"AAAAAHHHHHH," Trevor was woken out of another nightmare. This one was bad to. He was outside of his body watching as he but a pistol to his brother's head. He pulled the trigger and watched as blood and brain matter leaked out of his head. He watched as the other Trevor cupped his hands in front of the leaking skull and smeared it all over his face like sick camouflage. The part that made him scream is when his mother would walk into the room.

Again Wade was there in the bed. This time he was wearing full pajamas. Trevor hadn't 'been' with Wade since that first night in the hotel. Every night Trevor had been having nightmares. They were getting worse by degrees. They were becoming more and more violent. Trevor lived a violent life. He killed people in all sorts of ways. He guessed it was all coming back to haunt him now.

"Trevor, it's okay." Wade hugged him like he would hug a teddy bear.

"No, Wade, it's not okay. These dreams keep getting worse," he said, sobbing.

Wade was tired of all of the nightmares that Trevor was having. It cost him sleep and when you were coming down from meth, sleep was not to be disturbed. Trevor had gotten him like this and now he was falling apart. Trevor, that is. There was no time for that. So, Wade did something on impulse. He would have never done this when he was in Sandy Shores. He slapped Trevor. Yes he did. He opened his palm and went about Trevor's left cheek. It sounded a lot harder than it was but the strike definitely caught the Canadian's attention. Trevor's brown eyes were always expressive. Now in the moonlight they glowed. They weren't at all angry. They were… vulnerable. They were like the eyes of a toddler who's been separated from a loving mother in a big mall. Wade spoke.

"Trevor you need to calm down. That's what you told me when I realized Daisy Bell and Kush Chronic weren't coming back. I felt bad when they left me. But, you stayed with me and made me feel better. You slapped me out of my panic and showed me that if I listen to you and stayed with you everything will be alright."

"But it's not alright."

"Stop feeling so fucking sorry for yourself, Trevor!" Wade could remember the last time he yelled like that. He never raised his voice especially to Trevor.

"I'm sorry, sir." Trevor's eyes had changed into hollow spheres of nothingness.

That was the same night Amanda and Michael went out and saw that play, 'Red Dead Redemption' on Burlesque. The night air in Liberty City was hot and humid. The sky, at least didn't have that ugly orange tinge to it like it did in LS. It was a good show too. Michael hailed a taxi and they rode back to the hotel. The kids were out doing something. They had both said something about a 'Maisonette 9' or something like that. They were just getting acclimated to the city. Michael figured that he club scene in the city would be where the kids would flock to.

As for them, the bright lights of Star Junction were enough. They didin't know that nowadays, they didn't glow so brightly. All of the signs used to advertise the shitty shows that came out of Vinewood. The seasons of the reality shows were put on hold as the writers were trying to reconcile the fact that none of the stars had died during the disaster even though so many citizens did. Now the billboards were for aid to L.S. and Blaine. It was ironic after all of the ads that were running after the big storm in Liberty City. The news feeds were the only things in the area that looked normal. Michael's phone buzzed. He checked his phone, which was resting on the bedside table, and saw that his bank account had been filled with $515,850,000.00. He at the same moment received an email from Augury Insurance that read:

Dear Mr. De Santa,

Your bank account has received the funds for the insurance of Richards' Majestic Productions of which you owned thirty-eight percent (38%). Augury is sorry for the loss of your business/property and wishes you well in your future endeavors. If you are a shareholder your dividends may be delayed for several weeks. If not, ignore the last statement.

Sincerely,

David Vordersuegerren

CEO of Augury Insurance

"Damn, I get richer by the day," he chuckled.

Franklin moved out about a week later. He found a lovely condo on the East Side of town. It was somewhat quiet but it was still Algonquin. It was on Albany Avenue. It was of a rather modern design that reminded him of the place that he left in L.S. It didn't have a view of the skyscrapers of Algonquin, though. It faced east, so there was a beautiful view of Dukes with its one iconic building in view. The sunrises would be the most spectacular thing in the mornings, too, being on the seventh floor and all . Most of the residents in the building seemed to be nice folks. Well, nice for rich assholes. Two of the women in the building were particularly nice to him. They were perplexed by the fact that he was moving in with only one suitcase.

"I left my old life behind," was his cryptic answer.

One of them, she had a bit of a Bohan accent, said, "You know what why don't you come to my apartment tonight and get to know your neighbors."

"Sure," started the other woman, who had red hair, "it'll be good to get to know our new neighbor.

They spoke as if Franklin was not present. They went on like a couple of hens. He tuned them out. It was their plan and that was that.

