Once she got out of the tower and was back onto the main island, Ada heard that same low voice that had surprised her earlier. "Finally made it out? I think it took you longer to get out than it did to get in."

"There were a few more things in my way this time, sorry to disappoint." There was an unmistakable sarcastic tone to her voice.

Ada continued on as she spoke, careful to be sure nothing was around that would hear her. "Well that's not my fault. I gave up on controlling them long ago. You must just seem extra delicious." Alex found her own thoughts suddenly wandering from her own choice of words. Ada did indeed whet the appetite.

"Is that why you stay hidden in that tall tower all the time? Are you too scared to face your own creations?"

"There are other ways I'd rather die than to be torn apart by those disgusting creatures."

"Fair enough." She spotted a Revenant not far away and whispered, "But unless you want your delivery girl to die, I suggest you keep quiet for a few minutes."

"Sorry, dear. I'll wait."

Ada watched the creature briefly before going out and sneak attacking him from behind, then looked around to make sure there weren't any more around that might have seen her. Most directions were clear, then she turned to one last one just in time to have a dog jump up at her and start biting at her face. It knocked her onto her back, but she managed to push it off and quickly pulled out a gun to shoot it a few times. Not seeing any more, she continued on for a while until the silence was once again interrupted.

"You sure can handle yourself pretty well out there. Think you'll be able to make it all the way back with a little girl in tow?"

"Even if I can't, I'm sure as hell going to try. I don't want her getting hurt if I can avoid it."

Alex's voice lost its playful, almost flirtatious tone and became lower, and more serious, almost demonic, if just for a moment. "Good, because if she dies, I'll make sure that you go with her, even if I have to shoot you in the head myself."

Ada froze in her spot, a little unnerved by the difference in her voice, as well as her words. The bracelet actually turned orange for a brief period. She had been threatened many times before, but something about her voice just then sent intense chills through her entire body. She retained her composure outwardly, however. "Understood. I'll make sure she gets there safe and sound."

"Great!" Alex's previous tone had returned. "Then you should have nothing to worry about. As long as she's safe, so will you be."

"What's her name anyway?"

"Natalia Korda."

"Hm. Cute name."

"I suppose. You know what else is cute?"

"What?" Ada wasn't sure she really wanted to know what this woman's idea of 'cute' was.

"You were, when you had that fear flash in your eyes for just a split second. Your eyes were so pretty with that extra glistening shine to them." Her tone had a sadistic tone to it, but a hint of what almost sounded like sweetness.

Ada was speechless. Was that supposed to be intimidating that she liked her fear, or did she just get hit on by a psychopath? "Uh..."

"Sorry, darling. You were just adorable there for a moment. I couldn't resist."

"Yeah...well...don't do it again."

"I'll leave you be." Alex gave her a new set of instructions as to where to go, then went quiet.

Ada went along, but couldn't get that one comment off her mind. She should be focusing on her mission, or at the very least be distracted by the monsters and not some strange comment by an obviously unstable woman. Still, it wouldn't leave her thoughts. Eventually, she heard that very same voice again.

"What's wrong? You're not doing as well with fighting them off. Get your head in the game or you'll never be able to protect two of you."

"How the hell are you seeing me if you needed this bracelet to track me?"

"There are plenty of cameras littering all corners of the island, but not microphones. Plus, it's too easy to lose you on a camera alone."

"Whatever."

"Aww. Don't get grouchy with me. I just don't want either of you to get hurt." Again, while her tone was mostly full of the usual sarcasm, there was a slight, barely there hint that made it sound as if she actually did care.

"Even though I might still kill you?"

"You wouldn't have gone this far if you just wanted to kill me. You had the perfect opportunity, yet you passed it right up. Don't make me laugh. Unlike most, I can see right through you, Miss Wong. You can't hide from me."

"And what makes you so sure of that?"

Alex paused, considering her answer before responding. "How about I tell you when you get back? There's no fun in revealing my hidden ace while it's still needed."

"If you insist." Ada actually did find the woman surprisingly difficult to read. She couldn't help but wonder if she was telling the truth, or if she was lying through her teeth. "A hidden ace? Now that's cheating, but I've been having so much fun playing with you that I'll let it slide."

"You haven't even begun to play for real yet. I play best in person. If you're lucky, maybe you'll get to see what I mean."

Once again, Ada wasn't quite sure if this was a romantic pass or an attempt to be intimidating. She also wasn't sure at this point which one she'd more prefer. Just then, she spotted a little girl, holding a teddy bear and picking rare flowers. "Ssh. I found her."

