All she wanted was to die. As he plundered her mouth, her brain screamed for help, but she forced herself to remain emotionless.

The bed in the hotel creaked as Rotti pushed her down, pinning her to the mattress.

He loosened his tie hastily, and glanced back down at Marni. She stared up at the ceiling. No emotion showing at all. No fear, no sadness, lust…nothing. It just made him want her more.

Rotti had always loved the thrill of the chase. He wouldn't be head of GeneCo if he didn't.

The tie was cast aside, and the buttons began to come undone. Soon, Rotti was pinning her to the bed once more.

A clash of lips brought on a new wave of passion, and slowly her dress slid off. Their bodies moved together in unison, at a certain rhythmic pace.

Although the love was fake, Rotti didn't care. She was going to be his, whether she wanted to or not.

I'm not here...I'm not here…

Marni pictured her life, Mag, and everything else she could think of to take her mind off of the pain. She was a separate being, out of her body. No more pain; she was air. And so, the time passed.

The limo pulled up to Mag's house, by the request of Marni.

All the way there, Rotti had stared proudly at his prize while Marni refused to even look at him. The door was opened for her and she turned to Rotti.

"You had better keep your promise," Marni threatened. "Or so help me I'll-"

"I will, I will." Rotti reassured with an infuriating smile, as if he was talking to a small child.

She strode up the walk angrily, aware that he was watching her from the tinted windows of the limo

She snatched the key from her purse and let herself in. She heard the limo drive off and instantly was filled with quiet relief.

Mag's voice floated from across the house.

"Marni? Is that you?"

At the sound, she felt herself begin to choke up. Her emotions were about to overflow. She could hear Mag's cane as she made her way clumsily to the hall. She stood in the entryway to the living room, her face filled with worry. As soon as Marni saw her pitiful friend, she burst into tears.

"I…I…"

Her words were cut off by heaving sobs. Mag hurriedly wandered to her, putting and arm around her, while holding her cane in the other.

"Sh…sh…it's ok."

Margi could only cry, brought lower by the fact she was being comforted by the girl she had always felt sorry for. Was that how Mag felt now? How did she feel about this role reversal? She could never tell, since she never betrayed emotion on her face.

"It…it was awful!"

"Everything will be alright." Mag said.

"The world…this life. It's too much! There's too much horror, replaying and replaying in my mind. All the things I've witnessed…I can't take it! I just want to rip my eyes out of my head and never see again!"

She was suddenly silent, realizing what she had just said. Mag, unperturbed, continued.

"There's beauty in the world as well," she calmly returned. "You've seen sunsets and read books with stories beyond my imagination. You've seen amazing things. And the horrors of the world must be seen, or else how can we grow and thrive as people? How can we learn how to prevent the horror if we don't first experience it?"

"Mag… I'm sorry."

"I know. Just be careful Marni."

"Why?"

Mag sighed, shaking her head.

"Being too careless. You have to think before you act or even speak. You can learn that from the horror you witnessed-"

"You make it sound like I'm nothing but a child!" Marni whined angrily.

You are only a child Marni…but at least you stopped crying.

Marni took Mag's hand in apology and guided her to the worn sofa in the living room. She knelt in front of her, keeping one hand in hers.

"I managed to get your eyes!"

"What?" it came as a whisper of disbelief.

"You'll be able to see Mag, and then you can see what you've always dreamed! You'll be able to see the world for yourself."

"Oh my god."

She covered her mouth, holding back sobs of joy.

"I promise I'll always be here for you." Marni swore.

Mag reached out a hand and touched her friend's face. She threw her arms around her neck, grabbing her in a hug.

"Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you, thank you."