Thank you all for all of the wonderful reviews. It really encourages me to continue this story. You all gave such great feedback, and, honestly, I'm really happy. Please continue to review- I also love constructive criticism to improve my writing.

Once again, thank you and please review.

Warning: This chapter mentions a God. My views on a God aren't in this chapter at all, and I will not ever try to force religion or a God onto you. If you do or do not believe in a God or a higher source, please keep in mind that all in this chapter are the beliefs of the characters themselves, not me or anyone else. Thank you for your cooperation.

HOPE ESTHIEM

Mother woke me up early Sunday morning to attend Mrs. Summers funeral. I was so tired it was even a difficulty to keep my eyes open- I couldn't sleep at all the past few nights. A lot was on my mind. And now my worst nightmare had arrived- attending the funeral of the benevolent, caring woman I had killed just days before.

I contemplated acting sick, but father forced me to put on my slacks and only black button down shirt. All he was thinking about was taking some of the food home with him to eat for dinner. Mother was actually thinking of Mrs. Summers horrified, confused, and depressed family.

I cried hard the night before the funeral- so hard my eyes burned, head hurt, and throat clogged. I couldn't believe I was a killer. But, if I came clean and said I caused all of this, my family would be chased out of town for good. We, then, would be known as the Retarded Killers. Heartless and stupid. I couldn't put mother through that. I couldn't let father think any less of me than he already had.

So, like an obedient kid, I walked with mother and father to the funeral, keeping my head down and mouth tightly closed. Mother and Father were silently bickering with one another over my head (I stood cleverly between the two of them; if not, they would have been literally pulling each other's hair out) while other residents shuffled silently by us, clad in all black.

Once inside our only town church, I saw Mrs. Summers family: her daughter, who moved to Pulse years ago, her daughter's husband, Mrs. Summers' sisters and brothers- every single one that was still alive. Understandably, they had the front rows reserved.

We took the very back seats.

"We are gathered here today.." The priest began, wrinkles underneath his dark blue eyes deepening. Just like every one else, he seemed to not want to be here. It was hot- hot and humid. Breathing filled your lungs with dust (this church was far too old for use). Bugs and other creatures overran the place. The only area that wasn't an eye sore was the very back wall, where beautiful Petunia's and roses hung high up.

Mother took a tissue from her purse and dabbed her eyes with it. Father sat there, stoic face, unmoving. My eyes scanned the area, wanting to look anywhere but at the cheap wood casket. My headache seemed to become worst at just the single thought that ran through my head for the past few days.

The thought that I had two witnesses. Two people who knew I was the killer.

And that was Vanille.

And Snow.

I snapped out of a trance (when did I get into one?) and turned slightly in my seat. My eyes went straight to a blonde man leaning against the double church doors. He was dressed in the same attire as usual- the outfit he always wore since I met him. My heart began to beat hard in my chest- it felt like it was going to break my rib cage. His eyes were dull and still, as if he was staring at something far, far away.

And then suddenly his eyes went straight to mine. I forgot how to breathe.

I was unsure of whether to look away or demand answers with my eyes. He passed me a serious look, though. The kind of smile that meant "Come here- now."

Something in me snapped, and I suddenly really wanted to talk to him face to face.

I looked at my mother; she was still dabbing her eyes.

I leaned over to her.

"Mom," I whispered.

She side-glanced at me, then continued to watch the Priest. "What, Hope?" She sounded frustrated.

"I.. I'm going to go use the bathroom." Before she could protest, I quietly got to my feet and shuffled down the isle. I kept my head low- people were staring at me, studying me as if they knew.

They knew what I did to poor Mrs. Summers.

When Snow and I finally met we didn't exchange any words- he just went down the hallway to the children study rooms, and I followed. We slipped out unnoticed, the priest still continuing his strong speech on "The Lord says everything happens for a reason" and "It wasn't Mrs. Summers time to go, but the Lord wished for her to be with Him."

Bullshit. Absolute bullshit. There is no Lord; if there was, I wouldn't be in this position right now. He would be so called "watching over me."

