Wow. The support I am getting for this story is just absolutely mind blowing, thank you so, so much for reviewing every chapter, I look so much forward to your reviews it's ridiculous, I'm refreshing my emails every two second, literally!

I'm having to restrain myself with the updates lol because I am so ahead of myself that I could pretty much publish twice a day, or 6000 words chapters, which is a bit ridiculous.

As for Alice learning to shoot a gun, it is coming up, though not yet I'm afraid ;) I do have that in mind though and it will come up soon.

Just a little reminder that the disclaimer obviously still applies, and that this story is rated M for graphic violence, swearing, and also because it will eventually be flavoured with graphic sex.

This said, thank you again, I appreciate the amazing, continuous support with this huge challenge of a story, and I hope it doesn't disappoint. Thank you :)

Alice does not sleep very well that night, despite the presence of the puppy. She's got to try it, even if it's a trap. Then maybe Vaas will just kill her. Either way, she'd be out of this hell. Alice looks at the puppy. She's not even given it a name yet, though it has more or less become her dog. What's a good name for a dog? This dog? So far she's been calling it 'pup' and 'boy'. Is that a good name? Boy? Pup?

It's such an ugly animal. In a way, his ugliness makes him all the more endearing, and Alice very happily returns his affections, cuddling him all the time. He will grow fairly big, she can tell. Should she take him with her?

No. Immigration is a nightmare, and if she were to make it back to England, the dog would not be allowed in. Also, if she randomly took the dog to Alec's house, Vaas might know something was up.

That is, if he isn't the one planning all of this in the first place.

So, Alice says her goodbyes. Cuddles the puppy all night, plays with him in the early morning. Wishes him well. Gives him a wash. He's a bit startled at first, but soon enough he is rather enjoying himself, seeking the tap and crying for more water.

When they come out, Vaas has woken up, and has put some pants on. He is still topless though, and his trousers are open. He rubs his eyes. Has he not slept well either? His eyes look dark, and his Mohawk is a bit ruffled up. He is pouring himself some water, then starts chopping up a mango.

"Good morning , Vaas."

He doesn't turn around.

"Morning, sirenita. Sleep well?"

Is he tricking her? Alice settles for honesty.

"Not really, no. And you?"

"Me neither. You hungry?"

She walks over to him. There are scars all over his back. He is muscly, and there are a few dark hairs on his chest and trailing down to his trousers. He is not wearing underwear, and Alice doesn't know where to look. He catches her, and buttons up his trousers.

He can be kind, she thinks, and the thought grows into her mind like a cancer.

She's realised by now that he's the one who was holding her hand the other night, and brought the puppy to her. He's been kind, really, apart from... Everything. This might be the last time she sees him, she realises, and she is not sure what to think about that. He's abducted her, he's killed Brad and terrorised Tim and Jessica, he's killed people from the trip, he's made her eat human meat... He's a slaver, a murderer, a psychopath. But, he has treated her kind of well. He is sick, she thinks, and he does seem to have something for her. She needs to get home though, and that's it. This is getting confusing.

"I was wondering if I could maybe visit Dr Earnhardt today?" She asks. "I haven't been in days." She adds, defensively.

Vaas says nothing for a while.

"Ok."

Alice breathes out, relieved.

"I've got to visit some outposts today anyway so you might as well do that, nena. When you're there can you tell him me and the boys are coming to pick up some stuff tomorrow ok? The usual."

"Sure. No problem. Thank you."

"Thank you, nena."

The dog walks out, looking all fresh and bouncing happily. Alice cannot shake the cancer out of her head.

"Vaas... You know, the other night,when I was... Um... Having nightmares."

"Yeah?"

"Did you... Was it you who held my hand? And then brought the puppy?"

"Yeah. You were looking all" he moves his hands around, "upset, and like you were seeing stuff. You didn't want my hand so I thought that ugly dog might help."

"Thank you." She repeats, but he seems unconvinced.

Sudenly, Alice feels a strange feeling in her chest. She wants him to realise that really, as fucked up as their situation is, she is thankful to him for that. Plus, she wants him to think that all is going very well. There's a hint of pity in that feeling, because truly, he is mad, he isn't himself.

She's going to the doctor's house, but it's fine, she's doing her part of the deal, no need to get mad. Her hand reaches up to his face on its own accord, gently turning it around to face hers.

"I mean it. Thank you. And for taking me to the bar yesterday, and for the swim the other day. And for today. Thank you, Vaas."

She lets her finger brush his cheek. He has nice lips, she thinks, and he looks kind of handsome when he smiles. She takes a step forward. You're doing it to get him off your back, she tells herself. Gain his trust, that's a good idea. Make him think the deal is going ahead.

Alice is on her tiptoes now. She sees the pirate's eyes flicking to her lips, and she knows what he wants. He said if she touched him anywhere, that meant he could now do that too. He certainly has been making the most of her touching his hand a week ago, but it's not like she'll ever see him again. And if she does, either he'll kill her, or perhaps he will be merciful precisely because of what she is about to do now. Just a peck, she decides. To keep him off of her. To earn his trust. To say thank you. To garantee his forgiveness should the operation fail. Her eyes shut.