Alex's eyes widened with excitement. "What? Really? Go get her then!"

"I will if you'll keep quiet." Ada waited for a moment and didn't hear another word, then approached the girl. "Hey. You alright?"

Natalia turned to face her. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You know it's dangerous out here, right? A little girl like you shouldn't be alone."

"I...don't really have anyone."

Ada put on a comforting smile and kneeled down in front of her. "Do you want to come with me? I can protect you."

"Uh...sure." Natalia was understandably a little suspicious, but went along with her anyways. She seemed nice enough.

"Then let's go." Ada stood and extended her hand, then began walking with Natalia.

Back in her tower, Alex watched with an excited grin as she observed the two on her cameras. It was finally happening. Her life's work was finally within reach of a glorious conclusion. Soon she'd have the perfect vessel for the transfer, and all because of that pretty little freelancer. Her hand grazed the lump in her pocket from the syringe housed within it. It was almost a shame to have her potentially ruined and mutated. Maybe she could wait on that and see if she could get another favor out of her. But for now, most of her thoughts were dominated by Natalia and what she was to become.

Soon, Ada arrived back in the tower, greeted in the hallway by Alex. "You're finally here!" Alex kneeled down and hugged Natalia, which surprised her since she had no clue who this woman was yet. Alex pulled back and looked at her with a small smile. "Sorry, you don't even know who I am. My name is Alex. I'm going to protect you from all of those horrible monsters out there."

"Oh. Well, thank you." Natalia smiled, too naive to really question her intentions.

Alex stood and held her hand. "Come now, dear. I need to have a talk with Miss Wong, so let me show you to your room for now, alright?" The little girl nodded. Alex looked over at Ada. "Go back to the room we met in before. I'll be there as soon as she's comfortable."

"Whatever you say." Ada may not have known the woman long, but she at least knew her well enough to know that, while she may be a lot of things, overly sweet was not one of them. However, whatever she had planned, she had been concerned enough about her well being that she doubted she'd do anything to really hurt her. Maybe she could weasel out an actual answer later. Nonetheless, she went back to the room from before.

Alex walked with Natalia, holding her hand the whole way. The girl was quiet, but looked around curiously. "Are you the lady in charge of this place?"

"I am, not that there's much to be in charge of anymore."

"No one here seems to like you. They all say you're evil."

Alex chuckled. "I may not be the most generous person around, but evil might be a bit far."

"They say it's your fault that everyone turned into monsters."

"Kind of. I gave them what I thought was a cure and it turned out I was wrong."

"So you thought you were helping them?"

"Yes." Alex was lying through her teeth. "But you I plan to help in a way that won't backfire. I plan to keep you as safe as I possibly can."

"Why?"

"Because you're special." Alex opened a door to a spare bedroom, complete with a more childish decorating motif and various stuffed animals, even a few toys. She led Natalia in, then kneeled in front of her once more, holding her arms gently. "I'm going to protect you, and in return you're going to help me with something. You don't even have to do anything yet; just stay here and be safe. Sound good?"

Natalia nodded, then smiled. "Yeah. Thank you."

Alex smiled kindly as well, though her sweetness was all a masque. "You're very welcome. Now stay in here. I may not be back to see you until tomorrow, depending on how things with the delivery girl go. There's a nightlight if you need it, and you get your very own little fridge with food and drinks in it."

Natalia nodded. "Okay."

"I'll see you tomorrow." Alex stood, then bent down to kiss her forehead. "If I don't see you until then, goodnight, sleep well, and sweet dreams."

"Goodnight." Natalia walked further into the room. "Look at all this stuff, Lotti!"

Alex shut the door and returned to Ada, sitting down in the same place she had before. "She's so naive, it's adorable."

"And just what exactly do you plan on doing with her? If you plan to do anything too bad, I just might have to kidnap her again and take her elsewhere."

"I threatened your life if she was hurt and you still doubt my intentions? Believe me, no harm will come to her. She'll be asleep for a long time, but will be protected the whole time."

"Asleep?"

"It's a long story. For now, why don't we cut to the chase?"

"Now who's being a buzzkill?" Ada grinned.

Alex chuckled. "Sorry. Did you actually want to have a chat this time?"

"Not really, just couldn't resist."

"Besides, there will be plenty of time for chatting later, if you accept another proposal I'd like to bring to the table."

"Another proposal? And what might that be?" Ada repositioned herself to get a bit more comfortable.

"I have another virus you might be interested in. Uroboros."

"Let me guess. You want me to run another little errand for you?"

"No." Alex grinned. "I want you to stay here and actually have that chat over a nice little dinner."