Author's Note: Fanfiction is being evil with that power outage. Because of that, it wouldn't let me upload any files. So I am going to have to save over an old file to get this. Such a pain. Grrr! Anyway, welcome to the last key of 2024. I decided to give you something a little bit lighter. It still doesn't come out well for our boy, Allen. What more can Road do to him just to break him? You are going to have to sit back and see in the next year. You will have to see what I have planned for next year. I have an idea but I will have to see. For now, enjoy the last key of 2024.

Key Eighteen: Interview:

Please state your name.

"Allen Walker."

And what are you?

"An angel." Allen shivered.

How are you doing?

"Terrible." He drew his knees to his chest. Her eyes stayed on him. She gave him a little smile.

Did you enjoy your time in the tank?

"No."

Aw, why not?

"I hated it. It was weird. And creepy."

I didn't think it was that bad.

"Easy for you to say."

Hm?

He shook his head. Nothing that he could say was going to matter. Road always had the last word. At least she wasn't taking notes. Not yet anyway.

So what did you see?

"Too much."

Like what?

"Am I going to die here?"

That will depend on you.

"What's the supposed to mean?"

I'm asking the questions here, not you. Understood?

"Fine."

Good. Now what did you see?

"I don't know. Things."

Like what?

"I don't know."

Well, let's try this. How long have you been out there in the city?

"Two and a half years now? I have no clue."

Are you sure?

"Yes."

Okay. That's good. Now do you know how long you've been in this city?

"No."

Would you like to know?

"No." His answer didn't matter. She was going to have the final say anyway. She leaned in closer.

Five.

"What?"

That's how long you've been here. Five days.

"No…"

Yes.

"No… No. No, that can't be right."

It is.

Allen's felt it was spinning. He didn't know how to take this. The angel opened his mouth but no sound came out.

Do you want to get out of here?

Allen lifted his head. "What?"

Do you want to get out of here?

"Yes."

I can help you out.

The angel stared at her with big eyes. He already knew where this was heading. He bit back his tongue. The angel looked away.

"How?" He wished he could take the question back. Allen didn't like where this was heading. She kept her eyes locked on him. Why doesn't she just get on with it?

Give yourself over to me.

"Never."

No?

"No!"

Oh, Allen. That is not a smart decision. And you were doing so well. She sighed.

Well, it looks like we're going to need some more reeducation.

"Wait… What is that supposed to mean?"

Take him away.

Allen looked around in a panic. "What does that mean? Hey! Hey!" A pair of graceful hands grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him away.

Road shook her head. They were so close. What was she missing here? There were still some of her toys to play with. She had so many to choose from. The gears started turning in her head. A plan came together piece by piece. Road rose to her feet.

She was going to need a little assistance with this part of the brainwashing. Road pulled out a small phone.

"Yeah, you're up next. When can you start? Right now. Get to his room right now." A smirk came across her face.

"Good. I will see you there." She hung up her phone and walked out of the interrogation room.