When their lips connect, Alice just exerts a gentle pressure, like a slight push. It feels alright, she has to admit, he isn't disgusting. His actions are, though, but she can make herself forget for a second. She attempts to pull away, but he follows her, pushing against her lips more decidedly. She lets him have a couple more seconds. Counts to four. Alice tries pulling away again,and this time his hand goes to her face, then the other slips to her neck, and he is now the one doing the kissing. Alice feels panic bubbling up, tries focusing her mind on her upcoming escape. His kiss is rather gentle, but there is definite insistence, and a hint of sexual frustration. He uses no tongue, just lips. His lips push hers, pinch her bottom one, then his teeth bite lightly on her lip and Alice puts her hand on his chest - it is burning hot - and pushes him away whilst taking a few steps back. They break apart.

"Right so uh, I'll see you tonight then, ok?" She is shaking like a leaf. Her lips feel electrified, her whole face is tingling. He's got a big goofy smile on his face.

"Ok then nena. You know what this means no?" He is pointing to his lips.

"Yes, yes, sure. Um, see you later ok?"

"See you later sirenita."

She picks up the car keys and walks out, and he follows, awfully close, then waves at her as she makes her way to the vehicles. Once in the safety of the car, Alice drives off, wipes her lips with the back of her hand.

Is it morning now? Has she missed it? Is it later? Is it all a big lie?

She drives at normal speed, doesn't tap impatiently on the steering wheel. There's nothing in the car with her, she's not even taken the handgun Vaas has given her. She's left everything behind, has not even brought a jacket or anything. It needs to look like a normal day. As she drives, Alice looks around in the jungle, on the road, trying to find any sort of a sign of Tim or the girl from the bar.

She is nearly at the doctor's house now, and is starting to get worried. Nothing is happening. Are they at the doctor's house? Was it all a lie? Did they get held up? Will she have to be kissed by Vaas every single day from now on? Was it a scheme of his, to get a kiss? How desperate can you be for a kiss?

She parks the car a bit away from the house, because there is a fallen branch on the road up to the mansion. She can see the silhouette of the doctor moving around in the greenhouse. Alice starts making her way up, when sudenly someone grabs her from behind and a big hand covers her mouth and nose. Kicking, she is dragged into the jungle and pushed against a tree. The mansion disappears.

"Ridley it's me," says a voice, and Alice stops fighting.

"Tim!"

"Shh, keep quiet, Earnhardt might hear."

"Oh god, Tim! Was it true? Are you ok?"

"Fine, Alice how are you? You've been with that guy for like two weeks, are you ok?"

"Yes, yes, I'm ok."

"Does he know you're here? How did you get away? I wasn't sure you would be able to come but I can't get to the camp!"

"He lets me come here. Who was that girl?"

"Just some girl, she won't talk, come on we need to go!"

He pulls her away and the two of them set off running in the jungle.

"Where are we going? Where's Jessica?"

"What?"

"Jessica?"

"She's fine, fine, we got a boat we're going to fix, I'm taking you somewhere safe. I had to get you out of there, are you sure you're ok?"

They are diving deeper into the jungle, light disappearing as the vegetation thickens around them. The air becomes oppressive, it is almost like breathing water. On the ground, there are fallen leaves as big as Alice's entire body. Tim looks skinnier, but also more athletic, more determined, he has a slightly hallucinated look on his face, as if he's been on drugs for a while. He's carrying a machine gun on his back, a handgun at his waist, a machete in his hand. It is him though, calling people by their last names, talking to her, leading her in then out of trouble. It's like uni all over again,except on a lesser scale.

"I can't believe you're really here!" She tells him. Is this really the end? Is she getting home?

"You too" he smiles, "to be honest we weren't even sure you were alive! What's he been doing to you?"

But Alice isn't ready to speak about the human meat, not yet. Perhaps she never will be.

"Where are we going?" She asks, instead.

"Somewhere safe."

"And where's that?"

"With the Rakyat. There're the locals, they're at war with the pirates. I've been helping them, they said they'd help me get you out and they'd help you both get away from here."

"Us both?"

"You and Jess."

"What? But what about you?"

"I'm staying, I've got to help the Rakyat, I've met their leader, she said she'd make sure you both got out of here safely if I help their cause."

"How are you supposed to help them? You're... You're..." ...a gardener, finished her mind for her.

"They say I'm a warrior. Their leader, she believes in me. She said I just need to prove myself."

"But who is she?"

"Citra. She's from here, she knows the islands, and she knows that pirate who took you, that Montenegro, she said..."

But Tim does not finish his sentence, because gunshots are heard bouncing off the trees. A lot of them. Close. Probably near the doctor's house.

"Oh no!"

"Shit."

Tim grabs her arm and they set off running again, pushing through the bushes, slipping on the wet ground. More gunshots, even closer now, shouts.

