my tear, snot, and blood soaked clothes just waiting to be swallowed into darkness.