As she shrieked her terrible battle cry, Epsilon's armor plated boot crashed into the beast's chin knocking its charge off course. Seemingly unable or unwilling to stop the creature slammed into the wall headfirst with a sickening crunch. It collapsed to the ground bleeding profusely. Her sister's Daddy ran past her, lance roaring its challenge. With a flick of her wrist Epsilon knocked him back a step. She pointed to his daughter and a hallway leading away with an imperious finger, she was not risking her sister!

The Daddy paused, seemingly torn, seeing the monster picking itself up off the ground it made its decision. With a mournful moan the Daddy snatched its daughter off the ground and lumbered away. The furious monster spun around and charged again. Smiling because her sibling was safe Epsilon moved to repeat her previous move. The beast was smarter then she gave it credit for. It caught her leg in its grip, growling savagely the monster spun in a circle and slammed her into the wall with all of its strength.

This thing was stronger then anything she'd ever seen! Unable to breath she was unprepared for its unnatural hands as they grabbed her, one wrapping around her head the other around her chest. The beast lifted her off the ground. Epsilon was struggling with all her might, trying to gain the mental focus to unleash her powers. Behind her she heard a slight popping noise, a sound she later realized were the monster's jaws dislocating. Before she could do anything it sunk its teeth into her shoulder.

Epsilon screamed in agony as its serrated teeth dug into her shoulder blade. Before she could attempt to defend herself the beast yanked its head back. With another agonizing jolt of pain it tore a chunk of flesh free from her shoulder and upper back. Epsilon found herself unable to move her left arm…

A large hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around; a great black maw was heading for her. Her right hand lashed out, flames spraying down the beast's throat. It fell to the ground writhing in agony. Ice coated her working arm, forming a large spear. Growling she drove it into the beast's chest, or at least tried to. Before she could the monster put its hand in the way. Her spear cleaved through the beast's hand, unfortunately the descent was slowed enough that it caught her arm in with its working hand.

Somehow it had recovered from a wound that would have taken her at least a day or two to recover from. Growling it tore its hand from the ice spear, mangling it further. It proceeded to lift her off the ground and slammed threw her into the wall. Before she could push herself to her feet the beast was upon her, screaming with directionless rage it stomped its foot into her spine.

Epsilon whimpered in agony and tried to pull herself away. The taloned foot crushed her again, she felt ribs break. The foot came down again; she was having trouble breathing. The foot came down again; she could no longer feel her legs. The foot slammed into her side and she rolled onto her back. Idly she wondered if anyone would take care of her body. Would anyone mourn her? Was she going to meet the man whose body she had taken care of?

The beast's foot rose.

Did she have any family? Real family? Would they miss her? Did they already? A happy thought crossed her mind. She was going to see Daddy.

The beast's foot rushed towards her head. She was coming Daddy. Protector M2 Epsilon died with a smile. Above her Rapture's new apex predator screamed its victory into the suddenly still air.

()

The shriek of the damned echoed in the still Rapture air. Simultaneously Harper, Tony, and Sandy stopped short. Voice a furious growl Tony started to run towards the source of the noise. "Its here!" Before he could charge to kill the monster that had taken his wife from him, Jack grabbed his shoulder.

"Tony we don't have time!"

Tony turned and using his superior size knocked Jack to the ground with a punch. "That thing killed my wife! MY FUCKING WIFE! If you expect me to let it go you are a fucking idiot!"

Rubbing a bruised jaw, Jack stood slowly. "We need to stick together; we need to look out for Sandra."

Tony's voiced lowered dangerously. "Then fucking leave! I'll kill that damn thing without your help!"

Tony ran down towards the source of the noise, before he could get more then twenty feet away a Big Daddy came sprinting down the hall. It checked the large man out of the way like he was nothing and kept sprinting, there was a small girl clinging to its back. Ignoring the Big Daddy Jack ran towards Tony. "Are you okay?"

Gunfire stopped jolted them both into combat mode. Harper was running to cover, hands positioned over his head. "W-what the hell's she d-doing?"

Sandy was screaming in rage, modified pistol firing nonstop at the Big Daddy. "Put her down you son of a bitch!"

Cursing Tony scrambled for his LMG, that damn girl was going to get herself killed! Already the huge metal abomination was charging at her. It was a different kind then the one they had fought, a mammoth drill was mounted on the end of one of its arms. Yelling a challenge in response to the monster's angered roars Tony lit it up, unloading his gun at the charging monster. Unfortunately the beast had set its eyes on the one who had started the conflict.

