Autumn had finally calmed down from the water they had almost drowned in. Donya and Ronan throwing question after question at them as Frank went on with his routine, having thrown his fedora into the crowd. Everyone in the area where the hat had been thrown going crazy and fighting to be the first to grab it. He then began taking off his vest, flinging it at the other side of the crowd, they too going mad to get their hands on it. Despite seeing it all before their very eyes, Autumn couldn't believe this was the same guy they had met in the woods and had removed a bear trap from their ankle, carrying them all the way back to the Brighten Estate.

"Are you sure that's him?" Donya asked once Autumn had finished their bit of coughing and removing the water from their lungs. "He's worked here for years, I can't imagine him living in the forest with how much people throw at him."

Frank, or at least a man Autumn confused for Frank- though they could definitely tell that it was Frank- or maybe his evil twin brother, continued to dance and please the crowd, while he spared quick glances in Autumn's direction. While they couldn't say for sure he was looking directly at them, Autumn could tell he recognized them from how he froze for a second when their eyes met and then shot that devilish smile of his before going on with his movements on stage.

"That's totally him," Autumn told Donya, "we need to leave. Now!"

"Aw, come on, Autumn," Ronan groaned, "we're here and the chances of him bugging you are low with how many people are surroundings him, plus I want to thank Bade for getting us in here without any trouble!"

"Besides, he did get you out of a bit of a rut," Donya soothed, "the least we can do is give him the attention he's paid for!"

"I don't care if he's Superman," Autumn jumped to their feet, "I already said I wouldn't talk to him if I could-"

Just before Autumn could finish their sentence, they turned to look to the stage and watched in awe as Frank fell to his knees and thrusted the air while bending backwards until he was lying flat on the stage with his legs beneath him, still thrusting in the air. The crowd was going wild the more he bent backwards and ran his hands through his hair and down his body to his crotch. He then twisted his legs so that he was lying on the stage in a more comfortable position, tearing off his pants as he did so and jumping back on his feet, flinging his pants to the group of screaming men and women to the right of him, leaving him in nothing but his briefs. He then turned his back to the crowd, his hands on the back of his head before rotating his hips around, driving everyone below him wild.

Autumn felt their face flush and their body unconsciously move to sit back down and grab their bottled water before chugging the rest of it down like it was their last drink.

"Are you okay?" Ronan asked once Autumn had finished their water and let out a gasp of air.

"I'm fine!" Autumn exclaimed defensively, hoping the red of lights masked the red on their face. "I was just caught off guard is all!" when they saw Donya look to the stage then back to them with a glint in her eye and a smile on her face, Autumn immediately added. "We can stay a little longer if you guys really want to! But, don't expect me to be happy about it!"

Donya and Ronan then shared a look, but thought better of it and shrugging before turning their attention back to Frank. Autumn followed their gazes and watched as Frank twirled on the pole, two women joining him on the other stages, synchronizing with his movements.

Frank spun around on the pole, using only his hands until he slid to the floor, sitting on the floor of the stage, one hand on the pole and the other forming a V shape over his lower body. His and Autumn's eyes then met again and Autumn flinched when he shot that same smile at them. His legs were spread wide, but slowly came together before he pulled himself back up against the pole. His body glistened with sweat and Autumn couldn't help but to stare, their face growing hotter the more maneuvering he did.

Finally, the song came to an end and Frank and the women dancing with him came to a stop with the song they had been performing to. All three mirrored one another as they sat on their knees with their hands up in the air and crossed over their heads.

As the crowd was clapping and cheering out Frank's stripper name, along with what Autumn assumed were the two women's stripper names, Frank stood and ran his fingers through his golden hair which stuck to his pale skin. He flashed one last smile and a wink in Autumn's direction before spinning away from them and striding off to the back with his companions. Both women's back sides very toned and fine, but Autumn couldn't stop staring after Frank's as all three vanished behind a curtain.

"Quite the dancer, isn't he?" Donya asked, breaking into Autumn's thoughts.

Shocked by the sudden intrusion into their dirty staring, Autumn nearly jumped out of their seat. Their face felt like it had caught fire and they tried hiding it from Donya and her teasing as she went on and on about how amazing Frank's dance was. Autumn couldn't deny that they had found Frank's dance tantalizing, but they didn't want Donya or Ronan to think too much into it. They already knew enough about Frank that they refused to think about the matter any further.

As Ronan got a second round on her drink, Donya continued to tease Autumn to admit that they were enraptured by Frank, and Autumn tried denying the attraction, a thump directly behind them made all three of them turn. The bartender had left three tall glasses of some kind of drink with an umbrella and a lemon wedge in each.

"Excuse me," Donya called the bartender back, "we didn't order these."

"Someone else paid for them," the bartender explained having to pick up his voice as more music began, "complimentary of the Crimson Wolf himself."

Donya and Ronan slowly turned to give Autumn a knowing look, Autumn groaning with frustration.

"He also says 'for a good time, you're welcomed to his dressing room, DuPond'," the bartender went on, "whatever the hell that means."

