In the basement, 505 had moved Sadie to a hospital bed, treated her injuries as best he could, and got her his phone and his Switch to help keep her calm. She ended up helping him with a game he was struggling with while Sadie played Oingo Boingo on his phone.

505 clapped happily as Sadie finally beat the obstacle course that he was having so much trouble crossing.

"And there you have it, me boyo," Sadie said. "That's everything you need to know about how to beat this level."

Just then, Flug walked in with his clipboard.

505 waved at him happily.

Sadie selected a song on 505's phone and pressed play. It was Oingo Boingo's satirical hit "Little Girls."

"I-I-I LOVE LITTLE GIRLS! THEY MAKE ME FEEL SO GOOD!" Sadie belted out with the music as obnoxiously as possible to get on her captor's nerves. "I LOVE…LITTLE GIRLS! THEY MAKE ME FEEL SO…BAD!"

"Shut that crap off right now!" Flug snapped.

505 quickly shut off the song and took his phone back while Sadie cackled wildly.

"I thought I told you not to sing that song around me," Flug said annoyedly. "It's annoying, disgusting, and obnoxious."

"It's satirical, man," Sadie explained with an eyeroll. "It's a fun song mocking pedophiles in the entertainment industry. That's kinda the point."

"Don't use that word around, 505!" Flug chided.

"It's okay," Sadie said. "I explained what it meant to 505 already. He understands."

"You what?!" Flug asked incredulously.

"I have been explaining the songs I picked out on his phone to him," Sadie explained while turning the game back on and playing it some more. "So far, I've explained pedophilia, school shootings, nuclear war, drug addiction, and the story of Major Tom."

505 nodded positive but unable to hide how disturbed he was feeling.

Flug facepalmed, wondering what he did to get stuck with yet another teenage girl hellbent on making his life more difficult.

"Goddammit," Flug said, exasperated. "What is wrong with you?"

"Besides the fact that I've been kidnapped, I suppose that depends," Sadie said with a wry smile. "Are you here to treat the injuries you just gave me."

"Yes, but I'm actually here to give you some good news," Flug explained. "It appears you'll have a visitor soon."

"And who might that be, Mr. Mad Scientist?" asked Sadie mockingly without looking up from the Switch.

"Melanie," Flug replied simply.

Sadie instantly perked up and set the game down.

"But there's something you and I need to do first," Flug explained.

"What? Are you about to torture me some more?" Sadie asked with an eyeroll.

"No, I just plan on asking you some questions this time," Flug said, pushing over a stool from the side of the room and taking a seat.

"You're not even going to bother checking my injuries from the pointless torture you did earlier?" Sadie asked incredulously. I mean, I've healed most of them, but that's still cold, dude. Tisk. Tisk."

"505 seems to have you covered," Flug said dismissively. "Now, if you would put down that Switch and let 505 go, I'll ask you my questions and then you can see Melanie."

"Oh, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you're not even looking at my injuries?" Sadie asked as 505 pat her on the head, picked up the Switch, and left the hospital wing. "You sir are a negligent doctor! And I thought you were supposed to take a Hippocratic oath. Shame to the profession I'd say, unless…"

Sadie gasped dramatically before she finished, "You aren't a real doctor!"

Flug rolled his eyes at her dramatics and replied, "I have a doctorate in science, not in medicine."

"But Melanie mentioned that you did surgery on her," Sadie said with a raised eyebrow.

"I said I had a doctorate in science," Flug said annoyedly. "That doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two."

"Oi, now you're just playing with words," Sadie retorted. "Either way, you sir, are a negligent doctor. Shame to the profession, I'd say. Not that I'd expect anything better coming from you, just thought I would make a point."

Flug's eye twitched as he replied, "You know, just because Black Hat hasn't ordered me to, doesn't mean I can't give you 10,000 volts right now. Now, do you wanna see your friend, or not?"

Sadie stared back at him unimpressed and said, "Yes, I do. I also want my injuries checked by someone other than the bear."

"Anything else, 'Your Majesty'?" Flug asked sarcastically. "I just need to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind."

