After ruminating for a while, Flug walked over to his computer to log a new report for Melanie.
He sat down and typed the following:
"Today, Black Hat has introduced to me a new patient.
Name: Melanie de la Muerte
Gender: Female
Age: 14
Reason for referral: Melanie de la Muerte is a daughter of two of the organization's most powerful allies: Senor Santa Muerte and la Faucheuse. She has shown signs of drastically stepping out of the line of villainy. She was unmasked by Wesley Jagger and found to be performing heroic acts. Severe intervention is needed.
Additional notes: Subject is a member of the notorious 'nun-jas,' a group of ninja nun heroes with a divine connection. They are trained with a will made of iron, so interrogation will prove useless. Trying to turn a nun-ja from good to evil has never been done. Evidence suggests Melanie may be the student of another previous target known as Kasumi Yamaguchi.
Prognosis: Due to the knowledge of Kasumi Yamaguchi and her sensei, security has been increased around the manor to prevent a possible rescue attempt.
Subject has been put in the organization's care under 24-hour surveillance. Melanie has shown no signs of wanting to change and has resisted and been belligerent with all of the staff, except 5.0.5.
The thing that worries Lord Black Hat the most is Melanie's connection to…"
"Oooooooooh," Dementia interrupted. "What are you doing?"
"¡Vete, Demencia! (Go away, Dementia!)" Flug said. "I'm busy!"
After reading the screen for a second, Dementia said, "I'm gonna tell Black Hat you were about to say His name!"
"No, I wasn't," Flug said pressing a button on his watch. "Now, get out of here or the Hat bots will be coming to get you in about ten seconds."
Dementia looked up to see the Hat bots coming her way and yelled, "You'll never take me alive!" before she dashed off down the hall.
Flug merely sighed and continued typing.
By the time he was done, it was time for Melanie's next check-up, so he left his lab and headed to 505's room where he and Melanie had been playing videogames for the past hour.
Melanie and 505 played videogames for the rest of the morning. The pair had an amazing time playing and chatting and laughing all the while as they fought bosses, cleared obstacles, and faced challenges together.
505 was over the moon. Flug was his only friend in this facility, and he was usually too busy to spend much time with him. Everyone else was either mean to him or ignored him. Melanie was different. She loved him and everything he did. It was amazing. 505 finally had another friend.
Melanie was enjoying herself, too. She forgot she was even in Black Hat's Organization for a while until Flug knocked on the door again.
505 got up and answered it to see his Dad waiting outside.
Melanie grimaced as she remembered what he was here for.
"Melanie, it is almost time for lunch which means it's time for you to have another check-up," Flug said.
"My answers are the same as before," Melanie interrupted. "Just write those down again and save us both some time."
"Actually, I have different questions this time," Flug responded nervously.
He was hesitant to ask her, given her behavior. And if it went wrong, he'd probably pay the price.
Melanie put down her game controller, turned herself around on her bean bag, and asked, "What do ya wanna know?"
"I need to know about your devotion to..." Flug said with a gulp. "…you know who."
"Who?" Melanie asked confusedly. "My nun-ja sisters? I love them."
"Uh, I was meaning to ask about your connection to... Ugh. The one in the sky?" Flug finally spat out.
"Oh," Melanie said with a smile.
Flug wasn't expecting that.
"It is deep and very personal," Melanie said. "Any follower will tell you the same."
"Hmmm…" Flug said. "And from what I've seen, you parents and the rest of your family aren't really followers of the Way themselves. Are they?"
"No."
"Well, have you ever wondered why?"
"I don't need to. I'm the descendant of a witch and a corrupted Grim Reaper."
"It is my opinion that maybe they didn't need his guidance to get to where they are."
505 stood there nervously hoping that a fight wouldn't break out between his two dearest friends.
"You don't believe in Him," Melanie said. "Do you? That's kind of hypocritical considering who you interact with on a daily basis. Don't you think?"
"It's not that I don't believe He's real," Flug said. "It's just that I gave up on Him a long time ago. You might consider doing the same. You have faith in His teachings, protection and assistance, and yet, here you are."
"He helps those who surrender to His will," Melanie retorted. "I don't know why I'm here, but He'll give me a way out. You'll see."
Flug scoffed and said, "Whatever, but don't come crying to us when He doesn't help you. Anyway, it's time for lunch. I suggest you make your way with me to the dining room."