Before anyone of the three friends could say anything, the bartender stepped away to tend to another patron.

"Oh, for fuck sake!" Autumn snapped as they snatched the middle drink off the counter.

Donya grabbed herself a glass and took a sip before letting out a cry. "Wow, that's strong!"

Ronan took a sip from the last glass, but only shrugged and continued to drink the beverage.

"Saves your life, gives you a show, and buys you a drink," Donya nudged Autumn as they glared down at the drink, "I think someone likes you!"

"Alright, I'm gonna put an end to this," Autumn put down as they jumped off their chair and to their feet, "I'm going to thank him properly, give him back his money by returning the drink, and then we are all putting 'Crimson Wolf' behind us like he's the plague!"

"Yeah, good luck with that," Ronan laughed as she finished the drink Frank had bought the trio, "you do that, I'll go thank Bade for getting us in here, and then we can head out. That'll make you feel better after your chat with the wolf man." She then patted Autumn a little too hard on the back and staggered off into the crowd.

"I'm coming with you," Donya stood, excitement in her eyes, "I have to know where Silver Glitter gets her clothes and this might be my only chance!"

Autumn only rolled their eyes in response before heading toward the back, searching for any sign of a dressing room. At one point they had to ask one of the wandering workers where they could find Frank. The woman they had asked pointed them and Donya in the direction of a back hallway where the dressing room was located. The two had to push their way through a crowd that was rushing to the stage as new dancers began performing.

The hallway of doors with stars plastered to them and names written in calligraphy, though some crossed out to be replaced with different names, stank of sweat, alcohol, and perfume. Autumn had to keep from getting sick from the smells while Donya zipped around them with no issues, looking from door to door looking for Silver Glitter's room. Instead, she was the first to find Frank's room, his stripper name the only one written on the star.

"You go ahead and knock," Donya ushered Autumn as she pushed them toward the door, "I'm sure your boyfriend can already tell how you knock on a door!"

Autumn shot a glare at Donya, the two of them having a little staring contest before Donya rolled her eyes and knocked rapidly.

"It's been forty-five minutes, that pizza is free!" Frank's voice shouted from the other side of the door. He then swung the door open with a huff. He was only wearing a red robe now, covering his entire, half-naked body. "Oh, well fuck the pizza, this delivery is far more delicious." he soothed as he leaned against the henge of the door, eyeing Autumn up and down.

"Yep, here they are," Donya presented Autumn happily, "now that I've bought them to you, can you point me in the direction of Silver Glitter, I need her fashion guru!"

Frank tore his red gaze from Autumn to Donya. "Oh, three doors down on the left, just say Frank sent you and whatever." he answered with a dismissive wave of his hand. "So, what do I owe this pleasant visit?" he asked as Donya bolted off, leaving Autumn alone with the Crimson Wolf.

Autumn sighed before holding out the drink Frank had bought them. "Look, I didn't get to thank you for the bear trap a few days ago, so... Thank you, but I don't drink, so I can't accept this beverage you bought my friends and me. I only came here to give this back and thank you for helping me out."

Frank took the beverage and swirled it with the straw it had come with. "Cute and a goody two shoes? What's not to like about you?"

"And now I'm leaving," Autumn turned and began walking away from the door, "thanks again for the bear trap."

That's when they felt something warm grip their wrist just before they were about to head down the hallway to look for Donya. Autumn froze as a sudden shock wave flowed from their arm to the rest of their body. It was unlike anything they had ever felt and a strange feeling overcame them, the world seeming to go completely dark. They turned to look back to Frank whose once charming and confident face contorted into a look of surprise, his hand loosely holding on to Autumn's wrist as their eyes met. For the split second their eyes had met, Autumn could almost see the dark of the forest in Frank's red gaze. They couldn't see themselves in his eyes. Only the dark, snow-covered forest where they had met the strange man.

"Hey, Frank."

A voice made both Frank and Autumn jump as Frank released his grip. Autumn stumbled backwards before regaining their balance while Frank remained where he stood, looking at Autumn with the same surprised look on his face.

Wanting to look at anything but Frank, Autumn turned to where the voice had come from to see Silver Glitter towering over Donya. The dancer had her hand on a now silver jacket covered Donya looking like she had just died on gone to meet Rayphalyne in Vionya. Silver Glitter stood behind her dressed only in a glittering silver bra, booty-short jeans, and torn stocking.

While Donya remained in her euphoric state of bliss, Silver Glitter's annoyed glare turned into a knowing smile with a raised eyebrow as she examined the scene before her. Autumn could feel their face begin to burn, having known that look since they admitted to Donya that they once had feelings for Heinrich and saw them with him when Chet had come to pick them up for lunch with Heinrich driving.

"I'm sorry to have interrupted anything," Silver Glitter turned her full attention to Frank, "but I think this one needs to go home before she makes life-long decisions she's going to regret."

Donya just giggled as she stared up at Silver Glitter, her eyes shining like stars and face glowing in admiration.