"Just one thing," Sadie answered. "Do you make your bear do everything all the time?"

"Do you ever shut up?" asked Flug.

"I might consider it if you check out my injuries and tell me where Melanie is," Sadie replied with a smile.

Flug took a deep breath to calm himself down and calmly said, "You will see her soon enough. Your injuries be attended to sooner as well if you let me finish asking my questions."

Sadie sat back against her elevated hospital bed, crossed her arms, and said, "Fine. What do you want to know, Mr. Unprofessional?"

Flug's eye twitched again in annoyance at her disrespect, but he remembered what Black Hat said and forced himself to calm down.

Flug shook off his rage, looked down at his clipboard, and asked, "So, are we correct to assume the Nun-jas know where Melanie is?"

Sadie hovered over her bed backwards, leaned her head back so that she was looking at Flug upside down, and said, "No shit, Sherlock. How do you think I got here? You didn't need me to tell you that."

Flug rolled his eyes and replied, "I guess not, but your answer has basically confirmed that. So, how long have you known Melanie for?"

"3 years," Sadie said, laying herself back down on the bed.

"I see," Flug said, writing on his clipboard. "Was this meeting back when Melanie first joined your group?"

"Yes," Sadie said simply as she stretched out her legs.

"Well, considering that you're here, I can only assume that your fellow Nun-jas know where Melanie is. How? I don't know, but I'm going to find out," Flug said enthusiastically.

"Good luck with that," Sadie scoffed as she moved on to stretching her arms. "No one ever has, but good luck to you anyways. I hope you have fun failing."

"Speak for yourself, kid," Flug replied with a chuckle. "As I told you before, you made a serious mistake coming here by yourself. Not that you bringing your friends would have helped. No matter how many of your friends show up, the Black hat Organization has taken down countless would-be heroes individually and in groups. You're no different. No matter how many family and friends come to the rescue."

"Yet you've never been able to get information out of a single one of us," Sadie said with a cocky grin. "Holding me captive is a waste of your time, man. You might as well let me go."

"Yeah, right," Flug said with another chuckle as he took more notes on his clipboard. "We'll just let you leave and tell everyone where you are and make us look like complete idiots in the process. No way, little girl. You and your sisters should know we don't operate like that. Your pride and your faith will be your downfall."

Sadie shrugged and hovered into the air.

Flug watched on unimpressed as she flew around him and said, "I suppose my plan didn't go as well as I hoped…"

"You had a plan?" Flug interrupted sarcastically.

"…but what else could I do?" continued Sadie, continuing hovering in circles. "I couldn't just sit around and leave Melanie alone to be tortured."

Flug looked back unimpressed and said, "It wouldn't have helped, but you could have found more friends to help you instead of flying straight into danger like a sentimental moron."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I've kicked myself enough for this already. I'm sure my other Nun-ja sisters and my parents will chew me out for this later," Sadie said, hovering crossed-legged in front of him and rolling her eyes. "I'm surprised you're showing this level of concern considering how unapologetically evil you all are. It's kinda weird too. You're almost my dad's age. He and my mom are 32. They had me when they were both 19. Doesn't that blow your mind? That could have been you."

"Hmph," Flug said with an eyeroll. "I've dedicated my life to more than just having a family."

"Bauw?" 505 asked, peeking around a corner of the hospital wing.

"Not now, mijo, Daddy is working," said Flug to his hiding bear before turning back to Sadie. "Ahem. My work has purpose, and I'm sorry if you can't see that."

"No one ever said you couldn't have both," Sadie argued with a shrug. "My parents do. They have me and work they love."

"Good for them," Flug said unenthusiastically.

"You might just get to meet my parents," said Sadie.

"I'm counting on it," Flug said, writing on his clipboard. "Parents usually come to the rescue. They'll be the first to come and the first to fall."

Sadie chuckled, snatched his clipboard, and said, "You have no idea who my parents are. Do you? Oh, it looks like you have some idea."