We entered the study room at the end of the hall. It was dusty and bare from lack of use, though there was a chalkboard and small chairs. The rugs were full of smiling cartoon characters, and the white walls carried posters of Jesus, God, and the Virgin Mary. Snow kicked his way over to the single stained glass window, not bothering to turn and face me.

"How's the service?" He asked.

I opened my mouth, ready to tell him off, but then stopped myself and looked at the chalkboard. "It's... fine."

Snow and I stood there in silence for a bit. He struggled to look out the stained glass window; it was difficult to see anything with the bright colors.

He turned his head slightly and glanced back at me. "You seem more stressed out than usual; what's up?"

He was playing with me- his tone of voice was taunting; he knew what was wrong. Anger made it difficult to breathe properly. Clenching my fists, I looked him in the eyes.

"You of all people know 'what's up'," I said, voice harsh. I began to step towards him. "You used me!"

Snow laughed, a mocking, sick one that made my blood boil. "We're partners, I can't use you. You only did your half of the bargain." He turned fully to me. "And I'm congratulating you on a job well done."

I froze. I couldn't read the look in his eyes- he had no remorse; nothing at all. It was just an icy blue. I shook my head. "Wait- my job was to kill her!"

Snow paused. "Well-"

"You have to think about it!" I backed up. "You're nuts; absolutely nuts!" I turned to the door and marched over to it, grabbing the cold doorknob.

"If you back out on me now, you'll never have a chance of escaping this shit hole." His deep voice called after me.

And, like a loyal dog, my grip on the doorknob faltered. My lungs locked up; chest tightened.

He was right.

Absolutely nuts and right.

Tears stung the back of my eyeballs. I turned back to him, shaking my head in disbelief the whole way around. Snow smiled, satisfied. Satisfied with himself. How could he be? This wasn't right. But, I had no choice now.

"Besides, I didn't kill Mrs. Summers." Snow said, walking confidently towards me. Fear passed through my body, but it was too late to run- his hand grabbed my arm.

He leaned towards my ear. "You did," he breathed. "So now we're in this until the end."

My mouth was agape, eyes wide; I couldn't move, couldn't breathe, couldn't swallow.

"..The...end?" I let out quietly, trying not to move. His mouth was so close to my ear; I could hear his deep breathing and smell his strong cologne. "What's... the end?"

Snow seemed to sense my fear. From the corner of my eyes I could see him grin. "Don't worry- you'll understand what the end is when we get there."

I closed my mouth, and breathed silently through my nose. His grip on my frail arm seemed to tighten.

I let out a soft whimper and squirmed. A chuckle formed in Snow's throat at the sound of my distress; he was enjoying this.

"Now that that's out of the way," Snow said, releasing my arm. I caught myself from falling backwards (I didn't realize he was holding me up on my feet). "I feel that you should be rewarded for completing your first task."

I jumped back to the door, not liking the tone in his voice. "N-No, I'm fine. Just let me go ba-"

"Oh, no no no!" Snow sounded like a delighted mother. He held my hand, but it was strangely gentle. "I insist. You want it, don't you?"

I didn't bother to look his way. "I...It?"

"You seemed so intrigued by me in the very beginning." Snow said as he took off his trench coat and let it fall to the ground. Finally, I looked at him. "And I know you still are."

Snow took off his gloves next. And then his hat.

"What are you..?" I backed up to the door once again, but he grabbed me and pulled me back.

His lips met mine without warning. They were warm. Warm and open, unlike Snow himself. I couldn't let myself get fooled! I couldn't! But I was finding it hard to remove myself as he unbuttoned my black dress shirt.

Snow's tongue entered my mouth. It took me by surprise, and I didn't know to react. But, he didn't bother wait- his tongue began to explore my mouth.

It felt amazing.

I pulled back a bit and opened my mouth. "Ah.. Snow, stop i-" His pushed our lips together again and unbuttoned the last button on my shirt. Snow carelessly took my shirt off and let it drop to the ground.

I pulled back again and turned my head to the side. "Snow, please, not here-"

"So any other place and you'll let me do it?" He asked huskily into my ear. I flinched and once again tried to escape. It was a futile attempt; Snow's hands were already wrapped around my waist.