"But, she did say she came with two people," Silver Glitter chuckled as she began guiding Donya down the hall where she and Autumn had come from, "I'll give you two a little more time while I go find number three."

Autumn began to speak as the two women passed them, but froze up once again as they locked eyes with a more relaxed Frank as he leaned against the edge of his room door. He tore his eyes from Autumn's to watch his co-worker and Autumn's friend walk down the hall before returning his attention to Autumn, looking them up and down.

"W-Well, I should go m-make sure that Donya f-finds-" Autumn began as they began trying to inch away from the awkward that could be cut with a saw.

"Freeze," Frank ordered, making Autumn jolt and cease their escape. "You nearly get yourself killed in the dead of night in a forest that little kittens like you end up missing, you come to a strip club to watch my perfectly molded ass blessed upon me by the gods, and you give back a drink I buy you because you don't drink. You're quite the interesting character, DuPond. Got any more secrets you'd like to tell little ol' me?" he asked as he batted his eyes.

Autumn held back a very rude retort at Frank's cockiness and just crossed their arms over their chest and leaned against the wall across from Frank's door. "Well you already know enough: I work for the Brightens and my life means so little to the patriarch that he'll send me out to the woods to get a rodent out of his house, I'm friends with people who think going to club is my scene because I apparently have a 'type', and I don't drink. I especially don't drink alcohol given to me by some strange man who lives behind my boss's house in the woods where there are bear traps scattered about. I'd say I'm your typical middle-class worker with connections solely through one friend and thinking about calling the cops for a restraining order. You, however, seem too groomed and have your own connections to be living in the woods. I think your secrets are way more interesting than mine, Crimson Wolf."

"Want to be a detective when you grow up, DuPond?" Frank smiled his wicked, devilish grin.

"Close," Autumn replied as they narrowed their eyes, "forensics and maybe when that dream is accomplished, I'll have people look into that forest."

Frank kept his smile as he began walking toward Autumn to stand before them and place his hand on the wall to lean over them. "Honestly, I don't think what you'll find in that forest will be all that interesting to little mystery novel lovers like you," he whispered despite no one but them being in the hall, "the most you'll find is Kinkiller and he's killed plenty of people that the police already have their eye on that place and they won't do shit unless that beast of a man kills one of them Brightens. People like you and me get killed by Kinkiller and they throw him a parade."

"Aw, are you that unloved by your billions of fans out there that you really think no one will ask questions?" Autumn shot back. "Because people like my sister, my friends, hell, even my nobody parents will do whatever it took to find out what happened to me and if the Brightens get involved, everyone gets involved and that forest will be burned to the ground until all its secrets are revealed."

"Anyone can forge a runaway letter," Frank leaned closer, "who's to say people don't see me and you together and just out of nowhere we both vanish, someone leaves a letter on our beds, and boom, you and I have pulled a Romeo and Juliet."

"Shakespeare didn't write Romeo and Juliet to be the perfect romance," Autumn smiled, "he wrote it as the worse possible thing to happen to two children who find themselves in love in a week and act upon that relationship in drastic ways that lead their deaths. Yeah, I'm getting the vapors here."

"You're cynical," Frank pulled back, still smiling.

"And you're not as cute as you think you are," Autumn smiled with a tilt of their head.

"Ooh, ouch," Frank laughed, "careful what you say, cutie, I'm a huge masochist!"

Autumn rolled their eyes and opened their mouth to say something back, but stopped when their eyes landed on Frank's chest mid roll. More of his bare chest was revealed beneath his robe and something appeared off on his pale skin. Autumn lifted up their hand and began pushing his robe more to the side to get a better look. Faded splotches of purple and red could be seen, covered by a lot of makeup enough to almost hide them.

Bruises? Autumn thought in horror.

Before Autumn could see the full extent of the damage on Frank's chest, the stripper yanked his robe back over his entire chest. Autumn jumped back at the sudden movement and looked up at Frank to see a twinge of fear on his face to only then be replaced by a feigned look of seduction.

"Woah, like to take things fast do we?" Frank laughed. "As much as I would love to share a neverending night of passion with you, I'm afraid I'm on the clock, so maybe a rain check on the disrobing, eh doll?"

Before Autumn could ask about the bruises, Frank dragged them away from the wall and spun them to face down the hall where Silver Glitter and Donya had vanished down.

"This has been fun, DuPond," Frank chuckled hurriedly, "but you should mozy along to your friends before the other little one does something she'll regret!" he then ran to his dressing room and prepared himself to shut the door. "I hope we meet again!" he beamed with a wink before slamming the door shut.

Autumn stood in the hall, staring at Frank's door in shock. Three nights before, Autumn couldn't recall seeing anything on Frank's exposed chest. They seemed fresh. They looked like whatever happened to him hurt. Did he get them from dancing? Did he get them in the forest? Why was he so secretive about them?

What the fuck? Autumn thought before slowly turning and running off to find Donya and Ronan.