"Give me that!" Flug snapped, snatching the clipboard back. "Yes, I do, and if not, I will find out eventually. We make work in the shadows, but we know more things than the average person. Besides, heroes usually still have lives outside of work. That is one of your weaknesses."

"You don't have any life outside of work then?" Sadie asked hanging outside down from the ceiling. "That is just so sad, man. I'd say that could be interpreted as one of your weaknesses. I get that my parents started a wee bit too young, but by the time they were your age, they had me, each other, our other family, their friends, their relationships with God...You...You seem way too lonely. I mean, have you ever been in a relationship? Wait...Maybe you've only ever had one-night stands. Maybe you have a kid and a family you don't know about...Unless you're a virgin..."

"My virginity is none of your business!" Flug interrupted, feeling equal parts flustered and annoyed. "And the last time I checked, I'm the one asking the questions here!"

Sadie snickered, knowing he was probably blushing under that paper bag he was wearing.

"No shame in being a virgin, man," Sadie said. "It's ideal to stay one till marriage in our faith. Mary and Jesus were virgins, you know. Though in their case, it was related respectively to her immaculate conception and his holy nature as God. And for you, it seems to be loneliness."

"For the last time, I'm not lonely!" Flug cried in exasperation. "I have my son 505! I have more scientific prowess than half the geniuses in the world combined that has only been growing! How long do you think you're gonna survive by continuing to undermine me?"

"I'm not trying to undermine you, my good man. I'm just trying to learn about your sad, empty life," Sadie said, floating back around her bed. "Excuse me for trying to be friendly. It's not like you were making much interesting conversation."

"This isn't a conversation," Flug said annoyedly. "This is an interview."

"An interview is a type of conversation," Sadie replied. "Isn't it?"

Flug rolled his eyes and said, "Let's move on to another question. Shall we? Where are the rest of the Nun-jas?"

"You're going to have to be way more specific, man," Sadie said, flying in a circle around Flug. "You do realize that the Church is in almost every country in the world. Don't you? Nun-jas are everywhere."

"So, they have places all over the world," Flug said, writing the answer on his clipboard. "I mean, it makes sense. You're seen but unseen. Does every church have a Nun-ja group?"

"Please refer to my previous statement," said Sadie, pausing her circling to sit back on her bed and stretch her arms and legs.

Flug rolled his eyes and said, "Alright. Where's the nearest location?"

"Wherever Melanie currently is," Sadie said, playfully hopping into the air and hovering in place again. "That's the nearest location I can think of."

"I see," Flug said with a frustrated sigh. "Well, I should've known better than to expect a straight answer from you."

"We don't have our reputation for nothing," Sadie said.

"Then let me ask you this..." Flug said coldly, pausing quietly for a moment to walk closer to Sadie who was hovering above the bed. "Do you really want to see Melanie again?"

"Yes," Sadie replied.

In a second, Flug closed the distance to get into her personal space, grabbed her shirt, and said, "Then you will answer my questions with as much seriousness as you can muster."

Flug then grabbed Sadie, pulled her out of the air, placed her on her bed, pressed a button on the side that caused the restraints on the bed to grab onto her wrists and ankles, and stepped back.

Sadie struggled against her restraints for but a moment. Her eyes flashed in panic as she turned back to Flug who pulled up a stool next to the bed and sat down with his clipboard and pen before he resumed his questioning.

"Now then, shall we continue?" Flug asked with a smile in his voice.

Sadie audibly gulped.

Flug adjusted the bed so that Sadie was looking at him.

Sadie took a deep breath and gave Flug a brave face.

"More seriously this time. I'd like you tell me a little more about your parents, and the Nun-jas. Oh, and I guess I've already made this obvious, but..." Flug paused, his goggles shining as he glared. "The fact that you are a child will not affect how I deal with you."

To Flug's surprise, Sadie smirked and replied, "Are you trying to threaten me, doctor? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were."

"More of a fact really. You know, due to Melanie's connections, we're not allowed to kill her for her insubordination, but..." Flug said, pausing again to pull out the controller to Melanie's ankle bracelet. "That doesn't mean we're not allowed to harm her."