"-I didn't say that!" I muttered, not looking Snow in the face.

"Do you want this?" He asked. His hot breath met my ear. I shut my eyes tightly. Why was I getting turned on so easily by another man?

"I... I don't know.." I answered honestly.

"Then we'll see," Snow let go of me. I looked at him, confused. Putting his hands on his hips he commanded, "Turn around and pull down you pants. Let me see you completely naked."

I blushed. Not the kind of small blush you get from someone confessing to you- the kind of blush that covered your entire face. With anybody else, my first reaction would be a loud "NO!" and a kick to the face, but it was different with Snow.

And even though he tricked me into killing someone innocent, I obeyed. I slowly turned around, and began fiddling with my belt. It's hard to take it off when your hands are shivering so much.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

I heard Snow laugh from behind. "Something unforgettable."

Sweat drenched the back of my neck as my belt slipped open with ease. What was wrong with me? Why was I doing this? Why was I letting him do this? My pants dropped to my ankles, and my briefs weren't far behind. Eyes burning, body shivering, skin dewy, I slowly turned around and faced him.

And that seductive look in his breathtaking eyes made my whole body burn with yearning.

"Now come here."

OERBA DIA VANILLE

I finally gave up and talked to Fang again the day of Mrs. Summers's funeral. It wasn't a joyful day at all, albeit the birds were singing and the air smelled of flowers. I lifted my nose into the air on the walk to the town church, sniffing the sky.

Fang slapped my back. "Stop smellin', will ya! We're already late to the funeral because of you!"

I turned away, crossing my arms over my black silk minidress (the only reason I'm wearing black is because of the occasion!). "You always have a bad attitude, Fang!"

Fang frowned at nothing in particular, and then stared straight ahead. "...It's a funeral we're going to, Vanille," her voice sounded softer, "there's no time to be enjoying yourself."

I crossed my arms. "I need something to lighten the mood-"

"Mrs. Summers is dead, Vanille- nothing will ever lighten the mood." Fang looked at me. "You know what happens when people die? They never come back, you hear? Never."

I jumped in front of her. "I know people never come back when they're dead! Do you think I'm stupid or something!" I balled my hands into fists and shook them. "You always think you have to take care of me and teach me every little thing, even though I know things already! I'm not ten, Fang!"

"I know you're not ten and I know you know things, but sometimes you act...! You act..." Fang averted her heavy, serious stare and crossed her arms. She let out a heavy sigh. "...Sometimes you act like you did five years ago."

I studied her face for a long time, feeling my ribs caving in. The feeling hurt so badly I choked up and didn't know what to say. She stood there, arms still crossed, head turned the other direction. As if I'm nothing. As if I never meant anything to her. I shook my head and looked down, the smell of flowers suffocating me instead of soothing me. My vision blurred, the ground and my shiny black dress shoes looking like a big brown and black blob.

"...Let's go." Fang walked around me and shuffled down the road.

Having no choice, I turned and followed Fang in silence. And all the way inside the church. The smell of flowers escaped, and sweat and dust replaced it. Fang held my hand and guided me silently to a seat near the very back corner; the only available seat. It seemed almost everyone from town was cramped in here, sitting shoulder to shoulder, as the Priest talked of our God Himself and the good things He's done for us. Hearing all of these words calmed me down and made me forget about Fang for a brief moment.

God is always looking over me and all of Cocoon. All of the world. I put my hands together and looked up at the roof. He was always there for me.

I just wish he'd bless me and give me what I always wanted: Hope Esthiem. I've been nothing but good for all my life, so why can't I be selfish for once?

Hope seemed to always look through me, though. Like he wanted bigger and better things. And I couldn't blame him; Pulse sounded like a very nice, beautiful place. I always imagined it with lots of magnificent flowers, gold-paved streets, and wonderful places. One day I wanted to take Hope with me there; maybe for a vacation. But, Fang wanted me here, with her, in Cocoon. And I couldn't blame her; Cocoon is my home, too.

But sometimes...

I sighed.