Sandy wasn't even backing away; when her pistol ran out of bullets instead of reloading she dropped it and pulled out her shotgun. She managed to get two shots off before the beast was within striking range. Before it could kill the foolish girl however, a bolt of lightning flew from Jack's hand. "Get the hell away from that thing!"

Seemingly at least somewhat shaken back to her senses the girl turned and began sprinting towards the group. The monster eventually shook off the stunning effects of the electricity and continued its charge. Before it could overtake the idiotic girl Jack shoved her out of its way with a burst of telekinesis.

Eyes focused on the monster Jack yelled an order for Harper. "When it happens shoot it with an incendiary bolt!"

Obviously panicking Harper began digging through the bolts obviously trying to debate if the red or the yellow ones were the incendiary. "Now!" Once again utilizing his telekinesis, Jack hurled a gasoline container at the beast. A second after it hit Harper's bolt impacted the beast's shoulder and instantly caught the oil on fire.

Taking careful aim, Jack fired a burst from his machine gun into the beast's oxygen tank. The tank ruptured and the leaking oxygen caught the flames. For the second time that day a Big Daddy exploded in a rain of pulp and gore.

()

Protector M2 Theta watched with detached interest as the monster she was holding coughed up blood. Theta pulled her arm back, the monster's intestine she held in her hand slipped further from its belly. She smiled in cruel satisfaction as the ropy organ reached the prodigious length of near twenty feet. With a pained moan the monster thrashed weakly, Theta laughed as it vomited forth blood. Her laughing stopped as the monster began thrashing, eyes rolling up into its head. To her disappointment it appeared to be drowning in its own blood, within a minute it was dead.

Deftly grabbing a sharp piece of metal, Theta sawed the monster's head from its shoulders. A head was adequate proof it was dead right? The monster had apparently gotten on the Mother's bad side, she had been sent to kill it. The order to kill something hadn't really changed her plan for the day. She'd been so angry lately and everyone knew slaughtering monsters was a great stress release.

Her mood darkened instantly as she remembered the reason for her current ill temper. She couldn't believe she had believed him. How would a human actually fall for something like her? She was a monster, a hideous abomination created to spread suffering wherever she went. She'd been an idiot to believe that he was doing anything other then using her.

To think for several hours she had actually thought she might finally have some happiness in her life. He had been planning to abandon her! After all they had been through! She had been too shocked by what he had said to really do anything other then what Mother had told her; now though she wished she'd made a different choice…she wished it was his head she was holding in her hand.

()

Thompson really wished there was something he could use to finish himself in his cell. The mountain of a man had just left. Thompson had only endured his 'fun' twice and he couldn't fathom enduring it again.

With a clank the metal flap that the Splicers used to give him food was pushed open. Still bleary with pain Thompson looked towards the small opening. There was a yellow eye peering back at him from the slot. "Doctor-Man? Is that you?"

Thompson stared uncomprehendingly at the obvious hallucination. The hallucination's voice came through the door again, this time sounding slightly sad. "Doctor-Man, did they make you cry?"

Seeing no harm in what was essentially talking to himself Thompson responded. "Yes, yes they did."

"I'm sorry…I don't know why Sissy did what she did…"

Thompson sighed, what good was a hallucination if it didn't give false hope? "So…how are you going to help me?" With a small gasp the eye pulled away and the flap fell shut. Great! Just great! Even his hallucinations were giving up on him.

There was the sound of something scraping at the lock. Thompson ignored it, it was always best to just ignore that horrible man. He always left quicker if he wasn't entertained. The door opened with the familiar groan of rusted metal. The soft padding of bare feet made their way over to him. A Pep Bar was unceremoniously shoved into his face. "I brought you this…" Thompson glanced at the hallucination; it was a perfect replica of Amanda. The not-Amanda shifted sheepishly from foot to foot. "…I hope you like it."

Seeing no reason not to humor his subconscious, Thompson moved to grab the nonexistent food item. Needless to say, he was quite shocked when his hand was able to grab not only the snack but Amanda's hand as well. "Y-you're real?"

Amanda gave him a funny look before nodding. "Of course I'm real Doctor-Man!" She paused, looking very confused. "Why wouldn't I be?" Before Thompson could respond, Amanda turned her head to glance behind her. As if hearing something that Thompson couldn't she nodded briefly. "Come on Doctor-Man." Her small hand grabbed onto his wrist. "Sissy wants to see you."

Thompson was slightly surprised but resigned himself to his fate, if that thing wanted to see him he'd go. Hopefully it would kill him. Amanda led him down the corridor and pulled him into a maintenance passage. She stopped at a crawl space before turning to him apologetically. "This place is kind of small…so are going to have to squeeze."