Sadie gave Flug a pointed glare and asked, "What do you mean? What are you saying? What are you gonna do?! Leave Melanie out of this!"

Flug chuckled to himself.

"Well, you certainly don't care what happens to yourself," said Flug, tilting his head slightly. "But can you say the same for your dear friend?"

In a flash, Sadie shapeshifted again. First, she changed into a cockroach on its back so that she could get out of her restraints. Then she turned into a growling wolf.

Flug jumped back in surprise.

Sadie growled and telepathically said so that Flug could hear her, "You wouldn't dare!"

Flug started in surprise and then said, "So, that's why Melanie was staring at the ocean. Interesting. What else can you do?"

"Up yours!" snarled Sadie telepathically.

"How about you calm down?" said Flug. "Did you forget who's in charge here?"

"Oh, you mean Black Hat?" asked Sadie telepathically as her wolf form flashed a grin.

Flug fumed for a moment before Sadie changed back to a human, rolled onto her stomach, propped her head up with her hands, leaned forward on her elbows.

Then Sadie said, "Listen, I know Lucy is the one you're really after. And we have no clue where she is. Lucy has gone into hiding. All of us have. We have kept our locations a secret from each other so that if one of us gets captured the others aren't in any danger, so I couldn't tell you where they were even if I wanted to. Does that answer your questions?"

"I suppose," Flug said with a shrug. "And I suppose I also have the answer as to where Melanie also received her attitude from."

Sadie scoffed and said, "Melanie had an attitude before I met her. She just hid it so that she wouldn't get in trouble with her family or you guys. She knew you'd never accept her."

"Well, I suppose that could be true, but are you really that much better?" Flug asked. "You Nun-jas approached and told her all the things she wanted to hear just so you could get her on your side. Then you filled her head with all these dumb ideas about good. But the world isn't and will never be as good as you and your group hope it can be. We're ultimately doing her a favor by showing her the truth."

"No, we didn't," Sadie said. "We gave her an opportunity to be free. Lucy told her everything that could happen upfront and told her that she could leave at any time. We never lied to her. We showed her the Truth. We gave her all the love and acceptance she never had with you guys. She was lonely and miserable because she thought she was alone. She stayed with us because she wanted to choose a good path. She was never tricked or forced into staying."

Flug just shrugged and replied, "I'll take your word for it, kid. But know this. If either one of you does something, the other girl will pay the price. Do you understand?"

"Yes, whatever," Sadie waved off defiantly. "Does that mean you're out of questions and will look at my injuries now?"

"Very well," Flug said as he stood up and walk over to a counter for his equipment. "For you and Melanie's sake, hope that this Lucy makes herself known to Lord Black Hat."

"What? Are you gonna kill me if she doesn't?" Sadie said with a scoff. "What would Black Hat do to Lucy anyways? It's not like she's a kid who can be sent off to the Black Hat Institute anymore. Why do you guys care about her or Melanie anyway? Why not just cut them out of the organization and let them live their own lives?"

"If you'd like to know about Kasumi, you might have to ask Lord Black Hat, but as for Melanie, the reputation of the De La Muerte Family hangs high in the villainy society. If Melanie were to leave, it would mean that they aren't loyal or they aren't capable enough keep their children in line. That would ruin our reputation, too. We can't let that happen for them or for us. Our reputation and the connection Melanie's family has to the organization is why we have taken it upon ourselves to keep her in line. And…" Flug paused for a moment. "If you think her family never loved her, you're wrong. They don't want to lose her. They know if she manages to flee with the Nun-jas, she'll be gone forever. At least, that's what I think."

"But wouldn't they rather her be happy and free out here than tortured and imprisoned here?" Sadie asked.

"Let her run away and ruin her life and her family's reputation like Kasumi did to her own family?" Flug asked incredulously while looking over Sadie's burn marks. "They won't let that happen. Black Hat won't either. He's never given up his search for Kasumi, and he's not going to let Melanie or any other asset get lost the same way."

"It would be much easier for him if he just moved on," Sadie replied.