Sometimes I wish I could just break free for once, and see the world. The only time I ever left Cocoon was when I was 3- too far away to remember much- and my parents took me to Pulse. If only we took pictures... then I could find of what Pulse is really like.

Fang elbowed me out of my thoughts and stood up, glaring down at me. "Get up, Vanille," she hissed, "We're doing a prayer!"

Blushing from embarrassment, I stood up and put my hands together in prayer position. Bowing my head and closing my eyes, I listened to the Priest. He had such a way with words! How I wish I could pray like him! My silly old child prayers were no longer enough for me.

"..In God's name, Amen!" The Priest finished, and, on cue, everyone took their seats and opened their Bibles again. I followed, lagging a bit behind.

As we read quotes from the Bible, I grew very antsy. I needed to use the restroom so badly and so suddenly that my body caught even my brain off guard!

I closed my book and placed it in the pouch on the seat in front of us, and turned to Fang. "I need to use the restroom!" I whisper-hissed.

Without looking up from the book, Fang pointed in the direction of the bathrooms. "Go."

I nodded and stood to my feet, sliding my way down the isle (trying not to step on anyone's feet!) and down the hallway. On the way to the girls' room, I passed children study rooms. When I was a kid, I studied in these!

The urge to pee died down a bit as I studied the wooden doors. Now which one was the one I used to always pray in? I was sure it was the second to last door on the right... It was so long ago!

I ran my hands along each wooden door to check for the same crevice I felt every time I came here as a child. It was somewhere low on the door... I crouched down and felt every single door to find wh-

"A-AH! N-NO- STOP!"

I froze.

"NNN- PLEASE; NO MORE!"

I slowly got back to my feet, eyes wide with horror. What was going on down here! The voice sounded young and strangely familiar... Was it one of the neighborhood children being attacked or something!

Heart beating out of my chest, I slowly walked down the hallway, trying not to even breathe.

And then another deeper voice came.

"I didn't even go in yet and your hips are shaking so badly."

The deep voice laughed- a wicked, sadistic one, no doubt.

If I could hear laughing I was probably close... My hand touched the wooden door on the very end of the hallway. Moving as quietly as a spider, I pressed my ear against the door and listened.

"...I can't take anymore," The young voice sounded out of breath. "Please... no more...!"

There was a bit of movement before the deeper voice replied.

"I'm not done with your reward yet..." It said. "Don't pretend like you're not enjoying this."

"But-!"

"Do you want me to stop?"

Silence. It lasted for about a couple of seconds before the younger voice piped up.

"..No.."

"..Then no complaining."

Shortly after, the moans resumed.

I didn't realize I was covering my mouth in horror until their speaking stopped. What in the hell was going on in there! It wasn't a neighborhood child being attacked..! It was... Someone was having intercourse with a young boy in there! In the church of our dear God! Do people have no shame?

I contemplated going in there to stop them or not.. Maybe Deep Voice was going to attack me if I walk in. But, if I leave it alone, these horrid people would be having sexual intercourse where children play and eat and study!

But... this wasn't something for me to get myself into. So, I turned on my heels and slowly walked to the girls' rest-

"Relax, Hope; you'll feel it in a second."

My legs stopped moving altogether. My heart seemed to stop for a split second before resuming at a fast pace. My eyes widened, threatening to fall out of my eye sockets. Deep Voice didn't just say what I heard he said, right! My mind was playing tricks on me, right!

"I... can't do it...!" The young voice gasped. Thinking about it, that voice did sound very close to Hope's- only desperate and out of breath. Maybe that's why I didn't recognize it! Usually around me, Hope sounds bored and uninterested.

But with this mystery man, Hope sounded so... so... excited.

My chest hurt when I came across the realization. Hope sounded excited around a man! Not me- a man!

The noise of a church organ blocked out the loud cries of pleasure coming from the room. And luckily it did.

Otherwise I would've kicked that door down.

OERBA YUN FANG

I tried to listen to the Priest- I really, really did. But, I couldn't. That hurt look on Vanille's face during the walk here played on repeat in my head. Why couldn't I get over it? Why couldn't I get over the fact that Vanille will never truly be mine alone? I couldn't share- I just couldn't. Vanille is and will always be mind alone. Only mine.