Dropping onto his belly, Thompson crawled after the little girl. After several minutes he finally voiced what was on his mind. "Why are you helping me?"

Several feet in front of him Amanda glanced over her shoulder. Thompson could clearly see her glowing eyes in the dark tunnel as they looked at him in slight confusion. "Sissy wants to see you…and I think you're nice."

Thompson felt a surge of affection for the small girl; she thought she was helping him.

()

Sandy refused to put the confused child down the entire trip back to their hideout. The girl, who was apparently named Carol, played idly with her sister's hair while casting shy glances at the other members of their party. The sisters were strikingly similar; they shared the same light brown hair, the same strikingly blue eyes, and the same rounded noses. They even shared the same laugh and smile. If it wasn't for their age difference Tony would have sworn they were twins.

Tony was absolutely furious with Sandy for her idiotic recklessness. She could have very easily gotten all of them killed. If she had explained the situation to them they would happily have helped her, recklessly charging at a monster with a drill for an arm had been moronic. Jack, while he also disapproved of her actions, seemed more sympathetic and had only scolded her immediately after the battle.

Harper, much to Tony's chagrin, seemed to be ignoring the fact that Sandy almost got them all killed. He was too busy chatting amicably with the other girl they had saved. Sandra appeared to be very outgoing and insatiably curious; she was asking Harper every question that came to mind. To Tony's surprise Harper was very good with the little girl, whenever she asked too sensitive a question he would simply find a way to change the topic of the conversation.

Tony sighed bitterly. He knew it was no one's fault but he couldn't help feeling resentment for Sandy. They had only been there two days and already she had found her lost sister. If only the fates had been as kind to him.

()

With a dull thunk the monster's head landed on Mother's desk. Theta stepped back, crossing her arms. The sooner they finished this the sooner she could go out and find something to kill. Mother raised one eyebrow behind her horn rimmed glasses. Leaning back calmly she gave Theta a disapproving look. "I would simply take your word Sister, bringing…proof is unnecessary." With a dismissive flick of her wrist she motioned for the bald giant to deal with the severed body part. Still looking at the head with distaste she nodded to Theta. "You have served well; you have the rest of the day to yourself Sister."

Not bothering to nod or show any other sign of deference, Theta spun on her heel and stormed from the Mother's office. She passed the bald giant on his way back from disposing of the head; he greeted her with a mock bow and a muttered "princess". Theta, who was already in a foul mood, had had enough. Growling savagely she shoved the larger monster into the wall. He didn't even bother resisting, he just grinned cockily at the enraged Protector as she leveled her Harvester with his eyes. "Always lovely to see you princess." Theta growled and moved her weapon closer to the obviously idiotic monster's head.

To her great frustration he still seemed unfazed with the obvious death threat. She moved her harvester nearer his face, its tip breaking the skin. His grin widened before he pointedly looked down. Slowly Theta glanced down, what she saw only further enraged her. The bald giant had somehow managed to pull one of its guns free and had it aimed directly into her stomach…and her leech. Loosing a disgusted huff, Theta dropped the arrogant monster. Casually holstering his gun he turned and headed back to Mother's office giving Theta a final cheery wink.

Shaking with rage, Theta headed towards the Little Sister dormitories. Maybe seeing Amanda would calm her down, as long as the little girl wasn't still furious with her that was…

()

The tall young woman standing before Thompson was not Theta. She was abnormally tall and thin, and her skin was pale, beyond that though the similarities ended. The girl had short brown hair, bright blue eyes, a kind and gentle demeanor that was instantly recognizable and looked to be a year or two younger then Theta. She smiled softly at the confused doctor holding Amanda's hand. "I'm glad you are free Dr. Thompson."

Needless to say, Thompson was suspicious of the young woman's motives. "Why are you helping me?"

The young woman's smile faded as she looked into space. "My mother is unnecessarily cruel sometimes. You did nothing wrong except refuse to believe as she does…you didn't deserve your punishment."

Thompson was torn, on one hand he wanted to get as far away from Lamb's daughter as was physically possible and on the other he was grateful to the girl for having something her mother lacked…a conscience. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you take Amanda with you? I can communicate with you through her if the need arises."

Though he was confused once again by the girl's ability to apparently communicate through Little Sisters, Thompson felt that it was the least he could do. After all, if he could find Tenenbaum he might be able to save the little girl. Still hesitant he nodded. A radiant smile lit up the young woman's face. "Thank you Dr. I knew you were a good person the moment I saw you. Amanda will guide you to your friend. David was it? She will then lead you safely to a Bathysphere station."

Still somewhat in shock at the recent turn of events Thompson nodded blankly. "Th-thank you."