"That's just it," Flug said, using a special gel to cool the burns that were left. "Black Hat never settles. What he cannot have, he destroys."

Sadie's face fell and she said, "That explains why he's so intent on brainwashing Melanie. If Lucy were to come back, do you think he would try to do the same thing to her or just kill her?"

"I'm not sure, but Kasumi's capture will again stand as proof that no one can stand against our organization," said Flug enthusiastically while finishing up his treatment.

Sadie looked askance and tried to hide her worry.

"If Kasumi complies, I'm sure she'll be granted mercy," Flug said. "But if I were you the one I'd be worried about is you."

Sadie stayed suspiciously quiet while Flug continued treating her injuries. She continued that silence for about another minute or so until...

"You're keeping me alive mainly to be bait, aren't you?" asked Sadie, breaking her silence. "You're making some kind of torture film with me so that you can send it out for the other Nunjas to see. Don't deny it. That's why you randomly tortured me. Isn't it?"

Flug was taken aback. The girl was more intelligent than she appeared. He weighed his next words carefully before replying.

"I tortured you because Melanie was disobeying," Flug lied. "And I'm the one the asking the questions here. Now, let me treat you and I'll be on my way."

"Melanie was disobeying?" Sadie asked as she continued to let Flug treat her. "What did you ask her to do? What kind of orders are you giving her?"

"Again, that's none of your business. I say you should worry about yourself, even if you Nun-jas are trained to be so selfless," said Flug with an eyeroll before continuing with a grin and a clenched fist to emphasize his point. "But if you're curious, they're the kind that'll make her into a real villain as she was always supposed to be."

"So, you're torturing me to get Lucy's attention and get Melanie to do whatever you ask," Sadie said. "Got it. May I ask what fecked up shite you've made her do thus far?"

Flug remained silent so Sadie listed some crimes, "Burning down a building? No. Torturing someone? No? Kill someone...?"

Flug paused and looked right at her.

"You made her end someone's life?" Sadie asked in near shock. "You didn't..."

Flug chuckled and replied, "Well, if it's any consolation, she tried her best to make it painless. She helped the spirit escape to heaven. It's not how I would have done it, but it's a start."

"She sent the soul to heaven to save it," Sadie retorted in rising anger. "Melanie would have saved the body but let me guess. You shocked her into submission and threatened to hurt her. Didn't you?"

Flug shrugged as he finished wrapping up Sadie's last injury and said, "Well, things would have gone a bit more smoothly, but her grandfather seems to want to coddle her. No wonder she keeps thinking she can get away with things. Get ready to see Melanie soon."

Sadie looked forward, eyes on the verge of tears, and said, "It's all my fault. I have made everything so much worse."

Seeing her sorrow, 505 reentered the room and rubbed Sadie's back.

"For you and her, but at least better for us. So, you aren't totally useless," Flug said cruelly.

505 shot Flug an angry look that surprised him before going back to hugging Sadie who had begun weeping into his fur.

Flug stood there taken aback and concerned. 505 had never shown disapproval like that before. That wasn't normal.

Flug contemplated on what to do, but he feared his resistance would only drive his bear further towards Melanie and Sadie.

Unfortunately, before Flug could think any more, the doors opened, and Melanie entered the room mid-argument with her grandfather.

Melanie entered the room, carrying a few books and yelling, "For the last time, you can forget it! I'm not living with you in Hell!"

Lord Reaper rolled his eyes and said, "And for the last time, you wouldn't be living in Hell! You would be living on earth in France or in a place nearby with me."

"Either way, it sucks!" cried Melanie before she noticed Sadie. "Sadie!"

"Melanie!" cried Sadie.

Melanie rushed to the bed, climbed on, and gave Sadie a big hug.

"Sadie, are you okay?" asked Melanie. "Black Hat showed me what he was doing to you. It looked so painful! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," said Sadie. "The good doctor over here finally looked over my injuries after asking me a bunch of stupid questions about you, the Nun-jas, and Lucy. Before that, besides the torture I went through earlier, not much. I just woke up in that cage and 505 brought me food. Dude, that scientist really sucks."