This cannot be happening.

Has someone followed her there? She's been careful, she's checked the rear view mirror. Was it because of her kiss? Has Vaas read through her? Why did she kiss him? Why did she think it would put him off her? How could she mess this up so much? Are they shooting Alec? Do they think he's helped her?

"We'll be fine Ridley, it's ok, let's keep going, come on just keep up!"

Alice is whimpering to herself, repeating "no,no,no" like a mantra. This is wrong. He's going to kill her. The deal is off, he's going to rape her, torture her, kill her.

More gunshots,like they're being fired in the air.

"Here, take this."'

Tim gives her his handgun.

"Oh no! no!"

"Ridley you're fine! The safety's off, just shoot at them if they come near, you're fine!"

Vaas gave her one of those, but he never got round to teaching her, and she still has no idea what to do with it. Hers is still at his shack, on the shelf near the DVDs.

They run. By now, the air is so moist that it is as if they'd both just had a shower with their clothes on.

"Are we far?"

"Quite, yes. Fuck, we should have taken your car, I thought going through the jungle would be more discrete."

Alice is sure she can hear them now, a lot of them, running not far behind them. The vegetation is so dense that they could literally be a few feet away and wouldn't see each other.

Gosh,what if they run into a tiger?

They walk through a dirty pond, keep going. Tim is holding Alice's top, pulling her. She's never been a good runner.

"Come on! come on,"urges Tim.

Alice's lungs are burning, she feels like she is going to be sick, but she isn't giving up. They've got to try,they cannot be caught. What's the poem again? Do not go gentle into that good night, rage, rage against the dying of the light. Nothing has ever spoken to her more than these words, in this instant.

So they run.

Eventually Tim seems to grow tired, and he slows down, looks behind them.

"I think we're losing them. Shit, that was close. Are you al-?"

Alice screams as something red and huge tackles Tim to the ground. They've caught up with them. How? Tim and the pirate wrestle on the ground. The pirate is trying to get his gun out, and Tim bites, punches, kicks, headbuts, rolls, does everything in his power to stop him. They roll again, and Tim is on top this time. They sound like animals. The pirate is holding and squeezing Tim's throat, and Tim is pushing his thumb into the pirate's eye socket. There is a wet pop, and Alice realises that she is crying. Her hand is trembling. What is she holding again? They roll around again. The pirate, now half blind, headbuts Tim and the latter is stunned, all fight leaving him. The pirate finally pulls his gun out. Alice knows she cannot shoot. Not from far. Both hands on the weapon.

When the gun touches his temple, the pirate's face crunches up in confusion and he looks at her. She shoots. Doesn't miss, not from this close.

The kickback is astounding. It shakes her arms, hits her shoulders, the gun does an angry push back, as if it is trying to go to her chest. The noise is so loud both of Alice's ears start whistling. There's blood on the ground. What's the saying? Red and green, never to be seen? Or is it blue and green?

Tim is amazingly unbothered. He stands, laughs, gives her a pat on the back. Then his eyes focus on something behind her and all humour leaves his face. He reaches for his machine gun, pushes Alice to the ground. Since when is he this strong? The machine gun fires, and Alice hears at least seven different bodies hitting the ground near her. She is pulled to her feet, pulled along again.

Now is not the time to mourn her soul.

Sound returns to her ears, the whistling fades, and all of Alice's limbs feel like they are pulsating with electricity. Colours are brighter, smells stronger, and her legs have stopped hurting.

They get to a clearing, and sudenly it's him, his voice rings somewhere behind them, not far.

"Sirenita! SIRENITA! Don't you swim away from me!"

"It's him!" Alice is panicking.

Tim pushes her behind a tree, shushes her. He goes to hide in a bush, inspects his machine gun. They grow very still, as Alice feels, actually feels, Vaas entering the clearing.

"Sirenita! Where are you, nena?" He sounds mad. "Tim, hermano? You here? I know you here, amigo. You killed a load of my men back there. But I respect you for it."

He is pacing. How on earth did he know so quickly? How did he find them? Would he never had known, had she not kissed him?

"You took my mermaid, amigo. She and I have got a deal. A deal for your pathetic, tiny life. You just broke that deal, amigo. I want my sirenita back, you hear me?"

They can hear him walking around, and Alice imagines he is probably punching the air.

"FUCK! Hermano, give me back my fucking mermaid! I'm gonna fucking slice you open and feed you to the dogs, you fuck!"

Alice is still crying, as silently as possible. One look at Tim confirms that he does not even seem frightened. What's got to him? He used to be scared of spiders in bathrooms. He is inspecting his gun, listening carefully. He must be trying to determine where exactly Vaas is, to jump out and shoot him on the spot.

"You're gonna be my bitch," continues Vaas. "I'm gonna make you pay for this hermano."

It sounds like he has turned around, and Tim takes his chance. He jumps out, aims, fires.

There's no one there. The clearing is empty. Tim walks into it, searching. Alice follows. Where has he gone? He was right there!

"Peekaboo, motherfucker."