That evening came and Franklin reluctantly made his way down to that woman's apartment. The short conversation he had didn't give him an opportunity to catch either of their names. Well, it would be a small dinner party. Both of the ladies and their families would be there. Franklin was still getting used to the fact that he had to take an elevator, when he arrived on the third floor. He wearing a pair onyx suit pants that he bought from Perseus that day, and a blue shirt that made it into his suitcase from L.S. It was another hot and sticky day with a high of eighty-eight and a humidity of ninety percent. It really felt like 113 degrees, but the walk to Perseus was short and Franklin was from L.S.

When the elevator door opened, the smell of good food hit him like a wave. This was certainly better than Burger Shot and Cluckin' Bell. The ladies could be heard gossiping about Samantha Muldoun or someone. Franklin wanted to laugh. He suppressed it. They heard the ding of the elevator's arrival and perked up. They both emerged from behind the kitchen island and greeted him.

The Latina spoke first, "Hello, um… um. Oh my goodness, we never got your name. You invite someone to your house for dinner and you don't even get their name. My name is Mallorie Bardas-Bellic."

"And I'm," started the other one," Kate Bellic."

"Our husbands are cousins and they are also your landlords. So, what's your name?"

"I'm Franklin Clinton, and I," he hesitated, "I'm from Los Santos."

"WHAT?" They screamed simultaneously. Mallorie's jaws parted, leaving her mouth ajar, but not agape.

"I know it's a long story, but let's say that I was the last plane out of that town before it happened."

"You poor dear," Kate started, "That's why you only had the one suitcase. If there's anything you need, you just-"

"It is alright, I have some friends here who are looking after me," he said.

"I still think you should talk to our husbands to get some help with the rent," Mallorie insisted.

Just then two men stepped out of the elevator. They both looked Eastern European, maybe Russian. They both looked like they had been through Hell in their youth, as their similar features showed a fatigue for life and its misfortunes. They were both about the same age, mid-thirties most likely family by the resemblance. One was thin and the other more… rotund in shape. The thinner one looked as if he had some definition to his muscles, not emaciated at all. He got good exercise, what from, Franklin dare not wonder. They stopped as they saw a strange man in one the apartment. The thin one saw that the ladies were relaxed, so he relaxed.

"Who's this," asked the fat one.

"This is your new tenant, Franklin Clinton." Mallorie answered her husband

"How's it going," Franklin asked politely as he outstretched his hand to shake those of his landlords.

"Fine, I'm Niko Bellic and this is my cousin Roman." Niko said returning the gesture to the new acquaintance. Roman followed suit with a firm handshake.

"So, tell 'em where you're from Frank. Is it okay if I call you that." Mallorie asked.

"Sure, you can. That's what my friends call me. Anyway, I'm from Los Santos."

"Oh, shit. You must be glad you're alive man," Roman said in astonishment.

"That's why I want to talk to you guys," Mallorie continued, "You gotta give him a couple of months to get back on his feet, financially."

"Absolutely," Kate chimed in.

"Fine, anything to help out a friend in need," Niko said. :Kate do you mind, I invited Patrick over for din-"

"I'm here, everyone," called the voice of Patrick from the elevator.

Franklin perked up at the familiar voice. "You have got to be fucking kidding me," he thought. He turned around and faced Packie

"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Packie's face contorted, "YOU'RE STILL ALIVE?!"

"Yes I am. You're still alive, I see. I'm glad," Franklin said genuinely, rising to give Packie a friendly hug. Packie was surprised. It wasn't often he was hugged by someone who wasn't his mother or his sister. The hug lasted a little to long for comfort for most of the people in the room. It was a new and complete feeling for both the men. They parted from their embrace before either of them wanted to. Roman coughed and Kate chuckled inwardly.

Niko broke the awkward silence, "Packie, Franklin can I see you two in private for a second," He said as he walked towards his living room. The other two walked into the other room with Niko.

"Okay, how do you know each other?" Niko started his eyes were attentive to their body language. They were already standing a little closer than he would have to anyone, save his wife.

"Well... you know I left L.C. back in 2010 and I went to L.S." Packie said, starting as if this was going to be a long story.

"Okay," said Niko, still spying the distance between the two men.

"Well, I didn't meet Franklin until this year when he saved my ass from being arrested because my partner was an ass."

"Okay." Niko was still trying to put the dynamic together.

"So we did some of those big jobs together Vangelico, Blaine County, Union Depository,"

"Okay." Franklin couldn't believe that Niko was so nonchalant about being told that he robbed the biggest bank in the country.

"You know I came back here very soon after that and have been off the radar since," Packie said, now turning towards Franklin, "Franklin, this is the same Niko that I said was dead. I only said that because I wanted to protect my sister."

"I understand," was all Franklin said.

"Alright we'd better get back to them before they get too suspicious." Niko said, gesturing towards the dining area.

"Niko," Franklin started, "Don't worry, that rent will be in your hands on the first in an envelope, in cash."

Niko chuckled.