"Tell me about it," Melanie said with an eye roll.

Ignoring their comments with an eyeroll, Flug asked, "What are you arguing about?"

"Melanie's parents have been severely neglecting her," Lord Reaper explained. "It's how she became this good in the first place. They were supposed to expose her to violence like what happened upstairs, but they didn't. So, my little granddaughter turned into a hero. Therefore, I think it best if I have primary custody of Melanie. We have a lot of ground to cover since her parents ignored her for so long. Wouldn't you agree, Flug?"

"I would. Though that is also the whole point of this program sir, as a reminder," Flug reminded him.

"No way!" Sadie interjected.

Flug pulled out his controller and snapped, "I'm talking!"

"Coward!" Sadie growled.

"Sadie, Sadie, it's okay," Melanie said, patting her arm. "Don't let them rile you up. That's what they want you to do."

Sadie grabbed Melanie's arm and said, "Oh, Melanie, Flug told me what they did to you. I'm so sorry! You're under Black Hat's thumb now and it's all my fault!"

"Sadie, don't say that," said Melanie, trying to be comforting. "You were just trying to help."

"But it is," Sadie said, tears poking at the corners of her eyes. "The other Nun-jas told me to wait until we played our hand, but I couldn't stand seeing you in this horrible place. So, I snuck off the boat and came all this way only to get captured like an idiot. The doctor is right. I am worse than useless."

"You have a use for us," interjected Lord Reaper.

"Va te faire foutre, Papi!" snapped Melanie.

"Did you just tell me to screw off again?" Lord Reaper asked incredulously.

"Yes, I did!" affirmed Melanie. "You and Flug can both screw off!"

"So rude," Lord Reaper chided as his phone in his hand started ringing.

Lord Reaper checked the phone and said, "And that will be your mother. I gotta take this. I leave these two to you, Flug."

"What did he mean?" Sadie asked out loud to Melanie. "Oh, wait. Don't tell me. They're gonna use me to make you do bad things? Bunch of gutless cowards."

Flug sighed and said, "Very well, it won't be long."

Melanie placed her hand on Sadie's shoulder to comfort her and said, "Sadie, do you remember what Lucy always told us? It doesn't matter what other jerks say about you. It only matters what we, the people who love us who we are, and God think of us. Yeah, you made a mistake, so did I. But you're not worthless. It doesn't freaking matter what Black Hat says, and it doesn't matter what Flug says either…"

Flug crossed his arms in annoyance and interrupted, "I'm right here."

"Yeah, so?" Melanie retorted. "You can leave."

Flug now annoyed didn't hesitate to press the on the button of the remote to shock Melanie.

Melanie cried out in pain, fell on the floor, and started writhing in pain.

"Melanie!" Sadie cried, leaning over the side of the bed. "Oh, God! Dr. Flug, stop it!"

In about half a minute or so, Flug released the button.

Melanie lay on the floor breathing hard while Flug walked over and stared her down.

Melanie greeted his stare with a nasty glare of her own that became more pronounced with the words he spoke.

"I'm a scientist, but I am a villain first and foremost," said Flug menacingly. "The fact that the both of you are children will not affect how I deal with you. You two are heroes and this organization exists to deal with them, so I will deal with you as I see fit. Do you understand me?"

"Dios mio, there really are no words for how much you suck," Melanie said, sitting up on the floor.

"Are you finished?" Flug asked, annoyed and unphased.

"Why is your ego so sensitive all of a sudden?" Melanie replied. "Did what I say really strike that much of a nerve? Why are you doing this?"

Flug crouched on the floor next to Melanie and said, "Because your behavior is out of control."

Melanie looked at Flug absolutely dumbfounded and said, "What? What is that even supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," Flug replied.

"You can't be serious," Melanie retorted. "You work with Demencia! How am I the one who's out of control?"

"Do you really want to compare yourself to her? Or do you want to be better?" Flug asked, taking Melanie's hand and helping her get to her feet.

"Up yours!" Melanie snarled, smacking his hand away once she was standing up again. "You're the one not making any sense and shocking me for no reason! Better like how?!"