The young woman nodded absently, head tilted to the side as if she was listening to something in the distance. With a slight jerk she turned her attention back to a bemused Thompson. "You must get going, Theta has found out about Amanda's disappearance. She is not pleased. Hurry, get David and leave before she catches you." Thompson opened his mouth to ask how she could possibly know this but was silenced as she pointed commandingly down the hallway Amanda was pulling him towards. "I will only be able to distract her for so long, you must hurry!"

Unable to think of a reason not to do as she instructed, and more fearful of running into Theta then he'd like to admit, Thompson allowed himself to be dragged down the hallway by his smaller friend.

()

"Ignoring him is just going to make him worse, you know that as much as I."

Tenenbaum nodded with a soft sigh. "We simply don't have the time to deal with Sander Cohen and his…sickness. We need to focus on saving as many children as we can." Jack knew Tenenbaum was right, he also knew that Cohen was not the type who handled rejection well.

Tenenbaum looked out through the one way mirror and into the other room. Within Sandy, Sandra, and Sandy's sister Carol were sitting around playing with several stuffed toys and dolls. Carol and Sandra were sitting on Sandy's lap and the young woman was idly running a hand through her sister's hair. The look of joyous disbelief she wore was palpable. Tenenbaum smiled softly at the sight. "Its times like this that make it all worth it Jack…"

"Yeah Brigid, it is."

()

Sandy ran her hands through her sister's dirty brown hair. She could feel the tears that ran down her cheeks but was too busy to bother wiping them away. Carol was older, paler, gaunter…but she was still her sister. She had the same smile, the same expressions, the same eyes. She was beautiful…

"Sandy, why are you crying?"

With a tearful laugh, Sandy brushed her hand against her sister's cheek. "I missed you love, I missed you so much!" For her sister it hadn't been very long, for her it seemed to be nothing more then a week or two. The reality was far crueler; it had been eight months since Sandy had last seen her sister's face.

Carol's memories were still fuzzy; she time spent inside Rapture's walls was a blur, a bad dream. Jack had told her that Carol's memories would solidify with time, though given that she had spent a fraction of the time that his daughters had she most likely never would fully remember the hellish place.

Tony was furious with her, she could tell. The man's experience with combat and life and death scenarios strongly disapproved of her reckless actions. She could tell that Jack had agreed with Tony but unlike the bear of a man he hadn't seen fit to send her murderous glares every three seconds. Sandy had lost a lot of respect for the large man. She knew that she had risked all of their lives, but how was that any different then his rush to kill the monster that had kidnapped their family members?

She frowned as she pondered her allies; the more she thought about it the more she realized she hadn't been right about them. Jack, while at first he had seemed distant and uncaring, had revealed himself to be a kind, if generally silent, man. Harper who was at times cowardly and awkward had shown himself to be braver then she would have thought possible several times. Tony who had seemed every inch the professional soldier seemed more and more gruff and at times almost cruel the longer she got to know the man. The only one who hadn't surprised her was Tenenbaum, the woman had come across as an intelligent and troubled woman trying to repent for her past sins, and that was pretty much what she was.

Pressing a soft kiss against her sister's grimy cheek, Sandy smiled truly for the first time in eight months. For the first time in eight months things were right in the world. It didn't matter if it was only for the next few hours, for now all was right in the world.

()

The first clue as to David's location was the screams. Agonized screams echoed down the hallway. Thompson had heard their type before, the type that a person gave off when screaming was all they could do. A pressurized door opened and Thompson saw his friend, he was strapped to a table several Adam laden needles injecting their contents into his body. The lone Splicer in the room dropped to the floor as Thompson overloaded the man's brain with a brief electrical charge.

David seemed oblivious to the sudden action; he simply lay on the table screaming as more Adam was pumped into his body. Seeing his friend in agony, Thompson dearly wished that that bitch had let him inject him with Adam when he was trying to heal him. At least that way his first dose of the potent drug wouldn't have been the massive dose that was currently being forced into his unwilling body.

"Doctor-Man…why is he screaming so much?" Thompson gently opened the man's eye with his finger. The young man's eyes were unfocused, rolling about as if he was in a deep sleep. The earsplitting scream that forced its way past his lips as he thrashed against the table proved that he was anything but asleep.

Thompson shut the Adam injection machine down with the touch of a button. David's pained thrashing stopped as the machine shut down, his eyes remained unfocused blankly staring into space. Thompson sighed as he looked down at his human friend. "Oh you naïve idiot…what did they do to you?"

Well next chapter is up. Sorry about the wait, my vacation ended and this chapter gave me a bit of trouble. Anyways as always please read and review.