I bowed my head.

Get control of yourself, Fang! Don't let your overly protective side come out and ruin what was already the weak foundation of our relationship!

Repeating that in my head did the complete opposite of helping. Actually, it made everything worse. I was slowly breaking Vanille- I can tell - but I have no idea how to change myself! What was I doing wrong? Was I telling the truth too much? Was I too controlling? Too much like a mother?

I looked off to the right and caught a distorted image of myself in the stained glass window. My mouth went dry.

Or was it the fact that I was female; not able to give her what she desired the most?

I frowned.

But, why Hope! Why that jerk, of all people? That kid was fucked up! His parents hate him, the neighborhood kids hate him- so why does Vanille give him so much attention! Was I so bad that I couldn't even amount to Hope Esthiem!

I absentmindedly began pulling at my hair in frustration. I could never get this! What the hell was I doing wrong!

I was so caught up that I didn't notice every one getting up and gathering in their groups, preparing to leave. Was it time to depart already! It was only about an hour ago that we got here!

As soon as I stood up I caught Vanille walking over, looking broken. She couldn't hide it at all- her whole face was red, her eyes swollen, lips bleeding from biting them too much. I didn't bother ask her what was wrong; I just rushed up to her and hugged her. I knew she wasn't broken from Mrs. Summers' death. I could tell she wasn't broken from the argument we had earlier. I could tell she was broken for something much, much larger than that.

But I also knew she wasn't going to tell me. So no point in wasting my time.

Vanille stood in my arms, shivering, trying not to cry. But, then suddenly she buried her head on my chest and bawled.

Nearby people looked on with sympathy in their eyes, probably thinking she was crying because of Mrs. Summers. Only Vanille knew why she was crying, though.

I walked her out of the church and down the dirt road, trying my hardest not to ask her what was wrong on impulse. I just held her. That was enough for me.

"Fang.." She beckoned.

I glanced down at her, and then back ahead. "...Yes?"

"...I love you."

I bit my cheeks to try and stop it, but I couldn't. A smile forced it's way on my face, and it wouldn't go away.

"I love you too, Vanille."

Holding her was enough for me.

HOPE ESTHIEM

I slowly opened my eyes to find my clothes neatly folded beside me. Rolling onto my side, I realized I was completely naked and lying on the ground of the church children study room.

I sat up carefully, anticipating a pain below my waist. As predicted, it hurt. And it hurt bad.

How long was I asleep? And when did I fall asleep in the first place? Was the preaching over? Where were my parents? Were they waiting for me? And, most importantly, where was Snow?

He was gone without a trace; I couldn't even smell his cologne anymore. But, when I began to slowly pull my clothes on, his smell lingered on them. As I slipped on my shirt, I took deep breath of the sleeve. Why did he smell so good! On rare occasions did I ever enjoy the smell of cologne!

"Shitshitshit..!" I muttered underneath my breath as I got to my feet. What will my parents say when they see me limping home! They will totally go off the deep end- I know they will.

As I limped over to the door, I felt something unusual in my pocket. Pulling it out, I found it out to be two pills wrapped in paper. I unfolded the paper and eyed it.

In messy handwriting, on the paper read: "Take some Advil."

Snow, definitely. Without water, I popped the pills into my mouth and swallowed, begging them to work before I arrived home. I carefully left the children's study room and limped down the hallway. Luckily, I left the church unnoticed by the Priest, whom was cleaning up his podium.

The sun was setting already (Seriously, how long did I sleep!) as I walked- or limped - to my house. I could hear the joyful squeals of my peers nearby.

I frowned on instinct.

I was grounded. Of course. My parents were so-called quote unquote "worried" about me and sent me straight to my room. Like they cared where I went. Nobody would give a damn if I died on the spot. I was too stupid to be of use.

And, boy, did my ass hurt.

The Advil only barely worked to numb the pain, and in the middle of the night it returned. Who knew I was a very active sleeper. I thrash around like a dying whale, which never is that good for an aching ass.

Why me, Lord?

Why me?