Flug leaned in, narrowed his eyes menacingly, and said, "Better than an unruly beast. You think you can do that for 5 minutes? Otherwise, I can find ways to make you wish you were dead."

Frustrated tears poured out of Melanie's eyes, and she sniffled, "Telling you to go away while I'm comforting my friend is behaving like an unruly beast? Sure! Why are you being so cruel out of the blue like this? What is your real reason for doing this? You can tell me. I'm not scared of you. I have been wishing I could die ever since I saw this stupid island. There's nothing you can do to make me want it more."

Sadie crawled over and gripped a hand on Melanie's shoulder to show her support.

Flug simply sighed and said, "I have told you before. It can always be worse."

"I guess I ain't getting any answers to my other questions then," Melanie said with a frustrated sigh. "You're a jackass. You know that? I stopped my Papi from choking you and this is how you're paying me back?"

Flug looked askance for a second and then said, "Did you forget, little girl. There's no honor among thieves, or in this case, villains. Besides, you should remember that I've kept Black Hat from doing much worse."

"HOW?!" Melanie snarled. "You made me send that guy to heaven! I was going to send him there with his body, but you wouldn't even let me do that! Now, he's dead..."

Sobs cut off Melanie's angry rant, and she fell to the floor and began crying. Sadie hopped off the bed, hovered over to where Melanie was sitting, and put her hand on her back.

Flug hated this sight. Sure, he still had mixed feelings about Melanie, but it was her crying that was bothering him.

A child. Crying.

Like 505. Like Flug used to.

Sadie glared at Flug, bared her fangs, and snarled, "You have anything to say for yourself, ya bastard?"

"Nothing you'd like to hear…" Flug replied.

There was a lot of vague sentimental stuff Flug wished he could say but kept silent on.

"Well, it's about time for Melanie to have class, so we need to go," Flug said, receiving glares from both Melanie and Sadie.

"I don't wanna go!" Melanie cried from her spot on the floor. "There's nothing you can teach me that Black Hat won't try to brainwash into me later. Can't I stay out here with Sadie? Or can Sadie at least join us?"

"Afraid not," Flug said. "She would be a distraction."

"Well, I don't wanna go then," Melanie said, still sitting on the floor. "The last thing I want is to be alone with one of the men who forced me to kill."

Normally, Flug probably would've bitten back, but...

"I'm sorry," Flug said, speaking in a bit calmer tone. "Unfortunately, it is not your decision. Nor is it mine. Besides, it's better if you get used to things like this now."

Melanie curled up into a ball and spat back defiantly, "I'm never getting used to killing. Ever!"

"Now, you're just being childish," Flug said with an annoyed sigh. "Please just get up, Melanie."

Melanie stood up and said, "I don't care what you think…Sadie?!"

Sadie lunged forward in her wolf form forcing Flug to fall backwards just as he was about to press the button again.

"You are not going to hurt my friend again!" Sadie yelled telepathically.

Flug didn't say a word but reached into his lab coat for his dart gun again.

Sadie then turned to Melanie and told her, "Listen, Melanie. They're filming everything happening to send to Lucy and the others. We're being used as bait. So, no matter what happens, you can't give them material to work with."

Before Melanie could respond, Flug grabbed his dart gun, shot a dart into one of Sadie's dog legs, and said, "And I'm not going to be intimidated by children. Thanks for stating the obvious by the way."

Sadie fell over and turned back into her human form. She fought back against the drugs, but it was taking effect too quickly.

"Sadie!" Melanie cried, sitting next to her. "Come on. Heal! You can do this. I can't endure this if you're not here."

Flug stood there unimpressed and said, "Don't be so dramatic. She's only going to sleep. You'll see her later."

"You're a jackass! AHHHH!" cried Melanie as Flug gave her a quick shock with her foot bracelet.

Flug only shocked Melanie for a second. But it was enough to surprise her, and she fell back on the floor.

505 squealed out anxiously and scooped up both girls.

