One of the first things Vanya had done when she took refuge in her room, after blockading it, was smash the clock. She hadn't done it for any symbolic purposes, it was just unfortunately close. The next thing to go was her backpack, tearing up all the papers inside it. Vanya would've smashed more if she hadn't suddenly started to feel weak.

With no more appetite for destruction she had made her way into her room's adjoining bathroom. She had taken a hot shower, since she was very cold, and changed into her flannel pajamas. Then she had proceeded to her bed. Once there she flung herself down and started up a new bout of crying, feeling even more pathetic.

Eventually she ended up crying herself to sleep. Hours passed until she woke up. Her alarm clock hadn't woken her up, and it took her a minute to figure out why. When she remembered she started crying a little more. Shortly after she finished she banged her head against her headboard, ashamed of her tears.

After that she resolved to get angry, no, to get furious. Vanya hadn't cried anywhere near this much since she was eleven. How could she break that record? She'd thought that she was getting better. Of course, she hadn't counted on her heart getting broken and then making a mess of the situations. Not to mention getting angry wasn't easy and it was exhausting.

This led her to another few hours of sleep. When she woke up again she brushed her teeth and took care of other necessities, since there was some practicality left in her. Then she drank as much water as possible because dehydration was setting in. Laying back down on her bed she started to think about her next step.

She couldn't go back out there, and she couldn't stay in her room. Well, she could stay in her room. However, it just wasn't practical and she'd probably die of either boredom or something similar. Vanya figured that her only option was to go back to college. There were summer courses that would be starting up. The deadline to sign up was in a few days, so she had time. That took care of summer. By Christmas she'd either have figured something out or would stay home.

Depressingly satisfied with running away she planned the remaining time until she could get away. She needed food. At first she'd only wanted water but now she was starting to get hungry. Cautiously she unlocked her door and peered out into the hallway. It was dark, and that worried her a little. Perhaps she hadn't slept as long as she thought she had. At least it wasn't raining anymore, which was a plus.

Grabbing her bathrobe she made her way down to the kitchen. Too late she realized she should've grabbed her slippers too, since the tile felt like ice on her feet. Vanya shook it off. It wasn't like she was going to be staying there for very long. She was just down there long enough to get a snack and then leave.

No sooner had she opened the refrigerator though than she heard;

"Hey!"

Letting out a shriek of surprise she slammed the refrigerator door shut. Seconds later the light came on and she saw Horror standing there looking blank.

"Just me," he said pitifully.

"Sorry," she said, breathing slow and deep, "You just…well…you scared the shit out of me."

"No problem," Horror said pleasantly, "I just came down here to see if the muffins were done cooking yet."

Her eyes followed him as he went to the oven. He smiled, pulled on an oven mitt, and took out a tray of steaming muffins. Since she was looking at the oven she couldn't help but see the time.

"You cook muffins at three in the morning?" she asked.

Horror put the tray on the island in the middle of the kitchen. He sat down on one of the chairs, and Vanya followed suit.

"Yeah," he said, "I'll ice 'em when they cool down a bit too."

"You put frosting on muffins?" she asked.

"Klaus won't eat them otherwise," said Horror mournfully, "They're the only thing he eats, but I don't think he knows about the vitamins I put in them so he gets his nutrition. But he won't eat at all if I don't put icing on them. He says that they're a disgrace to the cupcake family if they don't have icing. I tried to tell him that they aren't actually cupcakes, but you know Klaus."

Vanya stared at him.

"That's horrible," she said.

"Actually it doesn't taste that bad, I tried one once-" he started.

"No, you," Vanya said miserably putting her head in her hands, "That's the real horror here. Why the fuck should you have to clean up after us? Huh?"

At first Horror didn't answer. Then he reached across gently and moved her face up. To her surprise he was smiling.

"Someone has to," he said.

"No one should have to," she answered, jerking away.

Horror sighed and got up. He headed over to the refrigerator, pulling out a bowl of icing. Then he got a knife before returning to the island.

"Good to see you're feeling better," he said, starting to frost one, "I was really worried."

"I feel like shit," she snapped, "But I needed to get out."

"Good attitude," said Horror brightly, "Two days was way too long to be in your room."

"Two days!" she cried, "I slept in for two days?"

Blinking Horror stopped frosting.

"Yeah?" he ventured.

"Great," she moaned, "Just great."

Horror didn't answer until he had frosted three more.

"What happened?" he asked finally.

In all honesty she didn't want to tell him. However, the point where she didn't have to tell him had passed. So she confessed the story, every detail, everything.

"I understand why you're upset," he said after she had finished, "But, he couldn't possibly have realized why you were. Diego's not that bright and really it seemed like he was doing something good-"

"Yeah, he'll never get it," said Vanya, running her hand through her hair, "Never. That's why I need to get away. I thought I could do this, could deal with this, but I can't. Not at all. So yeah, running away's cowardly, but it's all I can do."

"Think this out," begged Horror, "We'll talk about it tomorrow, okay? I'll even come up to your room so you won't have to leave."

"You won't change my mind," she said, "But, alright."

Shaking her head she started to get up. Horror stopped her.

"Have some muffins," he said, "Frosted or unfrosted, your choice."

"Thanks Ben," she said, taking three since her stomach had started growling, "You're the best of us you know."

She walked out and Horror kept on frosting.

"We-ll that's a sob story if I ever heard one," Séance said, floating in from the other door.

"How long were you listening?" sighed Horror.

"Long enough to know she's got it bad for our resident sociopath," Séance replied at the same time he spied the muffins, "Oooh! Cupcake cousins!"

He shoved one into his mouth whole. Crumbs sprayed out and Horror flinched.

"Hey, you used cream cheese icing!" he exclaimed happily, "The creamiest of cheeses!"

Séance leaned in mischievously.

"For that I shall tell you how to solve emo-sister's oh-so tragic dilemma," he said conspiratorially.

"How could you possibly know how to solve this?" asked Horror skeptically.

"Hah!" cackled Séance as he grabbed another muffin, "I'm the only one wacky enough to be able to see a way out of this fucked-up mess!"

As the muffin disappeared Horror sagged in defeat.

"True."