Sadie was still awake, so Melanie turned to her and said, "Sadie, please don't give up. You're one of my best friends. I love you, so try to keep yourself going and I'll see you again as soon as I can. Okay?"

Barely holding onto consciousness, Sadie said, "Melanie, whatever you do, don't let them see you scared."

Sadie then drifted off to sleep.

505 held both girls, holding them close and giving Flug a questioning glance about what he wanted to do.

"Melanie and I need to go to class," Flug said. "505, you get Sadie back to bed."

"But…" Melanie tried to protest.

"I think your behavior warrants some separation. Maybe when you behave more, you can visit her again," Flug said before grumbling under his breath. "Unless your grandfather is soft on you again."

"I heard that," Melanie replied.

"Are you going to make a scene every time you see her?" Flug asked.

"No! You started it! We were having a perfectly good conversation before you had to intervene and shock me for bruising your fragile ego!" Melanie snarled.

"Then perhaps next time you won't try to bruise my 'Fragile Ego'. Otherwise, guess what? This will happen again!" Flug retorted in frustration.

505 helped Melanie to her feet and shot Flug a semi-annoyed look that was enough to worry the scientist a little bit.

"All I said was that what you think of Sadie didn't matter, and guess what? It doesn't!" Melanie said, picking up her bags and getting Flug's attention back on her.

505 held Sadie in his arms and stared at Flug pleadingly.

"505, please take care of Sadie. Don't let her get too scared and make sure she's fed. You're the only one here I trust to do that. Can you do that for me?" asked Melanie.

505 looked at Melanie and nodded vigorously as he held Sadie safely in his arms.

Flug rolled his eyes grabbing onto Melanie's arm proceeding to drag her out of the laboratory.

505 placed Sadie on the bed and mentally made a note to himself to ask Sadie what her favorite foods were when she woke up. If anything, he could at least try to make this experience less horrific for her.

505 squealed after Flug and gestured to Sadie to ask him where Sadie should go.

"The cell, 505, the cell," Flug said as he and Melanie reached the exit.

505 nodded, picked up Sadie and the books Melanie brought for her, and proceeded to carry her away.

"Take care of her, 505!" Melanie yelled, trying to fight against Flug's dragging her away. "I'm counting on you!"

"You're being seriously overdramatic," Flug said in annoyance as they finally walked through the exit into the lab's hallway.

"You warrant that reaction," Melanie said annoyedly trying to shake her hand out of his grip. "Let me go!"

After some tugging from her, Flug did let go albeit reluctantly and glared at her, saying, "I can't wait for what Black Hat has planned for you."

Melanie's eyes flashed in a brief panic, and she said, "What? You mean killing someone wasn't enough? What else do I have to do?"

Flug walked ahead, smugly standing up straight and holding his hands behind his back, and said, "Oh, I'm not sure, but anything to wipe that smirk of arrogance off your face. Now, if you follow me to our classroom, I will explain what I do know in our next lesson."

"This is some BS," Melanie muttered following behind him

"Uh huh, I've decided to no longer pay attention to your pointless antagonistic banter," Flug retorted. "Now, right this way…"

Flug opened the door to the classroom and directed Melanie to sit down. As soon as she did, Demencia hopped off the ceiling and onto the floor next to her.

Melanie rolled her eyes and asked, "Why are you here?!"

"Yeah, Demencia, why are you here?" Flug asked, crossing his arms in annoyance.

"Black Hat said I could help teach Melanie today!" Demencia exclaimed happily. "Now, move over nerd!"

Demencia then shoved Flug aside as Melanie asked, "And what topic might that be?"

"I'm going to teach you how to cause wanton destruction!" Demencia said cheerfully as Flug got to his feet. "Black Hat said I could since that's what he wants you to do later."

"You're serious?" asked Melanie.

"Come on! It's easy!" Demencia said, kicking Flug's desk and immediately putting a crack in it. "See? Even a dummy like 505 could do it. You'll be an expert in no time."

"This is ridiculous," Melanie complained, laying her head on the desk.

"Don't be such a downer," Demencia said, getting in her face. "Destruction is fun! That is lesson one…"